Chelsea FC - Supporters' Rally

[no_faith]

Ballack is not in the 25.

Ballack disappointed by European snub
Michael Ballack has voiced his disappointment at his surprise omission from Chelsea's Champions League squad.

The Germany captain is currently recovering from ankle surgery and does not figure in his club's 23-man party for the group stages of the competition.

Chelsea insist they took the decision because they could not guarantee Ballack would be fit for the majority of their six group matches, suggesting he will not return until the end of October at the earliest.

Speaking in a video interview on the German federation's official website, www.dfb.de, the midfielder vowed to put the trouble behind him.

He explained: 'I am disappointed. But I have to accept it and focus on getting healthy again. Then I can make up my mind about other things.'

The 30-year-old was unable to name a date for his long-awaited return from a nagging ankle injury.

He continued: 'It has got better - but it is not like I could play again or train with the team. I can4t give a prognosis.'

Ballack is currently in Cologne, where he met with national team coach Joachim Low following Germany4s 2-0 victory over Wales yesterday.

The duo discussed his situation at Chelsea. Furthermore, it was revealed that Ballack will work out in a special shoe manufactured just for him.

[Glen2712]

Here We, Blues Go! Rover's Next!

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[Peter_North]

Originally Posted by John Terry

Shevchenkov should be allowed to leave. He not suitable for the English game.

If the Captain says so, then I guess Sheva's days are numbered

[Glen2712]

PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: CHELSEA V BLACKBURN

It's feels an age since we were last inside Stamford Bridge but the resumption of league activity is upon us. Club historian Rick Glanvill and statistician Paul Dutton whet the appetite for the game ahead.


Rick looks at trends after national team duty.


The game after an international break is often testing. Once again Cobham has been a one-thoroughbred town with almost all the fit players away with their national teams.


Despite the obvious disruption to the campaign Chelsea's form after the international break last season was fine, helped by the fact that all bar two matches were at home.


We saw off Manchester City 3-0 in August, Charlton 2-1 in September, Watford 4-0 in November and Middlesbrough 3-0 in February. The only away fixtures were That Reading Game in October and Watford in late March, where a lack-lustre display was salvaged by substitute Salomon Kalou's 90+2-minute winner.


This will be our second home fixture after internationals this season: we beat spirited Pompey 1-0 after midweek friendlies in August. While there have been no disasters over the whole period, one or two games have definitely been played with tired minds and legs.


Sometimes the break can interrupt a winning spell. But after a surprise defeat such as Chelsea's at Villa Park, it provides a period of introspection at a time the footballer mentality is to go out and put things right straight away in the next game.


The distraction the national call-up brings to coaches is obvious. José Mourinho dislikes the fact that he and his coaches are unable to prepare the chaps in anything like as fastidious a fashion as usual. Many, including the African players, have travelled half the globe and some, such as Peru's Claudio Pizarro, will have only just touched down in this country before Saturday's late 5.15pm kick-off.


Some return with injuries, but others who have played fewer league games might see it as a chance to prove stake a claim for a starting place.


Of course, our former striking legend Mark Hughes knows all about such problems as Blackburn boss, and will be sweating on the availability of in-form Roque Santa Cruz, Benni McCarthy and Aaron Mokoena.


The added experience and skill in all departments means that their traditional tight, physical approach has the burnish of quality, and they are able to convert more opportunities into goals as well as snuffing out chances in their own box - five of their eight matches so far this season have produced clean sheets.


Hughes' side is in seventh place and have made their best start for ten years but the perennial disciplinary issues persist. If they appear to have even more resilience again this season, they have already been punished with two red cards.


Blackburn are unbeaten in the eight matches since we beat them 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final thanks to Michael Ballack's brilliant injury time thump.


Sparky must have been sick of the sight of Chelsea last season in fact: we knocked them out of the Carling Cup, too, and won both league games, conceding no goals and scoring seven. Kalou arrived as a Chelsea player in the League Cup win, so Didier Drogba's possible absence with a knee injury won't cheer Rovers too much.


