Chelsea FC thread (Champions!)

[zebula77]

Yep, great win though Wolves are by far the worst team in the Prem at the moment. To be honest, we really should have had more. Lampard should have scored on the header from 3 yards.

If we keep our steam, Aston Villa will be a breeze come Saturday.

Oh, and all hail Crespo - we haven't seen anything yet.

 

[T Butcher fan]

It was good, but as someone said earlier it was only Wolves. People were complaining on Tuesday about how bad we were - then 4 days later we are title challengers.

We still have a long way to go.

 

[cfdh_edmundo]

You'll go all the way this season, if you dont win it it will have to have been very close. And there can be no doubt that you'll win it within 2 or 3 years. The only way it could go wrong would be if you sacked Ranieri, then it could take a bit longer if you got a new manager with new ideas etc in.

Prague mighnt have been a great performance, but you won. Chelsea teams of old would have gone there and stuttered to a draw or even lost. Now you have enough talent to go to those places and grind out a win.

Ive been impressed at what Ive seen so far from Chelsea in the league. With the exception of the errors against Blackburn (who are a bogie side for you anyway), Chelsea have looked very good.

Your squad is the strongest in the country by a large margin, and is one of the best in europe. Cudicini is a great keeper, and your defense has players like Gallas, Melchiot, Desailly all of whom are very good pacy defenders. Terry (although he seems to be, IMO, a bit of a twat off the field) is a great player who reads the game well and will marshall your defense perfectly. Johnson and Bridge are good wing/full backs who are starting to settle in ok. Makalele and Geremi arent glamour signings but both are more than accomplished players. Duff is a very good signing, pacy, tricky and always gives 100%. Add to that the likes of Veron, Joe Cole, Lampard and Petit and you have a superb midfield. Upfront youve got Mutu, a splendid player and vastly under-rated, Crespo - everyone knows his class and skill, and Hasselbank to come on if you need more options. Dont forget youve got Gudjohnson in reserve and players like Forsell and Carlton Cole on loan but ready to come back next season. If I was Abramovic / Ranieri, I'd buy Mexes, Van Buyten and maybe Boomsong to sure up the central defence for the next 10 years. Although in reality you probably only need one of them, if I had his money I'd buy all three.

 

[T Butcher fan]

I don't want any new faces for quite some time! At the moment, we are just about the right size to keep players relatively happy. Any more and we'll burst.

I also think we should be looking to home nation players if we sign anyone. Carlton Cole, Forssell and Huth should be ready for first team action next year, which leaves very few gaps in the squad - maybe another Centre back to compensate for Desi's advancing years.

Really, this squad should have plenty of years in it - I hope we keep some continuity year after year.

 

[zebula77]

I don't want any new faces for quite some time! At the moment, we are just about the right size to keep players relatively happy. Any more and we'll burst.

I also think we should be looking to home nation players if we sign anyone. Carlton Cole, Forssell and Huth should be ready for first team action next year, which leaves very few gaps in the squad - maybe another Centre back to compensate for Desi's advancing years.

Really, this squad should have plenty of years in it - I hope we keep some continuity year after year.

Yeah, I agree. No more new players, puh-lease! We've got a great squad now - Let's get them tight.

Frankly, I'm a bit worried about Abramovich's statement that he'd be willing to shell out another 100 mill if we aren't in the lead around Crimbo times. Things are looking good so far, we're on the right track and getting more players would only disturb our current rate of improvement.

 

[T Butcher fan]

I don't think he will - he looks pleased with the way things are going and he won't want to rock the boat just as it's all calming down. Besides, who's left to buy!? Emile Heskey as the joke goes.....

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Well, Stam and D.Stankovic from Lazio, as a rumour goes.

Chelsea’s owner Roman Abramovich is still keen on bringing in Lazio’s Jaap Stam. The Blues made a bid for the Dutch international last summer and were turned down. “It’s my dream to bring Stam to London,” said Abramovich. Chelsea entertain Lazio next month and the Russian Billionaire will attempt to make Lazio change their minds. Dejan Stankovic is reportedly also the target of a £6m bid by the Stamford Bridge big spenders. The Serbian international has yet to sign an extension and it is believed he would welcome a move to London.

 

[Andy1888]

I wish the press would let go of the Sven talk and let Claudio get on with the job, how embarrising must it be to be constantly asked about his position when its clear he is doing a good job!

