Chelsea FC thread (Champions!)

[metal jason]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

It's hard to play with 10 players when you're against a squad like Barcelona and in the second leg, we'll be miss Drogba coz of that questioned red card and we're missed Robben already. I still dont have too much hope in the second leg when Gudjohnson, Kezman and Joe Cole are play just decent at the front(Better than nothing when no more choice...)

Btw, am I the only one think Lampard was playing quiet on yesterday? Not too much shooting or assistance to attack. But the only thing that I'm really happy is, our defence is great (Not included G. Johnsen).

 

[gerd]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I don't agree with you Butatista, in my eyes and in most continental Europeans the second yellow was justified. I can understand that you people see it otherwise but let's agree about one thing. The ref made a just decision (i.e. being a continental referee). I would have done the same thing.
I have much admiration for the sense of fair play that is embedded in Britsh sports.On the other hand they are playing "tactically immature". That's why i mentioned Man Utd and Celtic in their matches against Porto. British fans complained about the diving of Porto (and they have a point)...Well if coaches like O'Neil and Ferguson know that, it would be sensible of them to tell their players to play less fysical (less tackling). But no, they kept on tackling...and they both lost in the end. If you know that there is a style difference then you have to be versatile enough to adapt yourself. Man Utd and Celtic were not and that's why they deserved to lose against Porto. I think Chelsea could be more versatile because they have a very clever coach...

 

[Clockender]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I don't agree with you Butatista, in my eyes and in most continental Europeans the second yellow was justified. I can understand that you people see it otherwise but let's agree about one thing. The ref made a just decision (i.e. being a continental referee). I would have done the same thing.
I have much admiration for the sense of fair play that is embedded in Britsh sports.On the other hand they are playing "tactically immature". That's why i mentioned Man Utd and Celtic in their matches against Porto. British fans complained about the diving of Porto (and they have a point)...Well if coaches like O'Neil and Ferguson know that, it would be sensible of them to tell their players to play less fysical (less tackling). But no, they kept on tackling...and they both lost in the end. If you know that there is a style difference then you have to be versatile enough to adapt yourself. Man Utd and Celtic were not and that's why they deserved to lose against Porto. I think Chelsea could be more versatile because they have a very clever coach...

You totally miss the point. I think the europeans are "tactically immature". Diving is cheating - Going for the ball (like Drogba) is fair. Its how the game should be played, and how its meant to be played. Its the europeans that need to change their attitudes towards the beautiful game. Their attitudes to diving\cheating are drepriving foootball of fair play which is ruining our great sport.

To say that Ferguson\O'Neill should "tell their players to tackle less" is ridiculous. Tackling is part and parcel of the game. What do you want a non-contact sport? Surely its up to UEFA\FIFA whatever to change the rules, and give a straight red card for diving, this IMO would stop the diving disease, that has come from Europe. In England, diving is hated. Robert Pires dived to win a penalty against Portsmouth in September 2003 and he is still booed by the Portsmouth fans to this day.

Can you imagine this happening in Spain or Italy where diving is part of the game? It happens so often its accepted. For me, this is sad.

 

[airjoca]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

So Mourinho is back at his mind games by saying Rikjaard was pressuring the referee at half-time... I read it as Mourinho thinking Chelsea doesn't have enough football for Barça (2 shots against Barça's 31 yesterday), so he has to create these problems and mind-games in order to win the 2nd leg.

Don't get me wrong, i want chelsea to win the premiership cause it's got the portuguese players and all, but as far as CL goes, sexy football all the way.

