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My Friendster Profile - http://friendster.com/cfcghimphengJackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.comBlogger308125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-59012868599463308592009-06-16T18:13:00.004+08:002009-06-16T18:39:18.342+08:00Chelsea Transfer Market<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.google.com.sg/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.subsidesports.com/uk/images/product/large/ChelHSS0910b_No10.gif&usg=AFQjCNE40h350ffiXgvrLxF165FFtRfvLQ"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://images.google.com.sg/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://www.subsidesports.com/uk/images/product/large/ChelHSS0910b_No10.gif&usg=AFQjCNE40h350ffiXgvrLxF165FFtRfvLQ" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.premier-football.net/images/adidas_E84291.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 450px; height: 450px;" src="http://www.premier-football.net/images/adidas_E84291.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Possible Transfer In : David Villa, Ribery, Ibrahimovic, Tevez, Pato, Zhirvok, Turnbull, Sergio Aguero, Eto</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Possble Transfer Out : Ricardo Carvalho, Deco, Drogba, Andrei Shevchenko, Di Santo</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">• Chelsea Jersey Release Date: May 14 (home, 2009-2011 seasons), July (away, 2009-2010 season), August 27 (third, 2009-2010 season)</span></span>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-73397507614958763842009-05-07T09:45:00.004+08:002009-05-07T10:11:21.461+08:00REACTION: THE WORST REF I HAVE SEEN <span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">It took quite some time for Guus Hiddink to emerge from the Chelsea dressing room to give his verdict on heartbreaking European elimination. </span><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="text-center padding-top-5"><div class="articleHeadlineAndBody" id="articleHeadlineAndBody"><div class="articleBody" id="articleBody"> <p>The reason was he had prepared first by watching key incidents in the match all over again, as dispassionately as possible, before facing questions. He even clutched a DVD of the action as if to emphasise the point. </p> <p>That was important, because in the cold light of night and in front of the world's media, the highly-experienced coach was in no doubt refereeing decisions had cost his team dearly.</p> <p>'Players make mistakes, coaches make mistakes, the referee can make mistakes,' Hiddink began. 'And that is why we give them the benefit of the doubt sometimes. That is all in the game. </p> <p>'But if you have seen three or four situations waved away, then it is the worst I have seen.'</p> <p>The denying of a multitude of penalty appeals by Chelsea, already 1-0 up due to Michael Essien's eighth-minute stunner, will remind older Chelsea fans of a home FA Cup tie against Millwall 14 seasons ago when referee Martin Bodenham turned down three absolute clear-cut shouts and the Blues went out.</p> <p>The stage this time was a whole lot bigger and the opposition could not have been more contrasting, but the feeling of injustice was the same. Norwegian Tom Henning Øvrebø was the official at the centre of it all.</p> <p>'You have sometimes to give the benefit of doubt to the referee,' continued Hiddink, 'because you can discuss whether there was a penalty when Drogba had his shirt pulled in the first-half but you can also discuss last week whether Henry was pulled on his shirt in the area. But if you have three or four situations?</p> <p>'In the first half you see it with Malouda, clearly pulled over in the area. The ref had a perfect view. Then you see waved away the two handball situations when the arms were going up. We got a penalty against us away to Juventus when Belletti went up with arms high in the wall. After when I saw that I said yes, it was a penalty. </p> <p>'It was a similar situation today with Anelka's ball when the hand was lifted by Piqué. You cannot draw back your hand in that situation. And the second one when the shot came from Ballack and Eto'o lifted his arm.'</p> <p>Though frustrated, the Dutchman refused to be drawn into suggestions of a conspiracy by some who may not wish for a repeat of last year's Champions League Final.</p> <p>'I don't want to go with those tough words because then I would have to prove it. That is difficult to do.'</p> <p>He was however willing to defend the actions of previously-substituted Drogba who returned to the pitch after the final whistle to leave the ref in no doubt as to his view of the crucial calls.</p> <p>'I can understand fully his reaction, full of emotion, full of adrenalin. People say you should be in control. He was in control. The moment a player is full of emotion and starts hitting, he is going beyond where he should go. I fully understand his behaviour and I will protect that.'</p> <p>'I can understand that Chelsea can be disappointed by the performance of the referee,' said Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola. 'They say a lot of penalties is possible but I didn't see. </p> <p>'We didn't create so much. I expected Chelsea to come a little bit more for us but they didn't so it was difficult to create many chances. It is difficult to play Chelsea 11 against 11 so you can imagine 10 against 10,' he added with reference to the second-half red card for defender Eric Abidal. </p> <p>Robbed was the overall mood in the dressing room following Andrés Iniesta's stoppage time tie-decider Hiddink reported, although there was also some regret over the Chelsea players' own actions in the match.</p> <p>'We played a very decent game and we did tactically well. The only thing is we should have decided the game already outside of the big worldwide discussion over the penalties. </p> <p>'At this level it is very difficult and there were two or three open chances we should have taken. Then we wouldn't have this fuss about penalties.'</p> </div></div></div>
<br />
<br /><div style="font-family: verdana;"><img alt="Michael Ballack" src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00798/Michael_Ballack_280_798021a.jpg" width="280" height="390" /> <div class="text-center padding-top-5"> <p class="small bold">RAGE ... Ballack lets off steam</p> </div><div class="clear-left"> <p class="display-byline">From IAN McGARRY at Stamford Bridge </p> <div class="padding-top-10 padding-bottom-10 clear-left"> <div class="float-left"> <p class="display-byline"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2416196.ece#comment-rig" name="&lid=Was+ref+bungle+a+carve+up|2416196&lpos=rigTeaser"></a>JOHN TERRY last night slammed the ref who cost Chelsea a place in the Champions League final. </p></div></div> </div> </div><!-- Article Start --><roottag> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">The Blues skipper blasted Norwegian Tom Henning Ovrebo, who denied the Blues FOUR penalties against Barcelona. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">The Spanish outfit then went through to the May 27 final in Rome on the away goals rule as Andres Iniesta’s 93rd-minute strike cancelled out Michael Essien’s opener. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article"> </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">While Chelsea’s players stopped short of saying they were victims of a conspiracy, the feeling was UEFA did not want two English teams in their showpiece final for a second straight year. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">Terry said: “Over two legs they played well but the fact is that, in this game, we had six or seven penalty claims waved away and that is astonishing. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“Anywhere else, anywhere else in the world that would not happen. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“You can see he might not have given the first one, but come the second where Nicolas Anelka puts it round Pique and he slams it down with his hand? </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“It’s decisions like that which are wrong — Darren Fletcher misses the final after being sent off for Manchester United on Tuesday, a bad decision. He can’t play in the final and neither can we, because of a bad decision in this match.” </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">England captain Terry refused to go as far as to say that there was a UEFA conspiracy to deny a repeat of last year’s United v Chelsea final. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">But he was severely critical of the governing body for appointing such an inexperienced referee. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">He said: “The word conspiracy is maybe the wrong one. It’s difficult when players are so high on emotion after a game. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“However, people are saying we shouldn’t have reacted the way we did. But the fact is, six decisions went against us in front of 40,000 people. And for the ref to not give one of them is unusual. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“I’ve seen all of them and for the ref to not give at least two... </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“So it’s not surprising for us to come off the field and show that emotion. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“Why did we get a referee who has officiated in 10 games in the Champions League in his career? </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“To be given the Champions League semi-final, that’s not good enough.” </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink was also furious. He said: “If you’ve seen the three or four situations waved away, this is the worst refereeing performance I’ve ever seen. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“You can never prove UEFA didn’t want an all-English final. It’s just... out of emotion. Five or six situations — not just one. The Malouda situation, he was grabbed inside the box. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“It’s not just one doubtful situation as the Thierry Henry situation was in Barcelona, it’s three, four. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“But we should have scored ourselves, whether some people don’t want an all-English final again. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“Conspiracy is a very tough word and you have to prove it. I don’t want to go with that tough word. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“It was said in the build-up that it would be nice to have a repetition of last year’s final. But I can only say what I see. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“I cannot say if UEFA would not like another all-English final. </p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="float-right width-300 padding-left-10 padding-bottom-10 padding-top-10"> <div class="grey-ad-line width-300 position-relative"> <p class="small bg-fff text-center position-relative advertising">Advertisement</p></div><!-- null --> <script type="text/javascript"> //Retrieve Blue Lithium & Bull frog Cookie Value var blueLithium = "No"; blueLithium = get_cookie("BL")==null?"No":get_cookie("BL"); <!-- //Retrieve yahoo Cookie Value var yahoo = "no"; var IsYahoo="no"; if (GetQueryString("yahoo")=="yes" || get_cookie('YH') == "yes") IsYahoo="yes"; if (IsYahoo == "yes" || get_cookie('YH') == 'open') { set_cookie ("YH", "yes", "", "" ); yahoo = "yes"; } else { set_cookie ("YH", "no", "", "" ); yahoo = "no"; } window.onunload = setYahooCookie; //--> </script> <!-- Modified key value pair for tiles --> <script type="text/javascript"> var RStag = ""; try{ RStag = segQS; } catch(e){ RStag = ""; } document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/football.thesun.co.uk/mainhomepage;pos=mpu;sz=300x250;'+RStag+'tile=2;'+categoryValues+'bl='+blueLithium+';yahoo='+yahoo+';ord='+randnum+'?"><\/script>'); </script> <script src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/football.thesun.co.uk/mainhomepage;pos=mpu;sz=300x250;tile=2;bl=No;yahoo=no;ord=1241659466015?" type="text/javascript"></script> <!-- AMG Tag 300x250 --> <script src="http://cdn.amgdgt.com/base/js/v1/amgdgt.js" type="text/javascript"></script> <noscript></noscript> <script language="JavaScript" src="http://ad.amgdgt.com/ads/?f=j&t=i&p=1679&pl=bd9fff5c&rnd=1728376056629582.5"></script> <!-- EC_TYPE_1 AG --><a href="http://ad.amgdgt.com/ads/?t=c&s=AAAAAQAUfKu7fkV9l9cJ0khGnII7WnfDejpjbGt1cmwsaHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbnZlbnRub3cub3JnLyxjLDU0ODU5LHBjLDI4MDY4LGFjLDE3ODc5LGwsMjI2MTkK&j=" target="_blank"> </a><noscript></noscript><!--SECTION:parameter parameter="dart.server" /--></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“What I’m sure about, in big games like this, is that you need top-notch referees who have lots of experience of refereeing in the big leagues in Italy, Spain, England and Germany.” </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">Didier Drogba faces a UEFA inquiry after his outburst against the referee after the final whistle. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">The striker, who had been subbed, raced on to the pitch at the end and aimed a vicious tirade at the ref before having another go at him in the tunnel. Sky TV had to apologise for Drogba’s language — and the Ivory Coast hitman now faces a huge ban. But Terry defended his team-mate saying his argument was justified in the circumstances. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">He said: “I’m fully behind Didier, the way he reacted. You can see the passion he played with in the game and afterwards. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“But the fact is the referee is the one who should face the consequences, not Didier and not us. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“We did exactly what we needed to do to beat Barcelona and we’ve every right to expect referees to do the right thing in these top games. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“You can’t say that enough. The referee made bad decisions and that’s what happens with inexperienced refs. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“Players come into these games hoping and praying they don’t make mistakes but referees are the same — only they get away with it. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“He makes mistakes, but he knows next time he will get away with it. But a player who makes mistakes time after time knows he will be dropped. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“Refs keep getting the big games. When it gets to this stage, it’s down to UEFA to be strong enough and give the big games to their best referees. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“You need experienced refs to look after experienced players in these ties and we didn’t get the referee we needed to do that. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">“You see the United game and what happened to Fletcher. It was a bad decision and we suffered the same again tonight.”
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="article">
<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_headline"> <h1>Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa: Referee Was Bought</h1> <h2>The right-back lashed out at the match official following the highly controversial scenes in London on Wednesday night...</h2><!--h3>Mira Luis</h3--> </div><!-- google_ad_section_start --> <div class="KonaBody" id="article_content" fzjz1="true"> <div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_detail_block"> <div id="small_article_image_container"><img alt="CL: Michael Ballack & John Terry - Tom Ovrebo, Chelsea - Barcelona (PA)" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/48347_news.jpg" /> </div></div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Chelsea will not have the chance to repeat last season's story and reach the Champions League final along with Manchester </span><span style="text-decoration: underline;">United</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> after a home 1-1 draw against Barcelona.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Blues, who are out of the competition on away-goals rule, are very critical of Tom Henning Ovrebo as they feel the referee failed to signal what they describe as clear penalties.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">After the game, striker Didier Drogba could not control his emotions and called Ovrebo a "disgrace", and Bosingwa has now echoed the Ivorian's frustration.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"This referee was bought. I do not know if he is a referee or a thief. There are no words to describe the person that was on the pitch here," he told </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">RTP </i><span style="font-family:verdana;">after the game.</span>
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<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"We are all sad, but we have to raise our heads high again. There is nothing to say about Barcelona's goal, but there were penalties that were not awarded."</span>
<br />
<br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">On the performance of the man in charge of the game, the Portugal international added, "The way he refereed the match was not the most correct one. He should never referee again."</span>
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<br /><img style="font-family: verdana;" class="topImage" alt="RTÉ.ie Sport: Guus Hiddink felt Chelsea should have been awarded at least three penalties " src="http://dynimg.rte.ie/0002383510dr.jpg" /> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Guus Hiddink felt Chelsea should have been awarded at least three penalties </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="storyHeader"> <h1>Chelsea suspect anti-English agenda</h1><span class="storyDate">Wednesday, 6 May 2009 23:11</span> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="storyBody"><rte:body> <p>Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink said it would be impossible to prove claims UEFA did not want an all-English Champions League final.</p> <p>The London side were furious about a number of what they saw as clear penalties which were not given by referee Tom Ovrebo as Barcelona progressed on away goals thanks to a 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge achieved with an injury-time leveller by Andres Iniesta.</p> <p>According to Sky Sports, some of the Chelsea players were speculating afterwards that UEFA wanted to avoid a repeat of last year's all-Premier League final.</p> <p>Asked about it on Sky Sports 2, Hiddink said: 'You can never prove this but it's just sad and it's out of emotion but if you see five, six situations, not just one...'</p> <p>Chelsea dominated the semi-final second leg and seemed to destined to seal a date with Manchester United for the second year running after Michael Essien's wonder strike, particularly when Eric Abidal was dismissed for a challenge on Nicolas Anelka.</p> <p>But the referee denied Chelsea a number of spot-kicks for perceived offences including a shirt pull on Didier Drogba and handballs by Gerard Pique and Samuel Eto'o.</p> <p>Hiddink said: 'We are so disappointed because there are two issues. One is that we could have and should have scored in some open situations and because we talk a lot about the not given penalties.</p> <p>'Didier's shirt-pulling is okay, we had [Thierry] Henry's situation in Barcelona, okay. But there were three other situations that were so clear. I shall not say what we really feel but it's injustice.</p> <p>'It's not just that you can be mistaken. It's difficult, for instance, for the red card of Abidal on Anelka - difficult because, I think, Anelka was through, he touched with his left leg Anelka.</p> <p>'You can discuss these situations for a referee.</p> <p>'But if you have seen clearly and he was five yards [away], if you have seen clearly the ball on Pique... If he was blocked there is also an assistant referee.</p> <p>'There's one I think with the shot on Eto'o and he's turning around and you have to have your arms down. Those two situations make you think.'</p> <p>He continued: 'The [Florent] Malouda situation in the first half when they were struggling a bit. They go in the box, [the referee] had a perfect view, and he was grabbed inside the box. That's also a penalty, which means there were three, four clear situations, not just one doubtful as the Henry situation was in Barcelona, let's be honest.</p> <p>'Nevertheless, we should have scored in other situations as well. Whether people don't like an all-English final or not, we should have scored also.'</p> <p>There were ugly scenes in stoppage time and at the final whistle as players including Michael Ballack and Drogba confronted the referee.</p> <p>But Hiddink vowed to stand by his players, telling Sky Sports 2: 'I can fully understand in the emotion of the game, as long as they don't touch him, I can fully understand this disappointment.</p> <p>'It's not just one decision in doubt but it's several not made decisions.</p> <p>'I can fully understand and I protect my players for this when they have this emotion, just with loads of energy and adrenaline in their bodies.'</p></rte:body></div><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >
<br /></span><h1 style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:0;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-size:180%;" >The referee was wrong</span>
<br /></span></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> might have had at least four penalties. One would have been enough.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">There was a trip, a body check and two handballs, including the late appeal from Michael Ballack deep in added time. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">In any game, on any other night, any of at least three appeals would have been given, and Chelsea can feel justifiably hard done by, even enraged, at the injustice. <img class="blkBorder" alt="Chelsea" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/07/article-1178164-04D5F542000005DC-598_468x409.jpg" width="468" height="409" /> </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Four penalty appeals and a funeral: Florent Malouda is held back by Daniel Alves
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Despite that, their behaviour in the closing stages and after the final whistle was unacceptable.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea's players will regret their antics towards the referee, especially Ballack, whose aggressive chasing on the pitch of the official may lead to a rebuke from UEFA. Didier Drogba also went wild after the game and was screaming into the cameras. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">He was booked and will also find himself with explaining to do. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">UEFA will not accept such behaviour in a showpiece game. Some Chelsea players seemed to lose control.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Norwegian official Tom Henning Ovrebo, who did not have the best of games, will send through his report and UEFA will react accordingly.
