Banter

Changing the face of Chelsea

Prem Kr — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:02:09 +0100

We all know what Roman Abramovich wants from Cheslea. He dreams of a chelsea team which is as good in flair as other teams like Arsenal, Man Utd, Barca. But since his takeover of chelsea the club has failed to match these teams. Previously no one questioned about their style because their football was very productive and bringing them glory from every where. Abramovich wanted the UCL trophy at Stanford Bridge at least twice in ten years. This could be the year when he wins the first of the two.

Talking about Abramovich's desire to bring sexy football to Bridge. A lot of players at chelsea do not even deserve to be their. Kalou, Bridge, Pizzaro, Shevchenko, Farreira. These all players don't deserve to be a part of such a huge club.

Finally Cheslea have got a manager who promises to bring flair to a too professional, too boring chelsea. Avram Grant has asked The Owner to allow him cash to bring the likes of Kaka , Messi, Sergio Ramos to Cheslea next season. But the worst thing is he himself is not sure whether he will be the manager of this club or next season.

Let's look at what can be done to acheive Abramovich's dream.

First of all we need to play the more attackin style of play. On paper we play a 4-3-3 formation but we always have played 4-5-1. First thing we need to do is adopt a 4-4-2 or an on field 4-3-3 formation.

Let's look at what & who we really need.

On the Left side we have been playing Kalou or Malouda. Both are misfiring. So we need a player who can do what Robinho does on the left hand side at Real Madrid. We can Actually land Robinho because he is out of favour at Madrid this could be the perfect time to land him at the Bridge at a considerable price. He can solve the problem of left side as well as bring the magic he is known for.

We know Chelsea have signed another full back from Porto. But in the central defence area we still need some young blood because Terry and carvalho , both have looked off the pace and Alex and Ben Haim cannot solve this problem. Sergio Ramos has been a star for Madrid but like Robinho is out of favour. If Chelsea are ready to spend the bucks then they could sign the next Maldini.

On the right wing we've got Joe Cole who is capable of producing magic on the pitch so there it is no problem. But Looking at the availabiity of Quaresma Chelsea should try their level best to bring him to Stanford Bridge. Because he can change the face of chelsea and bring as many more fans as ronaldo does fo United.

In the central midfield area chlesea are some what very strong but very old. Makelele, Ballack, Lampard, all in their thirtys. Also Lampard's future is in question. So we need one young Midfielder who can do the Job of Lampard and can give you goals and player that comes to my mind is Diego or Nasri. both are really talented but playing for a club of low level. At least one of thes to must be signed to bring some young blood and creativity. But one player which chelsea should sign and must sign is Arteta. Arteta is as good as Fabregas and Gerrard but underrated. He is the one who Deserves to play for bigger club than Everton.

So we need to sign Robinho/Messi, Quaresma/Messi, Sergio Ramos, Arteta{must sign} or else Diego Ribas/Nasri and one good Striker like Dean Ashton.

With the above signings chelsea and a really good manager like Frank Riijkaard or Marco Van Basten, Chelsea can be the best club on the Planet.

Some players chelsea should offload are Sidwell, Farreira, Wayne Bridge, Ben Haim, Shevchenko, Malouda , Kalou, Pizzaro.

This is what chesea should Look Like with the changes.

GK-Cech, RB-Bosingwa, Centre Halves-Terry & Sergio Ramos, LB-Ashley Cole, CDMF-Essien/Makelele, CAMF-Arteta and Lampard, RWF-Quaresma/J.Cole, LWF-Robinho/Quaresma, ST-Drogba/Ashton. Formation 4-3-3

THE CLASH OF TITANS AT MOSCOW

Prem Kr — Wed, 14 May 2008 19:14:58 +0100

With everything settled by the end of this week the whole world will come to a standstill when two of the biggest clubs on the planet meet on the artificial turf at the Moscow stadium. The occassion is nothing less than Final of the biggest club cometition in Europe, the Champions League.

Manchester United & Chelsea were fighting for the the premiership till the very last game of a season full of roller-coaster rides for both the teams. But in the end the deserved team emerged victorious. But when the two teams meet at Moscow the will be very tight to call and none of the two teams can be considered as favourites.

