Early thoughts on Stoke?

With the game at Stoke fast approaching, I thought I would ask how you all how you feel about the game. With Manchester United approaching in the Champions League on Wednesday, I just wonder if Carlo Ancelotti will decide to rotate the side?. It's tempting isn't it to ensure we have players fit and injury free but at the same time I still believe that we have a chance in the Premier League.

Carlo has gone on record to state he wants to win the Champions League and also that fourth place in the League is a minimum, so could we see the likes of Bosingwa, Mikel, Zhirkov and Kalou all given a start?

For me, I would still play our strongest side at the Britannia to get the game won then take players off for a rest.

Whoever takes to the pitch on Saturday will face a tough test at Stoke. It will be a really hard game and Stoke will look to make life difficult for us. Right now I will take any kind of win.

How do you see the game going and who plays?

KTBFFH

Follow me and this blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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How important is Benayoun's return to Chelsea?

Yossi Benayoun has taken another step in his recovery from the serious injury that had forced him to miss 6 months of our season. Benayoun came on as a second half substitute for Israel and played the last 20 minutes without any problems.

As you can imagine, Benayoun was pleased with a return to action and said:

I was just so happy when the coach told me I could get back on the pitch after so long out. I knew I couldn’t have played 90 minutes, but felt I could play for 20 or 30 at a high level. I can’t wait to start a game again.'

(Source: Daily Mail)

If you are a regular follower of my blog you will know that I am not exactly his biggest fan and questioned his arrival at the club as I believed at the time that he wouldn't worry any of our first teamers about their position in the side or see him as a threat to them.

What a difference a few months makes as with serious injury to Frank Lampard, and Essien problems with knocks and suspensions this season we were found wanting in midfield and Benayoun could have stepped in and played an important role.

I still think he will have problems shifting the Lampard, Essien and Ramires midfield at the moment, but with the run in now being more important than ever, all our players will have a part to play.

We all know, Fernando Torres can't wait till he gets back in the side at least!.

What do you people think? Could Benayoun have done a job for us through our problems this season and do you think he will be important to us for the run in?

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Joe Cole's having a laugh!.

Joe Cole has had a nightmare season at Liverpool and I think even if Liverpool fans are honest, hasn't done anything at their club. To his credit, as we all know Joe Cole, he is continuing to work hard to get back in the side but featured in an interview published in the Daily Mail, has made two statements that proves his has become brainwashed up there!.

He said:

(Of Andy Carroll) 'He’s very much like Didier Drogba and privileged to be a professional footballer, Andy’s 22 - we all know what a cracking player Didier is, but he wasn’t playing at this level at that age. There’s still a lot of developing for Andy to do so he can get better and better.

Andy's a good lad and I think you’d have been hard pressed to have found two better signings in January than Andy and Luis Suarez.'

Er...Hello! David Luiz and Fernando Torres!. Granted, Torres hasn't exactly set the world a light yet just like Carroll for Liverpool. We all know Torres WILL score more goals than Carroll once he gets going (hopefully this weekend against Stoke) and David Luiz has been an instant hit with Chelsea fans and the Premier League, just like Luis Suarez has been.

As for Carroll being better than Didier Drogba, I have to be honest Joe Cole has lost the plot!. How the bloke is worth £35m I will never know!. Didier Drogba and Andy Carroll are very different players. Drogba is the best all round striker in the world as he has everything. Carroll is a big lump up front.

Come on Joe, get a grip!

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Mikel looking for showdown talks with Ancelotti?

It's seems that Mikel isn't happy these days at Chelsea after losing his place in the Chelsea side. For much of last season Mikel was a starter and got used to being an important part of the side that won the double. This season with the emergence of Ramires, It seems that Mikel has lost his place and isn't happy. If reports are to be believed he wants to have a word with Ancelotti.

Quoted here in The Nation, a "close confidant" of Mikel said:

"John Obi is very unhappy. He is 100 per cent fit but is being overlooked and is too good a player to be sitting on the bench or, worse, in the stands. He can't understand it as he was one of the first names on Carlo`s team-sheet last season when the team won the Double. He needs to play more. He loves Chelsea but he may have to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer if he is no longer a part of Ancelotti`s plans.

I guess it's only natural to feel like that if you lose your place but it's up to you to rise to the challenge of competition for places, raise your game and force your way back into the team.

I have gone on record on here by saying that I do really rate Mikel and I know there is a difference of opinion here. He very rarely gives the ball away, more often than not comes out of tackles with the ball at his feet and his productivity with the ball is getting better all the time.

I really do believe that he is good enough to play for Chelsea as he proved that last season so it's now up to the player to prove it once more and force his way back into the side. Mikel still has an important part to play this season.

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Scolari reveals Ballack / Deco rift!.

Source: Getty Images

Again, the Luiz Felipe Scolari interview is making headlines and to be honest I am getting bored of listening to him. It was bad enough yesterday when he revealed that he wanted to swap Didier Drogba for Adriano!!. However, there is one point in a much more in depth interview as quoted in The Mirror that I wanted to pick up on.

It's seems that Michael Ballack never wanted Deco at the club when Scolari signed him. As a result (and I have to say only during Scolari's time it seems) they never spoke to each other.

Scolari said:

"Ballack wanted to be one of the owners of the dressing room and the relationship with the German was not easy. He seemed jealous of Deco, did not want his arrival and I had to explain that I was the coach and it was up to me. I wanted Deco to work it out with Ballack, but it wasn't possible. They didn't speak to each other".

Look at the photo above, do you see the "issues" there that Scolari is talking about because I don't. It may have been true when Deco first arrived but any signs of that being the case you would imagine the likes of JT, Lampard, Drogba and Cech being the senior members of the squad, would have put a stop to it and to make sure everyone pulls together.

I know who for me made much more of an impact at Chelsea than the other and it isn't Deco!!

I think it's about time Mr Scolari moves on and deals with the fact that he made a mess of it here.

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Chelsea make their move for Gregory van der Wiel?

As reported in The Mirror this morning, it seems that Chelsea have made their first move to bring Gregory van der Wiel to Stamford Bridge as a possible replacement for Jose Bosingwa. The report states that Chelsea would be willing to part with £12m to get their man and discreet enquiries have been made between Chelsea, Ajax and the players representatives last weekend.

I have to be honest, I do not know alot about the player but his name keeps popping up as a potential star so I caught this video on YouTube and I have to say he looks a great signing. It's obvious by looking at the video he loves to get forward, can score goals and delivers a great cross. Added to that, he loves a tackle. Him playing next to David Luiz would be fantastic.



What do you people think?

KTBFFH.

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Santos President stands firm on Neymar.

After another Brazilian starlet has admitted that "it's a dream to play for Chelsea" it seems that Neymar's President of his club Santos has once again refuted the idea of the player leaving his club.

Lucas Piazon has already agreed a deal to sign for the club on his 18th birthday and will link up with Alex, Ramires and David Luiz at Chelsea. After Neymar spoke yesterday, Luis Alvaro Ribeiro de Oliveira responded to the claims and stated that Neymar can be a world star by staying in Brazil.

He said:

"Playing in England is not the same as playing in Vila Belmiro. It is much worse, because of the climate and the style of football which he is unaccustomed to. We have demonstrated that, as he has developed into a player who represents the best of Brazilian football- being audacious, skillful, effective, attacking- he is going to become a key figure in the history of Brazilian football.

