ROMAN ABRAMOVICH will be back at Stamford Bridge for the first time in six matches today when Chelsea take on Norwich. And Blues assistant boss Steve Clarke insists the Russian billionaire’s presence for the FA Cup fifth-round tie can only lift the team.Chelsea owner Abramovich has never spent such a long period away from the club since taking over in July 2003. And that has prompted reports of a rift between him and manager Jose Mourinho — fuelled largely by Abramovich’s refusal to spend during last month’s transfer window.
The club, however, insist Abramovich’s absence has been solely due to business trips. But Clarke admitted: “We’re looking forward to seeing him. I don’t think there is any question he is not committed to Chelsea.
“He’s proven that since he took over the mantle from Ken Bates, he doesn’t have to prove anything. “It’s good when you see him in and around the team. He’s comfortable and enjoys being with them. It’ll be good for the atmosphere that he’s back.”
Clarke’s own position looked under threat earlier this year amid reports that Abramovich wanted to bring in pal Avram Grant as a coach from Portsmouth. And Clarke, who helped Chelsea lift the FA Cup in 1997 at Wembley as a player, is still to sign a new contract. But he insisted: “It’s not been difficult with speculation about other coaches being brought in.
“I focus on my job. I’ve been here for 18 years and see no reason why they should want to get rid of me. I sleep well at night and look forward to the next day at work. “When Jose came in, I stepped up to work with the first team. They offered me a contract and I asked to sign for three years.
“I’m contracted to Chelsea until the end of the season. The club want to renew it and we will sit down and renew it. We have spoken about it.” Clarke, though, made no secret of his desire to go into management himself one day and today’s clash at Stamford Bridge will pit him against a managerial new boy, Norwich boss Peter Grant.
Grant moved from being No 2 at West Ham to taking over the Canaries earlier this season.
This guy got future... he knows how to carry the boss... 