Chelsea Thread

I always thought he was played out of position at United. When Keane was injured, he should have been playing there. Not on the wing. That turn against Maldini in the Euro's was the problem as he became Kancheslskis's replacement when he should have been in the middle.
 
I've been told that we have made a bid for Arshavin. Zenit are understandably a tad miffed that he'd be going for only 12m so are trying to drum up interest from other clubs.

Also, Frankie will go to Inter. All depends on whether Inter want to pay up now, or get him for free next summer but it was always his plan to run his contract down.

Finally, Scolari told CFC he wants Drogba to stay.
 
Dunno how you lot will shape up next season, Arshavin-Deco-Ballack arent really the players to give Drogba the service he needs.
 
Nick Cave said:
Is Lamps worth £150k a week, not that any footballer is...
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No - as you say, no footballer is. As I said earlier, I don't even think it is a question of money, he just wants to try something else. But the first £150kpw footballer is probably only a few weeks away which is absolutely crazy (especially in the current climate). Trouble is Sky and Setanta will keep pouring money into the game and players will expect their cut of the revenue.

The fans bring the atmosphere but get shafted from every angle.
 
Abhishek said:
They'll buy another striker who can run behind defenses (Eto??)
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the longer a squad stays together the better chances they play better together this counts mainly for the attacking players. Chels clearout will better itself w/ time so a slow start but a great finish! I hope we finish before them :))
 
Galliani is making himself look stupid now. First we were apparently desperate for Ancelotti (even though Scolari was already hired), then Kaka - and now Pirlo!? :LOL:

Who will we be desperate for next? Maldini!?
Chelsea play down Kaka bid claims
Chelsea have not made an offer for Kaka, despite claims from AC Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani that they have made an "astronomical" bid.
The Blues have long been linked with a move for the 26-year-old world player of the year and their boss is now ex-Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Galliani told Italian newspaper La Stampa: "We received an astronomical offer from Chelsea for Kaka." But BBC Sport understands Chelsea have not made any bid for the Brazilian.

The AC Milan vice-president also revealed there has been interest in their 29-year-old Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo. Pirlo's agent has been reported as saying in the Italian press he wants his client to be given the same wage as Kaka. But Galliani added: "For Pirlo, there have been many requests but neither Pirlo nor his agent have come into my office and asked me for an improvement in salary." Galliani says selling Kaka and Pirlo would immediately stabilise Milan's finances, with the club having missed out on a place in next season's Champions League.

"All we would need to do in order to wipe out our debts is sell Kaka and Pirlo," he said. AC Milan technical director Leonardo told BBC Sport last month it was "impossible" for Chelsea to sign Kaka. Kaka himself revealed to BBC Sport in April he would not rule out the possibility of one day playing for one of the big clubs in the Premier League. New Chelsea boss Scolari will meet up with the current squad on Monday when the players return for pre-season training. On Sunday he toured the Cobham training ground and met key members of staff.
 
The Italian version of the article differs Prof. Galliani says "IF Chelsea were to offer for Kaka and Pirlo". Also regarding Ancelotti, it was Sky Sports who said it first, then Galliani came out to say "Chelsea signed a world class coach, it won't be Ancelotti, all I can say is that its a world class coach."
 
In the whole context he was talking about how we dont have enough for big transfers this year, and how paying the fee Barca would want for Ronaldinho would put us in further debt. And he said the only way we could pay fully would be to eliminate the debt, and that would be done by selling those two. He was trying to show the fans the amount of debt we had based on the value of Pirlo and Kaka.
 
Scolari tells Chelsea stars: Forget footie, let's talk darts!
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On his first day with the Chelsea players, Luiz Felipe Scolari wanted to talk darts and not football! Chelsea stars have a dart board on the wall and play matches almost every day. They also have tournaments - where skipper John Terry, Steve Sidwell and Salomon Kalou claimed the glory during last season. It was all very new to Brazilian Scolari, who enjoyed watching a bit before promising to practise and join in. A Chelsea source told The Sun: "The new boss seemed quite surprised when he saw the dart board.

"He said he had seen the game on TV but never had any experience of playing.
"Some of the lads explained that it was a great English tradition and the boss joked that he would have a go at home before taking them on. "It was a great icebreaker and he seemed genuinely up for joining in."
 
Scolari has his players buzzing as new Chelsea boss makes an impression at training ground

When Chelsea lost the Champions League Final in May, there were a few pundits who questioned how the players could ever recover from such a blow. Yet new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari healed the wounds within 10 minutes of meeting most of them for the first time yesterday. Some of the squad have had Euro 2008 to get memories of John Terry's penalty miss out of their system, but the summer has dragged on for all those not involved in the competition, especially for the captain himself. Since then, the news of Scolari's appointment has been confirmed and, just as it used to be on the first day at school, the players who turned up for training yesterday didn't know what to expect from the Brazilian.

