Chelsea claim secret tactics will secure Anfield win

Last updated : 23 March 2002 By John Cross, The Mirror


Chelsea hotshots Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Eidur Gudjohnsen are ready to bamboozle Liverpool this weekend with their own brand of double Dutch.

The Chelsea strikers go to Anfield as the Premiership's most prolific partnership with 49 goals.

Dutchman Hasselbaink and Icelandic star Gudjohnsen have upstaged Liverpool's England duo Emile Heskey and Michael Owen this season - thanks to a secret weapon.

On the pitch Gudjohnsen and Hasselbaink speak to each other in fluent Dutch which leaves opposing defenders completely baffled.

Gudjohnsen learned to speak Dutch from his playing days with PSV Eindhoven and tomorrow the Chelsea partnership face the ultimate test against the Premiership's meanest defence.

Liverpool defenders Sami Hyypia and Stephane Henchoz have formed a great understanding - but Chelsea full- back Celestine Babayaro believes even they will be baffled by the duo.The Nigerian said: "Maybe it's the Dutch thing. They communicate most of the time in Dutch and in training they do it as well so they have a great understanding.

"They have a great partnership - they combine well, play give-and-go passes and, most importantly, they both score goals." Chelsea, who demolished Liverpool 4-0 at Stamford Bridge in December, have hit red-hot form and their lucky charm appears to be Danish winger Jesper Gronkjaer.

Since returning three games ago from a long-term knee injury, Gronkjaer has helped Chelsea to three straight 4-0 wins which have put them in Champions League contention and the FA Cup semi-finals.

Victory at Anfield would see them draw level with fourth-placed Newcastle and £7m winger Gronkjaer is delighted to be finally playing his part - with the help of a giant sofa!

Gronkjaer said: "I have had some very tough weeks since returning. I have been tired after the games and what has helped me most is my sofa. I have laid down and relaxed - I have a very good sofa. But I am ready for some more hard matches. We play Liver-pool tomorrow then I go to Dublin on Wednesday with Denmark.

"Chelsea then have two games over Easter - so it will be four matches in eight days.

"But we are just three points off Newcastle and have won the last four matches. The feeling within the club is that it is up to ourselves if we are to finish fourth in the Premier League.

"Liverpool will be on a high after getting in the Champions League quarter-finals, but I believe we can beat them. We have a good chance to make fourth place at least.

"The aim before the start of the season was the Champions League but, as the season turned out, it looked a very difficult task at some stages.

"Everyone in the club is very optimistic. Champions League is more important than the UEFA Cup. But I am also looking forward to the FA Cup, which is so important."

Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri has also paid tribute to pacey winger Gronkjaer for playing a major part in his team's impressive form.

Ranieri added: "Jesper has made a big difference in the last three games. We have two very quick, strong forwards in Eidur and Jimmy, who are doing so well.

"But in midfield, we have lacked a bit of strength and speed - but Jesper gives us that. Hopefully he can keep fit as he is a big asset for us." Chelsea defender Marcel Desailly, however, fears his side's great run could be halted by his fellow Frenchman Nicolas Anelka.

Veteran Desailly is worried he will come unstuck against his young international team-mate at Anfield.

Desailly knows all about Anelka after seeing him bang in the goals for the national side and, at 33, will be giving up a big age and speed advantage.

"I am very happy that Nico has returned, because he is a fantastic player," said Desailly. "But it will be a difficult challenge for me to come up against.

"Nico is very fast, and has the ability to make life difficult for any defender in the world."

HOW GOALDEN BOYS MATCH UP

HASSELBAINK GUDJOHNSEN

Mins on pitch 2546 1751

Goals (Prem) 21 13

Mins per goal 121 135

Shots on target 54 32

Shots off target 52 26

% On target 51 55

% Scored 20 22 Goal assists 6 5

%Pass com'tion 69 67 Offside 21 17

Yellow cards 3 2

Red cards 1 0

CHELSEA'S ATTACK

RANK TEAM GOALS FROM STRIKERS

1 Chelsea 40

2 Man United 39

3 Arsenal 37

4 Liverpool 31

RANK STRIKE PARTNERSHIP GOALS

1 Hasselbaink & Gudjohnsen 34

2 Van Nistelrooy & Solskjaer 34

3 Shearer & Bellamy 26

4 Pahars & Beattie 23

LAST 14 PREMIERSHIP MATCHES

RANK TEAM GOALS AVE GOALS

1 Man Utd 41 2.93

2 Chelsea 39 2.79

3 Newcastle 27 1.93

4 Arsenal 26 1.86

4 Liverpool 26 1.86