Ivanovic out for a month

Now they're both injured.

Chelsea's miserable week has taken another turn for the worse with Branislav Ivanovic ruled out for a month, leaving them without both first-choice right backs.

After crashing out of the Champions League and drawing with Blackburn, Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti could have done without another headache — but Ivanovic has torn a knee ligament. Jose Bosingwa is already out for the season with an injured knee.

Left back Ashley Cole is also sidelined until May after fracturing his left ankle.

A scan yesterday confirmed the Serbia international has torn a medial collateral ligament. After playing in 24 of Chelsea’s 30 league games this season, he will now miss the key clashes against Manchester United and Tottenham, as well as the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on April 10.

Yuri Zhirkov replaced Ivanovic at Blackburn on Sunday and Paulo Ferreira could also fill in on the right.

Looking for a Vermaelen replacement?

Zhirkov (listed as a middie) 4.68
Ferreira 6.59

Oh, and as for Le'Scott, he's having a scan this week and will yet again miss playing against Everton.  As Church Lady might say, "How convenient!"

Lescott completes City move

My fellow fantasy Premier League managers, our long national nightmare is over.

via Eurosport/Yahoo!UK:

Joleon Lescott has finally completed his move to from Everton to Manchester City.

The 27-year-old defender signed a five-year deal with the Eastlands outfit on Tuesday night.

Lescott completed his medical and agreed personal terms on Monday after City had a bid, reportedly worth £22million, accepted by Everton on Sunday but there was a brief delay to the England star's transfer going through as a minor wrangle was resolved.

I'm assuming he'll be available for this Sunday's match at Portsmouth.  We'll certainly be watching the news on that.  He's a 10.49 defender, so much like his transfer value in "real life" he's too expensive.  But he may bring additional value to the cheaper members of Citeh's back five - Brigde, Given, and Richards.