Chelsea Fans Thread

[persian boy]

LMAO at Drogba, what a hilarious guy, READ THIS ARTICLE

Drogba could face FA investigation

Didier Drogba could face an FA investigation into claims he deliberately got booked in order to manage the timing of his suspensions.

The FA have noted the Chelsea striker's comments from his forthcoming autobiography, which were printed in the News of the World on Sunday, with interest.

However, no action will be taken by the authorities until the book is published in England in July.

An FA spokesman said: "We would like to wait to see the comments in their full context before deciding on any further action."

The potential controversy surrounds the Ivorian's claim that he used to collude with former Blues manager Jose Mourinho and get himself yellow-carded at convenient times.

By doing so, the pair were able to ensure that the former Marseille frontman sat out pre-selected matches under the cumulative bookings system.

"Mourinho calculated everything - he looked at the match programme and analysed the cards each of his lads had received," Drogba said in his book.

"He sometimes whispered to me, 'It would be good for you to get a yellow card today. You would miss such-and-such a match. I will give you four free days.'

"No problem. I used to do as he said.

"That allowed me to pay myself a little trip to Dubai. It was a modern way of treating work and the individual."

at the last sentence and at the thought of Mourinho randomly whispering to him. Psst Didier, get over here, alright dude get a yellow today

[persian boy]

Interview with Nicolas Anelka

Nicolas, have Chelsea recovered from the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League title last weekend?
There wasn't too much disappointment because we'd come back into contention from far behind. We hoped we'd win but we also knew that the title wasn't in our hands. In spite of everything, it was down to what Manchester United did. They were ahead for most of the race and deserve their title. They had a good season. It's been good for us to feel the pressure lift a bit so that we can come back fresh.

Can you feel the pressure rising again? Are the players getting impatient?
Not yet. In any case, I don't read the press so I'm not even aware of what proportions it's taking in England. I think the pressure will come in the last few days before the final, especially when we arrive in Russia.

Chelsea were level on points with United going into the last round of the Premier League, so will there be a sentiment of revenge going into Wednesday's final?
Revenge, no, but as they won the championship we'll try to win the Champions League. Otherwise, that would leave our season looking... let's not say bleak because it's always good to reach two finals [Chelsea also lost the League Cup final 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur after extra time], but if we lose both it will be difficult to take.

Does the fact that you beat Manchester United 2-1 at Stamford Bridge three weeks ago give you a psychological advantage?
No. It's totally different. Everything will come down to one match, in a completely different context. The two teams will give everything. They want to secure the double and we don't want to finish the season without a trophy. We know them well and they know us well. It could turn out to be an open game with two teams and great players on both sides, just as it could be a really tight encounter. Anything can happen. But a Champions League final is always a huge match. We'll have to be concentrated and give our all. I've been lucky enough to win once with Real Madrid. There wasn't any special preparation; I was just on the right side that day. A final really comes down to very little.

So you had good instincts in joining Chelsea this season...
(Laughs) Six months ago, before I'd even come here, I said Chelsea were going to win the Champions League. We'll see if that's how things turns out!

What are your memories of that triumph with Real Madrid in 2000?
I've still got very good memories, and it was in Paris as well, at the Stade de France. A Champions League final is something special because it's a competition everyone dreams of winning. You rarely get to a European cup final in your career, so when you get the chance and you win it, it's huge. It's one of the most prestigious trophies in the world. [It's great to say] you've done it. So to reach a second final...

On a personal level, how would you rate your first few months at Chelsea?
I play. From time to time... (smiles)

Not enough for your liking?
There's a lot of competition. That's the way it is. I knew that before I joined. The coach (Avram Grant) explained to me that Chelsea were used to playing 4-5-1 and he intended to switch to 4-4-2 the following year. He didn't want to destabilise the squad and change tactics. I have to accept that. He knows what he's doing. When I go on, I play on the wing, either on the left or the right. That's not really my role. But I'm staying patient. I waited for a long time to join a big club. I've only been here four months, so for the moment it doesn't bother me too much. I work every day in training to win my place in the team, hoping the coach plays me in my preferred role.

That said, will things have to change next season?
We'll see with the coach. He's the one who knows and who'll decide how we'll play. But I hope to play a bit more, there's no doubt.

Do you regret not having played more alongside Didier Drogba?
It's a bit of a shame, yes. We both wanted it to happen. But since I signed in January, we've hardly played together at all.

One person who will be pleased you have not played too much is France coach Raymond Domenech...
(Smiles) It's maybe good before the EURO. It's allowed me to rest a bit. You always tend to want to play more often. Sometimes, it's good to see your team-mates from the bench - just as long as it doesn't go on for too long.

[arya_n]

With the arrival of Bosingwa, does anyone think that Wayne Bridge will be leaving, not Belletti?

We can have Belletti and Bosingwa on the right , and Cole and Ferreira on the left. I think we should keep Ferreira because he can play on both right and left, in case we get more injury problems.

It looks like that I am right, look at this:

Bridge might go to Juventus


Ranieri makes a bid to land Chelsea's Bridge for Juventus

Wayne Bridge has been offered the chance to resurrect his career under Claudio Ranieri after Juventus made an official approach for the Chelsea left back.

Ranieri, who signed Bridge from Southampton when he was Chelsea manager, contacted Stamford Bridge chief executive Peter Kenyon last week.
Liverpool, West Ham and Tottenham have a long-standing interest in the England defender but Chelsea have yet to indicate whether they will let the 27-year-old go.

Bridge will join the England squad next week and will pick the brains of head coach Fabio Capello, who was coach of Juventus between 2004-06, before he makes a decision.

