Kalou: Premier League teams fear Chelsea

Be afraid, be very afraid – that was the message from Salomon Kalou to the rest of the Barclays Premier League after Chelsea had hammered out another six-goal warning to their title rivals.

Be afraid, be very afraid – that was the message from Salomon Kalou to the rest of the Barclays Premier League after Chelsea had hammered out another six-goal warning to their title rivals.

Following West Brom last weekend, it was Wigan this weekend who were on the wrong end of a 6-0 drubbing.

No team in Premier League history has made a start to a season like Chelsea have these past two Saturdays, and while there are still 36 matches remaining, it is an ominous beginning.

Critics will say they have only beaten West Brom and Wigan, two of the sides likely to be battling against relegation this season, that the bigger tests are yet to come.

That is true, of course, but it was Wigan who ended Chelsea’s six-game winning start to last season with a 3-1 victory.

Putting six goals past two Premier League teams in the space of eight days is no mean feat, and according to Kalou, the rest of the top flight should sit up, take notice and be concerned.

“Two games, 12 goals – we’ve started the season like we finished last year,” said Kalou, who netted the fourth and fifth goals late on after coming on as a sub for Florent Malouda who had opened the scoring.

“It’s good to continue winning games because we know the Premier League is not easy to play in.

“So when you have the opportunity to score goals and take points we have to enjoy it because in the end it is going to be very tough.

“Right now we are enjoying it and hopefully we will continue to play at this level.

“When you are the defending champions you have to scare the other teams, and that’s what we are doing.

“I hope that after these two games any team we play will be afraid of Chelsea.”

The Blues scored a Premier League record 103 goals last season, 15 of those in their final two home games as they put seven past Stoke and eight past hapless Wigan.

At this rate that is a figure that could be eclipsed, but according to Malouda while the goals put smiles on people’s faces, it is the points that are the over-riding priority.

“We are not thinking about records. Last year we were not aware of the record until we broke it,” said Malouda, who has started his season with three goals in two matches.

“Even if we win 1-0 we will be happy because we get the points.

“When you start a season you just want the points, and maybe later the goal difference could be important.

“We know people are thinking about big tests against bigger teams, but we are focused on getting the points and being on top of the league.”

Nicolas Anelka’s double early in the second half that made it 3-0 put the game out of sight, with Malouda’s brace and a first for his new club from Yossi Benayoun in injury time rubbing salt in Wigan’s wounds.

The first half, though, was a different story as for half an hour Wigan were confident, with Chelsea under pressure until Malouda’s opener.

For that initial 30 minutes Chelsea had to defend and be composed, proving their game is not all about goals, goals, goals.

“I would say we are aware we are the champions and people want to beat us every time we play against them,” added Malouda.

“That was the case in the first 30 minutes as Wigan made it very difficult for us, so we had to be patient, and then after that we knew we had the quality.

“Of course everybody will look at the big games, but you win the league by playing every team, and we treat every team like it’s a big game.”

Next up for Chelsea is Stoke, and while people may recall last year’s drubbing, surely another six goals is not on the cards?

Not according to manager Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian said: “It is impossible to think we have to score six goals in a game all the time because this is not real football, this is PlayStation football.”

more courts articles

Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at court to face sex charges Former DUP leader Jeffrey Donaldson arrives at court to face sex charges
Case against Jeffrey Donaldson to be heard in court Case against Jeffrey Donaldson to be heard in court
Defendant in Cobh murder case further remanded in custody Defendant in Cobh murder case further remanded in custody

More in this section

Aston Villa v Chelsea - Premier League - Villa Park Chelsea denied stunning comeback after VAR rules out Axel Disasi winner at Villa
Everton v Brentford - Premier League - Goodison Park Everton secure Premier League survival with victory over Brentford
Newcastle United v West Ham United - Premier League - St. James' Park I would not swap Alexander Isak for anybody else – Newcastle boss Eddie Howe
Sport Push Notifications

By clicking on 'Sign Up' you will be the first to know about our latest and best sporting content on this browser.

Sign Up
Sport
Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited