Archive for 'England' Category
Transfer news
28 February 2007The France born highly-rated Portuguese defender Manuel da Costa who plays for PSV Eindhoven is hopefully going to be headed for Stamford Bridge any time in the near future. Jose Mourinho “The Special One” certainly does not want a repeat of what has unfolded in this present campaign where we were short of adequate defensive cover to repeat itself.
Manuel can play anywhere in the backline and will definitely be put to good use if any of our regular players in the back is unable to take part in any match. I hope the Portuguese stopper’s move to Chelsea becomes a reality and that he quickly finds his feet in England.
John Terry discharged from hospital
25 February 2007John Terry has been discharged from hospital allaying any serious injury scare. The Chelsea and England defender was rushed to hospital after he was knocked unconscious following a kick to the head from Abou Diaby of Arsenal’s frantic effort to clear the ball from Arsenal’s danger area.
Carling Cup Final
25 February 2007The Blues have picked up their first silverware of the 2006/2007 season by running over the Arsenal young Gunners. Experience always triumphs over youthful exuberance.
Arsenal went ahead with a goal from Theo Walcott but strikes from our Ivorian stalwart didier Drogba gave Chelsea the game. John Terry picked up a horrendous injury which may see him sidelined for the rest of the season adding to Chelsea and Jose Mourinho’s injury woes.
The game boiled over with a fracas which led to dismissals of two of Arsenal’s players Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Adebayor while John Mikel Obi received his second matching orders of the season. The scoreline will have definitely been more with efforts from Frank Lampard and Andriy Shevchenko hitting the woodwork.
With our first trophy in the kitty, our sights are now set on the other three trophies which we still have a chance on winning this season The FA Cup, The Champions League and of course the English Premiership.
Manchester United you can look over your shoulders with trepidation. We are coming for you
Porto 1 Chelsea 1
23 February 2007Chelsea’s journey to Porto in a Champions League encounter has brought about new obstacles and hurdles for the Premiership Champions. Captain John Terry had to be stretchered of yet again to continue adding to The Blues injury worries.
The master Andriy Shevchenko has started finding the target more often though as he helped Chelsea draw level. I hope this helps build his confidence which has been severely battered since his move to Stamford Bridge
More injury worries
6 February 2007Chelsea and Jose Mourinho have more injury worries to contend with as Wayne Bridge is the latest player to become a victim. This leaves “The Special One” with yet more selection nightmares as Wayne had only just come back into the side to replace seriously injured Ashley Cole Wayne Bridge limped out of the England training camp after just 20 minutes on the field and has been immediately ruled out of tomorrows night international Grade A friendly against Spain.
The full extent of the injury is not yet known as he was taken to hospital for a scan nursing an injured thigh. The swelling in his thigh was so serious though that it was difficult to establish just how much damage had been done.
Chelsea should know more later today but this just puts more pressure on the Champions who are still six points adrift of Premiership League leaders Manchester united.
Joe Cole still in crutches
5 February 2007Joe Cole’s season ended before it even began in the 2006/2007 footballing season. An injury he picked up in a pre-season friendly match in the United States of America. The Chelsea midfield maestro has not kicked a football since the horrendous injury which has seen him sidelined for all of the season. He is still hobbling around on crutches.
Without the extra option of Joe Cole foraging from either of the wings, The Blues have been forced to play more central midfielders in a diamond formation which lacks width and pace. We are now left with players like Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard, Claude Makalele, Michael Essien and John Mikel Obi who are all central midfielders. No wonder Chelsea sometimes find it difficult to unlock the most astute defences.
Defensive frailties
21 January 2007Chelsea’s defensive frailties have once again been exposed. Our game against Liverpool at Anfield showed how we cannot seriously hope to mount a title challenge with a roughshod defensive line.
Pairing Carlos Ferreira and Michael Essien as our central backs because of lack of cover for injured John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho who is unavailable due to illness have forced Jose Mourinho to draft these players into unknown territory.
One thing we have been missing in recent times is John Terry’s ariel presence in the backline. Playing Michael Essien in his position leaves the midfield bereft of much needed cover too.
We remain in the trail of Manchester United still but we really have to do something about that backline. How I miss William Gallas.
Strenghtening that back line
8 January 2007Chelsea captain John Terry and goalkeeper Petr Cech will soon be back from injury to add strenght and character to our backline.
Thank God for that. Of the two the most sorely missed has been Petr because he commands that six yard box so well and imposes himself in the goal area that attackers are not composed when presented with a chance against him. So many goals have been let in from inside the six yard box which makes you realize the importance of Petr
William Gallas sorely missed
8 January 2007The Blues of Stamford Bridge are definitely missing the versatility of William Gallas.
Injury to John Terry in the heart of our defence would have very easily and conveniently been covered by the talented Frenchman. I suddenly feel that we were conned into exchanging him for Ashley Cole and 5million pounds.
This is not taking anything from Ashley Cole but we definitely would have benefited more if Gallas was still in the side. My only consolation though is that he is injured and not playing presently but he will definitely be back.
Xmas Premiership Review
24 December 2006
Chelsea goes into the Christmas fixture two points behind Manchester United. The lead was cut to 2 points by Robben’s last grasp winner at Wigan on the 24th of December. Man U had earlier cruised to a 3-0 result at Aston Villa.
Chelsea have been having it difficult with just 3 fit central defenders. John Terry remains injured along with Joe Cole and the best goalkeeper in the world, “petr Cech”.
Cech was injured in the match with Reading at the Madjeski Stadium. We are anticipating the return of our key players soon rather than later!
Chelsea can only get better, so you Red Devils, BEWARE! There is still a long way to go before the end of the season.