Chelsea Football Club News

• Nickname:Blues
• Founded:1905
• Manager:Roberto Di Matteo

• Ground:Stamford Bridge
• Capacity:42,440

Wilkins set for Blues return

18 Sep 2008 - 09:23:14

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Chelsea are reportedly set to re-hire former coach Ray Wilkins following Steve Clarke's decision to join West Ham United.

Wilkins, 52, spent six years as a player at Stamford Bridge before returning to the club as part of former manager Gianluca Vialli's backroom staff in 1998.

The former Fulham and Queens Park Rangers manager and England Under-21 assistant is expected to be unveiled as Chelsea's new first-team coach on Thursday afternoon.

He will fill the void created by Clarke's decision to team up with Blues legend Gianfranco Zola in his first taste of management at London rivals West Ham.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has backed an in-form Blues side to strike an early blow in the title race by defeating Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

"It just depends on the day who is up for it and really gets at it because both teams have match-winning players who can change a game in a moment," he told the club's official website.

"But we're at home, we'll have the crowd behind us, we'll be going full pelt but we know they have quality.

"We are in good shape, we are confident, the team is playing well and we are scoring goals, but we need to make sure we keep our eye on the ball and keep going."