Bridge is not expected to make the bench for tomorrow's Champions League Final against Manchester United and is convinced his future lies elsewhere.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...-Juventus.html

[persian boy]

Fantastic news

Drogba "I could stick with the Blues"

Didier Drogba has insisted he is yet to decide what he will do this summer, but that he could yet remain in the Premier League with Chelsea.

The Ivorian has been strongly linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge since the departure of Jose Mourinho.

Links with Milan, Internazionale, Barcelona and Real Madrid have all surfaced - but Drogba now suggests that he is as settled as ever in West London.

"After the last match of the Premiership at Stamford Bridge of course I thought it could have been my last match here," he explained to France Football.

"But it is just like that each year after the last home match.

"Anyway I am still here next term yet, as my contract will be over in 2009.

"Last October when I said in France Football I wanted to leave Chelsea, that liberated me.

"There were too many frustrations, I had to get it all out but then I had to take care to be good and I had my best period of the season.

"Now it is up to me to make my choice, and I will take my time.

"For a few weeks, everyone talked about me going everywhere, but no one has named Chelsea.

"My family and I are fine at London. Moreover, I have just bought a nice house here. I never split on Chelsea. I just confessed a discontent after the departure of Mourinho. I am just thinking so far, and asking myself about the best decision to make."

[persian boy]

more fantastic news!

Malouda keen on Chelsea stay

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda is the latest player to declare he wants to remain at Stamford Bridge.

The French winger has been in-and-out of the starting XI all season - but Malouda insists he did not expect anything different.

Malouda feels that Avram Grant taking over from Jose Mourinho had little affect on his own future.

"Even under Mourinho I could have experienced that," he told L'Equipe.

"My first season at Lyon I had no status, so I have known this experience before.

"You just have one thing to do, push the coach to have doubt about his first choice.

"Just because your on the sidelines for one month, it does not make you a failure. I am at Chelsea to settle long-term.

"You know everything can change in one day in football, but I have signed a four-year deal and I hope to have more importance to the team next season.

"This is high level football."

Malouda also accused the British media of distorting comments he made about Chelsea earlier this year.

"The English press has distorted my interview in France football some months ago saying I was complaining about English football," he said.

"The next day I came to the training session and everyone looked at me with strange eyes."

Malouda admits he would love to feature in the UEFA Champions League final against Manchester United.

"I just hope to play the Champions League final, and above all win it!" he said.

"Mentally I have learnt a lot in England. The Englishmen never doubt, they always keep in mind the thought they are the best."

[Suprah]

I feel for Terry. He was THIS close to glory and it was not to be. Chelsea came out full steam ahead in 2nd half took us to the max, and made it a memorable final. Tears of joy or victory...they fell like buckets.

Next year we'll renew our rivalry

[Mr Pouya]

[persian boy]

whats with terry's black eye at 0:16??

[persian boy]

Henk Ten Cate fired

LONDON (AP) - Chelsea has continued the clearout of its coaching staff by firing Henk ten Cate.

Ten Cate had said the club told him his position was safe despite the dismissal of manager Avram Grant last week, but his own exit came just five days later following a meeting on Thursday.

The 53-year-old Dutchman had only been assistant manager with the Blues since October, but his fate, like Grant's, appears to have been sealed by the club's failure to win a trophy for the first time in four years.

"As a result of the team management changes at Chelsea FC, and in the light of any forthcoming appointment, it was clear this was the correct decision for all parties," Chelsea said in a statement.

His dismissal suggests Frank Rijkaard is not among the candidates to replace Grant, despite reports linking him to the west London club.

Ten Cate was assistant to Rijkaard at FC Barcelona, helping the club win the Champions League and Spanish title, before being released from his contract to take charge of Ajax - where he stayed until joining Chelsea.

Rijkaard, Sven-Goran Eriksson, Michael Laudrup, Roberto Mancini, Mark Hughes and Luiz Felipe Scolari have all been linked with the club as owner Roman Abramovich reportedly seeks a coach to bring the club titles and a more exciting style of play.

Grant, Ten Cate and Steve Clarke, who is expected to end his long-term association with Chelsea to pursue a career as a manager, led the Blues to second place in the Premier League and two finals.

But the club lost 2-1 to Tottenham in the League Cup final and then 6-5 on penalties to Manchester United in last week's Champions League final.

[persian boy]

Looks like Scolari is also a possible new coach

[persian boy]

Hidink: Rijkaard would be a good choice

Gus Hiddink has ruled out becoming the next Chelsea manager - but believes Frank Rijkaard could be a good choice to succeed Avram Grant.

Hiddink told Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek that he remains committed to Russia until the 2010 World Cup.

"Everyone is speculating because it is not signed officially but there is an agreement between the president of the Russian Federation and me to continue," he said.

"The only contact I have had with Chelsea has been with (Roman) Abramovic about the development of Russian football."

Hiddink said he has sympathy for Grant and accused Chelsea of placing too much emphasis on winning trophies.

"If they did not put so much pressure to get two or three cups every year, I would imagine they would start to play even better," he said.

On Rijkaard, the former Barcelona coach who was his assistant at the 1998 World Cup in France when with Holland, Hiddink said: "He could fit very well in this philosophy.

"He is very open person to the people he is working closely with."

[arya_n]

Scolari will bring a new goalkeeping coach

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=752646

Lets hope this new coach can help Cech to return to his best

[persian boy]

thats good news. i dont wanna see any Czech-Turkey moments this year for chelsea

[arya_n]

Chelsea have given Claude Makelele a 12 month extension, after Scolari said that he wants him at Chelsea for an extra year

He will now stay with Chelsea until 2010, and at the moment he is 35 years old


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/mai...fnmakelele.xml

[Daei_The_King]

Frank Lampard to Inter