"He is going to gain international recognition, and maybe get chosen as the best player in the world, playing in Brazil. This is something that hasn't happened since Pele's day, and he has a golden chance!.

Well it seems that once again there could be trouble ahead as far as Neymar and his club are concerned. It wasn't so long ago that he and the manager at the time had a major falling out ON THE PITCH during a game.

The thing is, if a player has openly spoken about having a dream to play for a club then his current club have a problem. We all know Chelsea had a massive bid for him turned down as Santos convinced the player to sign a new five year deal. Even Pele got involved and aired his view on the player leaving South America for Europe too early!.

If Chelsea come back in with another offer and it gets refused again, you can imagine Neymar would become frustrated. To us it's simple. Santos would receive even more money from Chelsea as they will insist that we buy out the remaining duration of his contract (4 years) in addition to a fee. So the club will earn a massive amount of money and the player gets his wish.

We all know, money talks and I do expect the club to sign Neymar in the summer.

What do you the fans think about Neymar?.

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Borini's dig at Chelsea.

Fabio Borini has aimed a dig at Chelsea after joining Swansea on loan until the end of the season. Borini scored twice in his debut against Forest and came on as a sub for Italy U21's against Sweden and played a part in their third goal with Parma's Director of football sitting in the stands.

When Borini was asked if he knew he was there he said:

“I did not know he was there, but I do know there’s interest in Parma for me. But even then, they are not the only team and if I start thinking about how many are following me it will end up detracting from my real goal. And that’s to score five more goals by the end of the season with Swansea.

I want to play and grow and I have finally found a place where I can. And I know I earn a great future as well if I continue like this.”

(Source: Wales online.)

I have to be honest here and admit that although Borini is a natural finisher, he was never going to stand a chance of ousting Torres, Drogba and Anelka now was he. It just amazes me when he goes to Swansea and plays one game, scores two goals (tap in's) and then aims a dig at Chelsea by stating that he has found a place where he can play and grow.

Of course the value of playing first team football is far better than sitting in the reserves but Borini needs to remember, maybe he has found his level playing in the Championship. We shall see!.

Either way, he is off this summer as he was offered a contract that was turned down because he wants first team football. Good luck to him.

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on twitter @chelseadaft

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Do you agree that our two games with United are too close to call?

Fernando Torres has stated that he thinks Chelsea v United in the next few weeks of our Champions League Quarter Final is too close to call. I was wondering how the rest of you feel about it?. Torres, when asked about Chelsea's chances of winning it this season said:

'I think it depends on whether or not we get past Manchester United in the quarter-finals, which is 50-50. I would love to play in the European Cup final, with Chelsea, against a Spanish side.

(Source: DailyMail)

I have to say that we are in a healthy position compared to United. They still have injury problems galore and will still have important players missing for both games. Chelsea do however, have David Luiz missing as he is unable to play in the Champions League for us this season.

Added to that, Chelsea face United at the Bridge next week at home in the first leg so it's important that we keep a clean sheet. I personally believe that both sides are capable of scoring in both legs so it's down to who plays better on each night and fields the strongest sides.

What do you people think?

KTBFFH

Follow me and this blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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LAMPARD: "I think i'm coming back to my best"

Frank Lampard fresh from being released from the England camp after playing an instrumental role and scoring in the 2-0 defeat of Wales this past weekend, has spoken of his fitness and believes that now he is getting back to his best form.

He said:

"I think I'm coming back to my best form now, It's been a bit stop-start in January and February but in the last few games I've started to feel as fit as I had beforehand. I don't go into games worrying about the groin or anything else now. I just worry about trying to play."

I have to agree with Frank. He is back amongst the goals and playing better all the time. You can only imagine after the injury he had and then the setback afterwards it would always play on your mind if it would go again and hamper your style of play.

To his credit as Frank does, he worked hard to get back fit and into the side. You can clearly see he is getting stronger all the time and it can only be great news for Chelsea.

What do you think of Frank since he has returned from injury this season?

KTBFFH.

Follow me and this blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Is Arnesen trying to take Alex, Bruma, Mikel and Kalou to Hamburg?.

A report has appeared in the German press and in Hamburger Abendblatt in particular stating that Frank Arnesen believes that he can tempt some of our players to leave the club this summer and head over to Hamburg with him. The players mentioned are Alex, Kalou, Mikel and Bruma!.

He said:

"It may be something we can do together"

Is he having a laugh!. Now I know the majority of Chelsea fans that come on my blog are not exactly fans of Mikel and would understand if he went. Maybe the same could be said of Salomon Kalou.

As for Alex and Bruma, do you think this so called "report" has anything to do with the arrival of David Luiz at the club?. I can see no reason for the club to release Alex (unless he has long term injury problems identified by the club) or Jeffrey Bruma who is a young talent already called upto the Dutch side.

With Mikel getting frustrated at not being a first team regular anymore and Kalou the same, do you think he could be successful taking them to Hamburg!?.

KTBFFH.

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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SCOLARI: "I tried to swap Drogba for Adriano and sign Robinho"

Well it seems that Luiz Felipe Scolari's biggest regret of his managerial career has been his time at Chelsea. He has given yet another interview on his take at his time at the Bridge and this time he has revealed that he wanted to sign Robinho and then swap Didier Drogba for Adriano!!.

He said:

"It was my fault that I could not control the locker room in different situations, I tried to do something about that and I tried to sign Robinho, because I wanted someone who could improvise. In England, you need someone like that.

I also tried a switch to release Drogba for Adriano, because Adriano was having some problems at Inter. I told the directors that I could manage his behaviour problems.

He [Drogba] wanted to recover from injury in a big clinic in Paris, in the summer, I said no. Anelka, who never scored much against anyone, was my top scorer. When Drogba recovered, I couldn't take Anelka out.

Ballack was always a little angry because Deco was signed and I had indicated him. But I indicated Deco not to take Ballack out but to add to the squad. But I couldn't explain that. Probably I couldn't express myself the way I normally do in Brazil."

Thank God the Drogba / Adriano swap deal never happened. His comments go to show that really he never had a clue about our league and the players in it. Robinho came to England and didn't last long and left. Deco was a failure at Chelsea if you think about it and as for getting rid of one of the best strikers in the world to swap him for someone because he could control his behaviour problems is just a joke!.

It's no wonder he lost the dressing room. One of the best decisions Roman Abramovich has ever made getting rid of him. I have nothing against the man personally but as far as Premier League football goes and Chelsea, you only have yourself to blame.

KTBFFH.

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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"It's a dream for every player to play at Chelsea"

Brazilian Neymar has spoken of a possible move to Chelsea this summer and has described it as a "dream". He said:

"Chelsea's a great club, It's a dream of every player to play at Chelsea. If one day it happens, I will be very happy to come. When the moment comes we are going to sit with my family. We are going to think about it and discuss the options.

Last year, when Chelsea came, we sat together and we thought it wasn't the time yet. If it happens this year, we are going to sit again and going to discuss about it.

I am happy there (Santos) and, when the time comes, God will make me take the right decision and things will happen."