Amazingly, the four Barclays Premier League games following this one are against teams who took points off Chelsea last season: Manchester Utd (a), Fulham (h), Bolton (a), Boro (a). We drew, drew, drew and lost matches with them last season (though the Bolton stalemate was at home). It makes you wonder who programmes that fixtures computer, doesn't it.


Still, Mourinho's Chelsea is famous for embarking on long unbeaten runs following setbacks, and the Villa loss came 19 games after our loss at Anfield seven months earlier. A run of results that improve our record against those sides would set us in great stead for a surge into the critical winter period.

[Glen2712]

PRE-MATCH BRIEFING: CHELSEA V BLACKBURN END


CHELSEA V BLACKBURN - Paul Dutton analysis the figures as in-form opposition visit.


Blackburn's last defeat was against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final at Old Trafford in April and they are looking to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 15 games and 11 in the Barclays Premier League.


The semi-final loss followed successive league defeats against West Ham (h), Man Utd (a) and Aston Villa (h). They have since enjoyed nine victories and five draws.


Having eclipsed Liverpool's 26-year-old record against Birmingham, we are now looking to extend our unbeaten league run at Stamford Bridge to 66 games. Our last defeat was against Arsenal on February 21st 2004.


Chelsea have only suffered one home defeat in all competitions in that period in 99 games. That was the 2-1 defeat against Barcelona in the Champions League in February 2006.


Chelsea's defeat at Villa Park two weeks ago was our first in the Premier League in 19 since our previous defeat at Anfield in January.


It was only our tenth loss in 119 Premier League games under José Mourinho. The other nine were at Manchester City, Manchester United, Middlesbrough twice, Fulham, Blackburn, Newcastle, Tottenham and Liverpool.


Blackburn's league record at Stamford Bridge in the last 23 years is impressive. In 14 visits they have won six and drawn five but since the arrival of José Mourinho, Chelsea have won on every occasion.


Our Premier League record against Blackburn at Stamford Bridge in full is as follows:
1992/93 Drew 0-0
1993/94 Rovers won 2-1
1994/95 Rovers won 2-1
1995/96 Rovers won 3-2
1996/97 Drew 1-1
1997/98 Rovers won 1-0
1998/99 Drew 1-1
2001/02 Drew 0-0
2002/03 Rovers won 2-1
2003/04 Drew 2-2
2004/05 Chelsea won 4-0
2005/06 Chelsea won 4-2
2006/07 Chelsea won 3-0


Blackburn have been top flight champions on three occasions. They won the First Division in 1911-12 and 1913-14 and the Premier League in its third season in 1994-95. Their last trophy was the League Cup in 2002.


Last season Blackburn finished tenth with 52 points and their away record was won six, drawn four, lost nine. Their six wins came at Middlesbrough, Reading, Wigan, Man City, Bolton and Newcastle.


Benni McCarthy was runner-up in the Premier League's Golden Boot with 18 goals, two behind winner Didier Drogba.


Blackburn were fined £100,000 by the FA for their poor disciplinary record during 2006/07 and had a further £50,000 suspended.


Rovers' first competitive game was on July 22 in the Intertoto Cup as we were flying back from our American pre-season tour. They have been drawn against Greek side Larissa in the first round of the UEFA Cup.


Blackburn have made their best start to a Premier League campaign in a decade.


Blackburn's season to date:
Jul 22 Vetra (Intertoto Cup a) W 2-0
Jul 28 Vetra (Intertoto Cup h) W 4-0
Aug 11 Middlesbrough (a) W 2-1
Aug 16 MyPa 47 (UEFA Cup qual a) W 1-0
Aug 19 Arsenal (h) D 1-1
Aug 25 Everton (a) D 1-1
Aug 30 MyPa 47 (UEFA Cup qual h) W 2-0
Sep 2 Man City (h) W 1-0


Rovers' team for their game against Manchester City at Ewood Park in their last game was: (4-4-2) Friedel; Emerton, Samba, Nelsen (c), Warnock; Bentley, Savage (Tugay 17), Dunn, Pedersen; Santa Cruz (Derbyshire 86), McCarthy (Ooijer 63). Benni McCarthy scored his first league goal of the season in the 13th minute. Tugay was sent off for two bookable offences.