Looking at the mental status of both the sides, confidence is running high for the Red Devils as they defeated none other than Chelsea itself to win the war for the premiership.Also there is one more unique boost for United as they have the sevices of Ronaldo who is arguabally the best player on the planet. For Chelsea it would be a revenge mission after loosing narrowly the league. They also have a great record over United in recent years. Especially the 2-1 win over United in which Chelsea emerged as worthy winners and could have scored many goals. So no teams should be low on morale and belief.

ADVANTAGE

UNITED 1-2 CHELSEA

Going by their journey to the Moscow, United have been far better and professional than Chelsea. United are still unbeaten in the competition and have scored more than Chelsea and also have conceded far less goals than Chelsea. One one hand United have had a tougher outing as they overcame Lyon, Roma and Barcelona. United were very proffesional in all of these games. Whereas on the other hand Chelsea overcame Olympiakos and Fenerbache and Liverpool. Chelsea were not at all convincing in many of these matches especially against Liverpool in which they were very lucky with the away goal and also not to concede a penalty when Hyppia went down in the box. Therefore as far as the form goes United have the edge.

ADVANTAGE

UNITED 1-0 CHELSEA

Let's look at what could decide the game. As we all expect it should be a cagey game and very tight to call and should be decided by a margin of a single goal. But I think it will take only one match winner to settle it.

Looking at match winners United have a big group withe likes of Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez, Hargreaves, Scholes, Nani, Anderson or even Ferdinand. Chelsea have their own group with Lampard, Drogba, Ballack, Joe Cole, Essien or Cech. So it is preety even when it comes to the no. of match winners but here also United have the edge over Chelsea in terms of quality of match winners.

ADVANTAGE

UNITED 2-1 CHELSEA

In terms of manager fight both the manager have a balanced record over each other but the experience of Sir Alex could prove vital and decisive.

ADVANTAGE

UNITED 2-1 CHELSEA

Considering the overall form of the two teams both the teams have worked very hard and never gave up their title hopes till the last moment. But United scored more goals and conceded very few.

ADVANTAGE

UNITED 2-1 CHELSEA

OVERALL ADVANTAGE

UNITED 8-5 CHELSEA.

But in the end it will be one moment which will decide the outcome. It could be a magic rom Ronaldo,Rooney,Scholes,Tevez or Drogba,Lampard,Ballack,Joe Cole. Or it could be one mistake from Carvalho or Wes Brown that proves to be decisive. Or the most important, a decision from the referee.

The stage is set , the teams are ready. Like they say Winner takes it all.

My Prediction

UNITED 2-1 CHELSEA

Rumors.

Jon — Wed, 14 May 2008 12:30:13 +0100

Rumors.

Rumor courtesy of the Guardian.

Chelsea: With Didier Drogba due to play his last game in Moscow next Wednesday, who’s going to lead the Chelsea line next season? Mario Gomez, the 21-year-old Stuttgart striker, that’s who. Or David Villa of Valencia. Or Mexican wonder kid Giovanni Dos Santos , dubbed the new Ronaldinho just without the ability to eat an apple through a tennis racket. Or someone else. Who knows? They’re just rumors.

Yes, I’ve read all the stories speaking of Drogba’s “dream” of playing for Milan and that’s all well and good. I love Drogs and would want him to stay at Chelsea, but he is 30. He has a few more good seasons left in him and getting top dollar (comparable to his age) for him now and putting it into youth would be a very solid move for the Chels.

The names mentioned in the blurb: Mario Gómez, Giovani dos Santos and David Villa would all obviously be a wonderful acquisition. Giovani dos Santos is one that is being linked heavily with Chelsea. Even as far as people from Chelsea TV are saying this is nailed down and a done deal.

Villa is a player that IS going somewhere this season, but from everything I’ve read he’s wanting to stay in Spain and of course Real Madrid is lined up as the favorite for his next club.