After beating Scotland 2-0, David Luiz was quick to praise Neymar who scored twice at the Emirates. Neymar has been heavily linked with Chelsea over recent seasons and his performance at the weekend has further enhanced his reputation.

David Luiz has made no secret of the fact he wants him at Chelsea and he said:

“I am very happy, because I’m at one of the best teams in the world, I would love it if Neymar came to Chelsea. He is going to be one of the best players in the world.”

You would have to imagine that Chelsea's Brazilian contingent would have a key part to play in convincing Neymar to come and join us. The way David Luiz has spoken of Chelsea and the fact he has taken the club and Premier League by storm in addition to just how well Ramires is doing, can only be a good influence on the player.

We do know from previous however, Santos will be reluctant to budge and will ask for extortionate money. It will be down to Roman to decide whether or not Chelsea pay it!.

More on this in the coming months.

Here are his two goals on Sunday.



KTBFFH

Follow me and this blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Aguero to replace Anelka in the summer?

It seems (according to Spanish newspaper AS) that Roman Abramovich has set his sights on Sergio Aguero next as a direct replacement for Nicolas Anelka this summer. The fee is believed to be around 30m Euros and the papers sources also believe that Anelka will leave and head to the MLS in America.

It will be a chance for Aguero and Fernando Torres to re establish their partnership they had in Madrid as Abramovich looks to rejuvenate "his Chelsea".

So what do you people think? Do you think Aguero would be a good signing if these reports are correct and what would you make of Anelka leaving?

KTBFFH.

Follow me & this blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Britain's most loathed company - Manchester United.

I have to say this story in The Sun made me laugh this morning and I couldn't resist posting it.

A short quotation from the story reads as follows:

MANCHESTER United is the most loathed company in Britain, a poll shows.
Twenty-six per cent of people put Sir Alex Ferguson's team at the top of their hate list.

Brilliant and I thought it was supposed to be Chelsea as the team people hate because of Roman Abramovich and our money!.

I guess their attitude and the sense of a devine right to win everything is to blame. Oh and let's not forget the fact that it's always someone else's fault every time they lose!

Made my day I have to say!

Carefree & KTBFFH.

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TORRES: Iniesta, Casillas and Luiz all back our man!.

I have featured plenty of posts about Fernando Torres here on my blog ever since he signed for Chelsea culminating in the one major post I have written stating that "He will never fit in at Chelsea unless we play to his strengths!" and I still stand by that view.

With Fernando Torres away with Spain during International week, two of his team mates have taken time to speak of his goal drought in addition to our new cult hero David Luiz and they all believe it will only be a matter of time.

First up Andres Iniesta said:

"Fernando is doing really well. It's clear that strikers live to score, but in Granada he gave us plenty of things which people don't see such as hard work, helping out in defence and allowing others the space to play. He does work which is not noticed, but it is very fundamental for the team.

As for the goals, I think it's only a matter of time. He has always scored and he will continue doing so and therefore there are no problems."

Next up is Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas and he believes once he scores he will not stop. He said:

"I can see what is going on, He is trying to adapt to a new city, a new team and once he starts to score goals he will not stop."

Finally David Luiz has added his voice to those people backing Torres and has echoed Casillas. He said:

"It's not just because he's Fernando Torres but, for any forward, it's really hard when they don't score. I am sure that, as soon as the first goal comes, he will score loads of them because Fernando is a very special player.

We all see Fernando working hard, day by day, a really professional guy, such a kind man and a great personality.”

Let's hope we get to see Torres bag his first Chelsea goal this weekend and set himself on a scoring streak that could bring us silverware between now and the end of the season!

Keep the faith!

KTBFFH.

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Liverpool eyeing up Malouda?

If rumour and speculation are to be believed it seems that Liverpool have an eye on Florent Malouda and could make a move to try and tempt him away from Chelsea in the summer.

It's no secret that Liverpool wanted Malouda back in the summer of 2007 but he chose to sign for Chelsea but it's believed that the club are still interested in him and would be looking to sign the player for a reported £8m.

For me, I'm not sure if the player would entertain the move if Chelsea still saw Malouda as part of our plans. The only problem is that Malouda's form has dipped since his blistering start to the season and at the moment, is a shadow of the player we saw at the end of last season and the beginning of this one.

I wrote a few months back about Malouda and the fact that he needs to sort himself out and alot of blues fans still feel the same way.

If Chelsea are to be successful this season, and there is a long way to go, then it's players like Malouda that need to step up and get their form back to give us the best chance. If he can do that, then let's see what happens in the summer. If he doesn't then I believe the club could decide to cash in.

Will we have to wait and see!

KTBFFH.

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LUIZ "I could have joined other clubs but Chelsea were my first choice!"

Our new hero David Luiz has spoken to the media over the course of the weekend and has revealed just how he has settled in at the club, the reason why he decided to join Chelsea and how he has taken to a liking to Steak and Kidney pies!

He said:

"Everything has been very positive since I signed and I am very happy for this opportunity that God gave me to play at Chelsea, I have to keep my concentration and focus to become a better player in the future. As for Chelsea, we are still fighting for the title and the Champions League.

I’ve joined a big club like Chelsea to win trophies and to ­continue improving as a player. The Premier League is the best league in the world, so I feel lucky that I have been given the ­opportunity to come and play here.

I could have joined other clubs, but Chelsea match my own ambitions, They were always my first choice once I knew of their interest. From that moment I wanted to come here. They want success as much as I do, and they have some great players here. Great players make you a better player, and there was also the attraction of playing against some of the best ­players in football.

I am at my most comfortable when I’m ­playing in the centre of ­defence. But I can also adapt to a number of positions ­including midfield. My only aim is to help the team, so I am happy to play where I’m asked. As long as I’m playing, I will always play with a smile on my face.

When I pull on the shirt and play my personality completely changes. I am very competitive and very tough. I will fight for the cause and give everything I have. And sometimes I realise that I have to calm down for my own good.

I am not a hard footballer. I don’t kick people. I just think football is a sport for men and we need to overcome our rivals as long as we keep it within the rules.

But away from football I couldn’t be more different. I’m a very quiet guy and the simple things in life please me. I like to stay at home, talk to my family back home and generally take it easy.

It is a surprise to me that fans of other clubs have praised my game and goals. That signifies I am having success with Chelsea. But I will say again, I am here to improve and to work with my new club, and not for individual success. Honestly, I don’t mind not scoring as long as we are winning.

Although there are a few members of the Chelsea squad that can speak Spanish, it’s ­important that I learn ­English quickly. I’m not sure how fast that will be, but it will ­certainly help me settle in more quickly.

My first goal for Chelsea will always be a ­special ­memory. I have a photo of it on my wall. It is one of the most ­important things in my house. It’s true I have scored two goals, with my right foot and my head, and it will be beautiful if I can get one with my left foot to complete the collection.

Now my team-mates have demanded the Brazilian and Portuguese players at the club cook a meal for everyone full of typical Brazilian meats. We made a habit of doing things like that at Benfica because meetings like those are perfect for creating unity in the squad. In Brazil we have excellent meat for barbecues but the roast beef here is very good and the steak and kidney pies aren’t bad either.

In Brazil the sun is always shining. In England they enjoy colder weather and plenty of rain. My family think I’m mad. They would never ­consider coming here because of the climate.