Blackburn's scorers in all competitions this season are: McCarthy 3, Santa Cruz 3, Derbyshire 2, Roberts 2, Bentley 1, Dunn 1, Pedersen 1, Samba 1.


Chelsea are fourth in the Premier League with 10 points from five games, equal on points with Liverpool, Arsenal and Everton. Blackburn are seventh two points behind with a game in hand.


Blackburn have scored in each of the last 15 league outings, since their 1-0 defeat by Everton at Goodison Park in February.


Brad Friedel was Blackburn's only ever-present in the Premier League last season. He hasn't missed a league game since the final match of the 2003/04 season.


Mark Hughes has been economical with his summer shopping activities. Roque Santa Cruz scored with his third touch on his debut against Middlesbrough on the opening day.

Ins: Roque Santa Cruz (Bayern Munich, £3.5m), Maceo Rigters (NAC Breda, undisclosed)

Outs: Francis Jeffers (Sheffield Wednesday, undisclosed), Michael Gray (Wolves, free), Andy Todd (Derby County, undisclosed), Paul Gallagher (Preston North End, loan), Shabani Nonda (Roma, loan return).


Blackburn's management team continues to have a strong Chelsea influence. Mark Hughes, manager since 2004, first team coach Eddie Niedzwiecki and goalkeeper coach Kevin Hitchcock.


Mark Hughes's record at Chelsea was 39 goals in 123 games between 1995 and 1998. He won the FA Cup and was Chelsea Player of the Year in 1997 and the League Cup in 1998 as well as the European Cup Winners' Cup as unused substitute.


Sparky's record against Chelsea as manager of Blackburn is won one, lost seven; goals scored four, against 18.


Tugay is suspended following his double yellow in Blackburn's last game against Man City.


Match referee is Howard Webb. It is the first time he has marshalled a Chelsea match since our Carling Cup final win over Arsenal, which included the Fabregas-inspired brawl and two sendings-off. His last Blackburn game was their equally incident-packed 1-2 home defeat by West Ham in March, where Bentley was dismissed.


Chelsea's overall record against Blackburn in all competitions is: played 101, won 40, drawn 26, lost 35


Head-to-head in the league at Stamford Bridge: played 46, won 23, drawn 11, lost 12


LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Chelsea 3 Blackburn 0
Barclays Premiership, Wednesday January 31st 2007, Stamford Bridge
Chelsea (4-1-2-1-2): Cech; Diarra, Essien, Carvalho, A Cole (Bridge 55); Makelele; Mikel (Ferreira 86), Lampard (c); Ballack; Shevchenko (Kalou 84), Drogba.
Scorers: Drogba (5), Lampard (66), Kalou (90+1)
Blackburn (4-1-2-1-2): Friedel; Emerton, Henchoz (Samba 78), Nelson (c), Warnock; Tugay; Bentley, Pedersen; Gallagher (Nonda 62); McCarthy, Derbyshire (Jeffers 78).
Booked: Samba
Referee: Graham Poll
Crowd: 38,000

Manchester United beat Watford to stay six points ahead of us. We keep a five-point lead over Liverpool.

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[Glen2712]

MINUTE DETAIL: CHELSEA 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0


Barclays Premier League, Saturday September 15th 2007 at Stamford Bridge.


Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech; Belletti, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole (Ben-Haim 86); Wright-Phillips (Malouda 56), Sidwell (Mikel 56), Essien, J Cole; Kalou, Shevchenko.