Mario Gómez has been a player that the more I hear about and the more I watch, the more I really like him. He is young, which is always a great thing. And he already a certain skill level which I think would place him well in the Premiership. and his age gives him room to get even better.

07/08 Report card: Chelsea

Jon — Wed, 14 May 2008 02:04:53 +0100

07/08 Report card: Chelsea  The Guardian has put out an end of season report card for Chelsea, below you’ll find my answers to the eight questions they posed in their article. You can view the original report card here. On-pitch moment of the season Michael Ballack’s late penalty against Manchester United. Not only because it was Ballack whom after a dismal first season and apparent problem with then manager José Mourinho, but because it kept the fight alive for the title. Chelsea wasn’t expected to do anything this season. Off-pitch moment of the season The moment I heard: “José Mourinho has left Chelsea Football Club”. My heart sunk; I was absolutely gutted. Player who must not be sold Ricardo Carvalho. Greatest goal Everyone who I see putting their two cents in on this topic automatically goes to the Juliano Belletti goal against Tottenham. A brilliant goal to be sure, but I’m quite fond of the Alex goal against Boro. Mind you I’m taking into account only the goal itself, not the setting in which it took place. Either one is absolute quality. Most embarrassing moment April 14th. Chelsea 1 - 1 Wigan. Too late in the season to be dropping points at ALL, but to Wigan? At the Bridge? Embarrassing doesn’t tell half of what I felt after that match. Effect of manager’s shopping Anelka. Nothing really brought to the table. If Grant is the manager next season, this summer will cast his fate in the transfer market. The season in five words One pointers don’t win titles Five-point action plan for the summer Is Grant staying of going? Either way, get that sorted out. Any players who want to leave, get them packed and on their way. Use the money to bring in some wingers, and a out and out striker if Drogba does happen to leave. No more excuses on the style of play, if attacking football is what the owner and fans want — get the right players and do it. Might be more than a five-point action plan, but you get my point.

Changing the face of Chelsea

Prem Kr — Tue, 13 May 2008 20:06:37 +0100

Do Liverpool do well in Europe because they don't compete in the league?

Micheal McKenna — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:27:44 +0100

Liverpool do quite well each season in the champions league (bearing in mind though, they have only won it once) but this is because they simply do not compete domestically. Rafa 'rotate' Benitez simply doesn't know the meaning on consistency. he rests all his top players (all 3 of them, and then the other end of season regulars) in the first half of the season therefore enabling them to perform in the latter half. It also helps them in the Champions League because by the time the semi's come around Liverpool have cemented their coveted fourth place by then, allowing them to concentrate solely on Europe.

Listen again Aidy!

Tim The Chaplain Rose — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:54:20 +0100

I was looking for some pre play off optimism and found my self trawling back through the archive section of the officical site and I came across 3CR's review of the 05/06 season. On there is an interview with Aidy by Simon Oxley talking through the play off victory. Simon asks Aidy why against Palace away and in the final against Leeds did they not sit back on their lead and keep going forward. Aidy answers simply that this is the way we play.

So what has changed? Instead of that swashbuckling all out attacking football that saw us through the play offs two seasons ago this has been replaced by that horrible phrase (on the few times recently when we have been in the lead) 'park the bus.'

I have come to the conclusion that instead of learning from our premiership experience Aidy has been scarred or should I say scared by it! Our style didn't work in the premiership not because we were too attacking but because as has been said so many times we didn't hold onto the ball enough.

Aidy talked a lot about an evolving style at the beginning of this season and we all expected to see the same attacking style + a move towards more passing and better ball retention. Instead what we have seen an evolution to a scared defensive route one game which is horrible and dosen't work.

So Aidy as we go into the play offs, listen back to that interview. Forget the premisrship, forget whats gone before it doesn't matter and send the boys out to attack, attack, attack, get Jobi, Tommy, and Willo flying into the box and Doyley and Sadler overlapping. It's the only way I can see us getting through.

What ever happens it will be an interesting summer, we'll either start next season in the premiership or with a new manager! Although personally I would keep Aidy even if we stay down because maybe just maybe he will learn from his mistakes.

How good is Liverpool really?