I am a bad singer but I’m a good dancer. Brazilians have rhythm in their blood. Our carnivals are popular all over the world and I have seen how much the English like them. Sometimes I pick up a guitar and the bongos as well, like a lot of Brazilians. And I enjoy going to the cinema to watch action films – doing that and reading is ­helping me to learn English.

My favourite words in English so far are ‘blue’ and ‘goal’. In the dressing room, I am always ­learning the worst words but I prefer not to reveal the names of those who are teaching me.

I am used to Brazil and Lisbon, and they are very different from England, but I am ­settling in well, And I think the atmosphere in British stadiums is magic: songs, songs all the time during matches. It’s a wonderful spectacle. I already know what is typical in England, although the thing that does surprise me is the cars driving on the left – it is not easy for foreigners.

For any Brazilian, football is not just a sport and to be on the list of those who have played for Brazil is something I’ll always be proud of, Now I am at Chelsea I want to make sure Brazilian fans are 100 per cent Blues fans.

Liverpool and Manchester United are very much loved in my country, but now I want to change the landscape.

KTBFFH

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ANCELOTTI: "Here is paradise!"

Carlo Ancelotti has reaffirmed his intention to stay at Chelsea for the remainder of his contract and beyond and has insisted that he feels in England it's "paradise".

He said:

"I hope to stay where I am, Here is paradise. I stay really Italian but I appreciate the English, even if they aren’t very flexible. But I admire their love of the rules.

For now I am thinking only about the Champions League final and I have made this clear to the squad. I am working all out to reach Wembley and the minimum of fourth place in the Premier League.

One day I will return to coach Italy, but I don’t know when. The national side? Maybe after 2014.

(Source: The Mirror)

Only the Champions League final??? Er, hello!. Do we not want to be heading into EVERY game we play looking to win and to see where it takes us in the PREMIER LEAGUE as well as the Champions League.

The sooner we stop all this making sure we finish fourth as a minimum rubbish the better for me. We will be at least third after beating City.

As for Carlo stating that it's paradise now, we only have to think back a couple of months to realise at that time it wasn't. To his credit though, he has carried on doing his job and has turned things round and he needs to take credit for doing so.

If he thinks it's paradise now, imagine how he would describe it if we won the Champions League and produced the comeback of all comebacks to win the Premier League?

KTBFFH.

Follow me & this blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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OPINION: Name 10 players Roman shouldn't have sold!?

I was reading this article posted by a Chelsea fan who was giving his opinion on the 10 players Roman Abramovich should not have sold/released during his time at Chelsea and it got me thinking to say the least.

He lists the 10 players as the following:

10. Gianfranco Zola
9. Franco Di Santo
8. Carlo Cudicini
7. Lassana Diarra
6. Eidur Gudjohnsen
5. Glen Johnson
4. Joe Cole
3. Damien Duff
2. Ricardo Carvalho
1. Arjen Robben.

For starters we have to remember who was managing the club at the time and also the situation that surrounds the reason the player leaves the club. There are some players we never wanted to leave but for one reason or another such as being injury prone or wanted guaranteed first team football that left the club with no choice.

Some of these players I do agree with. Eidur Gudjohnsen for me is one I will always disagree with the club on. He was pivotal in our success and a real class act. Joe Cole another and Robben. For Cole he couldn't force his way into the side because of the form of Malouda and I guess if you think about it, Robben was deemed as injury prone and never really the same player he was once he broke his foot away to Blackburn. Besides that, Madrid offered Chelsea silly money so the club cashed in.

Some of the other players not mentioned are:
Crespo, Gronkjaer, Forssell, Smertin, Kezman, Parker, Carlton Cole, Tiago, Sidwell, Del Horno, Huth, Gallas, Geremi, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Sahar, Ben Haim, Pizarro, Sinclair, Stoch, and Deco.

There are so many more players that haven't even been thought of that have left the club. I just wondered about the rest of you Chelsea fans, what players were you disappointed to see go and wished they had stayed at the club for no matter how long?

There are so many more players that haven't even been thought of that have left the club. I just wondered about the rest of you Chelsea fans, what players were you disappointed to see go and wished they had stayed at the club for no matter how long?

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Devastating Lampard!

Michael Emenalo our assistant first team coach has spoken of Frank Lampard and has admitted that we badly missed him when he was injured and that with him back fit and playing in the side, he can be "devastating" for us during the run in to the end of the season.

He said:

"When Frank Lampard was injured we said he needed to take his time to come back because he's such an important player for us. What people don't understand is that Frank is our best playmaker and his statistics are outstanding over the last few seasons.

Forty per cent of the goals we score as a team come through him in some way - he is devastating in the final third and not only because he can score, but he can play the final pass.

He creates a lot of things, so it's good to have him back. This position in the 4-4-2 actually suits him, and what he does is temper his run forward a little bit more, because he has less cover behind him now.

We missed him, and we needed players like him or Michael Essien, who can make mistakes, but recover from them.

That's what big players do, dig deep and come back from bad situations. World-class players don't grow on trees and I am not surprised Frank has been able to return and adjust so easily."

What do you think about Frank Lampard this season and do you agree Frank could be key ?

KTBFFH

Follow me & this blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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PIAZON: Shows us exactly what he can do.

After confirmation from the club yesterday that Chelsea have agreed terms with Sao Paolo for the signing for the new "Kaka" Lucas Piazon, here is a short clip of exactly what he can do.

He is wearing 15, notice the flick out wide and then the finish. Quality!



KTBFFH

You can follow me & this blog on twitter @chelseadaft

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Stand up for the Orient - Leyton Orient.

Supporters' Online Petition - SAVE LEYTON ORIENT FOOTBALL CLUB

We the undersigned urge the government and Mayor of London’s office to help Save Leyton Orient Football Club by reconsidering their endorsement of West Ham’s move to the Olympic Stadium. Premier League and Football League rules on ground moves clearly state a move should not “adversely affect Clubs (or Football League clubs) having their registered grounds in the immediate vicinity of the proposed location”. The London Olympic Stadium is within the “immediate vicinity” of Leyton Orient FC.

NO FOOTBALL WITHOUT THE O's: SAVE LEYTON ORIENT FOOTBALL CLUB.

If you want to back the petition then follow this link http://www.fsf.org.uk/petitions/save-orient.php

KTBFFH.

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CHELSEA SIGN LUCAS PIAZON

I posted on here the other day (with a video) that Chelsea were in talks to sign "The New Kaka" Lucas Piazon and today the club have made an official announcement that the deal has been done!.

The statement reads:

Chelsea has agreed terms with Sao Paulo FC for the transfer of Lucas Piazon.

The player has signed a pre-contract agreement and is expected to join us in January 2012 on a long-term deal.

Piazon is a 17-year-old attacking midfielder who is currently representing Brazil at the South American Under 17 Championships, having previously finished top scorer with 10 goals in the Under 15 Championships in 2009 when his nation were runners-up. He was named player of the tournament in another Under 15 international competition held at Old Trafford.

He has scored twice in three games in the on-going Under 17 Championships in Ecuador, a winning goal versus Venezuela and a strike in a defeat against Paraguay that broke through the net. Brazil are next in action later today.

Fantastic news for us!

Your thoughts?

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on TWITTER @chelseadaft

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LAMPARD: "We have a great chance of winning the league!"

