Wilkins - Bring on February

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Ray Wilkins maintains Chelsea's squad is in great shape to compete on all fronts ahead of a huge month.

The Blues have crucial away trips to Liverpool and Aston Villa in February as well as an FA Cup fifth-round tie at Watford and a home leg against Juventus in the last 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

The West London outfit have been handed a blow as they begin next month without the services of defender Ricardo Carvalho, who has been ruled out for 10 days with a recurrence of his hamstring problem.

The Blues have also lost long-standing keeper Carlo Cudicini to Spurs on a free transfer, while Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda continue to be linked with moves away from Stamford Bridge, but Wilkins remains positive of what February may bring.

"It's a great month, a fantastic month," said the assistant first-team coach. "If you are a footballer, these are the games you want to play in. This month is extremely important for us.

"It's always crucial you pick up maximum points. At home we would expect to do very well indeed and it won't be for the want of trying.

"We had a magnificent record away from home and our football is quite exceptional.

"At home we haven't reproduced that type of football but it's not for the want of trying.

"We're working at it and we'll get back to that level of performance. We're not too far short. When teams come to Stamford Bridge, you must give them credit.

"They set themselves out not to get beat and to make it extremely difficult for our guys. The onus is on us to take the game to them and beat them."

Striker Drogba, who could only make a second-half substitute appearance against Ipswich in the FA Cup on Saturday, is likely to contend with another place on the bench.

The form of top scorer Nicolas Anelka continues to thwart the Ivorian's hopes of getting back into the side but Wilkins is convinced Drogba will seize his opportunity when it arrives.

"Didier realises the situation he finds himself in with Nicolas being the top scorer in the Premier League," said Wilkins.

"Didier will get his chance at some stage and I'm sure he'll take it because that's the professional man he is."

Despite Chelsea's squad of star players, Wilkins admitted the Blues have not received any offers from other clubs, apart from Tottenham, during the transfer window.

Chelsea allowed back-up keeper Cudicini to leave for White Hart Lane on a free transfer on Monday but, that aside, there has been no interest in Luiz Felipe Scolari's men.

"We've had nothing at all from Juventus or anybody," confirmed Wilkins after Florent Malouda was linked with the Italian club. "We haven't had any requests from any other club.

"As far as Didier is concerned, other clubs can do whatever they wish but it would be up to us as to whether he departs. At this moment in time, I would say certainly not. No-one else will be leaving the club.

"Carlo's gone to play football. He's been a fantastic servant. He's a smashing guy who's always been great around the place but we have the No.1 goalkeeper in the world in Petr Cech.

"Carlo is in magnificent condition. His contract was up at the end of season and they will get some good years out of him because he's extremely fit and a great professional.

"We are looking at all angles at the moment as far as bringing a goalkeeper in is concerned, but we're no closer than we were a couple of days ago.

"It's always difficult to bring any player in because we're looking for a certain type of quality but we'll keep looking. It depends what's out there."

Nigerian midfielder John Mikel Obi is back in the squad for Wednesday's game despite a drink-driving charge on Saturday.

He was arrested at 5.30am near Chelsea's ground and will appear in court on 3rd April.

Obi was suspended for their FA Cup win over Ipswich last Saturday, and Wilkins added: "John recognises the fact he's acted irresponsibly and we'll deal with that in house.

"That will be the last I say on that matter. He will come back into the squad."
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