The Chelsea Daily Drivel

The Chelsea Daily Drivel is a daily update of all the stories concerning our club, the rumours, the opinions and more....

So here are the Chelsea news updates on Wednesday 18th August 2010 including: Nico Anelka's ban from the French set up and is reaction which has caused a stir!, Anelka describes his "new" role at Chelsea, The new Brazil Boss Mano Menezes add's his opinion on a possible move to Chelsea by Neymar and its not good reading!, Alex talks of new boy Ramires and compares him to Michael Essien, Sir Alex Ferguson makes an appearance talking about Man City's spending and Ancelotti on Jack Rodwell.

First today to news of Nicolas Anelka's ban from the French set up after being sent home from the World Cup after a row with Raymond Domenech. There is little doubt that something happened and Anelka spoke up for himself. Despite all this the French team have had a bad time of it under Domenech and this summers World Cup was do different as they never made it out of the group stages.

The FFF (French Football Federation) met yesterday and have handed Anelka, who wasn't there, an 18-match ban from the side.

In response to this Anelka has spoken of the ban and has caused somewhat of a stir int he media with his reponse. Anelka is quoted as saying:

"For me, this whole commission thing is a nonsense, a charade not to lose face, The so-called punishment has no relevance whatsoever because, for me, the French national team was an issue which ended on June 19 when I was kicked out of the training centre at Knysna. This is just to entertain the public, to turn the page because Laurent Blanc needs to be able to work in peace.

These people are clowns. I am dying with laughter."

We will never know what has gone on, but we all know what Anelka is like in England. Le Sulk as he was once known goes about his business without any fuss so something has obviously happened to make him speak up to the Manager. However, I agree with Anelka about the punishment as he has quit International football anyway so it makes no difference at all to him.

More on Anelka and this time its to do with Chelsea and his role he now plays at the club. If you have seen yesterday, I wrote an article for cfcnet.co.uk about Carlo Ancelotti's version of our 4-3-3 formation and I am pleased to say that Anelka has confirmed what I had said about the attacking players given more freedom. Anelka has said:

"I have changed my role. I used to play as a striker, but at Chelsea I play more behind the striker or on the right of him. And I like to play that way. I am not a striker any more, not a centre-forward, as I want to enjoy the game more, be more involved.

In football you need to be versatile sometimes, because the most important thing is to win games and enjoy your football. I like to be part of the game, touch the ball and even to defend, and I can do this now. Some players have to change their game in their careers. I did, and I like it."

As I said in my article (make sure you check it out) the front five play with alot more freedom and are able to interchange positions which is why to this day its still hard for teams to cope with us.

Now more on Neymar and it seems as the days go by that more and more people over in Brazil are adding their voice to the decision Neymar will take on a move to Chelsea. Just the other day Brazil legend Pele said he should wait before he moves and now the new Brazil Boss Mano Menezes has added his opinion on a possible move. He said:

"All understand Neymar's situation and what must be going on in his mind. But thinking about Brazilian football, his remaining with Santos would be beneficial. The team is on top and it would very good for Neymar to say with them for a longer period.

The player himself has spoken of the speculation and again once more its not positive towards a move to Chelsea. He is reported as saying:

"I don't know if I will stay or depart but I don't wish to leave a championship team like Santos to be placed on the reserve team of Chelsea or any other foreign team, It would be better to stay. I will take into consideration Mano's advice before making my decision."

(Source:ESPN)

Now to the Brazilian that has come to the club and that's Ramires. Fellow Brazilian Alex has spoken of the signing and has described our new man as the new Michael Essien!. Alex said:

"I was talking with Jose Bosingwa and we were saying how Ramires is a lot like Michael Essien, He's not as strong as Essien but he has the same style on the pitch. He goes forward very quickly, then he comes back and marks very well. He is a very good player. It is very important for me and the team that the midfielders go to shoot and arrive at the goal but then get back to mark.

He is almost the same as Michael Essien like that, so I am expecting a lot of goals, it is important for us. He will get to play with Michael Essien, John Mikel Obi and Frank Lampard, we have a very good midfield group and he will do a great job for us."

(Source: Telegraph)

Now to something I never thought I would mention in the Chelsea Daily Drivel but it has relevance to Chelsea so I wanted to add it. As we all know Man City are throwing more money than sense at their problems at the moment. This has caused Sir Alex to speak out about their spending. He said:

"It doesn't seem to abate, that is for sure. Over the last two or three years we have seen very wealthy owners become part of football clubs and therefore go on this kamikaze effort to spend their money.

It is amazing the amounts of money that are being bandied about in the present day game. You may think it could be dangerous, but you think they have that kind of money and, if they have it, they are certainly using it. I don't see it abating.

I think the kind of spending we are seeing at the moment will be here for two or three years, until such time as they understand you can't necessarily achieve all the time by spending."

I have to agree with him as how many times have us Chelsea fans had the customary "You bought the title" comments thrown at us?. I had written a post on here a few weeks back to prove that we never bought the title last season as it was way back in the summer of 2006 since Chelsea have spent more than £20m on a single player. I have also asked the question about Man City and if we expect to see them as challengers to the title. One thing is for certain, he is dead right, you can't necessarily achieve all the time by spending!.

Finally today to a story that I think has been blown out of all proportion but has made the headlines. The story concerns Everton youngster Jack Rodwell. Carlo was asked about players he likes and simply said:

"Rodwell of Everton is a good player"

Ever since he said that the press have gone mad with rumours that Chelsea are about to launch a bid for the player. I can't see anything in this one at all and its simple an off the cuff comment made by Carlo that has been blown up into something its not!.

More tomorrow!

(Remember, if you want to read the news written by fellow Chelsea bloggers like me then make sure you check out Just Chelsea Blogs for your latest updates!)

KTBFFH