In the second part of the Lampard interview published in THE SUN, Frank Lampard has been talking about the run in to the end of the season and believes the additions of Luiz and Torres and our recent run of form has put us right back in it.

He said:

"Probably a month ago, if we'd have been honest, with our mindset at the time, deep down we probably would have thought it might have gone. But I think where we are now, the way we're playing, we've got to think if we win all our games we've got a great chance of winning the League.

Now that's a tough ask, but we've got to play Man United. If we can beat them there that would leave us theoretically three points behind them now. And if they drop points and we keep winning we've got a chance, so its sort of down to us.

It's frustrating we've let ourselves drop, because I fancied us at the start of the season with our squad. But now we've got a chance to go and try and make a late run."

Lampard is the second Chelsea player to come and and speak positively about our chances and its good to know that the players still believe. Wouldn't it be fantastic if we managed to turn it round and win the league!

KTBFFH.

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Lampard's loving David Luiz!

Frank Lampard is featured in an interview published in The Sun, talking of David Luiz and the impact he has had on the club since he joined the club and you get the impression that Lamps feels the same as all of us. He loves him!.

He said:

"I can only be pleased we've got him, because he would be ideal for the Arsenal. I mean, he can play anywhere, he's absolutely fantastic. And you know what, more than how he's playing, he's got such a lovely attitude about him. He's carefree, he plays with a smile on his face.

I think he's almost learned the English language in three weeks because he's such a confident boy, you know, he's not fearful of anything.

With David Luiz, you could see a look in his eye and a smile on his face the minute he walked through the door. We were having a funny time when him and Fernando turned up, and to get a striker like Torres and then this player coming, we didn't know much about him to be honest. To see the confidence and the ability he's got, it was a breath of fresh air. So he's going to be a fantastic player for a long time for us."

KTBFFH

Follow me and my blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Praise for John Terry from Phil Jagielka.

No doubt tomorrow at some stage John Terry will be jeered and booed by members of the crowd at the Millennium Stadium as England take on Wales tomorrow. We may even hear a section of the England fans doing it too but for all the negative press he has received, for all the ex players who have waded in with their "valued" opinions about reinstalling John Terry as England Captain it's nice to hear from someone within the camp who has nothing to do with Chelsea, speaking of the man that Terry is.

Phil Jagielka, an underrated player in my opinion has paid tribute to our Captain and has rubbished reports of any reported rift in the England camp.

He said:

"John goes about his business the way he has always done, He is the first to smash you in training. He is also the first to shake your hand and pick you up. He was probably gutted inside when he lost the armband but he never let that show. It does make me smile when you read there is this big divide in the camp. I can't see anything.

He is a nice guy. He speaks to everyone. He has no best friends or worst friends. I am delighted to have him as a captain. I have been able to play with him a few times for England and hopefully I will get to play a few more but I am sure whoever the manager chooses will do a good job."

I think the key sentence here is when he said "He's the first to smash you and the first to shake your hand and pick you up".

Sums up JT perfectly!

KTBFFH.

Follow me and this blog on Twitter @chelseadaft

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A Tale of two Brazilians.

KTBFFH

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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LAMPARD: Are his England days over?

Ahead of England's European Championship qualifier against Wales this weekend, the press have decided alot of the attention on our Chelsea boys. First of all it was JT getting the Captaincy back and now it's a possible end to Frank Lampard in an England shirt.

For me and I know some people will not agree with me, Lampard has been stifled in an England shirt and we haven't really seen his full potential. We all know Frank has been a 20+ goal-a-season midfielder in a Chelsea shirt but we haven't seen anything like that playing for England, which is shame really. I know for your national side you are playing with the other best players in the League and the constant debate of Lampard/Gerrard and can they play together has rumbled on and on.

If I had been the England manager then I would utilise the players at my disposal playing to the best of their ability which would be in a 4-3-3 formation with a holding midfielder that allows Lampard and Gerrard to push forward to support the front man (Rooney).

Of course England have fantastic youngsters coming through to the first team and to see the older players replaced is only natural. If Frank Lampard is dropped from the England set up (which I would find hard to believe at the moment) then it will only prove to be a fantastic benefit to Chelsea and if anything could extend his career at the club.

I said not to believe the reports of Chelsea getting rid of him yesterday as I believe Frank has a couple of seasons left in his legs yet.

He still is one of the best all round midfielders in the game and is still a very important part of the Chelsea team!.

KTBFFH.

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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FERREIRA: "Let's see if I can finish playing here"

Loyal servant Paulo Ferreira has spoken of the fact he remains happy at Chelsea and would be willing to finish his career at our club before returning to his native Portugal.

He said:

"I have been seven years here at Chelsea and it is the club where I have spent most time. My family are happy here, so let's see if I can finish playing here as well."

I have in my mind to open an academy back home in my village, I want to be involved in helping kids play football and to teach them what I have learned."

(Source: Sky Sports)

I have to say once more on here, I love Paulo Ferreira. I can never understand what happened under Jose Mourinho that saw him as an important part of the back to back title winning side, replaced and taken out of the side. Chelsea then suffered as we tried the likes of Michael Essien, Lassana Diarra and Geremi in his position instead.

I would have understood if Paulo had left the club ever since then as he has been linked with moves away, but he has remained committed to Chelsea even if he doesn't play as much as he wants and whenever he is selected to play he always give his all.

For me, he will remain an important part of Chelsea's history and part of the side that won our first title for 50 years and then back to back the year after!

KTBFFH.

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VAN PERSIE: Barcelona nag on the pitch like Chelsea!.

Robin Van Persie has compared Chelsea to Barcelona but not in a way any of us expected. RVP, speaking of his dismissal in the Nou Camp the other week which I think you will agree WAS harsh, but then again he should never have put himself in that position with his stupidity for the first booking he received, has had a pop at Barcelona's players for their conduct on the pitch. He said:

"I really didn't understand all the fuss about the foul I committed on Messi. Everybody got angry with me, but I didn't treat him any different than I treat other opponents. Nobody would have complained about it if I fouled Mascherano, Meanwhile, the Barcelona players tend to nag about everything that happens on the pitch. I was a bit disappointed with that. It's something that the Chelsea players do in England.

Barcelona are still a fantastic team, but they should really stop nagging and complaining that much. That's becoming extremely annoying on the pitch."

(Source: Sport.co.uk)

Where the hell has that come from?!. Besides that does he not look over to the sidelines at the Emirates or wherever the Arse are playing and not see Arsene Wenger gesturing and moaning at the fourth official in EVERY game they are playing!.

We all know that whenever one of his players does something wrong on the pitch or a key decision goes in his favour when it's blatantly supposed to go the other way we always get the "I did not see it from where I was sitting" comment from the Frenchman. It just goes to show that this temporary form of blindness is affecting his players too!.

Then again we do have to remember it's never Arsenal's fault, but someone Else's!.

KTBFFH.

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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"It's just like watching Brazil" The Chelsea Football FanCast #151

Chidge and the boys are still doing the Samba just like our Brazilliant Brazillians on Sunday. Great win and result for the Blues and well done, with thanks to the Boys from Brazil.

Chidge, ChelTel, Dr Mart and the Celery Terrorist have a right old natter about the result against Citeh which puts some clear blue water between Chelsea and our rivals.