Those involved in Euro 2008 had a stay of execution as they have a few more days away on holiday, yet their team-mates are bound to have informed them that a new special one has arrived. For Scolari wasted no time in getting the group together at a meeting to reassure them that he and his new coaching team are at Stamford Bridge for one reason only and that is to bring success to the club. Flanked by his trusted aides, assistant manager Flavio Teixeira, fitness coach Darlan Schneider, goalkeeping coach Carlos Pracidelli and coach Steve Clarke, he ensured everyone knew that they were all in it together.

His speech may have lasted only 10 minutes, yet it was enough time for the players to be convinced this was a man who meant business. A source close to one of the players revealed how they were all left "buzzing" and full of energy following their first encounter with the 59-year-old, which would have proved useful as they then had to undergo a series of routine medical and fitness tests. Ashley Cole certainly seemed to revel in Scolari's first day on the job having admitted: 'He seems like a good and fair guy. Really exciting times are ahead. We are looking forward to a new start and already have new signings like Deco and Jose Bosingwa.'

Much of the talk surrounding Scolari's methods in his previous roles as Portugal and Brazil coach has been about how he acts as a father figure and likes to build strong bonds with each member of his squad. His new players got a taste for it themselves as he spent time with each one as they went from test to test. Joe Cole was pictured looking at ease with his new manager as he underwent an eyesight examination. The former Brazil coach made sure he was aware of everything that was going on and had plenty of time to talk to his players on an individual basis.

However, he knows that there are many issues and challenges ahead and that's just in the six weeks between now and the club's first game of the season against Portsmouth. His next tough task is to face the world media at his official unveiling this afternoon and it will give him a chance to send out a message to Chelsea's rivals in the hunt for trophies and to those clubs interested in signing their best players. Both Milan clubs continue to hover over influential duo Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba, but that won't stop Scolari from fighting to keep them. He will be quizzed over both players' futures and is expected to give a defiant response.

Drogba seemed certain to leave the club after the events of last season and yet he arrived at the club's training ground yesterday with his passport in order for him to get a visa to allow him to leave on the pre-season tour to China on 20 July with the rest of his team-mates. Inter Milan are really stepping up their interest in Lampard, who has scored 110 goals since he joined from West Ham for £11million in 2001, but his departure for the San Siro is not assured. Keeper Petr Cech is certainly hoping Scolari's influence can ensure the England international remains at the club. He said: 'It is always difficult to replace a player who has scored 20 goals from midfield every year for the past four seasons.

'He is still negotiating so I hope it will come to a good end. We always welcome players of his quality and he has been one of the key players for Chelsea since he came. 'I hope they will find a solution for him to stay.' If Lampard stays, it will ensure that the congestion that exists in midfield continues, what with Scolari having added Deco to the nine midfielders already on the staff. There is room for many of them as he is known to favour a 4-2-3-1 formation, although will not be able to work on his tactics until all his players return from their holidays.

Midfielder Michael Essien though, is all too aware that his new manager will have many tough selection decisions to make next season, even if the expected departures of Steve Sidwell and Shaun Wright-Phillips take place. He said: 'It won't be easy for the new manager to pick his team because we've got a lot of good midfield players.
'It's difficult to be on the bench, but we all respect each other and have to realise that we can't play all the games. 'We are all different kind of players - everybody has his qualities. 'I think it's good to have every kind of midfielder when you are at a club like Chelsea so you can adapt to any situation or system.' Scolari has already impressed upon his players that this is just the beginning of what he hopes will be a successful reign in south west London.
 
CHELSEA REJECT INTER APPROACH

Posted on: Tue 08 Jul 2008
Chelsea Football Club can confirm it has received an official approach from Internazionale to discuss the possible transfer of Frank Lampard. Contrary to reports no financial offer was made. Chelsea FC has informed Inter this morning (Tuesday, July 8) that we will not enter into any discussions regarding the transfer of Frank Lampard.


Looks like he'll have to see out his contract or request a transfer. Good move I think, calling Mourinho's bluff.
 
I think what they are setting out Clock, is that Inter can't pussy about.

If Lampard does want to leave, Inter must either make a serious, top dollar bid for him or Frank requests to leave and we accept a decent offer from Inter (but we save ourselves £2m from not having to pay his 'loyalty' bonus).

Or they just want him to stay for the final year.

I'm happy with all 3 outcomes to be honest.
 
T Butcher fan said:
Because he is very good?
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You could have quoted the rest of it:-pp. Im not doubting Lampard obviously thats why Inter want him but what im saying is its not logical to buy a ATM and then keep the one who had, otherwise why buy one in the first place. seems like Chelsea buying players for the sake of it again.
 