<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Expect some bans that will run into next season.</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><img class="blkBorder" alt="Chelsea" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/07/article-1178164-04D5F53E000005DC-45_468x286.jpg" width="468" height="286" /> <p class="imageCaption">A string of missed penalties: Chelsea striker Didier Drogba goes down under
<br />Yaya Toure’s challenge
<br /></p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">It was a bad end to a miserable night which should have seen Chelsea heading for Rome.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">They had some good fortune when Eric Abidal was caught out by Nicolas Anelka's acceleration on the blind side and, although it looked as though the striker had been tripped by his France team-mate, replays suggested otherwise.</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><img class="blkBorder" alt="Chelsea" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/07/article-1178164-04D5BAAA000005DC-612_468x311.jpg" width="468" height="311" /> <p class="imageCaption">Three and easy: The referee has a clear sight of Gerard Pique's handball from Nicolas Anelka’s flick - but fails to award a decisive penalty kick
<br /></p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Yaya Toure might have got round on the cover, too, also raising questions as to whether Abidal was the last man.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Abidal - like <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a> midfielder Darren Fletcher - will miss the final after his red card. Daniel Alves collected a yellow and he, too, will be banned after his second such offence.</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><img class="blkBorder" alt="Chelsea" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/05/07/article-1178164-04D5F51A000005DC-604_468x286.jpg" width="468" height="286" /> <p class="imageCaption">Four and out: Michael Ballack’s late shot is blocked by the arm of Samuel Eto’o</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea's Alex would also have been suspended, although that doesn't matter now. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea are out and, before Drogba blames the official too much, he might remember the chance he missed at 1-0. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Everyone makes mistakes.</p>
<br /><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_headline"> <h1>Guus Hiddink Backs Chelsea's Furious Players After Barcelona 'Injustice'</h1> <h2>Guus was far from pleased after Chelsea's dramatic Champions League tumble...</h2><!--h3>Greg Ptolomey</h3--> </div><!-- google_ad_section_start --> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="KonaBody" id="article_content" fzjz1="true"> <div id="article_detail_block"> <div id="small_article_image_container"><img alt="CL: Michael Ballack - Tom Ovrebo, Chelsea - Barcelona (PA)" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/48343_news.jpg" /> </div></div>Guus Hiddink just about managed to keep his emotions in check after seeing his Chelsea side eliminated from Europe by a late Andres Iniesta stunner.
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<br />Michael Essien's early goal looked to be taking the west London side to the Champions League final until the death, when the Spanish side, by then reduced to ten men, found a late away goal.
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<br />However, the real talking points of the game were the four or so penalty appeals which Hiddink's troops saw waved away by Norweigian referee Tom Henning Ovrebo.
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<br />Didier Drogba described the outcome on <a class="kLink" oncontextmenu="return false;" id="KonaLink0" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,0);" style="position: static; text-decoration: underline ! important;" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,0);" onmouseout="adlinkMouseOut(event,this,0);" href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/05/06/1250149/guus-hiddink-backs-chelseas-furious-players-after-barcelona-inju#" target="_top"><span style="font-weight: 400; color: rgb(4, 100, 209) ! important; position: static;font-family:Verdana,Arial;font-size:13;" ><span class="kLink" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(4, 100, 209); font-weight: 400; color: rgb(4, 100, 209) ! important; position: relative;font-size:13;color:#0000e0;" >camera</span></span><span id="preLoadWrap0" style="position: relative;"> <div id="preLoadLayer0" style="display: none; z-index: 4000; left: -18px; position: absolute; top: -22px;"><img style="border: 0px none ;" src="http://kona.kontera.com/javascript/lib/imgs/grey_loader.gif" width="22" height="22" /></div></span></a> at full-time as "a ******* disgrace." His gaffer didn't go that far, but he was nevertheless far from impressed.
<br />
<br />"I'm still very disappointed," Hiddink said to <i>Sky Sports</i> after spending a long time with his players. "It's not easy to analyse the game when the adrenaline is running.
<br />
<br />"Regarding the appeals, I won't say what we really feel, but it's an injustice. [Gerard] Pique and [Samuel] Eto'o shouldn't have had their arms up.
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<br />"It's sad to see. There's situations like Drogba, who was having his shirt pulled, and Malouda, who was grabbed inside the box [by Dani Alves allegedly]. It's also a penalty.
<br />
<br />"It's not just one doubtful call. Ask the people who put the referee in charge of this game [about it]."
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<br />Chelsea did have other chances, though, and Barcelona's Eric Abidal was sent off, despite making minimal contact as he chased Nicolas Anelka.
<br />
<br />"The red card? It was difficult," Hiddink admitted.
<br />
<br />"We should have scored from open situations, too."
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<br />Ending with a word about the furious conduct of the likes of Drogba and Michael Ballack at the end of the contest, the Dutchman added, "I can fully understand [their reaction] in the emotion of the game. I thank my players for this emotion."
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<br /></div></roottag>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-14053088699348900262009-04-14T10:35:00.003+08:002009-04-14T11:13:28.836+08:00Chelsea The Best Bet Of The Big Four To Win The Champions League<a href="http://i.media.goal.com/g/46780_news.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="WIDTH: 200px; HEIGHT: 290px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/46780_news.jpg" /></span></a><br /><div><br /><div><div><div><div><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">English Angle: Chelsea The Best Bet Of The Big Four To Win The Champions League<br />This weekend's action saw four more wins for for the Prem's finest and revealed why the Blues are the best bet to stop Barca winning in Rome, according to Goal.com's Sulmaan Ahmad</span><br /><br /></p><p><a href="http://www.blogger.com/en/teams/england/97/manchester-united" xckxr="0" bv989="0"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Manchester United</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Another routine dose of Premier League conformity saw a thrashing, two comebacks - one being closer than the other - and a whirlwind start followed by a capitulation that almost threatened the game's result, but didn't.The big four all reached their destination, by one route or another, while the chasing duo squared off and shared three goals each; each giving their all and in doing so, essentially ruling themselves out of contention for Champions League football next season. Europa League, here they come.Meanwhile, the frail-looking four turn their attentions back to the big time. Three of them undershot in the first leg and their collective dominance is now already under scrutiny. They barely got past their domestic opposition at the weekend - with the exception of the team who have the least hope in Europe - and with every passing day, Barcelona are looking more and more like potential winners.But then, it's never that simple. As good as Barca might be, their chances of winning the trophy can never be greater than 50 per cent and when observing their hypothetical route to the final, it becomes increasingly obvious that if anybody is going to stop them, at this stage it looks far more likely than not that it will be a Prem side.Looking towards Barcelona, from this weekend's action we can at least surmise that Liverpool don't rely on Steven Gerrard quite as much as people think they do. Both Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres have become more key components in the setup - speaking from a strictly tactical perspective - and that every now and again, the Reds really can dominate a game.It doesn't happen often and, unfortunately, it only seems to happen too late in the day, but what it did show is that if Liverpool make it past Chelsea, they have all the ingredients to be the most likely to eliminate Barcelona as well.Their problem is that they're as good as out already. We all remember what happened in Istanbul, we all remember that Hiddink, in charge of Russia, lost by three clear goals twice to Spain at Euro 2008 and yes, we all remember the Blues shipping three at home against Bolton, because it was two days ago.Three factors here are key:1) This is a two-legged tie, unlike the 2005 Champions League final, and the time between each 'half' to reassess, reorganise, re-energise allows them to head out at Stamford Bridge with a Guus-crafted seventeen-prong gameplan allowing for every eventuality to ensure that, above all else, they do not lose the tie. They will not lose the tie.2) On top of that, the gulf in class between Spain and Russia is far more discernible than that between Chelsea and Liverpool - that is to say if there is a gulf at all.And 3) Yes, they did ship three in nine minutes against Bolton at the Bridge in their own little Istanbul moment, but they were already winning by four and had taken off their key players ahead of Tuesday's showdown. Liverpool not only need to score three but to win by two - and that will only get them extra time.So based on the assumption that Chelsea and Barcelona do what they should do, they will square off in their first ever semi-final. This clash has become a classic, second only to Chelsea-Liverpool in recent years. But this time, there will be no Mourinho, Rijkaard or Ronaldinho. Both sides are mostly the same, but that little bit different.If Barcelona make it to the final, it would take a brave man to bet against them winning it. They already monopolised possession and chances against Man United last year, and that was in the middle of a slump - just imagine what they could do now. Arsenal don't have the resilience they did in 2006, and while they would most likely have the added bonus of their goalkeeper not getting sent off in the early stages, this would be unlikely to affect the outcome when they face a team like their own, but stronger - literally, as well as in terms of the quality they possess.What Fergie and Wenger's men lack is the midfield strength of the Blues - and that could be key to cutting through Barcelona and exposing their less than perfect defence.There of course remains the small matter of fact that should the Blues even manage to overthrow Barca - not to say that they will, but they are the most likely - they will then have to contest a final. What makes them the favourites to win that?They will certainly feel as though they have a score to settle after last year's heartbreak. Drogba in particular, will look to erase the memory of the one big game in which he has not only failed to perform but as good as sealed his side's exit with his late sending off. Guus Hiddink will be a man under no pressure whatsoever, much like Luis Aragones with Spain, knowing that he is already leaving. And lastly, the fact they will have just beaten Barcelona to get to Rome is bound to unearth an insecurity or two in the likes of United, Arsenal or even Porto, with Villarreal highly unlikely to make it to the semis with their </span><a style="POSITION: static; TEXT-DECORATION: underline !important" id="KonaLink0" oncontextmenu="return false;" class="kLink" onmouseover="adlinkMouseOver(event,this,0);" onmouseout="adlinkMouseOut(event,this,0);" onclick="adlinkMouseClick(event,this,0);" target="_top" href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/editorial/2009/04/13/1205927/english-angle-chelsea-the-best-bet-of-the-big-four-to-win-the-ch#"><span style="font-family:verdana;">injury</span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> and consistency afflictions, never mind the final.We cannot underestimate the capabilities of Arsenal on their day, particularly as they now have fourth place sewn up in the league and are unlikely to care too greatly about the FA Cup. And United, of course, even when they look flimsy, can turn out a result like the best of them. It's Chelsea who are peaking at the right point to succeed in the pressure cooker environment of Champions League football.What may motivate them most of all is that this really could be their last chance for a couple of years, as a new cycle beckons, with no Hiddink in the picture and it may - not will, but may - take time to get back here again.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Sulmaan Ahmad, Goal.com<br /></span></p><br /><p><br /><a href="http://img.skysports.com/09/03/218x298/michaelessienjuve_1984539.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="WIDTH: 218px; HEIGHT: 298px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://img.skysports.com/09/03/218x298/michaelessienjuve_1984539.jpg" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Essien - All about the team<br />Blues midfielder happy to play anywhere for Hiddink<br /><br />Michael Essien insists he is willing to do any job asked of him by Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink.<br />The powerhouse midfielder caught the eye with an exemplary man-marking job on Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard in last week's 3-1 win at Anfield in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-final.<br />Essien reined in his natural box-to-box instincts to keep Gerrard quiet after making an impressive return from a knee injury.<br />He scored against Juventus in the previous round of the Champions League on his first start back, but Essien insists the team's performance is always the priority.<br />Respect<br />"Everybody said I must have been very happy with the goal, but for me, it is all about the team work," said Essien.<br />"We did a good job in Turin and it was a very positive result, so that is what is most important. I don't play for myself, I play for the team.<br />"I'd describe myself as a box-to-box midfielder, but I'll always respect the manager's decision, wherever I'm picked to play.<br />"Against Juventus it was a tactical move to put me on the right to try to stop the runs of Pavel Nedved.<br />"I always listen to the manager and I just go onto the field for every game and do what he asks me to do. So I don't really mind where I play as long as I'm out there doing a job for the team and the manager."<br />Hiddink is in charge of Chelsea until the end of the season and Essien admits the players are keen to send the Dutchman on his way with a trophy.<br />"He knows how to talk to his players and he has his own style which is very different to the others I've played for here," revealed Essien.<br />"Hopefully we can win something for him before he leaves. But we'll see what happens, We've got some really big games coming up that aren't going to be easy.<br />"We'll just have to try our best and make sure we win those games.<br /></span></p><br /><br /><p><a href="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45661000/jpg/_45661234_hiddinkpa.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="WIDTH: 226px; HEIGHT: 170px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45661000/jpg/_45661234_hiddinkpa.jpg" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hiddink demands correct attitude<br />First leg result: Liverpool 1-3 Chelsea Uefa Champions League, Quarter-final second leg Venue: Stamford Bridge<br /><br />Guus Hiddink is wary of the threat Liverpool present<br />Guus Hiddink has demanded Chelsea's players put his summer exit out of their minds when they face Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday.<br />The Dutchman said: "If the players are underperforming because the manager is leaving at the end of the season, it's not the right professional attitude.<br />"We're very sharp on that attitude. Even though I'm not here next year, they have to respond.<br />"If they don't, they're not equipped to be at a big club."<br />On Monday, the day before the quarter-final second leg against Liverpool, Chelsea confirmed Hiddink would leave the club and return to a full-time role with Russia at the end of the season.<br />Chelsea won the first leg 3-1 at Anfield but they go into the game on the back of conceding three late goals in their 4-3 win against Bolton on Saturday.<br /><br />Horse-Power<br />"Going 4-0 up against Bolton and then conceding as we did was like an alarm clock ringing for this upcoming game," Hiddink added.<br />"We should have controlled the last part of the game. We can concede one, but that one alarm bell should be enough.<br />"We've prepared very seriously for Liverpool. A lot of people have said that if you win an away game in Europe like we did, then you won't have any concerns for the second leg. But we're not thinking like that.<br />"Liverpool are a very good team who play beautiful football and we're very aware of that. There is no reason to have complacency against any team, but especially Liverpool with what they have done in the past."</span><br /></p><p></p><br /><a href="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/mar2009/9/8/rafa-888067536.jpg"><img style="WIDTH: 450px; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/mar2009/9/8/rafa-888067536.