Del Horno targets Anfield return
Chelsea’s Spanish left-back Asier Del Horno has targeted next Wednesday’s Champions League match against Liverpool for his return to action.
Del Horno sustained a thigh injury in the Barclays Premiership win over Sunderland two weeks ago, and although his fitness is being evaluated on a daily basis, it is unlikely he will be ready to face Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge tomorrow.
However he remains optimistic of featuring in Chelsea’s Group G clash at Anfield next week.
Del Horno said: “The return will depend on daily evaluation of my fitness. I hope to play against Liverpool in the Champions League.
“That is the date we have pencilled into the diary, but you never know until the time comes.”
Del Horno has quickly settled into life at Chelsea and scored his first goal in the win over Tottenham at White Hart Lane.
Signed for £8m from Athletic Bilbao in the summer, he has inevitably been face with a culture change.
Athletic, a Basque club, are renowned for using as many homegrown players as possible, but Del Horno has been impressed with the way boss Jose Mourinho has assembled his own multi-national squad at Stamford Bridge.
“They are totally different,” Del Horno added.
“But I have been surprised that despite all the different nationalities at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho has managed to create a united group.
“It is a bit like my old team. We come from different places but surprisingly all get on very well.”
The Spanish international is not surprised that he has taken to the pace and power of the Premiership quicker than many foreign imports.
He added: “The English league is harder to play in, physically I mean. There is a lot more contact. In the Premiership, referees don’t book you so much as in the Spanish league.
“Despite the physical contact, not as many free-kicks are given, so that helps the pace of the game. There is a lot more direct long balls, but those benefit my game. So it hasn’t taken me long to adapt.”
There are still some matters which concern Del Horno, but he relies on his mother to help out.
He explained: “I used to go training, and then go for a walk with my friends. I cannot do that anymore. I spend a lot of time at home.
“During holidays they (my friends) come over to see me, so I don’t feel alone. I also miss the food, you can’t eat properly in London, so I have to apply my cuisine knowledge and eat at home.
“I will get used to all that. And my mum brings me Spanish ham and cold meats that I can’t do without!”
