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Essien: Chelsea can win the lot
Leo Spall and Simon Johnson19.02.08
Michael Essien believes Chelsea are capable of winning the Quadruple this season even though manager Avram Grant is preparing to take a massive gamble and rest John Terry and Frank Lampard for the Champions League tie at Olympiacos tonight.
The English duo have been key to Chelsea's pursuit of trophies in recent seasons and Grant will open himself up for criticism should things go wrong in Athens.
Without them, Essien is still convinced that Chelsea have the ability to win the last-16 tie and finish the season with all four trophies.
The Ghana international midfielder feels the competition for places in Chelsea's ranks will make a difference now that there is a full squad to choose from following a number of injuries and the African Nations' Cup.
As well as being in the Carling Cup Final and the Champions League, they have an FA Cup quarter-final against Barnsley and are just eight points behind Arsenal in the Premier League.
Essien said: "In football, everything is possible. You have to believe in yourself and I believe that we can do it and win all four."
"We are still in all competitions and are fighting for all the trophies. Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in Europe but if we can win the Champions League then we will be even bigger. I think we have the players to do the job."
"When you get to the last four of the Champions League you need a bit of luck. We missed out last season but if we have that luck this year then I think we can do something."
"There are no worries about the situation we're in as players now. It's good to have everybody back and to have a strong squad. Now it's up to the boss to pick the team."
"People thought that with so many of us going to Africa [for the Nations' Cup] it would affect the team but they did a really good job."
Skipper Terry played his first game for two months in the FA Cup against Huddersfield on Saturday, yet Grant is not convinced the England international is ready for a more competitive fixture.
The 27-year-old, who has just recovered from a broken foot, still has high hopes of playing in the Carling Cup Final against Tottenham on Sunday and Grant does not want to push his captain too much too soon.
Brazilian international Alex has impressed in Terry's absence this season and the Chelsea manager feels that he will be good enough to help keep the Greek side out.
Lampard is also being rested in view of the match against Spurs and Grant will hand a recall to Michael Ballack instead.
