" Chelsea have refused Middlesbrough permission to play Boudewijn Zenden against them at The Riverside on Sunday. Dutch winger Zenden is on loan from Stamford Bridge for the rest of the season and the Blues are keen to avoid the embarrassment of him playing a part in their downfall this weekend. The news is a big blow to Boro, who made several attempts to persuade Chelsea otherwise. Zenden has featured strongly in the Teessiders' consecutive Premiership victories against Everton and Southampton." I guess we should know by now that both Forssell and C.Cole won't be facing us either. Unfair? Comments are welcomed!
CFC make it clear up-front in the loan contract that Zenden could not play against Chelsea. Seems only logical and fair. The same would go for when we meet Birmingham (Forssell) and Charlton (Cole). I believe most of the other clubs operate in the same way. Zenden was part of the squad under Don Claudio that got into the CL. He would have too much information on tatics and set-ups.