 

[T Butcher fan]

“It’s my dream to bring Insert Player Here to London,” said Abramovich

I've read that a lot recently! :roll:

 

[Revolver]

What a performance against Wolves our best by far this season. Lovely first touch passing to one another and every one of the boys performed excellent apart from Gudjohnsen. Gallas and Terry were fantastic at the back with Terry winning just about every header that came his way and Duff was on fire down the left. Nothing wrong with our disallowed goal as Ince was holding Eidur and the ball came right at him from about 3 yards so how the ref give handball I don't know. What a match for Frank Lampard craking goal and lovely passes in midfield. Gald to see Crespo get 2 and he worked hard in this match chasing balls and two well taken goals, and looks like Jimmy is starting to put last season behind him.

Well done lads

bear in mind ya dont play wolves every week....

I know but even against Liecester at The Bridge we played some sloppy football even short simple passes but the Wolves game was the first time this season that the team played as a team with a great passing rythm, I just hope we beat Villa on Saturday to keep this superb run going.

 

[T Butcher fan]

What a performance against Wolves our best by far this season. Lovely first touch passing to one another and every one of the boys performed excellent apart from Gudjohnsen. Gallas and Terry were fantastic at the back with Terry winning just about every header that came his way and Duff was on fire down the left. Nothing wrong with our disallowed goal as Ince was holding Eidur and the ball came right at him from about 3 yards so how the ref give handball I don't know. What a match for Frank Lampard craking goal and lovely passes in midfield. Gald to see Crespo get 2 and he worked hard in this match chasing balls and two well taken goals, and looks like Jimmy is starting to put last season behind him.

Well done lads

bear in mind ya dont play wolves every week....

I know but even against Liecester at The Bridge we played some sloppy football even short simple passes but the Wolves game was the first time this season that the team played as a team with a great passing rythm, I just hope we beat Villa on Saturday to keep this superb run going.

But the reason was, Leicester were constantly up our arses the entire 90 minutes, like every other team will be. Wolves let us play, which is why it was so easy.

It won't be like that every week.

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

Morning Terry.

 

[T Butcher fan]

Morning Mate. :salute:

What happened to the ML thread? That's an institution!

 

[Vannizzlefashizzal]

You there T??

bet you was overjoyed at sundays result ey, especially with Viera missing the Chelsea match.

 

[T Butcher fan]

You there T??

bet you was overjoyed at sundays result ey, especially with Viera missing the Chelsea match.

I honestly wasn't that bothered what happened on the pitch, but I think the scenes afterwards will benefit us in some small way. For a start, we are only the 2nd most hated club in the country now, thanks to Arsenal.

Vieira will miss the Chelsea game (no way will they rescind his second yellow) which should help us end the hoodoo - but frankly, that game will depend on luck.

The bad thing was that while the top 2 drew, we beat a woeful Wolves and that has sort of thrown us into the limelight (For on the field stories, anyway!)

 

[Vannizzlefashizzal]

I honestly wasn't that bothered what happened on the pitch, but I think the scenes afterwards will benefit us in some small way. For a start, we are only the 2nd most hated club in the country now, thanks to Arsenal.

Vieira will miss the Chelsea game (no way will they rescind his second yellow) which should help us end the hoodoo - but frankly, that game will depend on luck.

The bad thing was that while the top 2 drew, we beat a woeful Wolves and that has sort of thrown us into the limelight (For on the field stories, anyway!)

LOL I saw Terry's qoutes in one of the weekend papers saying how Chelsea had overtaken us as the most hated team, but now the whole country has seen the bandits for what they are.

Amazing that Viera thinks his second yellow card should be dismissed.

But I reckon its finally time for Chelsea to do the bandits over.

 

[zebula77]

But I reckon its finally time for Chelsea to do the bandits over.

Oh, you spoke my mind there, Vanizzle. There is no other club in the world I'd rather we beat than the Gooners. That would be so sweet, after the close (read: disappointing) games of recent seasons.

 

[T Butcher fan]

I've been telling myself that for years. :roll:

The last 4 or 5 games at the Bridge, we've been the better team, but somehow they keep getting out of jail. Kanu's 10 minute hat-trick, Vivas strike in the last minute and last seasons cup game where we pummeled their goal, they had two shots on target but scored 3 goals!