 

[gerd]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I think you totally miss the point Butatista. Given the fact that UEFA refuses to do something against diving (using television footage and sanctioning diving players, telling refs to give diving players a card what the ref should have done yesterday when Deco dived for a penalty), British managers should be more clever and British players more versatile. As long as British teams continue to tackle against (usually)diving Southern teams they will always be disadvantaged in Europe, but its partially their own fault. Now i agree with you that UEFA should punish diving, but given the fact that they don't....Ferguson and O'Neill were stupid (and don't tell me that Ferguson is a "fair" coach...lets stay honest in this discussion.) not to tell their teams to play otherwise. And if they did it proves that their players are not versatile, because on the pitch they continued to play a very fysical style of football.
Apart from diving most British teams are simply tactically immature with the possible exceptions of (certainly) Chelsea (under Mourinho) and maybe Liverpool (under Benitez). It's no coïncidence that both teams have a continental (and Southern) coach...
You guys laugh with me but to me Man Utd are underachievers in Europe. As the richest club in the world they won the CL only once...that's not a good record. They should take a continental coach.

 

[Vannizzlefashizzal]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I think you totally miss the point Butatista. Given the fact that UEFA refuses to do something against diving (using television footage and sanctioning diving players, telling refs to give diving players a card what the ref should have done yesterday when Deco dived for a penalty), British managers should be more clever and British players more versatile. As long as British teams continue to tackle against (usually)diving Southern teams they will always be disadvantaged in Europe, but its partially their own fault. Now i agree with you that UEFA should punish diving, but given the fact that they don't....Ferguson and O'Neill were stupid (and don't tell me that Ferguson is a "fair" coach...lets stay honest in this discussion.) not to tell their teams to play otherwise. And if they did it proves that their players are not versatile, because on the pitch they continued to play a very fysical style of football.
Apart from diving most British teams are simply tactically immature with the possible exceptions of (certainly) Chelsea (under Mourinho) and maybe Liverpool (under Benitez). It's no coïncidence that both teams have a continental (and Southern) coach...
You guys laugh with me but to me Man Utd are underachievers in Europe. As the richest club in the world they won the CL only once...that's not a good record. They should take a continental coach.

I agree is some aspects Gerd, we seem to always get "found out" in europe, as I saw 1st hand last nite, both tactically and technically.

As for your dig at us, yes we have underachieved in Europe I accept that, but compared to euro giants Barca and Inter we have done very well.

 

[chelsea_fan]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

Hey Guys, Chelsea Will Be back, we need to regroup, all we need 1-0 victory at home against Barca.
I think Gudjohnsen Should have started in Drogba, because he is in more decent form.
Mourinho fuked up in NewCastle with making 3 subs right at half time, hopefully he can correct his mistakes, and start to work his tactical-magic again.

Important thing now is the Carling Cup, is there anywhere i can catch it online, or download the game.?

anyways, 2-0 victory iam predicting, goals probably from F.Lampard, & E.Gudjohnsen.
Go Chelsea!!!

 

[gerd]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

It's not very intelligent to make a complaint against Frisk...even if they would have reason to make this complaint, they should'nt do it...It's makes look like a bad looser...

PS: Vann, don't worry Man Utd is a truly big club, all they need is a good coach (oops and this in a Chelsea thread).

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I see your point gerd, but i'm sure you also understand how frustrating it is for the team/club/fans. The general consensus was that Frisk was indeed wrong. Sure, it's easy to just rant and call the guy an idiot, but that doesn't change anything. However, unfortunately what he's done has changed the outcome of the game, and to an extent, the 2nd leg. I believe luck evens itself out over a season (in the league) however, there's less room for this in the CL and UEFA Cups games when it comes to the knock out stages.
Furthermore, i personally am losing a lot of respect for players and refs (not that they care of course) these days. I mean come on, professional players who are payed for their skills, faking and rolling around like girls...Please!! It's utter nonsense. And yes, i say the same if a Chelsea player does it too.
I don't like this whole new side to the modern game of attempting to get your opponents in trouble by deceiving the ref, who already has enough on his plate to deal with these days.

 

[gerd]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

Of course you're right Prof...
I don't like all the faking and diving either. One has to blame FIFA and UEFA for this. One example. Deco's dive in the match against Chelsea. Frisk (rightfully) did not award a penalty, but he should have given a yellow card. He was only a couple of yards away, he clearly could see that it was a dive....
Of course clubs, coaches and players are also to blame, but i understand them...you have to adapt in order to be succesfull (British don't adapt enough IMHO).
But i'm sure fans are to blame aswell. How many fans are delighted with a penalty after a dive...
Football is very popular but there not much needed for a sport to loose his credibility (one example is cycling which used to be the most popular sport in Belgium, but with all the drugs involved people just don't care anymore). The diving and cheating in football could be dangerous for credibility in the long term.