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Chelsea v Liverpool: Rafa: 'We must use lessons of Istanbul'<br /><br />Liverpool have nothing to lose and maybe even a Premier League to win, as they travel to Stamford Bridge tonight.<br />That was the message from boss Rafa Benitez yesterday, as he insisted that the Champions League showdown with Chelsea could offer a springboard towards glory.<br />The Spanish coach accepts that the odds are stacked against his side as they try to reverse a devastating 3-1 setback from the first leg of the quarter-final.<br />But Benitez believes his team can now go out and play without pressure, express themselves and show the sort of pride that could provide a lift in the remaining weeks of the season.<br />With Liverpool needing to score at least three times to reach a semi-final against Barcelona, Benitez has called on his players to summon up the spirit of Istanbul where his side fought back from 3-0 down to win the European Cup against AC Milan four years ago.<br />Guus Hiddink’s team will be without their captain John Terry who is suspended, and after conceding three goals in seven minutes to Bolton on Saturday, the Blues may have doubts lingering at the back of their minds.<br />“If we do get through, then it would be fantastic for the fans and for the club, and it is a good message for the players to use the lessons of Istanbul,” said Benitez. “That showed anything is possible. And Chelsea will be confident after beating us...and that could just be dangerous for them, you never know.<br />“In football, it is always dangerous to believe you have the job done when it isn’t. When you have conceded three goals in your last game, as Chelsea did, then clearly you are a little nervous, and there may just be some doubt in their mind.”<br />Benitez has his own doubts over the game, most particularly in whether to risk skipper Steven Gerrard for a tie his side most probably now can’t win.<br />The midfielder has responded to treatment on a groin injury, but even though he is desperate to play, he isn’t fully fit, and the manager knows his presence would be a risk, given that the league title is also at stake.<br />“He wants to play, that is clear, and if he is available then we would want him from the start, because it is a risk with an injury like that to come on cold as a substitute with a different type of warm-up,” explained Benitez.<br />“But we will have to see. He has played before with this injury, but now we need people who are 100 per cent fit. It is not a massive risk...it would be a calculated one, because we could lose the player for 10 to 15 days if he breaks down.”</span></p><p><br /><br /><a href="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/feb2009/9/1/Guus_Hiddink_pic_Getty_167597967.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="WIDTH: 450px; HEIGHT: 329px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/feb2009/9/1/Guus_Hiddink_pic_Getty_167597967.jpg" /></span></a><br /></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Chelsea v Liverpool: Guus lays down law: ‘History tells us if we take Reds for granted we’re in big trouble’<br /><br /><br />Guus Hiddink last night laid down the law for his Chelsea side as he told them: “You must NEVER underestimate Liverpool.”<br />Chelsea run out against Rafa Benitez’s Reds as odds-on favourites to complete their passage to a fifth Champions League semi-final in six years after their Anfield masterclass.<br />Champions League history makes even grimmer reading for the Merseysiders, with 24 of the 25 sides who have lost the home first leg in the competition having been eliminated.<br />Yet, as Hiddink ordered his men to go for the jugular again and not give Liverpool even a glimmer of hope of a momentous comeback, the Dutchman admitted Benitez’s team are the one side in Europe you cannot afford to write off.<br />Hiddink said: “There is no room for complacency, whatever the team you are playing against.<br />“But when you are playing Liverpool, especially with what they did in the past, you know you cannot have any at all.<br />“I don’t like to depend on luck. It gives you an excuse most of the time and we’ve prepared very seriously.<br />“A lot of people have said that if you win an away game in Europe like we did, you won’t have any concerns for the second game.<br />“But we’re not thinking like that and we must not think like that. Liverpool are a very good team who play beautiful football, and we’re very aware of that.”<br />Fernando Torres scored against Chelsea to take last season’s semi-final meeting into extra-time and also opened the scoring last week before Branislav Ivanovic’s set-piece threat and Didier Drogba’s super finish put the Blues in control.<br />And while Hiddink hopes Michael Essien can again bottle up Steven Gerrard, he thinks keeping Torres under wraps is the key to progress.</span></p><p><br /><a href="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/apr2009/1/5/image-9-for-liverpool-champions-league-training-gallery-979691294.jpg"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img style="WIDTH: 450px; HEIGHT: 311px; CURSOR: hand" border="0" alt="" src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/apr2009/1/5/image-9-for-liverpool-champions-league-training-gallery-979691294.jpg" /></span></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Steven Gerrard injury boost for Liverpool<br /><br />Steven Gerrard is set to be fit in time for Liverpool's Champions League clash with Chelsea tomorrow night according to boss Rafa Benitez.<br />Gerrard has been struggling with a groin injury, but Benitez today revealed his captain was responding well to treatment ahead of the crunch match at Stamford Bridge.<br />"Steven is getting better, he has been working with the physio and will train later today," he said.<br />"We will then discuss the situation with the doctors, but Steven will travel with the party to London and I will make a decision tomorrow".<br /></span><a target="_blank" href="http://ad.amgdgt.com/ads/?t=c&s=AAAAAQAUrX3FEymNlxRooNIZAWljNp2ROitjbGt1cmwsaHR0cDovL3d3dy5pbnZlbnRub3cub3JnLGMsNDcyMjYscGMsMTQwMTIsYWMsMTM0ODAsbCwxMjcwMQo-&j="></a><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"We are 3-1 down and we know that everything can change if we have Steven in the side and he plays well."<br />The Reds will also have midfielder Javier Mascherano back from suspension, while Chelsea will be without captain John Terry, who is banned after being booked during the Blues' 3-1 first-leg victory at Anfield.<br />Jose Bosingwa remains a doubt for the Blues with a hamstring injury.</span></p></div></div></div></div></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-48948374982189520842009-03-31T18:01:00.002+08:002009-03-31T18:15:57.939+08:00Chelsea Hiddink Plans And International Week<h1 style="font-family: verdana;">National service leaves Premier League bosses with a nervy wait and deserted training pitches<br /></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;">There will certainly be some empty training grounds among the Barclays Premier League clubs this week.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">With players on international duty in all corners of the globe, the top-flight managers have 10 days of fretting to ensure their boys come back wrapped in cotton wool.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-city.html">Manchester City </a>have the most players on international duty (18), but <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">United</a>, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> and <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/arsenal.html">Arsenal </a>are not far behind with 16 or 17 players from each club representing their countries.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/liverpool.html">Liverpool </a>have released half of the Spain team and there's a large French contingent leaving the Emirates, while <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/bolton-wanderers.html">Bolton </a>provide the only representative from Oman and a <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/portsmouth.html">Portsmouth </a>player is the sole Canadian.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">From Ecuador to Egypt and Switzerland to Slovakia there will be Premier League players busting a gut for their national team.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Sportsmail </i>looks at the men who are swapping their day jobs for some international jet-setting.<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span></p><h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Arsenal (17)</span> </h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Emmanuel Adebayor (Togo)<br /></p><p>Andrey Arshavin (Russia)</p><p>Abou Diaby (France)</p><p>Eduardo (Croatia)</p><p>Kieran Gibbs (Eng U21)</p><p>Bacary Sagna (France)</p><p>Carlos Vela (Mexico)</p></div><div class="third"><p>Nicklas Bendtner (Den)</p><p>Johann Djourou (Swi)</p><p>Lukasz Fabianski (Poland)</p><p>Samir Nasri (Fra)</p><p>Kolo Toure (Ivory Coast)<br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>Gael Clichy (France)</p><p>Emmanuel Eboue (Ivo)</p><p>William Gallas (France)<br /></p><p>Aaron Ramsey (Wales)</p><p>Robin Van Persie (Hol)</p></div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-01C1F35D00000578-955_468x384.jpg" alt="arshavin" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="384" /> <p class="imageCaption">From Russia with love and hopefully no injuries: Gunners star Arshavin</p></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#993366;">Aston Villa</span> <span style="color:#993366;">(9)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>G Agbonlahor (Eng U21)</p><p>Craig Gardner (Eng U21)</p><p>James Milner (Eng U21)<br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>Gareth Barry (England)</p><p>Brad Guzan (USA)</p><p>Stiliyan Petrov (Bulgaria)<br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>John Carew (Norway)</p><p>Emile Heskey (England)</p><p>Moustapha Salifou (Togo)</p></div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <br /><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="scrollText">Scroll down for more</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-029E094A00000578-857_468x421.jpg" alt="heskey" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="421" /> <p class="imageCaption">Forward thinking: Heskey's hard work is key for England</p></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Blackburn (10)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Keith Andrews (Ireland)</p><p>Benni McCarthy (Sth Africa)</p><p>Martin Olsson (Swe U21)</p> <p>Zurab Khizanishvili (Geo) <br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>Alan Judge (Ireland U21)</p><p>Aaron Mokoena (Sth Africa)</p><p>Andrew Ooijer (Holland)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>El Hadji Diouf (Senegal)</p><p>Ryan Nelsen (N Zealand)</p><p>Morten Pedersen (Norway)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#004db3;">Bolton (8)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Ali Al-Habsi (Oman)</p><p>Jussi Jaaskelainen (Fin)</p><p>Euzebiusz Smolarek (Pol) </p> </div><div class="third"><p>Tamir Cohen (Israel)</p><p>Fabrice Muamba (Eng U21)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Johan Elmander (Sweden)</p><p>Danny Shittu (Nigeria)</p><p>Gretar Rafn Steinsson (Ice)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Chelsea (16)<br /></span></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Michael Ballack (Germany)</p><p>Petr Cech (Cze)</p><p>Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast)</p><p>Michael Mancienne (Eng U21)</p><p>Frank Lampard (Eng)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Jose Bosingwa (Portugal)</p><p>Ashley Cole (England)</p><p>Michael Essien (Ghana)</p><p>Salomon Kalou (Ghana)<br /></p><p>John Obi Mikel (Nigeria)</p><p>Rhys Taylor (Wales U21) </p> </div><div class="third"><p>Ricardo Carvalho (Por)</p><p>Deco (Portugal)</p><p>Branislav Ivanovic (Serbia)</p><p>Ben Sahar (Israel)</p><p>John Terry (England)</p><p> Nicolas Anelka (France) *withdrew through injury<br /><br /></p> <br /></div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="scrollText">Scroll down for more</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"> <div class="splitLeft"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-02349044000005DC-442_224x339.jpg" alt="ballack" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="339" /> </div> <div class="splitRight"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-0168D1C100000578-454_224x339.jpg" alt="john terry" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="339" /> </div> <div class="clear"> </div> </div></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Natural leaders: Ballack left) and Terry wear the armbands on international duty<br /></p><h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#004db3;">Everton (11)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Leighton Baines (England)</p><p>Marouane Fellaini (Bel)</p><p>Phil Jagielka (England)</p><p>Jack Rodwell (Eng U21) </p> </div><div class="third"><p>Tim Cahill (Australia)</p><p>Tim Howard (USA)</p><p>Joleon Lescott (England)</p><p>Joseph Yobo (Nigeria)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Segundo Castillo (Ecu)</p><p>Lars Jacobsen (Denmark)</p><p>Steven Pienaar (Sth Africa) </p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;">Fulham (9)<br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Chris Baird (Nth Ire)</p><p>Zoltan Gera (Hungary)</p><p>Toni Kallio (Finland)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Simon Davies (Wales)</p><p>Brede Hangeland (Norway)</p><p>John Pantsil (Ghana) </p> </div><div class="third"><p>Clint Dempsey (USA)</p><p>Aaron Hughes (Nth Ire)</p><p>Mark Schwarzer (Australia)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#ffcc00;">Hull City (8)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Caleb Folan (Ireland)</p><p>Kevin Kilbane (Ireland) </p><p>Kamil Zayatte (Guinea)<br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>Richard Garcia (Australia)</p><p>Boaz Myhill (Wales)<br /></p><p>Daniel Cousin (Gabon)<br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>Peter Halmosi (Hungary)</p><p>Sam Ricketts (Wales)<br /></p></div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Liverpool (16)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Daniel Aggar (Denmark)</p><p>Ryan Babel (Holland)</p><p>Jonny Evans (Nth Ireland)</p><p>Steven Gerrard (England)</p><p>Jose Reina (Spain)</p><p>Fernando Torres (Spain)</p><p class="scrollText">Scroll down for more</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Xabi Alonso (Spain)</p><p>Yossi Benayoun (Israel)</p><p>Sami Hyypia (Finland)</p><p>Javier Mascherano (Arg)</p><p>Albert Riera (Spain)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Alvar Arbeloa (Spain)</p><p> Andrea Dossena (Italy)</p><p>Dirk Kuyt (Holland)</p><p>David N'Gog (Liv U21)</p><p>Martin Skrtel (Slovakia)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-035E2048000005DC-983_468x617.jpg" alt="torres" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="617" /> <p class="imageCaption">Spain gain: Torres downed Germany in the final of Euro 2008</p></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#99ccff;">Manchester City (18)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Craig Bellamy (Wales)</p><p>Nigel de Jong (Holland)</p><p>Ched Evans (Wales)</p><p>Joe Hart (England U21)</p><p>Nedum Onuoha (Eng U21)</p><p>Robinho (Brazil)</p><br /><p class="scrollText">Scroll down for more</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Valeri Bojinov (Bulgaria)</p><p>Richard Dunne (Ireland)</p><p>Gelson Fernandes (Swi)</p><p>Vincent Kompany (Bel)</p><p>Martin Petrov (Bulgaria)</p><p>Vladimir Weiss (Slovakia)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Felipe Caicedo (Ecuador)</p><p>Elano (Brazil)</p><p>Shay Given (Ireland)</p><p>Ryan McGivern (Nth Ire)</p><p>Micah Richards (Eng U21)</p><p>Shaun Wright-Phillips (England)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-041329ED000005DC-774_468x307.jpg" alt="robinho and elano" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="307" /> <p class="imageCaption">Samba stars: Brazil hero Kaka, a Manchester City target in January, with Eastlands regulars Elano (left) and Robinho (right)</p></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"> Manchester United (16)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Anderson (Brazil)</p><p>Rio Ferdinand (England)</p><p>Darron Gibson (Ireland)</p><p>Ji-sung Park (South Korea)</p><p>Carlos Tevez (Argentina)</p><p>Danny Welbeck (Eng U21)</p><br /><p class="scrollText">Scroll down for more</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Michael Carrick (England)</p><p>Darren Fletcher (Scotland)</p><p>Nani (Portugal)</p><p>Cristiano Ronaldo (Por)</p><p>Zoran Tosic (Serbia)</p><p>Dmitar Berbatov (Bulgaria) *withdrew with injury</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Patrice Evra (France)</p><p>Ben Foster (England)</p><p>John O'Shea (Ireland)</p><p>Wayne Rooney (England)</p><p>Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-024E43FC000005DC-809_468x456.jpg" alt="fletcher" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="456" /> <p class="imageCaption">Scot the lot: Fletcher has had a fine season with Manchester United</p></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#ff0000;"> Middlesbrough (6)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Stewart Downing (England)</p><p>Tuncay Sunli (Turkey)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Adam Johnson (Eng U21)</p><p>Andrew Taylor (Eng U21)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Emanuel Pogatetz (Austria)</p><p>David Wheater (Eng U21)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;">Newcastle (4)<br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Damien Duff (Ireland)</p><p>Obafemi Martins (Nigeria) </p> </div><div class="third"><p>Geremi (Cameroon)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Jonas Gutierrez (Argentina)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Portsmouth (11)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Angelos