Manager José Mourinho


Blackburn (4-4-2): Friedel; Emerton, Samba (Ooijer 90+1), Nelsen (c), Warnock; Bentley, Savage, Dunn (Mokoena 80), Pedersen; Santa Cruz, McCarthy (Roberts 67).


Manager Mark Hughes.


Referee Howard Webb.


Crowd 41,062.


Environment Warm and Sunny. Chelsea's first home 5.15pm kick-off. Live on Setanta.


Kit Chelsea - blue shirts and shorts, white socks. Blackburn - red and black halved shirts, black shorts and socks.


First-half.


Kick-off Chelsea

20 Fouls It's been a free-kick laden, scrappy start to the game with nine fouls whistled up in the opening 20 minutes. No clear cut chances.

21 Effort Shevchenko jumps to meet Belletti's looping cross but balloons his header over. Joe Cole had combined with the overlapping right-back.

26 Save Friedel brilliantly tips wide Essien's 25-yard rocket. Joe Cole had driven through the heart of the Blackburn team in the build-up with a superb run.

29 Chance Shevchenko played in by surging Essien following more Cole good work but the striker's second touch is too strong and Friedel smothers the shot.

32 Shot Wright-Phillips drives well wide after holding off Dunn and running from halfway.

35 Shot Joe Cole strikes well from the edge of the area after sustained pressure but it curls into Friedel's hands.

41 Escape Chelsea caught stretched, leaving space for Bentley to cross deep and Pedersen to volley into the sidenetting.

Stoppage time 1 min.


Half-time Chelsea 0 Blackburn 0


Second-half


Kick-off Blackburn

56 Chelsea substitutions Malouda for Wright-Phillips, Mikel for Sidwell. Two straight swaps.

57 Offside Kalou turns the ball in from close range after Malouda spreads wide and Belletti crosses low. Chelsea celebrate but the flag is up. Replays suggest Kalou was not ahead of the ball when the pass came in so was onside.

67 Blackburn substitution Roberts for McCarthy.

73 Booked Joe Cole the first caution for a late challenge on Warnock.

74 Booked Belletti follows for an aerial challenge on Pedersen.

77 Save Cech tips over Savage's shot that had deflected up off a blocking Terry. It's Blackburn's first shot on target.

78 Shot Kalou picks up a loose ball on the edge of the area but hooks wide of the left post with a right foot shot.

80 Blackburn substitution Mokoena for Dunn.

81 Abused Kalou suffers a lunge from behind from Warnock. The Blackburn full-back is booked.

84 Abused General. Savage carries the ball away after Chelsea awarded a free-kick. He is booked.

85 Save Friedel blocks from point blank range with his body as Shevchenko at the far post heads down Malouda's wicked cross.

86 Chelsea substitution Ben-Haim for Ashley Cole. Terry goes up front.

90+1 Blackburn substitution Ooijer for Samba who looks to have been seriously injured by an accidental Shevchenko kick immediately after the Friedel save.


Stoppage time 7 mins.


Unused subs. Chelsea: Cudicini, Ferreira. Blackburn: Brown, Derbyshire.


Shots on target: Chelsea 4 Blackburn 1


Corners: Chelsea 8 Blackburn 2


Fouls: Chelsea 20 Blackburn 14


Offsides: Chelsea 7 Blackburn 0


Comment: Andriy Shevchenko started for the first time this season, Joe Cole for the first time since the Community Shield. Sidwell was in midfield a month after his last start. Lampard and Drogba were both injured while Pizarro had only just returned from international action in South America.


Prior to kick-off, there was a minute's applause for Ian Porterfield and the team wore black armbands. The Blues dominate territorially against unbeaten Blackburn but Friedel yet again is a formidable opponent.


The decision to flag Kalou's second-half conversion offside will be much debated and as a result we fail to score for the second game running. The unbeaten home run is up to 66 but we are fourth in the table.

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[Glen2712]

MATCH REPORT: CHELSEA 0 BLACKBURN ROVERS 0


Chelsea missed an opportunity to gain three points today in a game that we controlled.


