16 Euro2008 teams

Chelsea manager Avram Grant expects captain John Terry and striker Didier Drogba to be fit for the Champions League final and insists Manchester United are not the better team.

Terry dislocated his left elbow in the 1-1 draw with Bolton on Sunday while Drogba picked up a knock to his knee in the same game.

The Ivory Coast striker allayed fears about his fitness for next week's match in Moscow, telling L'Equipe: 'I took a blow to my knee that was operated on (in December), and it hurt at the time.

'I put ice on it immediately but there is nothing serious. I will be at training this week.'

He was also positive about Terry, adding: 'I have spoken to him - he will play in Moscow. 'No-one wants to miss this gigantic match, the match of our careers. That's the case for me any way.'

And Grant echoed his star forward in issuing a healthy prognosis for next Wednesday's clash against United.

'We need to wait for training tomorrow but John Terry I think will be okay. With Didier Drogba, I don't how serious it is but I think he will do everything possible to play in this game,' said Grant.

United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims his side have the advantage for the first all-English final after pipping Chelsea to the Barclays Premier League title at the weekend.

But Grant feels the sides go into the match on an equal footing. 'I don't think any team has the advantage,' he continued.

'We've played two times against them this season, we won two weeks ago and we lost at Old Trafford in my first game. 'The referee gave a red card, penalty and a goal - nothing was the right decision. I don't think they are better than us and in these games anything is possible.'

As well as rumours about his own future, Grant has been confronted with speculation some of his star names could leave. Drogba has again been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge and declined to commit his future to the Blues, but Grant shrugged off the claims.

'Since I've been in football I've heard so many rumours,' he told Sky Sports News. 'He (Drogba) didn't say he wants to leave and club don't say they want him to leave.'

But while Drogba has remained tight-lipped on his future, keeper Petr Cech has issued a statement denying he is seeking a move away from Stamford Bridge. Cech's agent reportedly claimed a top European club were interested in the 25-year-old, but he insists he is ready to sign a new deal with Chelsea.

'Contrary to numerous press stories over the last couple of days, I would like to make it very clear to the Chelsea fans that I have no plans to leave the club,' said the goalkeeper. 'I am very happy at Chelsea. I still have two years left on my contract and I believe the club will sit down with my representatives at the appropriate time to discuss an extension of my current contract.'

Grant added: 'He has a contract, we are happy and he is happy. I don't see a problem.' Despite the Israeli's success since taking over from Jose Mourinho in September, speculation has persisted he will be replaced this summer.

Grant denied a major meeting with owner Roman Abramovich is scheduled for Friday and also dismissed reports there will be a clearout of players from Stamford Bridge. 'There is no truth in these rumours because no one except me and the owner know the players for next season,' he added.

Source : ESPNSoccernet 

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