Micheal McKenna — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:12:51 +0100

With Torres, Gerrard and possibly Mascherano the only players likely to ever feature in a team of the season, I ask how good are Liverpool. Liverpool have not once contested the Premier League...it has been in existence for 16 years now.Why have Liverpool failed consistently in the league for so long?

Who do you think Spurs will sign in the Summer

Martyspur12 — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 17:07:52 +0000

As you may know, Juande Ramos' team has been in the press, saying that these are the players that Juande is going to buy and sell. But i want YOUR opinions, Who do you think that Spurs should buy and why? Who should Spurs sell as well?

Are the new kits up to the usual spurs standard

Martyspur12 — Thu, 08 May 2008 15:10:56 +0100

As a spurs fan, it upsets me to say this, but i do not like the 08-09 kits. The reserve one is the only one i like, but i normally like all the spurs kits that are released, but are the kits up to the usual standard that spurs set.

What should Berbatovs price tag be at?

Mark — Sun, 11 May 2008 13:06:01 +0100

Berbatov is almost certain to leave White Hart Lane for Champions league football at the end of this season. All Spurs fans will know that if we sell Berbatov to an English club such as Man Utd or Chelsea, Then they will have to break the bank to sign him... Where as if he Berbatov joins a champions league football club abroad, then he will be around £10 million cheaper... AC Milan have recently said that Berbatov is not worth £30 million. Now if your a Spurs fan who has watched him in the premier league this season closely, then you know that £30 million is the right price, if not, a bargain... So if you consider how superb Berbatov is in the air, perfect ball control, one of the top assist, very skillful, Is he worth £30 million?

My United Signings for this summer

Prem Kr — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 12:11:26 +0100

Manchester United -Transfers in this Summer Sir Alex had just announsed his budget for this summer and he hinted to a possible amount of 40 million euros. If I were Sir Alex Ferguson this is what I would Have Done. I've Listed a few players who can make our United team more Deadly and Strong. These are not impossible transfers and Fergie would not regret these signings. 1)According to me they will have to sign a centre half as good as vidic which can provide cover in case of any injury to any of our existing duo ( rio & vidic ). For me the perfect signing would be Lescott from everton because he is young and sharp defensively and attackingly. 2) The second thing United need is a dynamic midfielder. Some may question why because we have the best midfield in the world. Well the Reason is age factor. Scholes & Giggs will only be for 1 or 2 years and after that they will hang their boots. That's Why United need one midfielder who could create something on his own. The Perfect Signing would be Diego From Werder bremen Because he is very talented and his creativity is marvellous and he could form a great partnership with Anderson. 3) The third signing we need is a player who can play anywhere on the Left. Because I don't think we have any player who is comfortable on left wing other than Giggs. For me the perfect replacement for Giggs woulde Be Gareth Bale because he is young ,has tremendous pace and very good touch of the ball. 4)Also I think adding one young goal scorer to the squad would be fantastic. The perfect one would be Sergio Aguero from Atletico Madrid. If you have any more olayers or you think these players aren't good enough then please leave your comments with your target players for next season.

Which championship team is really capable of playing in the Premiership

rookery steve — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 20:34:43 +0100

After watching Watford manage to go from storming away with the league to what can only be called relegation form. After watching all the teams this season at Vicarage Road, i think it is safe to say that i don't think any team is going to have a good time of it in the Prem. WBA are probably the best passing and footballing side i've seen this, though as with the rest of the league every team at the top have whofully inconsistent. Does this mean that the league is tight and have closed the gap on the Premiership, or does it just mean that all the teams in the Championship are ill prepared for life in the Premiership, unless they have a very rich benefactor come in to bank roll them and pay stupid money to get some average stars that will off as soon as the team isn't going to survive. Watford are no where near equiped to play at the highest level and IF we do get there i think we will struggle unless the afformentioned rich benefactor comes. What does everyone else think, how will your team fair? Can they really survive.

