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This is Derbyshire -- LEE Grant is faced with the tricky task of trying to keep the superstars of Chelsea at bay this weekend. The Derby County goalkeeper will be hoping to defy the Premier League giants during tomorrow's FA Cup third round tie at the iPro Stadium (2.15pm). Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has an impressive range of attacking options at his disposal, including the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Fernando Torres, Willian, Samuel Eto'o, Demba Ba, Juan Mata, Andre Schurrle and Kevin De Bruyne. Grant, Derby's last line of defence, is prepared for what could be a busy afternoon, with the help of former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele. "Eric has spent a good few years planning how to keep these guys out, so it's been nice to have a bit of help from him over the past few days," said the Rams stopper. "He's been giving me a bit of information and a few tips as well to see if we can stop them. "They've got plenty of options and they've all got world class ability when it comes to putting the ball in the net, so it will be a nice test for us. "They've got players who can unlock doors at the very highest level, so it will be a case of us having to be 100% on our game at the back – and that includes me, because at some stage, you'd envisage I will be called upon. "Hopefully, I can rise to that challenge." Grant is full of respect for his opposite number, Petr Cech, who needs one more clean sheet to break Peter Bonetti's Chelsea club record of 208 shut-outs. Cech, who has made 457 appearances for the Blues, famously overcame a fractured skull in 2006, returning to action three months later. "He's been tremendous for them and to be closing in on Peter Bonetti's clean sheet record is great for him and thoroughly deserved," said Grant, who is in his second spell at Derby. "It goes to show how well he has done and the level of consistency he has achieved, because to play at that level week in, week out, is not easy with the pressures they face. "Goalkeeper one of those positions that comes with its hazards and he has certainly been through those. "Over the past few years, he's gone from strength to strength as well. He's actually improved even more. "It will be nice to see him at the other end and, perhaps, have a slight eye on what he's doing." Grant admits Derby have not had much time to think about the visit of Chelsea during their hectic festive league programme – but is now looking forward to the tie with relish. "It will probably rank as the biggest fixture I've been involved in," he said. "Obviously, we will be very much up against it but it's certainly a tie we all want to be involved in and we're looking forward to pitting our wits against these guys. "It's something for the players and fans to get excited about. "I think if you ask any of the guys in our changing room, the FA Cup means a great deal. "It's a chance for us to go up against some of the top players not just in the country but in Europe. "And there's always a romantic idea that we can go and upset one of the big boys. "Chelsea are one of the best sides in the division above. "Apart from maybe Manchester City, I don't think too many teams come close to the quality they possess in such depth. "It will be a really tough ask but we'll give it everything in our powers to try to get something out of the tie."
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This is Derbyshire -- LEE Grant is faced with the tricky task of trying to keep the superstars of Chelsea at bay this weekend. The Derby County goalkeeper will be hoping to defy the Premier League giants during tomorrow's FA Cup third round tie at the iPro Stadium (2.15pm). Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho has an impressive range of attacking options at his disposal, including the likes of Eden Hazard, Oscar, Fernando Torres, Willian, Samuel Eto'o, Demba Ba, Juan Mata, Andre Schurrle and Kevin De Bruyne. Grant, Derby's last line of defence, is prepared for what could be a busy afternoon, with the help of former Manchester United goalkeeping coach Eric Steele. "Eric has spent a good few years planning how to keep these guys out, so it's been nice to have a bit of help from him over the past few days," said the Rams stopper. "He's been giving me a bit of information and a few tips as well to see if we can stop them. "They've got plenty of options and they've all got world class ability when it comes to putting the ball in the net, so it will be a nice test for us. "They've got players who can unlock doors at the very highest level, so it will be a case of us having to be 100% on our game at the back – and that includes me, because at some stage, you'd envisage I will be called upon. "Hopefully, I can rise to that challenge." Grant is full of respect for his opposite number, Petr Cech, who needs one more clean sheet to break Peter Bonetti's Chelsea club record of 208 shut-outs. Cech, who has made 457 appearances for the Blues, famously overcame a fractured skull in 2006, returning to action three months later. "He's been tremendous for them and to be closing in on Peter Bonetti's clean sheet record is great for him and thoroughly deserved," said Grant, who is in his second spell at Derby. "It goes to show how well he has done and the level of consistency he has achieved, because to play at that level week in, week out, is not easy with the pressures they face. "Goalkeeper one of those positions that comes with its hazards and he has certainly been through those. "Over the past few years, he's gone from strength to strength as well. He's actually improved even more. "It will be nice to see him at the other end and, perhaps, have a slight eye on what he's doing." Grant admits Derby have not had much time to think about the visit of Chelsea during their hectic festive league programme – but is now looking forward to the tie with relish. "It will probably rank as the biggest fixture I've been involved in," he said. "Obviously, we will be very much up against it but it's certainly a tie we all want to be involved in and we're looking forward to pitting our wits against these guys. "It's something for the players and fans to get excited about. "I think if you ask any of the guys in our changing room, the FA Cup means a great deal. "It's a chance for us to go up against some of the top players not just in the country but in Europe. "And there's always a romantic idea that we can go and upset one of the big boys. "Chelsea are one of the best sides in the division above. "Apart from maybe Manchester City, I don't think too many teams come close to the quality they possess in such depth. "It will be a really tough ask but we'll give it everything in our powers to try to get something out of the tie."
Reported by This is 14 hours ago.