Basinas (Greece)</p><p>Martin Cranie (Eng U21)</p><p>Theofanis Gekas (Greece)</p><p>Niko Kranjcar (Croatia)</p><br /><p class="scrollText">Scroll down for more</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Asmir Begović (Canada)</p><p>Peter Crouch (England)</p><p>David James (England)</p><p>Armand Traore (France U21)<br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>Nadir Belhadj (Algeria)</p><p>Hermann Hreidarsson (Iceland)</p><p>Glen Johnson (England) </p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"> <div class="splitLeft"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-040550A6000005DC-835_224x338.jpg" alt="david james" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="338" /> <p class="imageCaption">Safe hands: James</p></div> <div class="splitRight"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-04054A3D000005DC-761_224x338.jpg" alt="Peter Crouch" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="338" /> <p class="imageCaption">Tall order: Peter Crouch</p></div> <div class="clear"> </div> </div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Stoke (5)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Abdoulaye Faye (Senegal)</p><p>Thomas Sorensen (Den) </p> </div><div class="third"><p>Stephen Kelly (Ireland)</p><p>Glenn Whelan (Ireland)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Ryan Shawcross (England U21)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Sunderland (9)</span><br /></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Tal Ben Haim (Israel)</p><p>Craig Gordon (Scotland)</p><p>George McCartney (Nth Ire) </p> </div><div class="third"><p>Carlos Edwards (Tri & Tob)</p><p>David Healy (Nth Ireland)</p><p>Paul McShane (Ireland) </p> </div><div class="third"><p>Marton Fulop (Hungary)</p><p>Kenwyne Jones (Tri & Tob)</p><p>Teemu Tainio (Finland) </p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#333399;">Tottenham (13)<br /></span></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Gareth Bale (Wales)</p><p>Chris Gunter (Wales)</p><p>Robbie Keane (Ireland)</p><p> Ledley King (England) *withdrew through injury</p><p>Roman Pavlyuchenko (Russia)<br /></p><p class="scrollText">Scroll down for more</p></div><div class="third"><p>Fraizer Campbell<br />(England U21)</p><p>Tom Huddlestone (England U21)</p><p>Aaron Lennon (England)</p><p>Jamie O'Hara (Eng U21)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>Vedran Corluka (Croatia)</p><p>Alan Hutton (Scotland)</p><p>Luka Modric (Croatia)</p><p>Wilson Palacios (Hon)</p><p>Didier Zokora (Ivory Coast)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"> <div class="splitLeft"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-040EB5E8000005DC-484_224x423.jpg" alt="alan hutton" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="423" /> <p class="imageCaption">Spurred on: Hutton</p></div> <div class="splitRight"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/25/article-1164692-0405DE86000005DC-661_224x423.jpg" alt="croat" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="423" /> <p class="imageCaption">By the Croat: Modric</p></div> <div class="clear"> </div> </div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#333399;">West Brom (4)<br /></span></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Chris Brunt (Nth Ireland)</p><p>Carl Hoefkens (Belgium)<br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>Marek Cech (Slovakia)</p> </div><div class="third"><p>James Morrison (Scotland) </p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#993366;">West Ham (11)<br /></span></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"><div class="thinArtSplitter"><div class="first third"><p>Valon Behrami (Swi)</p><p>Jack Collison (Wales)</p><p>Radoslav Kovac (Cze)</p><p>Jonathan Spector (USA)<br /></p></div><div class="third"><p>Carlton Cole (England)</p><p>Danny Gabbidon (Wales)</p><p>Lucas Neill (Australia)</p><p>Matthew Upson (England) </p></div><div class="third"><p>James Collins (Wales)</p><p>Robert Green (England)</p><p>Mark Noble (England U21)</p> </div><div class="clear"> </div></div></div> <h2 style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="color:#0000ff;">Wigan (8)<br /></span></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="first third"><p>Lee Cattermole (Eng U21)</p><p>Jason Koumas (Wales)</p><p>Antonia Valencia (Ecuador)</p> </div><p style="font-family: verdana;">Erik Edman (Sweden)</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Mido (Egypt)</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Amr Zaki (Egypt)</p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></h1><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea face up to life without Hiddink as plans are made for next season<br /></h1><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="floatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/24/article-0-0408AA1D000005DC-321_306x423.jpg" alt="hiddink" class="blkBorder" width="306" height="423" /> <p class="imageCaption">Time is running out: Blues can't wait for Hiddink</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea </a>chairman Bruce Buck insists the club have started planning for next season without Guus Hiddink because they can't afford to wait until November to see if he can become their permanent manager.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink, who is also coach of Russia, took over in February on the proviso he would only stay until the end of the season.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The 62-year-old has made a big impact at Stamford Bridge, but is determined to help Russia qualify for next year's World Cup.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">He revealed last week he has a clause in his Russia contract which could see him leave in November should they fail to qualify and will meet officials in Moscow tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the situation.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But Buck said: 'The situation is the same as it was when he came. We are planning on that basis.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Forget Liverpool - Hiddink is already planning a last hurrah with Chelsea in Rome Euro final<br /></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;">Guus Hiddink has brushed off <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/liverpool.html">Liverpool</a>'s Champions League challenge by insisting he expects <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea </a>to overcome the Reds and reach the final in Rome.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/24/article-1164403-03AB7CBB000005DC-525_233x343.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink" class="blkBorder" width="233" height="343" /> <p class="imageCaption">Final countdown: Guus Hiddink intends to be in May's Champions League final</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The Dutchman admits he was heartbroken that his team lost at <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/tottenham-hotspur.html">Tottenham </a>and is now focusing on European glory after conceding the Barclays Premier League title appeared to be out of reach.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink reiterated the official line that he will leave Chelsea to resume full control of Russia at the end of the season, though he intends to go out on a high.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'It's true that many people have urged me to stay on at Chelsea,' he told Russian newspaper <span style="font-style: italic;">Sovetksi Sport</span>. 'I'm tired of repeating the same thing over and over. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'But the situation has not changed; I will leave Chelsea in May. I intend that this is very late in the month - after the match in Rome.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">With Liverpool firmly embroiled in the fight for the Premier League title following <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a>'s back-to-back defeats, Chelsea hope the Reds will be distracted when they meet in the Champions League quarter-final over two legs next month.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The winners face Barcelona or Bayern Munich in the last four, but Hiddink will be able to give plenty of attention to the European assault after admitting that Saturday's 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane had left them with little hope of winning the league.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/24/article-1164403-0405E9DF000005DC-358_468x414.jpg" alt="Luka Modric" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="414" /> <p class="imageCaption">Heart-breaking: Luka Modric fires through a crowd of players to score for Tottenham against Chelsea on Saturday</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'My heart is full of bitterness and sorrow,' he said of defeat to Spurs. 'Chelsea missed a great chance to catch up with Manchester United.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Neither Liverpool nor Chelsea can now make the slightest mistake. Liverpool can take advantage and we, unfortunately, can't.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">He said the title race was continuing, but admitted: 'We still need to win all our remaining matches. As you can see, this will be quite difficult.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink, preparing his Russia squad for World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Liechtenstein, said he would leave the national team post in the autumn if they failed to qualify for South Africa 2010.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But he insisted this did not have a bearing on his future in England. 'We will do everything - and even more - to qualify for the World Cup,' he said.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'But if not, the (Russian Football Union) will certainly want to find new strategies for the development of football in the country. And for that they need other people, not me. In that situation, I am ready to leave in November.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka an injury doubt for Champions League clashes with Liverpool<br /></h1><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="floatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/23/article-1164262-03222BC9000005DC-964_306x438.jpg" alt="Injury concern: Nicolas Anelka could miss Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final ties against Liverpool" class="blkBorder" width="306" height="438" /> <p class="imageCaption">Injury concern: Nicolas Anelka could miss Chelsea's Champions League quarter-final ties against Liverpool</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Nicolas Anelka is a major doubt for the first leg of <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea's</a> Champions League quarter-final against <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/liverpool.html">Liverpool</a> after aggravating his fractured big toe in the defeat against <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/tottenham-hotspur.html">Tottenham</a> on Saturday.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Anelka has withdrawn from the France squad for the World Cup qualification double-header against Lithuania. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">A statement on the French FA website claimed Anelka would be out for three weeks, meaning Chelsea's top scorer could also miss the second leg against Liverpool. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">However, Chelsea medical staff are hopeful Anelka is set for a shorter lay-off.</p>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-7291853938971521612009-03-18T22:47:00.002+08:002009-03-18T23:11:27.657+08:00Latest Chelsea News<h1 class="ss-header hstyle2 main-headline">Bosingwa remains upbeat</h1> <h3>Blues ace sets sights on silverware</h3><div class="ss-art-body"> <div class="ss-art-subcol"> <a href="http://img.skysports.com/08/12/800x600/Bosingwa-Jose_1597960.jpg" class="thickbox" title=""><img src="http://img.skysports.com/08/12/218x298/Bosingwa-Jose_1597960.jpg" alt="Bosingwa Jose" title="Bosingwa Jose" width="218" /></a> <p class="ss-text-caption">Bosingwa: Trophy dreams</p> <!--/art-col-links/--> </div><!--/ss-art-subcol/--> <p class="ss-text-bold">Jose Bosingwa envisages Chelsea will enjoy a successful climax to the 2008/09 campaign. </p> <p>The Blues remain in the hunt for Premier League and UEFA Champions League glory and are desperate to avoid ending a second consecutive season empty-handed.</p><p>Sitting four points behind league leaders Manchester United, albeit having played a game more than their rivals, the Blues appear well placed to launch a title tilt.</p><p>They have also progressed safely through to the quarter-finals of Europe's premier club competition and will be looking to go one better than last season's runners-up spot.</p><p>Bosingwa is confident Chelsea will get their hands on at least one piece of silverware this term, with the Portuguese full-back believing the club have found form at just the right time.</p><p>"After recent results, the spirit in the squad has risen and we are playing much better," he told the Portuguese media.</p><p>"The mentality of the squad has changed and that is partially due to the arrival of (Guus) Hiddink.</p><h4>Positive</h4><p>"We now use a different system and have improved as an attacking force.</p><p>"The return of (Didier) Drogba to top form is also crucial for us. I think he is very happy at the moment and that is positive for us. He is one of the best strikers in Europe and his quality is unquestionable."</p><p>Bosingwa admits the club's disappointing start to the season under former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari affected team morale, but is confident Hiddink can bring the good times back to Stamford Bridge.</p><p>"Although it was sad, what happened under Scolari, that is all in the past now," he added.</p><p>"Our only interest now is to play well for Hiddink and to do our best in all competitions.</p><p>"A club like Chelsea is built to compete at the latter stages of competitions like the Champions League."</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h1 class="large"> Juve ready to go with £11m Flo</h1><img src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00610/malouda_280x390_610764a.jpg" alt="TURNAROUND ... Florent Malouda" width="280" height="390" /> <p class="small bold">MALOUDA ... wanted in Italy</p><!-- Article Start --> <roottag><h2 class="padding-bottom-7" style="font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.05em;"> JUVENTUS are preparing an £11million summer bid for Chelsea star Florent Malouda. </h2><p class="article"> The Italian giants will swoop for the French international midfielder after making contact with his representatives. </p><p class="article"> Juve have targeted Malouda after Czech Republic legend Pavel Nedved, 36, announced last month he will retire at the end of this season. </p><p class="article"> A top source at the Turin club said: “We have been looking at a number of options and Malouda is very high on this list. </p><p class="article"> “Let’s see what happens at the end of the season.” </p><p class="article"> Malouda, 28, was set to stay on at Chelsea under old boss Big Phil Scolari but is now considering his options. </p><p class="article"> The France winger is close pals with striker Didier Drogba, whose Blues future is also in question. </p><p class="article"> Since new Chelsea gaffer Guus Hiddink took charge in February, Malouda has only started two games. </p><p class="article"> He moved to Stamford Bridge from Lyon for £13.5million in July 2007 but has only shown glimpses of his talent.<br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><h1 class="large"> Flo: Michael is Essential for us</h1></roottag><img src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00756/Michael_Essien_756076a.jpg" alt="Michael Essien" width="280" height="390" /> <p class="small bold">COMEBACK KING ... Michael Essien</p><roottag> <!-- Article Start --> <roottag><h2 class="padding-bottom-7" style="font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.05em;"> FLORENT MALOUDA has backed Michael Essien to propel Chelsea to glory. </h2><p class="article"> Ghana star Essien helped Chelsea to regain second place in the Premier League with a first-half winner against Manchester City on Sunday. </p><p class="article"> The victory was their fourth straight win under coach Guus Hiddink. </p><p class="article"> And France winger Malouda believes Essien's return has given the Blues a huge boost. </p><p class="article"> Malouda said: "He can make the difference. </p><p class="article"> "We are still trying to win three titles so we know that we will have a lot of games. </p><p class="article"> "Michael has that spirit, he has worked a lot to come back. </p><p class="article"> "I hope he will keep on scoring, help the strikers to score and improve our game. </p><p class="article"> "It's really important for us to see that after those months he spent working every day, to come back and be fit again is good. </p><p class="article"> "You can see his energy, his spirit and commitment to the team. </p><p class="article"> "He helps the game for the strikers because he keeps on running, gives good balls and yesterday he scored. </p><p class="article"> "He has a positive attitude and he gives a lot to the team. </p><p class="article"> "When you spend five months injured, you want to prove that the time you spent on the sidelines is not lost time. </p><p class="article"> "He will help all the players in the squad." </p><p class="article"> Malouda was also delighted to see Liverpool beat leaders Manchester United. </p><p class="article"> He added: "There is a big hope for us because of the result on Saturday. </p><p class="article"> "That victory will give hope to the other teams that play United because even if we win all our games we have to hope they fail and lose points."