Although Blackburn worked hard for their point it was the away side's back four that had to work the hardest. Shevchenko failed to score on his return but still had a good performance beside Kalou.


Blackburn made us work for every ball and eventually went away with the draw, Chelsea were unlucky against a strong team.


Before the kick-off there was a minute's applause in dedication to Ian Porterfield, who died on Tuesday. The Chelsea players wore black armbands throughout the match as a sign of respect for the former Chelsea manager.


Today saw Mourinho select Andriy Shevchenko and Joe Cole in the starting eleven, and also give another start to Steve Sidwell, who hadn't played since Reading near the beginning of the current title attempt.


Mark Hughes fronted his usual Blackburn side with Tugay missing the game due to a suspension for his dismissal when a sub against Manchester City.


Mourinho moved back to his 4-4-2 formation, with Shevchenko leading the attack alongside Kalou.


The Blues fans showed Blackburn how to support their side by erupting into a chorus of chanting at the end of the Ian Porterfield's minute applause.


Bentley tripped Joe Cole just past half way in the first minutes of the game; Cole causing problems for Bentley and Blackburn from the kick-off, obviously still riding the momentum of two faultless performances for England in the week.


Joe Cole's opposite man, David Bentley, was the most exciting Blackburn representative on the pitch during the first half, although it all proved to be nothing Ashley Cole couldn't handle.


Sidwell didn't seem to adapt to his role in centre midfield to begin with but he soon settled into the role, partnered by Michael Essien who was his usual attacking self from the start whilst not neglecting his defensive duties.


After ten minutes, Shaun Wright-Phillips managed to launch a shot across the face of the goal after a Chelsea attack down the left. Blackburn were putting in the infamous strong tackles but this didn't phase Chelsea who returned the sentiment, with Sidwell, Essien and Alex breaking down any Blackburn attacks with equal vigour.


For the first 20 minutes Chelsea were controlling the game, with most of the possession coming down the right side thanks to Belletti.


The full-back released a perfectly timed ball into the box soon after. Shevchenko managed to reach it in the air but the contact sent the ball over the bar.


Belletti continued to show exuberance on the right and fed Kalou plenty of long balls.


On the 26th minute, Joe Cole managed to swerve through three Blackburn players on the half way line to knock the ball up to Essien who launched a screaming shot, which Friedel just tipped over, testing the keeper's skills to the maximum.


Dead on the half hour mark, Joe Cole set up a through ball which Kalou received. He then placed the ball at Shevchenko's feet who took it a step too far in front of himself to get a shot off in time, allowing Friedel to collect on the ground.


Wright-Phillips led an attack shortly after to shoot across the face of the goal once more, although Friedel wasn't much bothered by the attempt, which went comfortably wide.


An Ashley Cole run down the left allowed Chelsea to control the ball around the Blackburn area which permitted Essien a shot that was displaced for a corner, leading to a Joe Cole shot on target which Friedel took to his chest.


Joe Cole continued to create problems for Blackburn by launching a lob that landed just short of Ashley Cole right in front the goal.


When the two teams left the field, for half time, there was nothing separating them on the scoreboard. However had Chelsea controlled the first half without allowing any chances for Blackburn.


Sidwell was substituted alongside Wright-Phillips during the 55th minute. John Mikel Obi replaced Sidwell alongside Essien while Florent Malouda replaced Wright Phillips.


Mourinho then changed to a 4-3-3 formation that allowed the game to open up even more with most of the possession staying in the Blackburn half. Not long after the substitutions, Kalou was disallowed a goal after the linesman controversially judged him offside, despite being behind the ball when Belletti passed across the face of the goal for Kalou to tap in.


Jason Roberts came on to replace Benni McCarthy before the 70 minute mark for Blackburn.


On the 73rd minute, Belletti was shown a yellow card after a questionable foul 40 yards out. Joe Cole had been booked a minute earlier. John Terry's back line stayed focused when the ball arrived in the box to win Cech his goal kick.


