Rumour Mill - Wednesday October 3

• THE SUN - Avram Grant will make the biggest call of his short Chelsea career by axing Andriy Shevchenko.

• DAILY MIRROR - Chelsea boss Avram Grant has praised the courage of John Terry, who is set to play against Valencia tonight - just 72 hours after an operation on his fractured cheekbone.

• DAILY EXPRESS - Joe Cole has said Chelsea dare not lose tonight's Champions League clash in Valencia or their European dream could be over.

• THE TIMES - Avram Grant said for the first time yesterday that he is ill-prepared for the task ahead, though the Chelsea manager can console himself with the thought that his first Champions League match in charge, against Valencia tonight, cannot be as traumatic as his last.

• DAILY TELEGRAPH - Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has warned former Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein that he is ready to sideline him in an effort to build a close relationship with the club.

• THE INDEPENDENT - In his programme address to the faithful before this match, Sir Alex Ferguson told Old Trafford fans: "don't worry, the recent series of 1-0 wins doesn't represent a change of tactics"... Also: Arsenal's 10th successive Champions League campaign maintained maximum impetus last night after a belated but deserved goal by Robin van Persie.

• DAILY MAIL - The cracks appear to be widening in the relationship between Peter Crouch and Rafa Benitez and Liverpool's England striker was left in little doubt yesterday about the requirements for salvaging his Anfield career.

• DAILY STAR - Chelsea skipper John Terry will defy the docs to face Valencia wearing a mask tonight.

• THE TIMES - Alisher Usmanov launched a charm offensive yesterday to convince Arsenal fans and directors that he is a passionate supporter of the club and not a destabilising influence, although the billionaire businessman also confessed that he had considered setting aside his longstanding support for Arsene Wenger's team and buying into Manchester United instead.

• THE GUARDIAN - David Dein's hopes of returning to Arsenal were dealt a blow last night when Alisher Usmanov said he would put the club's wishes first.

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