<br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><h1 class="medium-centered sIFR-replaced"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" class="sIFR-flash" src="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sIFR/fonts/futura.swf" quality="best" flashvars="content=Deco%20KO%20blow%20hits%20Blues%20bid&width=682&height=57&fitexactly=&tunewidth=&tuneheight=-5&offsetleft=&offsettop=&thickness=&sharpness=&kerning=&gridfittype=pixel&zoomsupport=false&flashfilters=&opacity=100&blendmode=&size=57&zoom=100&css=.sIFR-root%257Bleading%253A-15%253Bletter-spacing%253A-1.1%253Btext-align%253Acenter%253B%257Dem%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%2523CC0000%253B%257D.blue%257Bcolor%253A%2523CCCCCC%253B%257Dstrong%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%2523336add%253B%257Dspan%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%25233a59db%253B%257D&selectable=true&lines=1" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="transparent" name="sIFR_callback_0" id="sIFR_callback_0" allowscriptaccess="always" sifr="true" width="100%" height="71"></embed><span class="sIFR-alternate"> Deco KO blow hits Blues bid </span></h1> <div class="text-center"> <img src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00755/Deco_755105a.jpg" alt="RETURN ... Deco was back in action against Manchester City" width="682" height="400" /> </div> <p class="small bold">RETURN ... Deco was back in action against Manchester City</p><p class="article"> <!-- Article Start --> <roottag></roottag></p><h2 class="padding-bottom-7" style="font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.05em;"> DECO could be out for the rest of the season with a niggling hamstring injury. </h2><p class="article"> The Chelsea ace has been troubled by the problem for the last two months and was substituted in the first-half against Manchester City today. </p><p class="article"> He was making his first start since January and Hiddink thinks it is very doubtful that Deco will return this term. </p><p class="article"> Hiddink said: "He was fit and worked hard, but after 20 or 25 minutes he had this problem again, so he will be out again for a while. </p><p class="article"> "I think Deco will not be recovered very shortly. </p><p class="article"> "He'll have to be very fit to come back this season. </p><p class="article"> "I have my doubts to be honest but let's see what happens." </p><p class="article"><br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><h1 class="articleHeading">CHELSEA OFFLOAD DECO TO MADRID</h1> <!-- MAIN IMAGE, IT'S CAPTION AND THE GALLERY BIT --> <div style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 281px;"> <div style="background: transparent url(http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/58/281x351/73218_1.jpg) no-repeat scroll 0% 0%; float: left; width: 281px; height: 351px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" title="Deco"> </div> <div class="articleFirstImageCaption" style="width: 261px; float: left;"> ABOVE: Deco </div> </div> <p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy"><br /></p><p class="introcopy">Deco could have played his last game for Chelsea with Atletico Madrid lining up a £5m summer move.</p> <div style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 10px; width: 475px; float: left; display: inline;"><style> #bodycopy a { font-size: 12px; } </style> <p id="bodycopy">The 31-year-old midfielder picked up a hamstring injury at the weekend which could see him ruled out for the rest of the season.<br /> <br />But La Liga high-flyers Atletico want to take former Barcelona star Deco back to Spain.<br /> <br />Deco only arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer in an £8m move from the Nou Camp as Big Phil Scolari’s main signing.<br /> <br /> But the Portugal international has struggled with both fitness and form.<br /> <br />Atletico’s sport director Jesus Garcia Pitarch is believed to have already spoken to Deco’s agent Jorge Mendes according to sources in Spain.<br /> <br />It is unlikely, however, that any decision will be taken by Chelsea to sell the player until the summer because of the speculation over who will become their next permanent manager.<br /> <br />Guus Hiddink still maintains that he will not carry on beyond the end of the season due to his commitment to the Russian national team.<br /> <br />But Roman Abramovich is likely to cut his losses on the ageing midfielder, given that Chelsea hope to raise any transfer funds from players sold at the end of the season.<br /> <br />The player himself is eager to get back from injury before May to try to have a say in the final stages of the season.<br /> <br />Barcelona defender Dani Alves insists he will not be leaving the club this summer despite reports linking him to Chelsea.</p><p id="bodycopy"><br /></p><h1 class="medium-centered sIFR-replaced"><span class="sIFR-alternate">You'll never buy John Terry </span></h1> </div><p class="article"><br /></p><h1 class="medium-centered sIFR-replaced"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" class="sIFR-flash" src="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sIFR/fonts/futura.swf" quality="best" flashvars="content=You'll%20never%20buy%20John%20Terry&width=682&height=57&fitexactly=&tunewidth=&tuneheight=-5&offsetleft=&offsettop=&thickness=&sharpness=&kerning=&gridfittype=pixel&zoomsupport=false&flashfilters=&opacity=100&blendmode=&size=57&zoom=100&css=.sIFR-root%257Bleading%253A-15%253Bletter-spacing%253A-1.1%253Btext-align%253Acenter%253B%257Dem%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%2523CC0000%253B%257D.blue%257Bcolor%253A%2523CCCCCC%253B%257Dstrong%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%2523336add%253B%257Dspan%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%25233a59db%253B%257D&selectable=true&lines=1" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="transparent" name="sIFR_callback_0" id="sIFR_callback_0" allowscriptaccess="always" sifr="true" width="100%" height="71"></embed><span class="sIFR-alternate"><br /></span></h1> <div class="text-center"> <img src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00754/70JT_682x400_754469a.jpg" alt="LOYAL ... Guus Hiddink reckons Terry will be a Blue 'forever'" width="682" height="400" /> </div> <p class="small bold">LOYAL ... Guus Hiddink reckons Terry will be a Blue 'forever'</p><p class="article"><roottag></roottag></p><h2 class="padding-bottom-7" style="font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.05em;"> MOST things in football can be bought — including clubs, players and loyalty. </h2><p class="article"> But according to Guus Hiddink, John Terry is the exception to the rule. </p><p class="article"> The Chelsea captain is coveted by mega-rich Manchester City but JT’s love for his club is stronger than the lure of big bucks. </p><p class="article"> And it is his emotional attachment with the Blues which will see him end his career where he started it. </p><p class="article"> City, managed by Mark Hughes, made an enquiry for the England skipper last December but it was rejected out of hand by Chelsea. </p><p class="article"> And new Stamford Bridge boss Hiddink does not believe they are in danger of losing their on-field leader. He said: “I’m not in a position to talk about City’s enquiry but John made a very clear statement — that he is a Chelsea man and wants to stay a Chelsea man. </p><p class="article"> “I’m not the money man but the club made it very clear that they want to continue ‘forever’ with John. </p><p class="article"> “Some players are brought up within this club so it would be difficult to see him leave. There’s also a kind of history with him.” </p><p class="article"> But Chelsea were more than happy to accept around £20million from Sparky’s City side for Shaun Wright-Phillips and Wayne Bridge. Since last summer, Blues owner Roman Abramovich has become an interested spectator as the Arab billionaires in charge at Eastlands have become the new Chelsea. </p><p class="article"> City outbid Red Rom to bag Robinho for £32.5m from Real Madrid last August and followed that up with an unsuccessful world-record £105m bid for Milan’s Kaka. </p><p class="article"> But Hiddink voiced his discomfort at astronomical bids for players. </p><p class="article"> The Dutch gaffer said: “I’m rather amateur in this. Then you go to a philosophical approach — is a human being worth £1 or £200m to perform? </p><p class="article"> “Is it worth spending that money? Some people might think so but I don’t have the right answer on that. </p> <p class="article"> “With people who invest money in the clubs, of course it’s a decision. But I don’t care if it’s £100m or £10m. </p><p class="article"> “If I can have good players then the next step is whether the other management think it’s responsible to invest so much. </p><p class="article"> “Yes, it’s immoral but where are the boundaries? Is it £10m or £100m? It’s difficult to say.” </p><p class="article"> Hiddink is considering resting defender Alex for tomorrow’s lunchtime match and starting with the fit-again Ricardo Carvalho. </p><p class="article"> By then, Chelsea will know the result of today’s titanic showdown between Manchester United and Liverpool so will know what they must do to stay in the title battle.<br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><h1 class="medium-centered sIFR-replaced"><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" class="sIFR-flash" src="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sIFR/fonts/futura.swf" quality="best" flashvars="content=Terry:%20Forget%20about%20it%252C%20City&width=682&height=57&fitexactly=&tunewidth=&tuneheight=-5&offsetleft=&offsettop=&thickness=&sharpness=&kerning=&gridfittype=pixel&zoomsupport=false&flashfilters=&opacity=100&blendmode=&size=57&zoom=100&css=.sIFR-root%257Bleading%253A-15%253Bletter-spacing%253A-1.1%253Btext-align%253Acenter%253B%257Dem%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%2523CC0000%253B%257D.blue%257Bcolor%253A%2523CCCCCC%253B%257Dstrong%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%2523336add%253B%257Dspan%257Bfont-style%253Anormal%253Bcolor%253A%25233a59db%253B%257D&selectable=true&lines=1" wmode="transparent" bgcolor="transparent" name="sIFR_callback_0" id="sIFR_callback_0" allowscriptaccess="always" sifr="true" width="100%" height="71"></embed><span class="sIFR-alternate"> Terry: Forget about it, City </span></h1> <div class="text-center"> <img src="http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00755/John_Terry_755144a.jpg" alt="BLUE SUNDAY .... John Terry celebrates after Michael Essien scored against Manchester City" width="682" height="400" /> </div> <p class="small bold">BLUE SUNDAY .... John Terry celebrates after Michael Essien scored against Manchester City</p><p class="article"><roottag></roottag></p><h2 class="padding-bottom-7" style="font-size: 1.05em; line-height: 1.05em;"> JOHN TERRY has told Manchester City to forget about signing him. </h2><p class="article"> The Chelsea and England skipper insists he wants to spend the rest of his career at Stamford Bridge. </p><p class="article"> Terry, who was linked with a big-money move to Eastlands, said: "I can't ever see myself leaving Chelsea - I love this club. </p><p class="article"> "I've been here since the age of 14 and I never want to leave. </p><p class="article"> "I've done a statement because there was some speculation a few months ago and that's what I'm putting in it - I never want to leave Chelsea football club, simple as that."<br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><p class="article"><br /></p><p class="article"><strong><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondTitle" class="post_title">Chelsea starlet offered tempting proposition</span></strong></p> <p> <img id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondImage" class="float-left" src="http://www.sport.co.uk/public/images_news/mancienne.jpg" alt="Chelsea starlet offered tempting proposition" style="border-width: 0px;" /><strong><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondTitle" class="post_title"><br /></span></strong></p> <!-- Article Start --> <span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lText"><p>Liverpool and Manchester City are both monitoring Chelsea’s exciting defensive prospect Michael Mancienne and could move for the under-21 international in the summer, according to <em>The Times</em>.</p> <p>The 21-year-old, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Wolves, has seen his star rise this term and was even the subject of a surprise call-up to the England squad at the end of last year.</p> <p>The youngster is expected to begin contract negotiations at Stamford Bridge at the end of the season but having failed to secure regular first team football ahead of established figures such as John Terry, Ricardo Carvalho and Alex, the suggestion is that he could find his head turned by other offers.</p> <p>Manchester City in particular would have the financial power to make an attractive offer to Roman Abramovich and with other a proven track record of givin young English defenders a chance at the highest level they represent a tempting and exciting project to join.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></span><div class="news_heading"> Drogba rules out Manchester City move</div> <div class="news_article"> <br />Didier Drogba will not be joining Manchester City Football Club in the summer.<br /><br />The Ivorian striker is out of contract at the end of next season and has been linked with a move to City, but he insists his immediate future is at Stamford Bridge.<br /><br />“The only thing I can say about my commitment is that nobody can question it. Not even the Chelsea fans,” Drogba told Setanta Sports.<br /><br />“They cannot complain about my commitment. Sometimes as a man you take decisions or say things that turn out to be mistakes.<br /><br /><br /><h1 class="titlestory">Arsenal boss Wenger backing Tottenham to beat Chelsea</h1> <div class="content"> <p>Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger believes Tottenham could end Chelsea's title bid this weekend. </p><p> He told <i>arsenal.com</i>: “I watched the [Villa v Spurs] game. When you are in a position where you absolutely have to win the game it makes the game more difficult. When you are 1-0 down that becomes even more difficult. </p><p>“Spurs are a good team, they have shown that they can beat anybody in the league on their day. I feel they are improving as a team and that’s why they can make it difficult and I think they have a chance against Chelsea on Saturday."</p> </div>“As a human being we make mistakes and sometimes you have to apologise. But I’ve said before I will honour my contract and I will stick to my word.<br /><br />“I am very happy at Chelsea right now.” </div><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lText"></span></roottag><p></p></roottag><p></p><p></p></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-59048818435271105022009-03-17T00:39:00.005+08:002009-03-17T01:02:40.604+08:00~ Essien Earn Praises All Around, Deco Out Of The Season, Drogba Fit For Spurs And Chelsea Back In Title Race ~ <h3 class="headline" id="headline" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363">REACTION: METAL MICKEY </span></h3><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="postedDate" id="postedDate">Posted on: Mon 16 Mar 2009</div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">After half-a-year hidden away in the rehabilitation rooms and gyms of Cobham, you can't keep <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E27901,00.html">Michael Essien</a> out of the spotlight. <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E5593,00.html?WT.mc_id=terrypp-news">John Terry</a> has been quick to hail the return of a player he describes as a 'machine'.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Against Juventus five days earlier, Essien's goal had been the outstanding moment from his first start since reconstructive knee ligament surgery. Against Man City on Sunday there was much more - a full 90 minutes, chances created by defence-splitting passes, scoring attempts with shots and headers, plus of course the winning goal.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'Only Michael could do that,' announced Terry after the 1-0 win. 'Only he could come back and after two games have scored two goals and play as well as he has been. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'After so long out you think it would take three or four games to find his feet but he is an absolute machine. You see him working his socks off for six months in the gym and it pays dividends. He is brilliant and it is great to have him back.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Terry's fellow centre-back <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E28118,00.html?WT.mc_id=carvalhopp-news">Ricardo Carvalho</a> was another playing his first 90 minutes since injury, although the latest of his lay-offs was five months shorter than Essien.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We are both fit at the same time and Essien is very important for us. He showed in this game he has got a great quality and he fights every time,' said the Portuguese defender, joining in with the praise for his team-mate.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I've been out too long but I am happy to be back now. We have been having good results every match so everyone is more happy and when it is like that, it is easy to come back.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><img title="Man City home" alt="Man City home" src="http://www.chelseafc.com/javaImages/84/20/0,,10268%7E5513348,00.jpg" width="400" height="298" hspace="0" /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We are playing as a team and when we do we have quality in our squad and we can win our games.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">For players like Essien and Carvalho, their return comes at a time when eyes are still fixed firmly on silverware, even if the Barclays Premier League trophy is eyed-up with realistic caution, the weekend's events still leaving Man United four points ahead with a game in hand.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We have still got three competitions and for the Champions League and the FA Cup we must look for ourselves,' says Carvalho, 'but the Premier League we have to wait for Man United to drop points so it is more difficult, but still possible.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We have still got to win all our games to push them right to the end,' adds Terry. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We have shown our strength and character in the last month and if we keep doing that, we can apply some pressure to them. If they slip up, they know we are coming up behind them.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'Since the new manager has come in here we have played very well and got the right results. He has changed a few things, given a few of us a kick up the backside which I think we needed. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'Man United have good players but after a big defeat like they had this weekend, you never know how they are going to react. Hopefully they are going to go on a bad run but the main thing for us to do is keep winning and applying the pressure,'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Finally, Sunday's game against Man City, the club that put in an enquiry about buying Terry late last year, led to the subject being raised once more. Guus Hiddink in his short time here has seen a one-club man in the captain and said so on Friday.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I can't ever see myself leaving Chelsea Football Club,' Terry now reiterates. </p><span style="font-family:verdana;"> 'I love this club, I have been here since the age of 14 and </span><strong style="font-family:verdana;"><a title="" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268%7E1558107,00.html?WT.mc_id=newsedit" target="_self"><strong>I made a statement</strong></a></strong><span style="font-family:verdana;"> because of speculation a few months ago and that has still not put an end to it. I never want to leave Chelsea Football Club, as simple as that.'</span>