Mick McCarthy?

ted_wwfc — Sat, 10 May 2008 01:15:39 +0100

Throughout the past two years i have been very much a supporter of "super Mick," and until three days ago when McCarthy announced he would sell Freddy Eastwood. I was perhaps going to let this go as Eastwood hasn't really done it this season. I'd like to think that it was that he hasn't performed this season rather than his war of egos with Freddy that caused him to be transfer listed but McCarthy does have a history of dropping or selling playing players because they speak out or don't act as though they are workers of Mick's. This could be a link to his squad of young or unproven players, despite the money that he now has access to. I did at least assume that Mick might bring in some experience this summer, but to my horror, when i turned on sky sports news and it was announced that wolves would be releasing Gary Breen, and selling Bothroyd, Elliott, Ward, Edwards, and Darren Potter. Our old squad consisted of Ince, Kennedy, Cameron, Rae, anderton and Newton in midfield alone. With the sale of Breen and Ward, Wolves would be left with Gray and Craddock who've been there and done it; this also leaves just Craddock and NIEL COLLINS! if Neil Collins had not played for the A**ion this season and not us, and had the same figures, then Wolves would finished fifth and albion would be second. This is due to ten points caused from penalties and mistakes, and six points caused by goals. If Hennessy had not bailed him out on occasions, Wolves would be playing a local derby, but not against albion, against Walsall. McCarthy has made a lot of gambles in his two seasons in charge, in his first they all payed off. Some of these being, Kightly, Ward, Keogh, Henry, Bree and young players like Little, Jones, Gobern, Hennessy and Davies. Some didn't, Bothroyd and Rosa being examples. BUt his season however, it wasn't quite as good. Eastwood - FAIL, Elokobi - PASS, Collins - FAIL, Elliott, FAIL and Ebanks-Blake - Pass. He contradicted himself in the loan signing of Kevin Kyle by saying he was to be used as an impact player, then starting him. Selling Eastwood was a gamble also, as he is a fan favourate. he has certainly wasted Morgan's money in Eastwood by not using him; It is unlikely that anyone will pay 1.5 million for a player with more international goals as a third choice striker, than at his club. He did well with Ebanks-Blake, I'll give him that. Foley has been good, Gray has been good and so too has Jarvis. His final and possibly most crucial gamble was stating that he is aiming to "achive automatic promotion" which is far too ambitious with the quality of A*bion, Watford, Sheffield United and Charlton's squad. This increased the pressure on Mick's shoulders and could prove to be his demise It will be a crucial summer for Mick, as it will be his first summer with access to money and along with many fellow wolves fans, I will be expecting rather than hoping for a successful season and lots of improvements to the squad of professionals and Niell Collins.

The greatest individual performance of the season?

Kissmybadself — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:47:11 +0100

Another great result for United tonight but I write here about an individual, and a performance the like of which I have never seen before. Complete awareness and perception, and a touch and control to die for, and all this seemingly without effort. I'm not talking about Ronaldo here. Nor Rooney, nor Roma, nor any of the players on show. No, tonight I was blown away by the performance of Andy Townsend. If you didn't see the game don't worry, you didn't miss some kind of freak incident where the former Republic of Ireland hero was thrown into the fray. You missed something even more amazing. Andy has got himself the ultimate football gadget - an incredible touch screen tv that has more in common with R2D2 than any visual interface us mere mortals must contend with. No longer does Andy have to bow to the whim of directors pick of clips, or suffer the indignance of having to use a stylus to draw. Not now that he has jedi like powers, a quick wave of the hand and all 22 players seem to obey his every whim. From what I can tell it gives him more control over the game than I have when playing pro evo. How handy would it be to have one of them the next time you're in an argument over a penalty? Can somebody please tell me where he got it from? And can someone else please get me one? Have all itv pundits got them now? Or is it just Andy? Does he let anyone else play with it? Maybe it's his. It's his Precious. Me wants it.

What should Wolves do in the transfer window?

ted_wwfc — Wed, 07 May 2008 23:23:51 +0100

Give your views on who wolves should buy or sell this summer. Here are some existing rumors... Out Hennessy - Everton, villa Kightly - 'boro, Spurs, West ham, United, many others! Ebanks blake - everton eastwood - coventry bothroyd - stoke henry - RB salzburg Olofinjana - monaco In Sharp Earnshaw Vokes Denilson (loan) I think wolves should go for walcott on loan and lots of experienced players e.g. Savage, Hendrie, Mooney, and maybe cameron, just for effect on the players.