YoungGun_UK said:
You could have quoted the rest of it:-pp.
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And turn down a stitch up!? No way! :LOL:

I know what you're saying, but having too many quality midfielders is not a problem. They can't all play at once, but then last year Ballack and Lampard both missed 3 or 4 months each.
 
Scolari charms to take top billing


  • Phil McNulty
  • 8 Jul 08, 05:16 PM
Cobham
 Luiz Felipe Scolari arrived between adverts for a "Legends Of Swing Tribute Night" and a Tom Jones impersonator - but there was only one man claiming top billing at the hotel in deepest Cobham. And that was Chelsea's new coach as he capped his coronation with a glittering performance of charm, passion and a command of the English language that made mugs of us all. Scolari pitched his arrival neatly between the swagger and self-confidence of Jose Mourinho and the under-stated humility of Avram Grant. It was a combination that worked to perfection and made this a very good day for Chelsea's hierarchy, who sat and looked justifiably elated with their new man's first public outing.

 Scolari cut a calmer figure than when I have seen him previously, stripped of his trademark tracksuit and encased neatly inside a smart suit and club tie. He arrived to the predictable barrage of flashbulbs - and kept a surprise up his sleeve for when the cameras went away. Scolari not only answered questions directly and almost always unhesitatingly, he answered them in excellent English, a skill he has shrewdly kept under wraps until he needed it most. He had a female interpreter on hand for help, but she was not needed until he was tested with a question about whether he would like to see Cristiano Ronaldo leave Manchester United.

 Scolari, perhaps sensing dangerous territory, checked the wording before delivering a most emphatic denial that he had ever interfered in Ronaldo's decision-making process - an answer that may, or may not, allay any suspicions harboured by Sir Alex Ferguson. He still had all the glorious wild facial expressions and tic-tac hand movements that made him such a colourful figure as coach of Brazil and Portugal, but it appears he keeps his full fire for the touchline. And as he gained in confidence, the eyes danced a little more and the hands waved with greater animation, a sign of the true Scolari perhaps. He laughed off the idea of pressure with the words "when you are coach of Brazil...." and claimed the only heat he felt was coming from his need to show off his grasp of English under the public gaze.

 It was so good he even found time for a joke against his interpreter when she hesitated over a translation. "She is more afraid than me," he said in a flash - so much for the man we so ignorantly announced might struggle to leap over the language barrier. There was none of the bluster I had witnessed from Scolari at close quarters with Brazil and Portugal. He was composed, assured and confident. The Scolari I saw in Japan, Portugal and Germany appeared to be a man on the edge, capable of grand gestures and indulging in melodrama - including once offering to marry the entire Portugal FA - metaphorically speaking of course. He was also a man of the people. I well recall the contrast between Portugal's humble media base when they were the host country and the circus of self-importance that trailed along in England's wake.

 Visitors, particularly youngsters, were welcomed by Scolari and he showed a genuine common touch that I believe will appeal to Chelsea's supporters as he grows into his new job. Of course there was also that madcap edge to his character, but let's not carp about that - let's embrace it as another great addition to the Premier League. Here is a man Ferguson will not bully or psyche out. He's seen the old tricks before and has used a few of them as well. But here we had Scolari the serene, Scolari setting out his hopes and ambitions for his new paymasters and supporters.
 This did not look like a coach who cuffed an opposition player - this was a coach with a clear vision for Chelsea, but there lurked the underlying threat that this was a man with an unmistakeable winning mentality. Of course he spoke of the "beautiful football" that owner Roman Abramovich (or "Mr Roman" as Scolari called him) wants to see at Stamford Bridge, but he was quick to remind us of his pragmatic side. Scolari, above all, wants winning football and will adopt whatever tactics it takes to get it.

He was not simply on a charm offensive, he was full of positive news for Chelsea fans who wanted a check on the futures of their star players. Frank Lampard wants to stay for years. Didier Drogba was "200%" part of his plans. John Terry was his captain. Lampard was not just staying, he was still vice-captain.

 And of course, correctly, he announced he was indeed "The Special One." And as a World Cup winner with Brazil in 2002, why shouldn't he be? However, unlike the great Jose, he was not a special one to himself, Scolari was special for his friends, family and country. And his country had come to Cobham to see him in the shape of Brazil's media, along with representatives from Portugal, Spain and Italy. But is he special as a coach? "So so" said the Modest One. This was a big day for Chelsea and one they can be pleased with. They needed good news and a fresh start after ending last season empty-handed and receiving criticism for the ruthless sacking of Avram Grant.

 Scolari's performance provided it and Chelsea's top brass looked suitably pleased. Chief executive Peter Kenyon and members of Scolari's backroom staff - including the surviving Steve Clarke - took front row seats with the media and left the top table spotlight to Scolari. He basked in it comfortably and Chelsea will now hope he will adjust as quickly to the heat of Premier League battle against the men who will be his closest adversaries, Ferguson and Arsene Wenger.
 
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