 

[Clockender]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

Football is very popular but there not much needed for a sport to loose his credibility (one example is cycling which used to be the most popular sport in Belgium, but with all the drugs involved people just don't care anymore). The diving and cheating in football could be dangerous for credibility in the long term.

Totyally agree with all of this, but.....

you stated earlier that English players should be less physical in the tackle so in turn the opposition players can't dive. This solution is madness! This means that cheating\diving is still allowed to prosper.

As I have said before, the only way to eradicate diving is to give straight red cards. I understand that there may be a few injustices at the start, after all we all know referees get things wrong from time to time (Drogba sending off for example). But once players realise that if they dive there is a strong possibility they will be shown red, I think that this will remove the problem or at worst drastically reduce it.

 

[gerd]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

You still don't get it do you...
If it's a given fact that people are diving (and they are) and if it's a given fact that UEFA and FIFA won't do anything to eradicate diving, well then it could be considered as very sensible to play with less physical contact to avoid the diving (and this does not means that i am not against diving, but whether you like it or not...it happens...so a sensible manager tells his players to play less physical...) and subsequent cards, penalties and free kick.
But most British teams seem unable to do that.
What can one conclude ???
1. Diving and cheating is unfair
2. If British teams don't adjust either their coaches are tactically immature or either players are not versatile.

This is simple logic my friend.

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I have to agree, that UEFA and FIFA are as much to blame. I lost any respect i had for them over the last few years. They are complete gimps of governing bodies whose priorities are in the wrong places.

This leads me on to something i heard recently about rule changes they may introduce. Issues like:

a player won't be deemed offside unless he is in the penalty box.

If a player is brought don in the box and a penalty awarded, it won't be a bookable offence (at least not a red card) as the award of a penalty will be seen as punishment enough.

 

[Clockender]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

What can one conclude ???
1. Diving and cheating is unfair

Yes it is.

2. If British teams don't adjust either their coaches are tactically immature or either players are not versatile.

Until FIFA/UEFA change the rules, then yes this also true.

This is simple logic my friend.

Its simple logic, thats the problem.

By asking teams to go easy on other teams "in case they dive" means that the problem never goes away. The divers win.

I understand what you say about FIFA\UEFA doing nothing but I am saying is that they should do something, and right NOW! My recommendation is a straight red card for all diving offences.

 

[gerd]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I think that basically we agree Butatista.
If you look at the principal side what you say in your last posting is entirely true. I agree totally.
But if you put yourself instead of a manager, well them you have to be pragmatic and...you know the rest. I won't repeat myself.

About UEFA and FIFA Prof...
I could be wrong, but i don't think they really care about football. It's all about power. And the worst thing is that former players like Beckenbauer,Platini and Pele become like that too...
If there is one retired player who could change things, it would be Cruijff...

 

[Clockender]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I think that basically we agree Butatista.
If you look at the principal side what you say in your last posting is entirely true. I agree totally.
But if you put yourself instead of a manager, well them you have to be pragmatic and...you know the rest. I won't repeat myself.

About UEFA and FIFA Prof...
I could be wrong, but i don't think they really care about football. It's all about power. And the worst thing is that former players like Beckenbauer,Platini and Pele become like that too...
If there is one retired player who could change things, it would be Cruijff...

Yeah I think we do Gerd

You are also right about FIFA, they are all on a power trip. I mean Sepp Blatter, who the fuck is he? I tell you what he ain't, a respected, ex-player who knows the game inside out. I agree on Cruyff, he fits the bill.

