Friday 27 January 2012

The Mega Chelsea Clearance Sale!!! part 3

Discount!Discount!!Discount!!!


In part one we discussed Chelsea centre back Alex and full back Paulo Ferreira and in part two we discussed Goal-keeper Henrique Hilario and full back Jose Bosingwa. In this post we will take a look at the final three Chelsea players on my list.

Salomon Kalou:
Salomon Kalou: Take some time away from Chelsea
Chelsea's very own "super sub" was purchased from Feynoord back in 2006 for £9 million where he was a part of the famous K2 attack with Liverpool's Dirk Kuyt being the other striker.Kalou could never cement his position in the team despite being comfortable on either wings or as a striker. Kalou came in with a great deal of promise and delivered too. He was even involved in a failed Dutch citizenship bid with greats like Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten pleading with the government to provide Kalou with Dutch citizenship. For a player with such backing it is hard to believe that Kalou is now fighting to hold his place not in the Chelsea squad. Recently West Ham have been linked with a loan move for the player. I'd say take it, or at least make Kalou available on loan for other clubs. He has the talent but needs first team practice and has not yet fallen to standards to merit a sale.

Florent Malouda:
Florent Malouda: No perspective in the squad
The current French national captain joined Chelsea from Lyon for £13 million in the summer of 2007. A passionate left winger he was the highest scorer for Chelsea last season with 13 goals. He is known for his pin point passes and darting runs. A flamboyant and stylish player he is known for providing much needed with for a flailing Chelsea when Arjen Robben and Joe Cole were out injured. He slowly cemented his spot in the team and was an integral member of the title winning 2009-2010 campaign. Known for his fancy hairstyles from a clean shaven head to designer flowing locks he has been ever present on the left hand side of Chelsea partnering with left back Ashley Cole to devastating effect. However a the signing of fellow left winger Juan Mata has led to Malouda playing a supporting role with a few appearances scattered around. Time has come for this Chelsea veteran to leave the club in search for more playing time to keep alive his hopes of representing the Les Bleus in the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

 John Obi Mikel:
John Obi Mikel: The Young Stalwart
The player to probably have been involved in a controversial transfer involving Norwegian club Lyn Oslo, Manchester United and Chelsea finally joined Chelsea for £16 million in June 2006. Following an impressive start John Obi Mikel was considered by many to be the perfect successor to Claude Makelele for what is famously known as the Makelele role. Often seen playing as a defensive or holding midfielder after more than 150 league appearances Mikel is yet to score a Premier League goal for Chelsea. Since the departure of Makelele in 2008 and frequent injuries to Michael Essien, Mikel had made the defensive midfield spot his own. With the signing of young Barcelona starlet Oriol Romeu in 2011 who impressed hugely and with his own average performances and injury struggles Mikel seems to have lost his place in the team. Since Michael Essien has regained fitness and Romeu is in fine touch this young player (yes he's still only 24) needs more time to regain his good form and the right option would be a loan.( Although since no rumors seem to be flying he'll probably stay and his move is not an urgency.)

-indian chelsea fan
 

Thursday 26 January 2012

The Mega Chelsea Clearance Sale!!! part 2

Discount!Discount!!Discount!!!


In part one we discussed Chelsea centre back Alex and full back Paulo Ferreira. In this post we will discuss two more Chelsea players who have overstayed their welcome.


 Henrique Hilario:

Henrique Hilario: Time's Up!
A product of the FC Porto youth system Henrique Hilario is known in football circles as the perennial third choice goalkeeper. Signed in the year 2006 he has only made about 20 league appearances for the club. Some good performances notwithstanding his career as a goalkeeper never really took off. His only real chance arrived when both Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini were injured in horrific incidents in the same match against Reading. He received a run of games after that but was never good enough and was immediately relegated to the bench following Cech's return to fitness. He had his only promotion when Cudicini left Chelsea for London rivals Tottenham but has now been replaced as second choice with ( a not so young) Ross Turnbull. With Chelsea loanee Thibaut Courtois and Matej Delac both bound to overtake him into second and fourth choice respectively it is time for Hilario to hang up his boots or look for another club. 