By the 80th minute the game had levelled out with Blackburn keeping more possession in the Chelsea half, leading to Robbie Savage releasing a shot that Cech tipped over the line for a corner.


A Blackburn delivery then left Chelsea fans witnessing a dicey few seconds in their own box before a shot hit the side netting.


From Cech's kick, Chelsea had another good chance after a counter-attack left Kalou open on the edge of the box to send a shot inches wide.


In the 84th minute, Shevchenko had his best chance of the game from a Malouda cross which Friedel saved but Christopher Samba's head got on the end of a Shevchenko kick, placing him behind the goal to be attended by medical staff.


Andre Oooijer came on to replace the injured Samba who was carried off the pitch in a neck brace to applause from the crowd.


Ashley Cole was replaced by Tal Ben-Haim in the 87th minute.


The crowd began to chant 'Come on Shevchenko' during the 90th minute to which Shevchenko showed his appreciation for the support by applauding the crowd.


With seven minutes of injury time added, Chelsea only had a few more opportunities to take the lead; Terry took one of those chances on the head, in front of the goal, which went over the bar.


Chelsea deserved to take three points from this fixture after controlling the game and keeping most of the possession in the Blackburn half.


Injury time saw the most frantic minutes of the game with three corners and constant attacking play from Chelsea, but Blackburn managed to hold off Shevchenko and Kalou to take a well earned point from this fixture.


Chelsea (4-4-2): Cech: Belletti, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole (Ben-Haim 87): Wright-Phillips (Malouda 55), Sidwell (Mikel 55), Essien, J Cole, Kalou, Shevchenko

Booked: J Cole, Belletti.


Blackburn (4-4-2): Friedel: Emerton, Samba (Ooijer 90), Nelsen (c), Warnock: Bentley, Savage, Dunn, Pedersen, Santa Cruz, McCarthy (Roberts 67).

Booked: Savage.

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[Peter_North]

I have always felt that when Chelsea are on top of the league table, they are often over cautious - not attacking enough so as not to lose ground in defence. In other words, they play a very 'kiasu' game.

In order for Chelsea to transform into an attacking team like Arsenal, Chelsea must play with the 'mentality' that 'they have nothing to lose', just like in those dying minutes against Aston Villa and other games when they're losing, pushing Terry upfront as striker.

Chelsea must throw caution to the wind. They must seach for a new confidence in attack, even if it means the defence will wobble.

As for misfiring Shevchenko, I believe Roman will be more prepared to fire Mourinho then Shevchenko. (Shevchenko in hokkien means One Thousand Dollar!).

Shevchenko's antidote is a massive paycut, and I guarantee he will perform!

Kalou is a hardworking player, but never a finisher. He should stick in the reserve team.

[Glen2712]

Superb so far. Not a single mistake. Million billion times better than Ferreira. Wow.. Yesterday was the first time we had such a good performance from a right back at right back for a very very long time.


So hats of to Belletti, and to Jose. We shouldn't critisized him, and at least given him a chance to play. So keep up the good work Juliano. Also, this season's title race is gonna be a more open affair; that said it'll be 'more than the race' as every game will be open.


The only reason behind this is that teams are getting better. They spent money, bought good players, stable teams, teams with ambition. Newcastle, Aston Villa, Man City, Everton and Blackburn want more. Everybody wants more, so IMHO, this time round the competition is very, very tough.


I think the kind of points we need to be champions in previous seasons is difficult to attain again because it's difficult to win matches. I can see teams are much more competitive, this season title's race gonna be the most open race yet.

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[WRX_STI]

we deserved more than a point but friedel bagus!!!! sigh....

[no_faith]

Originally Posted by Peter_North

I have always felt that when Chelsea are on top of the league table, they are often over cautious - not attacking enough so as not to lose ground in defence. In other words, they play a very 'kiasu' game.

