After a long time, we’re gonna have a top playing eleven, and to be honest a top subs bench as well. After the successful return of Joe Cole and Zhirkov in the mid-week league cup fixture against QPR, the strongest squad in England has just got stronger. If Sturridge and Deco make their returns, then we’re done. Transfer ban, my foot.

Apologies for completely ignoring the mid-week match. I did follow the match and did participate in the discussions in BC Huddle, but it’s just that I couldn’t get a blog in. Most of us were disappointed with the scoreline of 1-0 while we expected a mauling of the rangers. From a Chelsea point of view, we had rested key players, we had some of our players returning from injuries and also gave opportunities to young players like Borini who got a full debut. All things considered, a win is a good result, more so in a derby.

For the weekend match against Wigan, we’ve got Joe Cole and Zhirkov on the bench while we might play our best eleven on form. Drogba is also back after that little injury scare in the previous match. Ancelotti does not need to trouble himself too much. As a good manager, he has put a system in place and the system seems to be working rather well. All that he is now doing is just to turn and tweak here and there while maintaining the overall momentum that we’ve got.

This being an away match we might return to our away formation of 4-3-2-1 christmas tree. I’d be very pleased if I can see Joe Cole early in the second half in place of Anelka. If we want to bring in a striker in the second half, let that be Borini and not Kalou. I’m not against playing Kalou. In fact, credit to Kalou for scoring the key goals in key matches but we should see more of his alternatives too.

It’s Michael Ballack’s birthday today! We know Michael Ballack is not young, to be accurate he’s going on 34. The way I see it, his age has not really taken a toll on his game. He has his own laidback emperor-style game which he continues to have. What also remains in him is his passion and fight on the pitch. He’s the kind of player I’d love to have in my team. Hope he scores a 35-yard screamer today. Imagine the celebration of the Chelsea players if he scores! That would be a treat!

Unlike the previous weekend, this one is not that special because all our rivals have some very winnable matches. Man Utd playing Stoke, Liverpool playing Hull City, Arsenal playing Fulham and Tottenham playing Burnley. If any of these biggies drop points this weekend, it would be a big bonus for us. Man City is playing West Ham on Monday. That could be a tight affair but if Man City are getting Robinho back, it will their match to lose.

I’m tired of Chelsea matches not being telecast live. Today, ESPN would show crap matches like Stoke vs Man Utd  and Liverpool vs Hull City but Wigan vs Chelsea would only be a recorded telecast later. At least for this injustice, Stoke and Hull City must win today. As far as Chelsea is concerned, that’s another three-goal three-pointer!