 Jose Bosingwa:

Jose Bosingwa: The unibrowed wonder looks set to exit Chelsea
Chelsea right back Jose Bosingwa was one of the two early signings made by new Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari in 2008. Signed for €20.6 million from FC Porto he soon became famous for his darting runs down the right flank as similar runs were made by full back team mate Ashley Cole down the left flank. Known for his accurate long range goals misfortune soon struck his so far wonderful Chelsea career(already having spurned Bayern Munich's attempt to sign him) when he sustained a knee injury against Aston Villa in October 2009 suspended him from the football scene for a year. Following the rise of Branislav Ivanovic, Bosingwa was expected to not be seen in a major role but injuries to Alex and Terry pushed Ivanovic into the center back role vacating the right back seat for Bosingwa. After a few average performances he was once again expected to leave the club at the end of his contract. After the appointment of fellow Portuguese Andre Villas Boas he was reinstated into the lineup and soon received a contract extension. But with his contract coming to an end this season and some not so very inspiring performances later Bosingwa looks set to head for the exit doors.Only the lack of finding a replacement can see him retain a spot. It would only be wise on Chelsea's part to cash in when they have the chance.  


 -indian chelsea fan
 

The Mega Chelsea Clearance Sale!!! part 1

Discount!Discount!!Discount!!!

With the January Transfer Window coming to a close soon, the Chelsea Management is sure to make room in the squad by letting go of certain players. The Chelsea squad has often been called aging, aged prehistoric and its whereabouts. Nothing new there.

For a squad which boasts of a large percentage of players on the wrong side of 30 it comes as no wonder when goal drought ridden Fernando Torres blamed Chelsea's slow playing pace for his lackluster performance in front of goal. When watching Chelsea play a lack of pace and creativity is evident. A boost has been given by the inspired signing of Spaniard Juan Mata but still Chelsea have more or less struggled for goals.

Below is a list of players who are no longer crucial to the side's progress and must be offloaded to create some breathing space and also help blood some great youngsters waiting in the wings.(Bringing in youngsters is necessary to avoid a Fabio Borini repeat from occurring).



Alex da Costa: A Brighter Future Awaits
Alex: 
Alex "The Tank" da Costa was signed by Chelsea in 2004. A player for whom Chelsea waited three years to receive his work permit has now moved out beyond even the fringes of the Chelsea squad. Famous for his fiery freekicks and physical strength, the former Santos man and PSV Eindhoven loanee no longer is a part of Chelsea manager Villas-Boas' plans. A  £4 million offer has been reportedly accepted from Paris St.Germain where Alex will be reunited with former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti after turning down an offer to move to local rival Queens Park Rangers now managed by former Chelsea player Mark Hughes. Alex, a former Juventus target will now look to resurrect his flagging club and national career after having accepted that his Chelsea career is now over. We bid a goodbye to Alex who will be remebered for his cannonball free-kick against Liverpool in the 4-4 Champions League encounter in 2009.



Paulo Ferreira: Greener Pastures Ahead


Paulo Ferreira:
The Portuguese fullback was purchased as a part of Jose Mourinho's Portuguese contingent from FC Porto for20 million. A consistent and strong performer he has been called a workhorse by many. He is capable of playing on both flanks. The biggest problem with Paulo Ferreira is his injury proneness. Often he is injured for long periods of time. Receiving his first start of the season in the 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa, Ferreira has been reduced to a bit role in the Chelsea squad and retains his place only on experience and reputation. Once purchased for an astronomical fee he is now rated in the region of €2 million and would add great strength too a mid table squad. With young defenders Tomas Kalas, Patrick van Aanhlot and Ryan Bertrand all nipping at his heels Ferreira's time in the Chelsea team is now up. The players departure seems imminent if not this transfer window but the next.

-indian chelsea fan





Saturday 14 January 2012

Chelsea v Sunderland


               Vs.












Chelsea vs Sunderland

In a rematch of the match that derailed Chelsea's defence. Chelsea will take on Sunderland at home today.But today will be a different battle as a new look Chelsea take on a Sunderland derived of all the goalscorers from that match.

A win here might kick-start Chelsea's season and push them up the table.

A lot of time has passed since the glory days of the former great Sunderland team. After repeated forays up and down the Divisions they find themselves fighting once again to maintain themselves in the Premier League. 

After what was a very bright start to their campaign, we saw the black cats stumble followed by the dismissal of the much loved Steve Bruce. Former Aston Villa manager Martin O Neill has taken his place and they now find themselves 10th in the premier league.