Carlo Ancelotti’s telling second half changes did the trick with Anelka and Drogba bringing some much needed energy to the attack. But another dazzling all round display from new Chelsea cult hero David Luiz and a superb goal by rapidly improving Ramires sent the Stamford Bridge faithful all the way down the Fulham Road doing a Samba!

Torres unjustly received criticism from the media for not breaking his duck, but we on the Chelsea FanCast still ‘believe’. We know that once he scores, he’ll score more!! His movement and contribution to the team at the moment shouldn’t be underestimated.

As always we award our Man and Chant of the Match and Guinness and Celery moments from the games, and after that we have a Sergio Mendes inspired “We’re out to Show the World the Way to Sing”

Turning to the week’s events the boys also discuss the Champions League draw and the match up against the Mancs, JT returning to his rightful position of “One England Captain” and Ron Gourlay’s misconstrued comments about changes being afoot in the summer.

In this week’s “Don’t Look Back in Anger” we’ll be looking back with fond memories on another Chelsea player from the past – this week Albert ‘Chappie’ Ferrer

Dr Mart is in the surgery to answer your Chelsea questions in Dear Mart and finally, we’ll be reading out the best posts of the week in You’re on CFFC. All this plus a guest appearance from Michael Wade from Tennessee armed with a box of Harrod’s chocolate éclairs no less! Chidge is a happy man!!

The Chelsea Football FanCast: It’s just like watching Brazil!

CLICK HERE TO TAKE YOU TO THE DOWNLOAD

CLICK HERE TO TAKE YOU TO THE CFFC WEBSITE

KTBFFH

You can follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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RAMIRES: What do you think of the little fella?

Sunday's goal against Manchester City has to be the highlight of Ramires' time at Chelsea so far but comes as no surprise as he gets to grips with life at Chelsea and in the Premier League.

David Luiz has taken alot of the plaudits (and quite rightly so) because of his performances and maybe Ramires has been somewhat overlooked but the little fella is really beginning to show us all what he is capable of.

When you first look at him you think to yourselves, "he needs to bulk up abit" but to his credit he gets stuck into tackles, has a fantastic engine and will run up and down all game and in recent weeks has also proved how good he is with the ball.

His run for the goal was brilliant and he remained calm and composed as he stepped into the area, took a final touch before he smacked the ball into the corner of the net in front of the Matthew Harding.

He has had his critics when he first came to the club, but I said it at the time, we have to remember, Frank Lampard was out injured for a couple of months so Ancelotti had no option but to play him and throw him in at the deep end. Granted, it has taken him some time, but now we are all seeing exactly how good Ramires is.

What do you people think of Ramires?

KTBFFH.

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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CECH: "Chief Scout at Arsenal didn't think I was good enough!"

Petr Cech, who has now made more than 300 appearances for Chelsea, has revealed that things could have been so different if, as expected a move to Arsenal had been completed.

He said:

"Before I went to Rennes I was watched by Arsenal but when I couldn't get a work permit the situation was missed, And at the last minute I think the person who was the chief scout at Arsenal didn't think I was good enough for the English league. So in the end it didn't happen."

(Source: ESPN)

Thank God it fell through and he joined us instead. The basis of any successful side has to be your goalkeeper and then your defence. I think if they are honest, Arsenal have struggled with their Goalkeepers ever since David Seaman left the club.

Arsenal and their fans must be kicking themselves!

KTBFFH

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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TORRES "This is an issue for the papers, not for me!"

Fernando Torres, away with the Spanish squad ahead of International week has had to face more questions about not having scored for Chelsea as yet. Just as he thought he could get away with Spain and take his mind of Chelsea, reporters have once again forced him to defend himself.

Torres said:

“I am not anxious about the fact that I haven't scored my first goal for Chelsea. This is an issue for the papers, not for me. I am confident that the goal will soon come, but it is more important that Chelsea win than I score."

Fair play to him even though it looks as though he is beginning to become more and more frustrated. You could see he wasn't happy about being taken off against City and the crowd at the Bridge made their feelings known.

I have had my say already on Torres and the fact that Chelsea need to play him to his strengths and still once more, I stand by my opinion. It looked on Sunday that he may have had a chance as I thought we would go with a 4-3-3 formation but it turned out to be the new 4-4-2 Carlo Ancelotti has deployed in recent weeks.

We all know he will score and when he does, he will carry on season after season for Chelsea.

For now he is right, as long as he is working hard for the team and the team wins, that's all that matters.

KTBFFH.

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Mourinho confirms "I am coming back to England"

Jose Mourinho is quoted in The Sun today after speaking at a Football Extravaganza evening in London's Grosvenor Hotel and has admitted publicly he is coming back to England. He said:

"I miss England and my next job will be in England. There is unfinished business. And I think England wants me back, no? It was the most enjoyable time of my career.

My Chelsea time was amazing as a football manager and family man. My family and I enjoyed it so much. We made so many friends here. We still keep in touch, we still come back. In football there are a few victories here I would like to repeat. I will talk to my agent and get a project for my career.

I still have three years at Real Madrid. It is the biggest club in the world but it is also the most difficult club in the world. They came to me for the third time and I could not say no to them for the third time - I had to go. And I had to go to Italy, that was important for me because I wanted to try there. Everyone said it was the home of tactics so I said let me try there.

But it is not England, England is special. People in Italy, Spain and Portugal ask me why I love England so much and I can't explain - I just do. I want to be happy in my work. I want to be happy with my football."

Your thoughts?

KTBFFH

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Drogba, Lampard and Terry to leave Chelsea in the summer?

Yes I thought the same as you lot for a split second and thought to myself SHIT!!!. Then, I came back down to earth and realised that this report is total rubbish in my opinion.

The Guardian is reporting that Roman Abramovich will revamp the squad in a complete overhaul this coming summer. I reported the other day that he was rumoured to be preparing to spend around £100m on the likes of Sergio Aguero, Wesley Sneijder and Jack Rodwell. The Guardian states it could be as much as £150m including Javier Mascherano and Alexis Sanchez.

For me we are a few seasons away from seeing the end of John Terry and Frank Lampard's Chelsea career and maybe another season from Didier Drogba so to even contemplate losing all three of them would be a matter of ripping the heart out of our club.

If anything Lampard is still fit as a fiddle, Drogba the same and David Luiz will cover for JT for a few seasons yet.

So for me sorry but this is total bollocks and don't listen to a word of it anywhere else.

As usual, another ploy by the press to report put a downer on Chelsea's fortunes just as we look to be gaining momentum in the Premier League and Champions League.

Maybe just maybe, we will be able to read stories in future from the press praising Carlo Ancelotti and the players for getting their act together rather than knock us all the time!.

KTBFFH

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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OPINION - Luiz says we can still win it. Do you believe?

Our new cult hero David Luiz has spoken of a hunger and desire within the Chelsea squad and a belief that we can still achieve great success this season in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Fresh from scoring his second important goal in recent weeks at the weekend, Luiz said:

"We can definitely still win the title. There are still a lot of games to play, a lot of points to play for, so there’s no reason why we can’t. I want to win both the Premier League and the Champions League – and we can still do it. We are in good form and we have to believe we can win trophies. We’re playing well and anything is possible.”

