Salomon Kalou spells out home truths

Bridge blues: Salomon Kalou, modelling Chelsea’s new home kit for next season, has blamed the club’s disappointing home form for their failure in the title race

Ben Hunt

13 April 2012

When Chelsea resume their Premier League campaign at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, Salomon Kalou admits there will be a sense of regret.

The ground, once a fortress under Jose Mourinho, was the place where Chelsea's title hopes died this year, according to the striker.

Liverpool's 1-0 victory at the Bridge in October ended an 86-game unbeaten home League record. A defeat by Arsenal followed a month later and there have also been stalemates against struggling Newcastle and Hull.

Chelsea have dropped 18 points at home this season - compared to United losing just five at Old Trafford - and the 0-0 with visitors Everton nine days ago saw boss Guus Hiddink admit his team were out of the League race.

Tomorrow's match with Fulham is the first at the Bridge since that draw and Kalou summed up the squad's frustration. "We have had some tough results at home and that is very important because if you want to be the champions, you have to make sure you win your home games," he said.

"This season we have had a couple of matches which have been difficult at home and we have dropped some points.

"But still, while Manchester United keep winning, it would have been hard to catch them anyway."

Even though Chelsea's attention is now on Wednesday's Champions League semi-final with Barcelona, they can't afford to take tomorrow's visitors lightly.

Roy Hodgson's side have drawn three of their last four clashes with Chelsea and have suffered one defeat in their last six Premier League games. Kalou says a derby victory will set Chelsea up perfectly for the second leg of their semi-final with Barca. "It's important that we keep on winning in the League even if you are focusing on other competitions," he added.

"Winning in the League will give you that confidence going into other matches."

Kalou was an unused substitute during the first leg in Spain and is eager to help fire Chelsea to their second Champions League Final in as many years. "It will be tough but to win the Champions League, they are the types of sides you need to beat," said the 23-year-old. "I could be facing my friend, Yaya Toure, so that will be nice. We talked ahead of the match. He's playing regularly for them and had a good season."

Kalou joined Chelsea in May 2006 after 35 goals in 67 appearances for Feyenoord persuaded Mourinho to pay £8million for him. It took him 12 games to score his first goal but he still managed nine in all competitions in his first season and started 25 of the 58 games in which he played.

The Ivory Coast international spent that season as understudy to Didier Drogba and Andriy Shevchenko but under Avram Grant he was given a more instrumental role as he strived to nail down a regular place in the side. Under Luiz Felipe Scolari, he was largely consigned to appearances as a substitute but Hiddink (left) has revived his career.

"The more you play the more chance you have to improve," he said. "I really enjoy being on the pitch and even if I play at right-back I will be happy."

Kalou would like to see Hiddink appointed as the club's next permanent manager. Hiddink has won 11 of the 16 games since taking control in February but will return to his job as Russia coach full-time when the season ends.

"He has brought a lot of discipline into the side," he said. "We are enjoying the moment with him and if he decided to stay it would be great."

* Saloman Kalou wears the new adidas Chelsea home kit for the 09/10 season featuring ClimaCool™ mesh for extra comfort. Every team need a 12th man - to test your Chelsea knowledge and to pre-order your shirt, visit: www.adidas.com/chelseafc

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