 

[Sulph]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

[size=+3]Pre Match News[/size]

The 23 man squad that has travelled to Cardiff is: Petr Cech, Glen Johnson, Claude Makelele, Alexey Smertin, Ricardo Carvalho, Frank Lampard, Mateja Kezman, Joe Cole, Damien Duff, William Gallas, Gérémi, Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben, Scott Parker, Paulo Ferreira, Eidur Gudjohnsen, Carlo Cudicini, John Terry, Jiri Jarošik, Robert Huth, Tiago, Nuno Morais and Lenny Pidgeley.

The squads that are available for play include;
Liverpool : Dudek, Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Kewell, Gerrard, Hamann, Biscan, Riise, Luis Garcia, Pellegrino, Morientes, Baros, Nunez, Smicer, Carson, Warnock, Le Tallec.

Chelsea : Cech, Pidgeley, Ferreira, Johnson, Gallas, Terry, Carvalho, Nuno Morais, Lampard, Makelele, Tiago, Smertin, Geremi, Cole, Jarosik, Duff, Gudjohnsen, Drogba, Kezman.

It will be played under a closed roof so wheather will not affect proceedings.

Liverpool welcome back captain Steven Gerrard after suspension while Fernando Morientes and Mauricio Pellegrino can play again after being cup-tied against Bayer Leverkusen. Josemi is likely to miss out because of a groin injury while Xabi Alonso, Djibril Cisse and Florent Sinama-Pongolle are all long-term casualties.

Chelsea's biggest doubt is William Gallas who almost did not play against Barcelona due to a groin injury. However, the good news for boss Jose is that Damien Duff and Didier Drogba, who also had injuries going into the Barca game, have both been passed fit. Mourinho will keep faith with the defence that played at the Nou Camp if Gallas passes a late fitness test, but if not Glen Johnson looks set to replace him, with Paulo Ferreira shifting to left-back. Jiri Jarosik looks to get the nod above Tiago. Robert Huth, Wayne Bridge and Arjen Robben are still not back. However , Robbens Belgian doctor stated that he will be available for the Barcelona game, something that is vital for Chelsea. Mourinho had stated that both sides have the capabilities to win this game. Today it looks like the Chelsea defence will have to shine. The probable formation would be a 4-3-3 lining up something like this.

[size=+2]--------Cech--------
Fer--Terr--Carv--Gal
-Jaro----Mak----Lam-
-----Col---Duff-----
--------Dro---------[/size]

If Gallas is out, Ferreira moves to left back and Johnson comes in at right.
Hopefully the referee does not influence the game as they did in the last 2 Chelsea games.

 

[juventus11]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I always thought Frank Lampard would play closer to the net...
Did Mourinho change it, or is it what I just think.

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

Good news for the Premiership and maybe even Barcelona, and some say perhaps for Liverpool (yes, he's in Cardiff).
Why?

Robben is coming back. :twisted:

 

[juventus11]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

he is a very good player, not only for chealse but also Holland.
I hope he does very well in his future.

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

Say one thing in one thread and something else in another juve 11, eh.

Well done lads. :applause: Well done for believing and seeing it through. Well done to Liverpool too :applause: , it was a nail-biting game and i think you played it well.

PS i didn't say it here, but i said Kezman would score, for the same reason that Dudek would put on a good display, or that Postiga would score against England.

 

[juventus11]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

Say one thing in one thread and something else in another juve 11, eh.

Well done lads. :applause: Well done for believing and seeing it through. Well done to Liverpool too :applause: , it was a nail-biting game and i think you played it well.

PS i didn't say it here, but i said Kezman would score, for the same reason that Dudek would put on a good display, or that Postiga would score against England.

what do you mean?

 

[pk9]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

footie is a fair game congrats on the league cup

 

[metal jason]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

I think the Referee is good last night. Way better than Frisk(sp?)

 

[Sulph]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

[size=+3]Post Match News[/size]

First of all,

What a performance, I am seriously seriously impressed. Lets start off with Jose's pick. The formation that i had stated pre kick off was correct. It was lined up like as follows.