I went to the cup game at Highbury last year (Jeffers dive game) and I think we have a very good chance of getting the 3 points if we repeat the same tactics.

But I won't be putting money on it!

 

[Professor Nutmeg]

What happened to the ML thread? That's an institution!

I know I was really enjoying that, especially now that i'm in the WEFA (Champions League thingy) It smells of technological inadequecy or moderatory incompetence, because threads just don't disappear, they used to get screwed up, but not just vanish.
As for sundays result, there couldn't have been a better result for us.

 

[T Butcher fan]

What happened to the ML thread? That's an institution!

I know I was really enjoying that, especially now that i'm in the WEFA (Champions League thingy) It smells of technological inadequecy or moderatory incompetence, because threads just don't disappear, they used to get screwed up, but not just vanish.
As for sundays result, there couldn't have been a better result for us.

That's something I've noticed since I came back, the mods loom large over everything (and there's so bloody many!) - probably a couple of people had a row in the ML thread last night so they just delete the whole thing.

Tactically, I think the best result would have been for Arseanal to win 'cos I can't see them lasting the course of the season (again), but a draw was still an ok result. I hope Keown and his other putrid faced chums get bans too!

 

[Vannizzlefashizzal]

That's something I've noticed since I came back, the mods loom large over everything (and there's so bloody many!) - probably a couple of people had a row in the ML thread last night so they just delete the whole thing.

Tactically, I think the best result would have been for Arseanal to win 'cos I can't see them lasting the course of the season (again), but a draw was still an ok result. I hope Keown and his other putrid faced chums get bans too!

yeah the mods are just a pain now, you never used to really notice them but now :roll:

I think your right on the arsenal thing though they dont look the team they we're last season (and neither do we but in a different way) they didnt even have a shot on goal against us on Sunday.

It all sets up perfect for Chelsea to come in between and nick it IMO.

I reckon a few of the players will be banned and rightly so, but with arsenal being so influential at the FA they will drag it on for ages but it'll come

 

[T Butcher fan]

That's something I've noticed since I came back, the mods loom large over everything (and there's so bloody many!) - probably a couple of people had a row in the ML thread last night so they just delete the whole thing.

Tactically, I think the best result would have been for Arseanal to win 'cos I can't see them lasting the course of the season (again), but a draw was still an ok result. I hope Keown and his other putrid faced chums get bans too!

yeah the mods are just a pain now, you never used to really notice them but now :roll:

I think your right on the arsenal thing though they dont look the team they we're last season (and neither do we but in a different way) they didnt even have a shot on goal against us on Sunday.

It all sets up perfect for Chelsea to come in between and nick it IMO.

That's the theory being touted around, like Edmundo's '2 bald men fighting over a comb' - I liked that one, but I've written Man Utd off so many times that I'll never do it again.

They are still my tip to win it - more will power than Chelsea and Arsenal put together to be honest, plus the experience of having done it virtually every year!

 

[Vannizzlefashizzal]

That's the theory being touted around, like Edmundo's '2 bald men fighting over a comb' - I liked that one, but I've written Man Utd off so many times that I'll never do it again.

They are still my tip to win it - more will power than Chelsea and Arsenal put together to be honest, plus the experience of having done it virtually every year!

Im not gonna lie T, alot of us are starting to think that it cant go on forever and as each season goes by you start to think that its gotta end soon, thats why we enjoyed last season so much.

I know what you mean though but this year I just know Fergie has pushed his luck.....

Ive gotta admitt for reasons other than football I never used to like Chelsea but since Rain-man took over and arsenal became c*nts I dont mind them as much and unlike some United fans im not gonna begrudge another team getting their name on Our Trophy, even if they do have to pay the engraver

 

[T Butcher fan]

Man this is depressing.....


Sven in 'new Chelsea talks'
By Ian McGarry, Daily Mail
24 September 2003

Chelsea will open pre-contract negotiations with England coach Sven Goran Eriksson in January with a view to him taking over at Stamford Bridge next summer.

The club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich wants to head off approaches from other teams by tying Eriksson into an agreement, although the deal would be void if Chelsea win the Premiership or the Champions League this season under Claudio Ranieri.

FA officials are resigned to the probability of Eriksson quitting after the Euro 2004 Finals and Abramovich is determined to prevent the likes of Real Madrid, who also courted the Swede last summer, moving in when he becomes available.

