Kalou eager to turn back clock against Žilina

Chelsea FC forward Salomon Kalou sees Tuesday's UEFA Champions League game against MŠK Žilina as an opportunity for the London club to regain lost momentum after a turbulent few weeks.

While another point would guarantee pacesetters Chelsea top spot in Group F, for Kalou, there is a more pressing reason to deliver against the Slovakian titleholders at Stamford Bridge – to make amends for a run of three defeats in the Blues' last four Premier League outings.

"We've had a few bad results but that's football," said the Ivory Coast international, whose side nonetheless boast a 100% group stage record. "There are moments in football when you have injured players, poor form and bad results, but we have to work on that and come back stronger."

After a positive start to their English championship defence, Carlo Ancelotti's men have slipped up three times in 13 days, including a surprise 3-0 home defeat by Sunderland AFC on 14 November – their heaviest Stamford Bridge reverse in eight years. However, Kalou is confident they can put those results behind them and regain their spark – beginning against Group F back markers Žilina, a team yet to pick up a point.

"We have to win games," the 25-year-old said. "We enjoy playing football and working with the manager. Right now we are having a difficult period, but we were playing well at the beginning of the season. I think we have to come back to that level and enjoy every game. If we start doing this again I'm sure we'll get back to how we were at the start of the season.

"We were winning by four and three," continued the ex-Feyenoord front man, who has scored five Premier League goals in ten appearances this term. "There is always a moment in a season where you can become tired and don't play so well. It's part of football. It is impossible to stay at the same level all season, there are always ups and downs. Right now we are little bit down but we have to keep the confidence. We are the same players we were at the beginning of the season, so we don't have to worry. We will keep our composure and not lose our focus. I think tomorrow night is an important game for us as we look to get back to form."