Transfer targets - without names

NSNO.co.uk — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:41:38 +0100

NSNO.co.uk columnist Biziclop discusses the potential signings this sumer... The transfer window is about to open. You can feel it in your bones, it starts with an uncontrollable urge to sell our entire first squad and buy everybody else and culminates in heated debates abundant in personal abuse about players nobody has ever seen play. Now, this is all great fun for all but let's try something completely different. Let's try it without names. We all want a successful team and successful teams do operate as a unit. We hear this phrase so many times that we sometimes forget it has a meaning. It's not all about getting a bunch of players in and making sure they become good mates. It's not about rallying cries or players urging other players to up their game. It's what happens on the pitch that counts and it all starts with systematic transfers. To be successful on the long run we need to choose our players for the tactics, not the other way around. And as at the moment we're in limbo between our former defensive and the desired attacking line-up, it's worth to consider what are our possible attacking options and what kinds of players we need for them. 1. Long ball. If it's not just hopeless hoofs towards the corner flag, long ball can be surprisingly effective, albeit a bit dull to watch. For long ball tactics we obviously lack the target men. Yakubu might be okay for one but we need someone else, preferably a bony tall [*@!$]. We need two strong tackling midfielders as the midfield's main task is defending and shooting from distance. And before I forget, we need fullbacks who can bend it in and not out. Most teams rarely go for it from the off but it certainly is something to prepare for when we have to push for a goal in the last twenty minutes. 2. Pass and move. Crisp passing, fast-paced action in the middle of the park, get the ball near the box, drag the defensive lines out of shape, find an opening and get a shot in. Easy. Not for us though, as apart from Fernandes our entire midfield is static. Maybe packing the midfield with three attacking midfielders rotating across the positions (as we sometimes did during the more successful spells of the season) could do the trick but still unlikely unless we could sign a world-class box-to-box midfielder. 3. Into the channels. Try to stick the ball between two defenders from 30-40 yards out or incisive diagonal passes in front of them, quick runner picks it up and bang. Apart from keeping Fernandes, we need one more midfielder with an eye for the killer pass and runners. Ossie has shown us how good he can be, his low centre of gravity and light build is a bonus here and so can be Johnson's if he could just be persuaded to run in the right direction. If not, we need another short but quick striker. 4. Out wide. Everybody knows this, it's a classic and a firm fan's favourite on these forums. Attacking right fullback is what we need then and wingers. Or at least one winger. We can get away with one of our current midfielders playing out wide but we really need somebody who was born on the touchline. And this concludes the list of possible tactics we could go for. Though they're not mutually exclusive, how many of them we could find personnel for is a matter of transfer funds. But next time you think that some plucky under-13 Peruvian super-forward with three legs and a degree in turnip recognition could fit right in, you might as well think of his possible effects on the team and our tactics first.

Who is Liverpool's worst ever player??

Lawrie Brand — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:49:56 +0000

So basically I want to find out who you think was our worst ever player?? I'm thinking Igor Biscan, Vegard Heggem, Salif Diao and Bolo Zenden!! Share your feelings...

Who should be in the best Wolves XI of the last ten years?

David Evans — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 10:50:33 +0000

After the Fancast on Tuesday Vinny and I decided to figure out who should be in the best Wolves team of the last ten years, here's what we came up with: Murray Muscat Lescott Richards Naylor McIndoe Ince Rae Kightly Bull Keane Please give us your opinions and also who you think should be in the worse Wolves XI of the last ten years? Post back and the best and worse one's shall been discussed on next week's show

Transfer Window

Freddie FanCast — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 17:15:03 +0000

With Arsenal in prime position to mount a Premiership title challenge - do you think Arsene Wenger will delve into the transfer market, if so who do you think he should sign or do you think the squad is strong enough to cope?