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<br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea's Frank Lampard is a credit to himself and his profession</h1> <!-- font resizer --> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="art-o art-align-left"> <img src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/mar2009/7/8/Image_6_for_team_of_the_week_gallery_662699730.jpg" alt="Frank Lampard, Chelsea (Getty)" width="450" border="0" height="339" /> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">You can argue with someone, but still recognise their qualities. You can reject what they represent, but respect their achievements.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">So here goes. Frank Lampard is a credit to himself and his profession. He deserves the serenity he seems to crave.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">He will welcome the diversion of the billionaires’ bunfight at Stamford Bridge this afternoon. For an all-too-brief period it will all make sense.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Lampard will be in his element, finding refuge in the eye of the storm that passes as a Premier League match. The release of Manchester City’s visit will be fleeting, reassuringly familiar.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">It will not matter that his personal life is the subject of a million water-cooler moments. He will be absorbed in the emotional ebb and flow of a game watched by millions from Abu Dhabi to Zanzibar.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Regular readers may remember we have previous. Lampard took exception to my damning comparison between his contract demands and the rewards of NHS staff.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">You don’t get far in my game if you betray confidences, and it would be unforgivable to go into detail.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Suffice to say a long, occasionally loud, conversation followed which ranged from definitions of greed, through the pain of loss, to the importance of allegiance.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">As he has subsequently admitted, he was on the ragged edge at the time, mourning his mother. The world has moved on, without minimising his sense of grief.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The recession has become a depression. A seat at a football match is in imminent danger of being a luxury item. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">City’s Arab owners have cheapened themselves, and their pet “project”, by accelerating football’s insane inflationary spiral. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">It’s still impossible to justify Lampard’s £39.2million deal, but that’s positively frugal compared to the ransoms being offered to Kaka & Co.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Those contracts have too many inducements, too few performance clauses.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Lampard, at least, gives everything of himself. His form has been the most constant factor in another comic strip season at Chelsea.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Were it not for the remarkable longevity and winning personality of Ryan Giggs, he would be a persuasive candidate for Footballer of the Year. The numbers – 67 England caps, 125 goals in 411 Chelsea appearances – don’t add up if they are the only things by which Lampard is judged.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The composure with which he accepted his absurd dismissal at Anfield earlier this season was especially impressive. It hinted at hidden virtues and values. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Guus Hiddink, his latest manager, has an instinct for influence, an eye for individuals to whom lesser characters gravitate.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink quickly understands the culture of a team he inherits. He dissects a dressing room, mentally separates the sheep from the stronger beasts.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">He saw, instantly, that Lampard and John Terry were central figures. They’re more subtle than shop stewards. They’re leaders, lobbyists. Smooth operators.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">That, of course, would be irrelevant if their performances did not match their political acumen. They deliver.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Lampard, in particular, has always made the most of his talent. It is the fluff of fame that irritates.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Footballers are accustomed to apologists. Somewhere, in the transition from promising player to global star, most of them lose a little of their humanity.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">It is no surprise they become self-absorbed. As one respected coach advised last week: “To understand footballers you have to study what has shaped them.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">“They’re conditioned to being cynical. The game teaches them no one else looks after them. They spend their lives in constant competition.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">“They’re either looking to get someone’s job, or to protect themselves against the kid who wants their place. They can’t stand still.”</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">He wasn’t being specific, but the summary rang true.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Run, Frankie, run.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">
<br /></p><h3 class="headline" id="headline" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363">AFTER THE WHISTLE: SUNDAY LUNCH </span></h3><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="postedDate" id="postedDate">Posted on: Mon 16 Mar 2009</div> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><i>There was no need to beware the Ides of March this year as one midfielder did his talking on the pitch and one from the past did his off it.
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<br /></i></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">If Michael Essien's first 90 minutes back surpassed expectations it is only because those expectations didn't take into account everything already known about our midfield powerhouse.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The biggest surprise about the Ghanaian's season is that his body was capable of succumbing to injury in the first place. When in the first 10 minutes on Sunday he surged through the centre in possession like a rugby league star in full flight, it was clear that the force was once again with him.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">During 65 minutes play away at Juventus, his passing understandably lacked sharpness and precision but on the second of his early advances against Man City, Essien played one of the balls of the game, working a long pass through two tight markers to the feet of <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E28142,00.html?WT.mc_id=drogbapp-news">Didier Drogba</a>.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Vision on the ball may not generally be talked about as one of the player's key strengths but his pass to pick out Drogba again immediately after the interval, when only an expertly-timed Nedum Onuoha tackle prevented a goal, would have made <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E6076,00.html?WT.mc_id=lampardpp-news">Frank Lampard</a> proud had he supplied it. Essien was also heavily involved in a great combination of passes that so nearly played Lampard through in the early stages.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">No-one is pretending the timing was right on the goal (although good reactions were needed to make any sort of contact on the swivel) and his strike on 30 minutes was hooked wide, so perhaps the shooting is yet to come. however a second-half piledriver on the run went a lot closer and sure enough, who was it still carrying the attack to Man City by charging up the pitch in the 88<sup>th</sup> minute?</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Matching Essien for moments of individual dominance this Sunday lunchtime was <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E5593,00.html?WT.mc_id=terrypp-news">John Terry</a> with his one-man salvage operation just before half-time. That was after Stephen Ireland had played the ball past him to Felipe Caicedo. The skipper also took over when City went aerial as the game drew on. It's little wonder the visitors took until the 82nd minute for a shot that dirtied Petr Cech's gloves.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Following the game Man City manager Mark Hughes spoke of leggy players, Chelsea's success in preventing his forwards making an impact and a difference in preparation time as robbing his side of its spark, handing the headline writers their words on a plate.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">And he may have had a fair point, with City playing Thursday then Sunday compared with our Tuesday- Sunday. However the Chelsea team had been away in Europe, traditionally considered a wrecker of form the following weekend. Man City had played at home.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">So far this season the squad has done relatively well after Champions League away trips with three out of the four games that followed won, including the impressive home victory over Aston Villa.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The home defeat by Arsenal following the draw in Bordeaux was the one failure, although our record matches Man United after Euro aways. They also lost to Arsenal following a game in Glasgow but won the other three, if a penalty shoot-out win in the Carling Cup Final is included. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">After the Whistle caught up with a midfielder from Chelsea's past following the weekend game. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Craig Burley is likely to be seen with his false front teeth in these days, unlike his time on the pitch in blue. That's because the former Scotland international is now a major part of Setanta's Barclays Premier League coverage, the reason he was watching Chelsea's fourth straight league win.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'Obviously the title race door's been opened a bit by the Man United-Liverpool result so it was up to Chelsea to go and make the most of that, which they did,' Burley told us. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I was quite pleased with their football at times, in patches they showed some good stuff, but at times I thought they were back to the Chelsea we'd become accustomed to which is a little bit ponderous. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'Having Essien back was obviously a huge bonus. His drive was belying somebody who has been out of the game for so long. Superhuman is the wrong word but it almost goes beyond the reality of being out for that amount of time to be able to produce that level of performance for that long. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I was pleased to see Drogba having some nice touches and showing a completely different body language to when Scolari was here. H<span>H</span>e looks as if he's in a different mindset now and that can only be good for the run-in.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Making sure Chelsea legs don't go before the end of the season will be part of the Hiddink plan although in his Friday press conference, there was a small but interesting insight into the temporary coaches thinking on this. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Rotating en masse to give rest is not something he especially believes in he stated. However players will be switched to make sure those not match-fit are in the best shape should they be the best option for future games.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">By selecting <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E27923,00.html?WT.mc_id=ballackpp-news">Michael Ballack</a> rather than <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E33408,00.html">John Mikel Obi</a> as the anchor midfielder on Sunday, Hiddink showed that position is no longer a straight choice between the young Nigerian (who was missing from a league starting line-up for the first time since August) and Essien, or possibly <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E28616,00.html">Juliano Belletti</a> in some circumstances.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">And with an unshackled Essien showing what he can bring to the party, it is hard to imagine he won't be bombing forward with Lampard again in the coming months.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">After a run of <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E20230,00.html?WT.mc_id=anelkapp-news">Nicolas Anelka</a> on the left of a front three, Hiddink also showed the Frenchman can be used on the right of Drogba, where he and José Bosingwa left Robinho in the shade until Deco's injury sent Anelka back over to the left.</p><span style="font-family:verdana;"> Following Claude Makelele's surprise drop-in on training at the Bridge recently, another back-to-back title winner came to see old friends this weekend. Having played and scored for Real Madrid on Saturday night, the winger was in London in time for our game.</span>
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<br /><div class="article" style="font-family:verdana;"> <div class="articleText"> <div id="articleHeadlineAndBody" class="articleHeadlineAndBody"><h3 class="headline" id="headline"><span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363">REACTION: CONFIDENCE BUILDING </span></h3><div class="postedDate" id="postedDate">Posted on: Mon 16 Mar 2009</div> <div class="articleBody" id="articleBody"><p><span lang="EN-GB">Guus Hiddink praised Michael Essien's influence after the midfielder's goalscoring league return, while also ruling <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E29254,00.html">Deco</a> out for some time.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Essien was making his first league appearance since August, while Deco, who had not started himself since January, limped off towards the end of the first half with more hamstring trouble.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Temporary coach Hiddink is expecting to be without the Portuguese playmaker for some time, and possibly until the end of the season. He did though report that Didier Drogba's injury which forced him off is not serious.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'He was fit, he worked hard the last weeks and played his games. After 20, 25 minutes he got his problem again and I think he will be out for a while,' was the verdict on <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E29254,00.html">Deco</a>. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'That's a pity, I think when he starts now he has to be very long and intense after his recovery medically to be very fit, so I have my doubts to be honest [about the rest of the season] but let's see in the upcoming time.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'On the other hand it was good to see Essien, Carvalho playing for 90 minutes, although Alex did very well in recent games but I want to have Carvalho game fit for the upcoming time. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'Drogba I think is not a big problem, I think he likes to be with the team, he likes to play, he likes to train so I think he will be recovered very soon. I think tomorrow or the day after he will be okay.'</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">Hiddink believes there is still room for improvement in his side's displays, despite six wins from seven games.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'We make decent games, we can improve, today we didn't materialise the game, we didn't come under threat from City because we were solid defensively,' he analysed. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'I would have liked it much more if we could finish it off in the first half. If we could score a second goal I think it could be a 4-0 game, but that's the only thing. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'We had some good play, some good attacks but at the end we have to finish it off. That's the only thing we can be critical of, not to finish.'</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB"></span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">It was the first time Essien has played 90 minutes since returning from his cruciate ligament injury, and his impact could not have been greater with a superbly taken first half goal.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'For the team and for the crowd it's very important that he came back after a long period of recovery and I think we played him already at Juve when he did a good job, not just by scoring. Today being in the team gives us a lot of confidence and that's good to see,' Hiddink said.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'I knew him before and he is very strong and gives a lot to the team. He gives me options to play differently with other players as well and that's good because when we go to the end of the season in three competitions we need a lot of players, so when he is available it is perfect.'</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">The win puts us within four points of Manchester United at the top of the table, and Hiddink admits the door is now slightly more open after their defeat to Liverpool on Saturday.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'I think every now and then you get a defeat which you don't expect. All of a sudden it happens, but on the other hand it is a very experienced team, and let's see how they react in the upcoming days but it is not the first time it happens and big teams always react,' he said of United.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'Four points - I think you have to add the one game as well. If it were four points it would be very close but they have that game in hand. It is clear after yesterday's unexpected result the attention has come back in the league. </span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'If we want to track them then we have to keep on winning which we are doing, and we must give attention to the end of the league.'</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">The Dutchman rejected suggestions that he will need to be ready to enter into mind games with Sir Alex Ferguson and Rafael Benitez.</span></p> <p><span lang="EN-GB">'It is not a battle between the managers at the end, it is a battle between the players. They are both very experienced, Rafael is very experienced, Sir Alex is very experienced, let me as a schoolboy chase them,' he joked. 'There is no battle between managers, it is the players.'</span></p></div></div> </div></div>
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<br /><div style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;" class="M2FullAHeadline"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chelsea's Frank Arnesen to go for Frank Rijkaard</span></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">Frank Arnesen is to become the Godfather of Chelsea - making Frank Rijkaard a red-hot tip to be the next boss.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">Arnesen will be promoted to director of football by Roman Abramovich and given a major say on appointing the next manager - with Guus Hiddink insisting he WILL go back to managing the Russian national team.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">And that makes Dutch legend Rijkaard, out of work since leaving Barcelona a year ago, a big favourite for the Blues hot-seat ahead of AC Milan chief Carlo Ancelotti.</p><div style="display: none;" id="mpuad" class="center"><div class="M2MpuAdvertisement" id="mpuadheader">Advertisement</div><div class="center"> <script type="text/javascript">//<![CDATA[ if (typeof dartOrd == 'undefined') dartOrd=Math.random()*10000000000000000000; document.write('<scr' type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/people.4240/' + 'sport_mpu_centre_300x250;'+mirrDartBLU()+';sz=300x250;pos=centre;sect=football;psect=sport;zone=sport;templ=page;'+mirrDartSIP()+';oid=21200356' + ';tile=3' + ';ord=' + dartOrd + '?"><\/scr' + 'ipt>'); //]]></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/people.4240/sport_mpu_centre_300x250;;sz=300x250;pos=centre;sect=football;psect=sport;zone=sport;templ=page;sip=null;oid=21200356;tile=3;ord=7059956668629014000?"></script><!-- Template Id = 1 Template Name = Banner Creative (Flash) --> <!-- Copyright 2002 DoubleClick Inc., All rights reserved. --><script src="http://m1.emea.2mdn.net/879366/flashwrite_1_2.js"></script> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="FLASH_AD" width="300" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://m1.emea.2mdn.net/1729411/300x250_MIRROR_DYNAMIC_1.swf"><param name="flashvars" value="clickTag=http%3A%2F%2Fad.uk.doubleclick.net%2Fclick%253Bh%3Dv8%2F37f2%2F3%2F0%2F%252a%2Ff%253B211759919%253B0-0%253B0%253B14510389%253B4307-300%2F250%253B30446085%2F30463962%2F1%253B%253B%257Eokv%253D%253B%253Bsz%253D300x250%253Bpos%253Dcentre%253Bsect%253Dfootball%253Bpsect%253Dsport%253Bzone%253Dsport%253Btempl%253Dpage%253Bsip%253Dnull%253Boid%253D21200356%253Btile%253D3%253B%257Eaopt%253D3%2F1%2F31%2F0%253B%257Esscs%253D%253fhttps%3A%2F%2Fmirror.mylotto24.co.uk%2Fapp%2Ftrace%2Fen%2FGB%2Fthemirror%2Fjsp%2F%3FpartnerId%3D150"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="never"><embed src="http://m1.emea.2mdn.net/1729411/300x250_MIRROR_DYNAMIC_1.swf?clickTag=http%3A%2F%2Fad.uk.doubleclick.net%2Fclick%253Bh%3Dv8%2F37f2%2F3%2F0%2F%252a%2Ff%253B211759919%253B0-0%253B0%253B14510389%253B4307-300%2F250%253B30446085%2F30463962%2F1%253B%253B%257Eokv%253D%253B%253Bsz%253D300x250%253Bpos%253Dcentre%253Bsect%253Dfootball%253Bpsect%253Dsport%253Bzone%253Dsport%253Btempl%253Dpage%253Bsip%253Dnull%253Boid%253D21200356%253Btile%253D3%253B%257Eaopt%253D3%2F1%2F31%2F0%253B%257Esscs%253D%253fhttps%3A%2F%2Fmirror.mylotto24.co.uk%2Fapp%2Ftrace%2Fen%2FGB%2Fthemirror%2Fjsp%2F%3FpartnerId%3D150" quality="high" wmode="opaque" swliveconnect="TRUE" bgcolor="#" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="300" height="250"></embed></object><noscript><a target="_blank" href="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/click%3Bh=v8/37f2/3/0/%2a/f%3B211759919%3B0-0%3B0%3B14510389%3B4307-300/250%3B30446085/30463962/1%3B%3B%7Eokv%3D%3B%3Bsz%3D300x250%3Bpos%3Dcentre%3Bsect%3Dfootball%3Bpsect%3Dsport%3Bzone%3Dsport%3Btempl%3Dpage%3Bsip%3Dnull%3Boid%3D21200356%3Btile%3D3%3B%7Eaopt%3D3/1/31/0%3B%7Esscs%3D%3fhttps://mirror.mylotto24.co.uk/app/trace/en/GB/themirror/jsp/?partnerId=150"><img src="http://m1.emea.2mdn.net/1729411/300x250_MIRROR_DYNAMIC_1.gif" alt="" border="0" /></a></noscript> <noscript> <a href="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/jump/people.4240/sport_mpu_centre_300x250;sz=300x250;pos=centre;sect=football;psect=sport;zone=sport;templ=page;tile=3;ord=244492535?" target="_blank"> <img src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/ad/people.4240/sport_mpu_centre_300x250;sz=300x250;pos=centre;sect=football;psect=sport;zone=sport;templ=page;tile=3;ord=244492535?" width="300" height="250" border="0" alt="mpuAdvertisement" /> </a> </noscript> </div></div><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">Insiders reveal that Arnesen was pushing for Rijkaard when Avram Grant left last summer, but the Dut chman wanted a year-long break from the game.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">Arnesen wanted to team up with Rijkaard a year ago before Luiz Felipe Scolari came in and Hiddink had to rescue their season.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">Arnesen went to Chelsea from Tottenham in a controversial move and has progressed behind the scenes from chief scout to the director who looks after their expensive youth programme.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">But now Abramovich and his aides have reviewed the set-up and decided to promote Arnesen to an even more senior position that will see him have a large input in signings and finding a new boss.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">Abramov i ch has listened to several people after a tough year at Stamford Bridge and he has now opted to back Arnesen - with some other noses likely to be pushed out of joint.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">The former Spurs coach is rated highly and will have a new contract out of this shake-up.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="add-linkout" align="left">Some had tipped him to go during a recent period of cutbacks and checks on the progress of the club's young signings that he had overseen.</p>
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<br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><strong face="verdana"><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondTitle" class="post_title">Lyon eye up potential Benzema swap deals</span></strong></span> <!-- Article Start --> <span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lText" style="font-family:verdana;"><p>French international striker Karim Benzema is fully expected to be the subject of an intense bidding war when the transfer window opens in the summer and with Lyon looking ready to do business with Europe’s top clubs, including Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madird it is thought that the saga could drag on for months. The latest round of speculation hints at potential swap deals involving attacking talents from the ranks of two potential Benzema suitors as the French champions look to lessen the blow of losing their prized asset.</p> <p>Having revealed at the weekend that France and Juventus striker David Trezeguet was a target for Lyon, club chairman Jean Michel Aulas had pulses racing in the Italian media with several reports claiming the French side might do business with the Old Lady for Benzema.</p> <p>“We wanted him two-and-a-half years ago," Aulas told Tuttosport.</p> <p>"That is no secret, even if at the end of the day nothing came of it. Could we bring Trezeguet to Lyon now?</p> <p>"I haven't spoken to our coach about it, nor to Juve, but we do like the player. He is an extraordinary marksman, but we have Benzema..."</p> <p>Two weeks ago reports emanating from Spain hinted that Barcelona could also lure Lyon to sell Benzema by offering one of their youngest talents. El Mundo Deportivo claimed that 18-year-old Bojan Krkic, who scored twice for the Nou Camp outfit last night, was looking for a move away from Spain and could be ready-made-replacement for Lyon’s 21-year-old.</p></span>
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<br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="titlestory">Chelsea coaching offer for PSG's Makelele</h1><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="content"> <p>Chelsea want to bring PSG midfielder Claude Makelele back to Stamford Bridge. </p><p> The Blues want Makelele, 36, to return in a coaching and ambassadorial role. </p><p> Club officials have already sounded out Makelele and his advisers about it.</p><p>
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<br /></p><h1 class="sIFR-ignore">Cole: Essien absence cost us six points</h1><div id="div_article_main_content"> <p>Joe Cole told <strong>Setanta</strong> that Chelsea could be right on Manchester United's case had Michael Essien been fit all year.</p> <p>A ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sustained in early September meant that Luiz Felipe Scolari and then Guus Hiddink were shorn of Essien’s services until his return to duty against Coventry in this month’s FA Cup quarter final. </p> <p>What a return it has proved to be. Essien has started the next two games and scored twice in the process, receiving particularly widespread acclaim for his performance against Manchester City on Sunday. </p> <p>Speaking in the aftermath of that game, Cole, himself out with a similar injury until at least pre-season, felt it impossible to underplay the impact the Ghana midfielder has on The Blues. </p> <p>“It’s so difficult, I’m so pleased with him because we’ve got the same injury,” he told <strong>Setanta Sports 1</strong>. “To see him go out there and perform like he has, not just today but in the week in Turin [against Juventus], he was different class. </p> <p>“You know how hard you’ve got to work as a footballer to get back from an injury like this. For him to perform like this is a credit to himself and the medical team. </p> <p>“What we’ve missed is that little bit of pace in the midfield this year. We’ve been talking about getting tight to teams but he’s breaking up the play, he’s linking the play – he does a bit of everything. Any team would miss him, he’s our engine room. </p> <p>“We’ve struggled with injuries but that’s no excuse – we’ve got the squad to deal with it. We’ve got players like Ballack, Deco, Lampard and Mikel. These are four world-class midfielders. </p> <p>“But Essien would have made a difference. With him in the squad maybe we’d have had an extra five or six points.”</p> <p>Liverpool's surprise 4-1 win at Old Trafford on Saturday lunchtime means that they and Chelsea are four points adrift of United having both played a game more.</p><p>
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<br /></p><div id="article_headline"> <h1>English Angle: Michael Essien - One Big Player, But An Even Bigger Headache For Chelsea</h1> <h2>The Blues are looking a much better side with their all-action midfielder back in the mix, but his presence will pose a few problems to some of his team-mates in the long-term...</h2> <!--h3>Sulmaan Ahmad</h3--> </div> <!-- google_ad_section_start --> <div id="article_detail_block"> <div id="small_article_image_container"> <img alt="EPL: Michael Essien, Chelsea v Manchester City (PA)" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/45316_news.jpg" /></div></div> As Chelsea cut through Manchester City time and time again with the whole of Stamford Bridge behind them, there were more than a few echoes of the opening day of the season. Portsmouth were the victims that sunny afternoon in August, with the final score of 4-0 not in any way flattering the Blues in Luiz Felipe Scolari's first league game in charge.
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<br />They had the solidity through the middle that has been the cornerstone of their success since Jose Mourinho took charge, but on top of that was the guile of Deco and the freedom afforded to flying full-backs Jose Bosingwa and Ashley Cole. There was inspiration and flair, yet they looked as unbreakable as ever in defence - they had everything.
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<br />It was a Brazilian formula for success from one of the most successful Brazilian bosses of all time, but it had its limitations. There is a reason Deco only cost €10 million from Barcelona. For all his skill and pedigree, he has passed his peak and cannot consistently compete at the highest level anymore. The full-backs, though flying, were always restrained to a degree, knowing that the likes of Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack would never provide genuine defensive cover. This limited the width and pace that they could offer, a fact exacerbated further by the lack of speed in midfield.
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<br />Scolari soon realised he didn't quite have the squad he thought he did - to assert that Robinho would have solved <i>all </i>their problems would be absurd - and as the blues set in at the Bridge, it was time to for Scolari to get on out.
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<br />Guus Hiddink has taken temporary charge and had a similar galvanising effect on the players, so far, and with his introduction have come a few more minor innovations. The return of Michael Essien is, as they say, 'like a new signing'. He is the new Deco. Just as Deco gave Chelsea what they needed in August, Essien is giving them what they need in March. But what was the case then remains so now: it is one central player too many for a team desperately wanting for width.
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<br />The difference is that the Ghanaian has the years ahead of him to be the best for the long haul and is a man around whom the Blues should consider building their team, providing they embrace him for the player that he is and play to his strengths. Essien can defend very well - having played at right- and centre-back during his time in west London - but he is at his best breaking from midfield and making an irrepressible nuisance of himself to opposing defences. He and Didier Drogba's interplay split City over and over throughout the game; it was like nothing we had seen all season from anyone besides perhaps Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard - why would any manager in their right mind want to put an end to it by trying to make Essien, or Ballack for that matter, the new Makelele? It worked against Man City - so did Deco against Portsmouth - but such a system will be exposed over time, if for no other reason than neither Essien nor Ballack were required to do any defending at all. Against better teams, the Blues won't have that luxury.
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<br />While it is true that not every team needs a specialist defensive midfielder - the English, European and world champions certainly don't - with the likes of Lampard and Ballack on board as potential partners for Essien, Chelsea definitely do. Essien is not the new Makelele. Chelsea had the new Makelele, but they sold him to Arsenal, who sold him to Portsmouth, who were recently more or less forced into selling him to Real Madrid, where Makelele became a brand unto himself and defined his own 'Makelele' position to begin with (thus completing the circle of life). To build a new-look Blues, they will need a new, new Makelele. Is it Jon Obi Mikel? Many have had their doubts due to his failure to perform in the big games and Ballack doesn't have enough years left in him to be considered the 'new' anything.