4-3-3

------------Cech-----------
-Ferr--Carval--Terry--Gall-
--Jaros------Mak----Lamps--
--------Cole---Duff--------
------------Dro------------

Gallas did pass the final fitness test and was available to start. Jarosik did get the nod over Tiago, it was the choice of Joe Cole filling in that gap left by Arjen Robben, with him and Duff switching wings every play. Gallas would take the place of the injured Wayne Bridge. Overall, the team played very well.
Here are my ratings:
Cech - 6 - Did not have much to do. Helpless against Riise's volley, however made a brilliant save when Dietmar Hamaan struck his powerful right footed drive, I thought a foul was comitted for Liverpool's second goal with Sami Hyypia's arm in Cech's face.
Ferreira - 6 - Was not positioned correctly for Riise's strike however made a last ditch superb tackle on Steven Gerrard to stop what surely would have been a goal for Liverpool.
Carvalho - 6 - Had a sluggish start however really stepped up in his game after about 20 minutes.
Terry - 7 - Also had a very sluggish start however rose up to the challenge by driving Chelsea on and looking inpenetratable in the second half.
Gallas - 6 - Never looked comfortable on the left, had problems with Kewell early on but then got into the rhythm.
Jarosik - 5 - Virtually invisible on the right of midfield however is still adjusting to the pace English football.
Makelele - 6 - Got into some very silly time wasting incidents however did his job of holding the back four reasonably well.
Lampard - 7 - Was the driving force of the Chelsea attack and really got into it in the second half.
Cole - 6 - Did not look very dangerous at times but was casuing problems and set up Ediur Gudjohsens header which was marvelously saved by Jerzy Dudek.
Duff - 6 - Looked very tired however still tried his best.
Drogba - 7 - Was in the pocket of Sami Hyypia until half time and fatigue was effecting the tall centreback. Drogba then made a lot of good touches and flicks on with his head, he then clinched a goal in extra time.
Gudjohnsen - 7 - Made impact as soon as he came on with some wonderful passes and link up play and had a header saved brilliantly.
Johnson - 6 - Made a few good runs but did not have to do much defensively as it was all Chelsea.
Kezman - 6 - Clinched a late goal(what turned out to be the winner) but clearly still not adjusted to life in England.

I thought that the referee (Steven Bennet) last night was absolutely brilliant. I may have argued with the legality of Liverpool's consolation goal and the advantage which was not played when Dietmar Hamaan took down Frank Lampard. However overall he was brilliant, this is the kind of refereeing i would love to see consistently in football all across the world. Just last week we witnessed a linesman give a corner kick for a ball that should have actually been a throw in, being the closest man to the ball in th entire stadium.

We showed a lot of class and fighting spirit yesterday as Liverpool scored early, a little too early maybe. Concerning the sending off by the 4th official who was given advice from a policeman, i would say it was the right thing to do. Mourinho wouldn't have done anything but anger Liverpool fans and im sure he won't mind doing that gesture again, knowing his character. He continued the rest of the game by passing down instructions to Steve Clark, simple and very basic instructions.

Overall, the atmosphere in Cardiff was brilliant. The game was brilliant, Chelsea were brilliant and Liverpool were brilliant. A great game needs 2 great teams.

I, and everyone must feel sympathy towards Steven Gerrard, Mr. Liverpool himself, 11 minutes from time. However games last 90 minutes. What a game, I loved it. Im just going to leave you with pictures of the match and celebrations.

 

[BobbyBox]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

Jose was telling the Liverpool crowd to be quite it was blatant, why didn't he just admit it? rather than lying and saying it was for the press what a load of crap!

 

[Milanista]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

What is the carling cup meant for in England? Is it like the FA cup?

 

[Glavisted]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

What is the carling cup meant for in England? Is it like the FA cup?

That's the question, I don't know what's the difference of the Carling Cup in comparison to the FA Cup.

 

[Sulph]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

The FA Cup is the oldest most prestigoius club competition in the world. The league cup is considered as the least important of the maximum of 4 to English Clubs, these are the League, The FA Cup and their Champs Lge/Uefa Cup.

 

[Milanista]

Re: Chelsea FC thread

But whats the point of the league cup? The FA cup is a competition for all the teams in England isnt it? Isnt the League cup exactly the same?