Chelsea, who failed three months ago to lure Eriksson to Stamford Bridge immediately, intend to offer him a contract six months before he would be expected to start work. It is believed the agreement will include a possible retainer fee and a 'golden hello' payable when Eriksson is officially named as the club's boss.

As Eriksson's deal with the FA runs until July 2006, the Chelsea accord will take the form of a gentleman's agreement, as an official pre-contract would be in breach of his deal with the FA. The point, however, is to ensure that Eriksson can only go to Stamford Bridge if he leaves England.

Chelsea, Eriksson and his advisers have all refuted suggestions that an agreement is already in place and the England boss has accepted the possibility that Ranieri could yet make himself unsackable.

The Italian has privately conceded that he will lose his job if he fails to win either the Premiership or the Champions League this season, but Eriksson does not expect any agreement with him to be honoured in the event of Chelsea winning one or both of those prizes.

Eriksson rejected Chelsea's initial advances after a series of meetings with Abramovich in July and August, just as he had turned down Manchester United 19 months ago. Then, motivation was the prospect of a fierce public backlash had he opted to desert the national side for the biggest club in England. His inherently cautious nature brought him to the same conclusion when the opportunity to take over at Chelsea arose before the start of this season.

 

[Vannizzlefashizzal]

Do you not reckon Sven could do the business T??

I wasnt too keen on him coming to OT but Chelsea have favoured the continental approach for a few years now and Sven epitomizes that.

On paper it looks like the prefect match.

 

[zebula77]

Yeah, but if (with Ranieri) it ain't broke - don't fix it.

 

[T Butcher fan]

Do you not reckon Sven could do the business T??

I wasnt too keen on him coming to OT but Chelsea have favoured the continental approach for a few years now and Sven epitomizes that.

On paper it looks like the prefect match.

Does England remind you of a continental team, Vann? lol. Seriously though, the more I think about it, the more depressed I get.

I don't think Ranieri is the greatest manager in the world, but I believe in his beliefs. He believes in bringing kids through the ranks, and keeping the heart of the team English. Add to that, his Italian and Spanish history and we have a manager well suited to deal with the various competitions Europe and Domestic. He is also a very genial guy.

SGE only won 1 title at Lazio in 5 years after spending more than we did this summer, and brought no kids through the ranks that I can think of. Plus no one in the country likes him.....most of all me!

 

[Andy1888]

Interestingly there is no sign of any quotes in this story, as ive posted before they should give Ranieri the time to deliver with the team he has got. Eriksson IMO is an over-rated manager who has done nothing to change my opinion since taking over the E**gland job.

 

[Vannizzlefashizzal]

Does England remind you of a continental team, Vann? lol. Seriously though, the more I think about it, the more depressed I get.

lol I knew that was comimg

I don't think Ranieri is the greatest manager in the world, but I believe in his beliefs. He believes in bringing kids through the ranks, and keeping the heart of the team English. Add to that, his Italian and Spanish history and we have a manager well suited to deal with the various competitions Europe and Domestic. He is also a very genial guy.

SGE only won 1 title at Lazio in 5 years after spending more than we did this summer, and brought no kids through the ranks that I can think of. Plus no one in the country likes him.....most of all me!

Ive said before im a big fan of Ranieri and his philosphy/approach to the game, he worked wonders for Chelsea last year on a near shoestring budget but with Svens name continuing to come up it seems as though its in keeping with Chelsea's obsession in becoming alot more high profile as opposed to making them a better football team, Sven is so passive that I think he'll find it very hard (even harder than it is now) to keep the players happy. The recent England game shows that, with two of Englands best players one card away from suspension and possibly missing the biggest game of the qualifying campaign he actually asked them did they want to play whearas stronger managers would have just told said players "your not playing cos its not worth the risk".

That said his winning one of the hardest leagues in the footballing world is some credential to have and outside of the international scene he's not admired / coveted by big teams for nothing, yes he favours a basic 4-4-2 formation and yes England are playing terrible football under him but he's capable of alot more with a better pool of players to pick from and Chelsea own the pool right now.

 

[T Butcher fan]

Biggest thread in the football forum! - must be all our new plastic fans, which at a glance are me and Vann.

Anyone else going tomorrow? I'm expecting a tough game because whenever O'Leary brings a team to the Bridge, they try and kick seven shades out of us - tomorrow will be no different.

C'mon you Blues!

(And c'mon the Geordies tonight!)