Sunderland are currently on a 5 match unbeaten which includes wins against QPR, Man City and Wigan, while they drew against Everton.

Meanwhile Chelsea have not done too badly themselves with a strong performance against Portsmouth this week. The 4-0 scoreline didn't sum up what actually transpired on the pitch but yet it will provide a lot of confidence to the squad as well as Boas' Blues.

Again this article comes at the time of the team being announced.

Fernando Torres who showed a lot of flashes of his former glorious self starts and will look to net a goal. Daniel Sturridge starts of the bench. Essien makes his return to the bench. Comeback kid Hutchinson retains his spot in the squad.

Chelsea(4-3-3):
               
                                                                      Cech

Bosingwa                Luiz                      Terry(C)                   Cole



                                            Romeu


               Meireles                                       Lampard 


 Ramires                               Torres                                  Mata

Bench: Turnbull, Hutchinson, Bertrand, Essien, Malouda, Lukaku, Sturridge



Sunderland (4-1-4-1):

Mignolet; Bardsley, O'Shea, Kilgallon, Richardson; Larsson, Cattermole (c),Vaughan, McLean,; Bendtner.

Bench: Gardner, Turner, Meyler, Elmohamady, Dong-Won, Westwood, Wickham


Chelsea must be wary of  South Korean sensation Ji Dong-Won, Sunderland's super-sub who has a knack of scoring goals of the bench like the one against Chelsea last year and the one in the shock victory over Man City.

Prediction: 3-0(Home Victory)

-indian chelsea fan

Result: 1-0







Sunday 8 January 2012

Chelsea v Portsmouth

                         vS          











The Battle of the Blues

This Sunday sees a cracking blue contest. Andre villas Boas' Chelsea side take on Micheal Appleton's Portsmouth. It is a contest of the young managers.  A new breed of managers with fire in their hearts and a burning desire to succeed.

With only one win from the past five games(including three 1-1 draws) Chelsea are fielding an extremely strong side at home not wanting to fall out as a surprise casualty. The last game a friendly saw Chelsea win 1-0 courtesy a goal by former Chelsea defender Tal Ben Haim

Portsmouth to have had an average run with two wins, two draws and a defeat in the last five games.

I was going to write this blog much earlier but unforeseen circumstances see me writing the blog at the exact same time as the teams being announced . So no predictions.
Chelsea are fielding the following squad
                                                    Cech
     Bosingwa             Luiz                       Terry(C)                     Cole


                                              Miereles

                      Ramires                                   Lampard





      Malouda                           Torres                                Mata


Bench : Turnbull, Ferreira, Hutchinson, Bertrand, Romeu, McEachran, Lukaku



------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Portsmouth (4-4-1-1):
Henderson; Ward, Pearce, Rocha, Halford; Lawrence (c), Norris, Mokoena, Mullins,; Kitson, Futacs.
Bench: Ashdown, Ben-Haim, Hreidarsson, Webster, Williams, Huseklepp, Benjani.


Prediction: 3-1(Home Victory)


- indian chelsea fan


P.S. Hopefully Torres will get on the score-sheet like Carroll did for Liverpool


Result: 4-0











Tuesday 3 January 2012

First Matchday

With the number of people blogging nowadays and having their own opinion ; it comes as no surprise that a blog like this has been set up.


I've see plenty of fan sites. People posting articles, reviews, match reports, what they think should have been done or should be done and so on and so forth. I too was a boy like this. Regularly posting and commenting and writing and trying to pass on my "expert opinion".

The internet is a free-for-all (not counting your service subscription), and with the freedom of speech it becomes easy to speak your mind, have your say.


Chelsea FC is an English club and with predominantly English sites catering to fan needs it sometimes becomes difficult to make an opinion . My friends and me would usually have squabbles you know, outside the college lab ,in the classroom, near the canteen etc. Regular talk like what should have been the tactics , formation and other such 'stuff'. 'Stuff we consider ourselves masters in having logged in hours of playtime on football management games.

So I set up this blog to post my opinions . Kinda get it out of my system.

This was blog number one . Many more will follow but for now the full-time whistle sounds.


-indian chelsea fan 

P.S. First blog. Am a little nervous. It isn't very fancy language wise too. So don't be hard on me.