In order for Chelsea to transform into an attacking team like Arsenal, Chelsea must play with the 'mentality' that 'they have nothing to lose', just like in those dying minutes against Aston Villa and other games when they're losing, pushing Terry upfront as striker.

Chelsea must throw caution to the wind. They must seach for a new confidence in attack, even if it means the defence will wobble.

As for misfiring Shevchenko, I believe Roman will be more prepared to fire Mourinho then Shevchenko. (Shevchenko in hokkien means One Thousand Dollar!).

Shevchenko's antidote is a massive paycut, and I guarantee he will perform!

Kalou is a hardworking player, but never a finisher. He should stick in the reserve team.

i second tat. Chelsea likes to wait for opponents to make mistake. now, we have made more mistakes.
they push little and not offensive enuff.

Shevchenko fren of Roman. Roman opened the door for him when his wife wanted to move to england.

Kalou, need to work more on finishing. sumtimes i do feel he has not much experience.

imho, Chelsea has purchased unnecessary players. dunno issit Mourinho's tactics wasted the talents of the players or the players juz could not gel together.
sumtimes i tink, under Raineri also not bad. the game more attackes, more goals, intersting....but also concede goals too.

[Peter_North]

Originally Posted by no_faith

imho, Chelsea has purchased unnecessary players. dunno issit Mourinho's tactics wasted the talents of the players or the players juz could not gel together.
sumtimes i tink, under Raineri also not bad. the game more attackes, more goals, intersting....but also concede goals too.

I agree that under Ranieri Chelsea played entertaining football. However, you need to be entertaining and win games at the same time. But Ranieri was already very close. Chelsea was 2nd place when Ranieri got the boot from Roman. I believe Roman would not have bought Chelsea if Ranieri had played like Jose.

I believe for Jose's team, the antidote to correct boring football is a master playmaker. If you have a Maradona or Cantona in midfield, it's impossible for the rest of play boring football. Out and out strikers like Shevchenko will light up instantly. Which is why Roman is considering Ronaldinho.

The silver lining from the game against Blackburn is the Brazilian twins. I love to see Belletti playing alongside Alex, and it seems they have gelled well. But I desperate need Ricardo Carvalho back in the team !

Chelsea's defence was pretty solid against Blackburn. But the midfield is not distributing intelligent balls or making defence splitting passes.

[no_faith]

yes bro peter_north, the midfield, players are gd but juz cant link up together. no1 can can split the defence.
sheva can bring out the defence but then, he will not be in his scoring position. he will be doing others job instead of his striker role.
Ronaldinho, yes, he is gd but look at his physical size, omg becoming ronaldo.
the money we pay might as well get KAKA, still young chap.

yes Carvalho got be back soon. sumtimes he will go forward helping out attack, pulling the opponents to him , open the gap and make gd passes or take shots.

if we play more offensive, i believe we can score more goalsssss, we do have attacking minded defence.
oh ya, 1 more thing, i tink when W.Bridge returns, replace A.Cole, he is not the A.Cole we got from Arsenal.

[Peter_North]

Originally Posted by no_faith

oh ya, 1 more thing, i tink when W.Bridge returns, replace A.Cole, he is not the A.Cole we got from Arsenal.

Speaking of Cashley Cole, even the commentator (Blackburn match) remarked that he was not as good as the Cole at Arsenal. Cashley when he was at Arsenal was damn entertaining despite his small built. He even scored goals at Arsenal. At Chelsea, he doesn't cross balls into penalty box as often as Wayne Bridge. Don't why Bridge is behind Cashley in the pecking order.

We need a playmaker, and to revolutionize Chelsea, we've got to let Lampard leave. Lampard is extremely hardworking, but lacks the talent of a creative midfielder. Actually Ballack will fit in nicely.

[Peter_North]

This freaking Football Channel 27 is not giving face to us, the Chelsea supporters !!!

Why no live telecast for the game against Rosenborg ?