Chelsea

THE ESSENTIAL

Nicolas Anelka claims to have been made to feel like an outcast during his final days at Chelsea, but says he has no regrets about leaving.

Sam Hutchinson has signed a new deal with Chelsea, just over a year after being forced to retire from the game. The defender had been tipped to be the new John Terry at Stamford Bridge and continued to work at the academy to pursue coaching qualifications. Now, the 22-year-old has been told he can resume competitive football and has signed a one-and-a-half year deal.

Jamie Carragher is targeting the Carling Cup final to make his Wembley debut in a Liverpool shirt. The Reds are into the semi-finals after beating Chelsea and will have to beat Manchester City over two legs to get there.

Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge has said that he aims to get a place in the England squad that goes to the European Championships. He said: "I want to go to the Euros and it would be great to get selected."

Andre Villas-Boas has back Fernando Torres despite the frontman's horror miss in the game against Manchester United. The Chelsea manager said: "You have to be fair. We have seen two of the world's best strikers miss crazy opportunities, Fernando with his miss and Wayne Rooney with his penalty. This is nothing dramatic but sometimes it becomes something."

Stoke City have failed in their ambitious attempt to lad Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku on loan due to Premier League rules. The 18-year-old only joined in the summer and Premier League rule M 7.1 says: "A temporary transfer to a club may not take place in the transfer window in which the transferor club acquired the player's registration."

Israeli midfielder Yossi Benayoun is likely to leave Chelsea, with Arsenal and Liverpool fighting over his signature.

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has said that he wants to bolster his squad and that Chelsea target Luka Modric will be staying at White Hart Lane. Modric did not play last night but Redknapp said: "I'm sure Modric will stay. The chairman has made his mind up."

Harry Redknapp has said that Luka Modric won't play a part in Tottenham's match against Manchester United because "his head's not in the right place". The Croatian playmaker has been subject to two bids from Chelsea and the future of the 25-year-old is still not known.

Chelsea are believed to have made a formal bid for Anderlecht star Romelu Lukaku. The 18-year-old striker has been linked with many sides but it is believed that the Blues are the first to make a bid for the Belgian international.