(Source: Express)

You have to admit, right now things seem to be going in our favour. We have a fully fit squad to select from which enables Ancelotti to rotate the players. I keep saying it on here, but United have their injury problems along with suspensions to deal with and Arsenal have their problems.

The important thing is Chelsea are now back winning games and big games against United and City. We now sit in third place four points behind Arsenal with a game in hand on City (which would take us four points clear of them if we won it).

Our next five games are winnable even though we shouldn't take anything for granted. We play Stoke away, Wigan at home, West Brom away, then Birmingham (game in hand) and West Ham at home. If we can take 15 points or even 13 points from these games I believe we will be right back on the tail of Arsenal for second place and then who knows what can happen before the end of the season.

Arsenal's next five games are against Blackburn at home, Blackpool away, Liverpool at home, Tottenham away followed by Bolton away.

United's next four games (as they have no games in hand) are against West Ham away, Fulham at home, Everton away and Arsenal away. Let's not forget sandwiched in between all these games is both legs of the Champions League against us and also the FA Cup semi-final against City.

It proves that now more than ever, you need your players fit and ready to go. This is where Chelsea will have a massive advantage over everyone else. We need to capitalise and I believe we can.

What do you think based on the fixtures above?. Do you think we can realistically aim for United or is Arsenal and second place more realistic?

KTBFFH.

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Kalou: "It doesn't matter who scores"

Fresh from a good performance on Sunday against Manchester City, Salomon Kalou has reiterated that the result is much more important for Chelsea than worrying about who scores.

He said:

"It doesn't matter who scores because, when you are coming back to the top as a team, you have to focus more on the result. There are some moments when it's the defenders who score and the most important thing is that the team must stick together and win games.

That's one of our best games, where we've put the team under pressure and where we keep the ball and create chances. That's our level, so I believe if we continue like that, we can put Manchester United under pressure.

It was very important for us to win and now we've got to the third place and we are coming back to our best. You can only take it game by game and we have to focus on our own game."

(Source: The Sun)

KTBFFH.

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David Luiz's first message to Chelsea fans.

What a player and a cult hero already!

KTBFFH

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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JT "I've never given up hope that I will captain England again".

After another imperious display yesterday against Manchester City, John Terry has spoken of being restored as the permanent England Captain. You will not be surprised read that even though the armband was taken away, he never gave up on getting it back.

He said:

"I've always done whatever the manager needs of me to make sure we win. Beating Wales is the most important thing as it's a massive game. I moved on very quickly from the decision about losing the captaincy and I've never fallen out with the manager. But I've never given up hope that I will captain England again.

When the manager told me in that meeting at Wembley that I was losing the job I accepted and respected his decision - even though I did not necessarily agree with it - shook his hand and his assistant Franco Baldini's hand and told them I'd always give 100 percent.

The manager said he really appreciated that and hoped that would be the case. Since then he's said to me how I've done that and he's been proud of me for it. I've always respected him as a coach, a manager and as a man."

I know there are a number of football supporters out there who will always get on the backs of our players when they play for England. John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard get stick of have had during their England careers.

Maybe, just maybe, these football supporters are now focused (as they should be) on matters on the pitch for a change as the tide seems to be turning. Ashley Cole won the England player of the year award as voted by the fans and JT now has the armband back.

That's the thing about football, everyone has an opinion and quite rightly so as that's how it should be. It's Capello's opinion to hand back the armband to JT and in my opinion there is only one man for the job.

The simple fact is John Terry gives his all in every game no matter if its for Chelsea or for England. He is a natural leader, not someone like Rio Ferdinand who had to accept the position and learn to deal with it or Steven Gerrard who is the same. I get the impression that Gerrard just wants to get on and play his football without the hassle of the armband for England. I maybe wrong, but that's just my opinion.

I just hope that everyone can get over all the fuss about the decision because at the end of the day we as England fans want our side to do well with the best possible chance and the best players playing led by a born leader and that's John Terry!. 


KTBFFH

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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£100m on Sneijder, Aguero and Rodwell in the summer?

Rumours were rife once again over the weekend that Roman Abramovich will continue his revamp of the Chelsea squad this summer which a reported £100m kitty available to spend.

With continued speculation about Ancelotti, it seems that Roman, no matter who is in charge, will make bids for Sergio Aguero, Wesley Sneijder and Jack Rodwell.

Sneijder and Aguero have been linked in the past to Chelsea so comes as no surprise that we are being linked once again as Roman is much more hands on at the club. Whether or not Chelsea will have a chance of signing these two is another thing.

As for Rodwell, we all know Everton do not want to lose their best players but financial constraints will force them to sell. Manchester United are know admirers of Rodwell and maybe the fact he can stay closer to home may prove to be decisive.

What do you people think as Roman looks to rejuvenate our squad?

KTBFFH.

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Carlo Ancelotti on the win over City.

Speaking to Chelseafc.com, Carlo Ancelotti spoke of an important win over Man City that put's Chelsea right back in the title race and heaped praise on two Brazlians that were key in the win. He said:

"We wanted to win but it was not easy to find a solution in the final third in the first-half, The second-half was better because Manchester City were softer, they played Thursday night and were a little bit tired and we had more opportunity at the end of the game.

We needed to be patient. It was a difficult game because we didn't want to concede on the counter-attack like we did in the last game against them. Tactically it was a good as well. We played for 90 minutes with good fighting spirit, so I am happy for this, and our moment is good, we showed this on the pitch.

David Luiz and Ramires had a fantastic performance and fantastic goals and Ramires showed he is improving very well. Defensively David Luiz worked with a fantastic tempo and one-against-one was good, his performance was really good.

Keep the faith, Carefree and KTBFFH.

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City: Samba boys keep us in the hunt.

This afternoon Chelsea beat Manchester City 2-0 with goals from David Luiz and a superb solo effort from Ramires. It was an important three points for Chelsea as we move up to third above City with a game in hand. City looked to be solid enough at the back and made life difficult for Chelsea but a determined Chelsea struck ten minutes before the end and put a massive dent in City's chances of Champions League football.

For me, and I know I am biased, there was only one team that looked like winning today. One side that looked as if they would go all out to get that all important break through and it was Chelsea. City had the opening chance to take the lead as Yaya Toure forced Cech into a save low down to his right early on, but without Tevez looked toothless. Toure's shot was the closest they came to scoring.

Chelsea played well. Didier Drogba and Nico Anelka started on the bench as Salomon Kalou played up front next to Fernando Torres. Both worked hard with and without the ball and fair play to them. Torres had nothing much to shout about in this one as every time Chelsea got in and around the City box, their defence and midfield closed ranks and made any kind of through balls difficult.

Branislav Ivanovic had a good chance for Chelsea with a close range header from 6 years that deflected off the defenders back and away for a corner. Florent Malouda had the best chance after a flowing Chelsea move ended up with the ball played square to him 12 yards out but his effort was straight at Joe Hart.

To be honest the longer the game went on, we looked for something or someone to create something as City were looking comfortable as Hart didn't have a lot to do.

Chelsea's defence led by John Terry and inspired by the impressive David Luiz looked comfortable. Our midfield looked comfortable as Chelsea began to dominate the game. City were more than happy to rely on their counter attacking football as they looked to David Silva to cause us problems. Once or twice he broke free but other than that, he couldn't influence the game.

