Kalou up for Chelsea challenge

Striker Salomon Kalou is ready to fight for a first-team place under new Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas.

The 25-year-old was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge following the arrival of Fernando Torres in January, but he said that competition for places at last season’s English Premier League runners-up can only be a good thing.

Kalou, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Daniel Sturridge and Torres are are vying for places up front this season for the Blues.

“I like to have a challenge, it is part of the game and when you play in a big club like Chelsea, of course, we will get challenged,” Kalou told Citi FM.

“Everybody has to fight to play and I am ready to fight.”

“The new manager has been very good, it is just the beginning. We have been training very hard and I and my colleagues will give everything to ensure we have a great season.”

The Ivory Coast international believes that the London outfit can improve on last season, when they lost in the UEFA Champions League semi-final against Manchester United, exited the FA Cup at the fourth-round stage and lost their Premier League title to United.

“It’s going to be really competitive and we (are) looking to win back the Premier League, the FA Cup and possibly win the Champions League for the first time,” he said.

“It won’t be easy, but we know we have the team and players to go back and win the trophy so we are confident about it.”

“This season will be a great season for Chelsea, because this will maybe be the last opportunity for us to win the Champions League or to win more prizes together.”

“The desire and hunger is still there. We have good professionals in the team, good experience and people are hungry to win because. It was not so good for everyone at Chelsea last season.”