Jose relying on Kalou for Barca clash
The Blues will go into Tuesday's match with nine points from three matches
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Sunday, 29, Oct 2006 02:51
Jose Mourinho is set to start with rising star Salomon Kalou up-front for Tuesday's crunch with rivals Barcelona due to an injury crisis.
Top-scorer Didier Drogba failed to make the second half of the Premiership champions' 2-0 win over Sheffield United yesterday due to a foot injury.
Andriy Shevchenko sat out the game at Bramall Lane with a leg injury picked up in training, meaning Kalou is the only recognised striker available.
Kalou, 21, came on for Drogba at half-time and has impressed in recent weeks with cameo appearances.
Manager Jose Mourinho said Kalou's potential had not gone unnoticed at Stamford Bridge.
"Kalou is available and he is improving a lot. He is sometimes a bit naive in his actions but he is a kid with a lot of qualities and to play in Barcelona could be a big occasion for him," he said.
He added that he has little choice but to play one striker up-front against the European champions at the Nou Camp.
"In the first game against Barcelona we played without two keepers and maybe now is the time to play without two forwards and I will just take defenders and midfielders," Mourinho said of his striking problems," he said.
Mounrinho also said the form of goalkeeper Hilario has given him a selection headache.
"I have to think about it, for me, at the start of the season Petr is the first, Carlo the second and Hilario the third," he said.
"All of them know that, but Hilario went direct from third to first and has played four matches and conceded one goal.
"He (Hilario) is amazing. He is cool and comfortable in goal and I think the penalty save was a three-point save. You never know if Sheffield United are 1-0 up."
Barcelona warmed up for the clash with the Blues with a 3-0 win over Recreativo Huelva last night with a brace from Ronaldinho.