With around 25 minutes to go Carlo made a change. Torres and Kalou came off and Drogba and Anelka came on with fresh legs to try something different but once again City looked more than comfortable. That was until our two Samba boys took this one by the scruff of the neck and settled it.

First of all David Luiz, pushed up for a corner with some fancy footwork tempted Micah Richards into a silly tackle out wide. Didier Drogba floated in the best free kick of the game and Luiz holding off his marker, guided his header into the corner as Joe Hart made contact with the ball but couldn't stop it. 1-0 Chelsea and our new cult hero scores again.

Florent Malouda came off for Yuri Zhirkov as Chelsea looked to keep their shape with additional fresh legs and we began clock watching. City made their changes but none of them could affect the game in a positive way as our defence and midfield dealt with any threat they had easily.

We moved into four minutes of added time and surely we wouldn't blow it. We didn't have to worry as Ramires, a close second for man of the match after Luiz, took control of the ball, danced around three defenders and calmly slotted the ball past Hart into the far corner in front of the Matthew Harding to seal the win and the three points for Chelsea.

It was a great win, a determined win after looking like struggling to open City up. This is a very different Chelsea to that of three/four months ago. There is a determination to never give in about us with added quality and in the two samba boys of Luiz and Ramires, an exciting future ahead of us.

You will more than likely hear of another blank for Fernando Torres, but as he says, as long as the team is winning, that's the most important thing. Torres time will come, but today he put in a hard working shift which was good enough.

For now, we have moved up to third with a game in hand on City and you never know, our final fifteen minutes of this game could prove to be all important come the end of the season.

In the space of 90 minutes this afternoon, the title race has changed from a two horse race to three with Chelsea right back in it!.

KTBFFH.

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VIDEO: Chelsea 2-0 Manchester City

Here are todays goals in our important win over City. It's samba time!!

(Be quick before they are deleted)


szólj hozzá: ---


szólj hozzá: ---

KTBFFH

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Chelsea v Manchester City: Carlo MUST switch to 4-3-3 to win the game.

Make no mistake this game today is as big as United at home. Chelsea were up against it against United at half time and pulled together to get the right result. Chelsea are up against a side that has proved to be a pain in the arse for one reason or another and will come to Chelsea with a totally different attitude to the one that battered us at the Bridge last season.

Last season the Manchester City side came to the Bridge set up to counter attack us and took full advantage Craig Bellamy and Carlo Tevez were a constant thorn in our side and I was honest at the time and will be once again when I say they fully deserved the three points.

This season at Eastlands the same thing happened. However it was a different City side, a side that still looked to hit us on the counter, but a side set up to not lose the game. Once again Carlos Tevez scored against us as Chelsea never looked like getting going.

City will come here today and will be set up again to not lose the game. They will rely on Carlos Tevez and David Silva to create something when they are in possession and could, if Chelsea switch off, make us pay.

City are getting alot of negative press at the moment over the mad-Italian Balotelli and of Mancini's tactics but you have to give the bloke some credit. He is focused on the result and three points as to him this is all that matters if he is to achieve the clubs aim of Champions League football.

Expect City to line up in their 4-5-1 formation once more with Tevez up on his own. City will work hard and in Nigel De Jong, have someone who has had two fantastic games against us. Chelsea will need to be near their best or somewhere near there to win this one.



For Chelsea, the game today is another step forward to putting right the wrongs of earlier in the season. Chelsea had been fluid at the start and scoring goals for fun. Everyone back then kept on saying that this seasons Chelsea side would only be measured when they come up against rival sides fighting for the title. Our first big test was City and we didn't turn up and were beaten.

There is a case of revenge in our minds and I am sure in the players minds too as City have had the better of our games in recent times. The message to the players from me is simple. You need to turn up, play well to the best of your ability and win this game.

We know that Florent Malouda, Michael Essien and Fernando Torres will all start today after Carlo confirmed the other day. Didier Drogba's performance against Copenhagen the other night has surely forced Carlo's hand into playing him next to Torres today but I just wonder if because of City's formation, Chelsea will in fact revert back to our tried and trusted 4-3-3 formation so we can match up 3 on 3 in the middle of midfield?.

The 4-4-2 formation Carlo has deployed in recent weeks has worked ok. It worked against Copenhagen twice, United and Blackpool as we were up against sides that played the same formation against us.

The danger of this formation is being outnumbered in the middle of midfield. City could have it easy with the man over and could make life very very difficult for us. If you think about it, Ramires has been asked to play right wing as part of four in midfield. It isn't his natural game and if the same formation is deployed, he could get sucked into the middle if City begin to dominate which would leave our right side exposed on the counter.

Carlo must switch back to our 4-3-3 formation today to give us a chance of winning this game but more importantly, dominate the game. I just wonder if Drogba or Anelka will get the nod to play right side of the front three with Torres through the middle and Malouda wide left?.

I could be wrong and we keep our 4-4-2 but I really honestly believe we have to change based on City today.

De Jong, Barry and Yaya Toure will look to make life difficult for us in the middle. As a result and it would be harsh on Ramires, but I would stick Mikel in the holding role to deal with Toure as he will be the further forward of their three. I would stick Essien next to Lampard to deal with De Jong and pair up Frank Lampard on Gareth Barry. Let's just see how good Barry is tracking Frank.

I am confident our three can overcome their three and Essien and Lampard can force Barry and De Jong backwards. As a result this will leave a huge gap between Tevez and his midfield which will leave him isolated.

Here's another twist. I would play Ivanovic next to Terry in the middle and Luiz at right back with Cole left back. Luiz could get forward like Cole and have an influence in the game. Ivanovic and Terry can deal with Tevez.

If Chelsea are to win the game then without question we need to finish off the chances we create, and playing 4-3-3 we would create plenty today. Malouda safe in the knowledge he is starting needs to sort himself out and show us the kind of performance that he knows he is capable of. If we can give enough of the ball out wide today, Malouda linking up with Cole could be a threat City find hard to deal with.

Like I said, it could be a toss up between Anelka and Drogba to play right side today of the three. I would stick Drogba there as he drifts out wide plenty of times in games anyway.

We know Fernando Torres is starting today and I personally would love to see him through the middle playing off the shoulder of the last defender. We don't want to see him out wide, we want to see him running onto crosses and through balls to punish City today. It's his birthday today and what better way to celebrate, than to get his first goal in a blue shirt this afternoon.

Like I said, I could be wrong and we could stick with our 4-4-2 formation but I predict another struggle against a hard working and compact City side fighting for every ball. It could be another first half like against United.

No matter how we play and how plays, we need to be up for it first of all. focused on the job at hand and to keep our composure with and without the ball. We have better players than City. We have more experience than City and today we need to show it.

An early goal could see City open up and the game change. It will be frantic, it will be a battle and is our chance to jump above City with a game in hand and looking at hunting Arsenal down next.

For Chelsea, For Carlo Ancelotti and for Fernando Torres, IT'S TIME TO DELIVER and I believe they will.

I'm going for a big Chelsea win and City leave the Bridge without so much of a whimper!.

Chelsea 3-0 (Torres x 2 , Lampard).

KTBFFH

Follow me on Twitter @chelseadaft

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