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<br />For all Essien's exuberance, his inclusion as the all-conquering midfield general, along with the new Makelele, leaves only a single place in the line-up for one of Lampard, Ballack or Deco in attacking midfield. Wingers must still remain a priority at the Bridge though, as the diamond midfield formation is highly unlikely to stand the test of time in the Premier League.
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<br />Deco may have the most skill and Ballack may be the best all-rounder (at least on paper), but one thing is definite: 'Super Goals' has become the heartbeat of Chelsea. He has earned primacy in his position, and the fact he has had to share it in recent times has only limited and inhibited his ability to make champions out of Chelsea. The problem this decision poses is tempering two tremendous egos who will no longer be regulars - to sell one of them would probably be best for the squad to avoid a situation such as the one that faced Scolari in his last days; having more 'big' players than he knew how to handle.
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<br />Chelsea are an old team. Mourinho built for the now and was never one particularly concerned by youth development. The more he became disenchanted by the ever-tightening grip of Abramovich's iron fist, the less motivated he was to even try and effect change. First Hiddink, then Drogba and now Essien have finally reminded us just how special some parts of this Chelsea side can still be, but big changes are needed this summer. Out with the old, in with the Blue.
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<br /><h1 class="titlestory">Chelsea boss Hiddink allays Drogba injury fears</h1> <div class="content"> <p>Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink insists Didier Drogba is okay after suffering a knee strain during their victory over Manchester City. </p><p> Drogba was substituted with a knee injury, but Hiddink insists that he will be fit to face Tottenham at White Hart Lane next Saturday. </p><p>Hiddink said: "Drogba I think is not a big problem, I think he likes to be with the team, he likes to play, he likes to train so I think he will be recovered very soon. I think tomorrow or the day after he will be okay."</p> </div>
<br /> </div> </div><span class="main-content"><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="ss-header hstyle2 main-headline">Deco blow for Hiddink</h1> <h3 style="font-family: verdana;">Portuguese midfielder suffers hamstring injury</h3><div class="ss-art-body"><div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="ss-art-subcol"><!--/art-col-links/--> </div><!--/ss-art-subcol/--> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;" class="ss-text-bold">Guus Hiddink led Chelsea to a 1-0 win over Manchester City on Sunday, but saw Deco hobble out of the action. </p> <p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">A solitary strike from Michael Essien was enough to keep the Blues in the title race as they reclaimed second spot in the Premier League standings.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">However, the victory was soured by an injury to Portuguese playmaker Deco.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">He was forced from the field four minutes before half-time after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring problem and could be sidelined for the remainder of the season.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"I think he will be out for a while," Hiddink said.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"He was fit and has been working hard but got the same problem again."</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Asked whether Deco would recover before the end of the season, the Dutch coach said: "I have my doubts but let's see."</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The injury blow aside, Hiddink was otherwise delighted to take three points from the City clash.</p><h4 style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Tension</h4><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Chelsea now sit four points behind league leaders Manchester United, with all to play for between now and the end of the season.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"If it was just four points it would be very close, but they have that game in hand," he said.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"But it's clear that after yesterday's unexpected result (United's 4-1 defeat to Liverpool) that the tension has come back in the league.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"It's a boost. But if we want to track them, we have to keep on winning. That'll give tension to the end of the season, which is good for everyone.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"Every now and then you get a defeat you don't expect. Sometimes you don't expect it at home because you have a beautiful record, then all of a sudden it happens.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"But they're a very experienced team. Let's see how they react in the up-coming days. It's not the first time that it's happened, but the big teams always react.</p><p style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">"I don't know what their reaction will be. When you are in the driver's seat and someone else is coming, you can get a little bit nervous. It is a little bit open now."</p><p>
<br /></p><table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"><td class="hp_topnews_title"><span style="font-size:130%;">Chelsea - Drogba Fit for Spurs!</span></td></tr> <tr><td class="rule"><img src="http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/resource/globalmedia/trans.gif" alt="" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr> <tr><td><img src="http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/resource/globalmedia/trans.gif" alt="" width="1" height="2" /></td></tr> <tr><td><img src="http://www.chelsea.vitalfootball.co.uk/resource/teams/chelsea/310_b.jpg" alt="Chelsea - Drogba Fit for Spurs!" width="430" height="132" /></td></tr> <tr style="font-family: verdana;"><td class="pollpane"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td class="hp_topnews"><b>The sight of Didier Drogba limping off the pitch, against Manchester City, gave everyone cause for concern yesterday.</b>
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<br />Thankfully, it appears that the injury isn`t serious and that Didier Drogba will be fit enough to play against Tottenham Hotspur next Saturday.
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<br />In his after-match press conference Guus Hiddink remarked,
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<br /><i>'Drogba I think is not a big problem, I think he likes to be with the team, he likes to play, he likes to train so I think he will be recovered very soon.'
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<br />"I think tomorrow or the day after he will be okay.'</i>
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<br />Start panicking Ledley King and Jonathan Woodgate, the Drogster is coming!
<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table> </div></span>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-36099248129596725442009-03-12T14:00:00.006+08:002009-03-12T16:04:36.423+08:00Essien And Drogba Difference for Juventus And UEFA Champions League Violence Put Rome Finale In Doubt<h3 class="headline" id="headline" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363">REACTION: GOING GOAL DOWN HELPED </span></h3><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="postedDate" id="postedDate">Posted on: Wed 11 Mar 2009</div> <p face="verdana">In the end two goals from players who have endured more than their share of injury frustration in the past 12 months were enough for a place in the Champions League quarter-finals, but was the first goal scored by Juventus just as important?</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">That was the suggestion from <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E28142,00.html?WT.mc_id=drogbapp-news">Didier Drogba</a> after Chelsea had completed an Italian job in Turin, the Ivorian joining <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E27901,00.html">Michael Essien</a> on the scoresheet, adding to his solitary strike against Juventus at Stamford Bridge.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">It's all coming good for the centre-forward following his prolonged recovery from a knee problem. Last night's goal, a fourth in five games, just about ended the resistance of Claudio Ranieri's side who became the first Serie A side to score in the three first knockout stage ties against Barclays Premier League opposition. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">That was when Vincenzo Iaquinto netted after 18 minutes with Chelsea struggling to get out the starting blocks.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We did not know really what to do - if we had to attack or let them come at us and we play the counter attack,' admitted Drogba on the early stages of the game. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'But when they scored, we decided to play our game and I think it was a good thing that they scored. You always start wanting to win the game but at some points it was difficult to make the decisions. I think the goal that they scored, it really helped us.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It was a good result for us in the end,' he reflected, 'but we had good opposition and they did their best to do everything to qualify. We had to play a very good game.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">As Chelsea improved heading up to the half-time interval, Drogba had a free-kick 'goal' controversially ruled by the linesman not to have crossed the line. Shortly after, <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E27901,00.html">Michael Essien</a> did manage to bundle the ball over the line.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It was very important,' Essien said of the goal that capped his first Champions League game of the season. He played the first 65 minutes.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It has been a long season for me, being injured, but I am happy to be back and I am very happy with the result today. I was a bit tired when I came off but I am fine now. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It is definitely great that we can come here and go through playing away. I am now looking forward to the quarter-final.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Essien's away goal was crucial to the tie but there was more tension yet when Juve were awarded a second-half penalty for handball. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'The referee gave a penalty, I think he was right but he did not know who touched the ball so that is why there was a bit of confusion in the box,' explained Drogba who soon went up the other end to score and give Chelsea breathing space.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Gianluigi Buffon, Juventus's World Cup-winning keeper believes the Chelsea number 11 made a big difference to the outcome of the tie.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'When you weigh up the performances in the first and the second legs, Drogba showed beyond doubt he is a striker of true international class,' the Italian told uefa.com. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'He would make the difference to any side in the world. Their first goal was a great shame. Perhaps we didn't play the last few minutes of the first half too well. There was a world of difference between going in at half-time 1-0 up or level at 1-1.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It was a very good result and I am really happy to play again and to have my good moments,' summed up Drogba. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I am happy for the fans that we go to the quarter-finals and it is good for the team. This draw for us is like a victory and when we play like we did today it is difficult to beat us.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_headline"> <h1>Chelsea's Michael Ballack Poised For Bayern Munich Return – Report</h1> <h2>The inclement financial climate is even curbing the spending of money-bags Chelsea and there could be a summer exit for Michael Ballack amongst others. Speculation is linking him with a return to Bayern Munich.</h2> <!--h3>Burt Mathew</h3--> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_detail_block"> <div id="small_article_image_container"> <img alt="CL: Michael Ballack, Chelsea - Olympiakos (PA)" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/28033_news.jpg" /></div></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Guus Hiddink has got <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/teams/england/96/chelsea-news">Chelsea</a> back on track on the pitch but it seems that even the London giants are not immune to the credit crunch and will have to trim their playing staff for next season </p><span style="font-family:verdana;">"We haven't properly got together to talk about summer transfers yet but I think that we could expect that several players will leave and that several players will come in," chairman Bruce Buck told the </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">Daily Mirror</i><span style="font-family:verdana;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"I don't know whether that is three, four or five, but something in that kind of neighbourhood, so we can expect a handful to leave."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As the club look to reduce the Premiership's highest wage bill of £130 million a year, it is being reported that Michael Ballack could be one of those to exit Stamford Bridge in the summer.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Speculation has already arisen as to Ballack’s next destination and a report in </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">The Guardian</i> suggests that he could be set for a return to former club Bayern Munich.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">His contract expires this summer so he would be available on a free and he would quickly be welcomed back at the Allianz Arena. Bayern still need world-class players if they are to compete at the highest level in Europe.</span><br /><br /><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Abramovich should not have lost Mourinho and now he can't afford to let Hiddink go<br /></h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;">If Roman Abramovich has not got everything in place in Russia to allow him to keep Guus Hiddink next season, he had better hurry up.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea </a>have consistently maintained the Dutchman will return to his job as Russian national coach full-time in the summer, but the feeling outside the club has always been they have been keeping up appearances.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Upsetting the delicate political balance in owner Abramovich's homeland, where he is governor of the remote region of Chukotka and provides a large chunk of the football funding, apparently wouldn't take much and is something he is acutely aware of.<br /></p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="scrollText">Scroll down for more</p> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/11/article-1161120-03D2F406000005DC-605_468x571.jpg" alt=" Guus Hiddink" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="571" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Top man: Guus Hiddink</p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Yet if Hiddink continues to guide Chelsea in the right direction the groundswell of support behind him will build to such a level that Abramovich will find himself in a no win situation.</span><p style="font-family: verdana;"> The manager may not have enjoyed quite as much success in the past as his reputation suggests but he has got off to a flyer at Chelsea and with progress in all the available competitions, he is endearing himself to the supporters.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The players are already calling for him to be kept on too with Petr Cech speaking out after the club went through to the Champions League quarter finals at the expense of Claudio Ranieri's Juventus.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">So the plan revealed by Sportsmail to put Dick Advocaat in Hiddink's place for Russian needs to be executed, and fast.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">For Abramovich to lose one popular manager (Jose Mourinho) could be considered misfortune, but to lose two looks like carelessness.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">'Russian Ronaldinho' a step closer to joining Chelsea following Moscow talks with Abramovich<br /></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;">CSKA Moscow boss Zico says he will not stand in the way of Yuri Zhirkov moving to <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a>.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Sources in Moscow say Stamford Bridge owner Roman Abramovich has held preliminary talks with the Russians over the 25-year-old's summer transfer.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Sportsmail first revealed in January that Chelsea were keen on the Euro 2008 star, dubbed the Russian Ronaldinho.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinCenter"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/11/article-1161262-03AEA967000005DC-656_468x349.jpg" alt=" Yuri Zhirkov keeps the ball from Aston Villa's Luke Young" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="349" /> <p class="imageCaption">Wing wizard: Yuri Zhirkov keeps the ball from Aston Villa's Luke Young last month</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Zhirkov, who prefers to play down the left wing but can also fill in at left back, is considered one of the best wide men in the world by Russia and Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink and he posseses the pace sadly lacking in the Blues team.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Abramovich and Hiddink saw Zhirkov in action during CSKA's UEFA Cup victory against Aston Villa last month.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Reports in Moscow said Abramovich congratulated the players in the dressing room after the 2-0 win in the Russian capital.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">And the oligarch also talked to CSKA president Yevgeni Giner to discuss the preliminary conditions of the transfer, according to Tvoi Den newspaper. CSKA subsequently spurned interest from Bayern Munich and Juventus.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="floatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/11/article-1161262-03AEEF39000005DC-303_306x205.jpg" alt=" Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich at the Luzhniki Stadium" class="blkBorder" width="306" height="205" /> <p class="imageCaption">Mission to Moscow: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich at the Luzhniki Stadium during CSKA's victory against Aston Villa last month</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Zico said: 'Zhirkov is a player of such high level that in my opinion he would show all his real potential only playing in such a strong competition as the English Premier League.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'He would easily fit into Chelsea's first-choice team. I don't like to lose him but I won't stop his move to London.'<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">A winner of the UEFA Cup with CSKA in 2005, Zhirkov was also credited by UEFA with scoring the goal of the 2006-2007 Champions League when he chipped the ball over two opponents, dribbled from the half-way line and then beat the Hamburg goalkeeper.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">After Euro 2008, Hiddink said: 'Zhirkov plays very modern game. He's capable of covering all the left side of the pitch alone.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'A player can only do this if he has brilliant technical skills and physical condition. He's top class footballer.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea are also thought to be interested in CSKA's 18-year-old CSKA midfielder Dzagoev</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Striker shows he is splendid in isolation</h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;" id="stand-first" class="stand-first-alone">For all of last night's positives for Chelsea, Didier Drogba's performance will have given Guus Hiddink most pleasure</p> <div id="content"> <div id="article-wrapper"> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="image"> <img src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2009/3/11/1236776430868/Didier-Drogba-001.jpg" alt="Didier Drogba" width="460" height="276" /> <p class="caption">Didier Drogba celebrates after scoring Chelsea's second goal at Juventus. Photograph: Alessandro Garofalo/Reuters</p> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The key to <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/chelsea">Chelsea</a>'s victory last night was Guus Hiddink's decision to restore Didier Drogba to a lone striking role. On his own, Drogba can make his runs independently, moving towards or away from the ball without having to concern himself with combining effectively with a partner. For all Nicolas Anelka's goalscoring form this season, last night Chelsea showed that Drogba is not only their most dangerous attacker when in the mood, but that he actively enjoys the challenge of playing in isolation.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">It is not only Drogba who benefits from this formation. With only one striker, and with Mikel John Obi in front of their defence, Chelsea's central midfield have more depth and more room to work. As a result, Frank Lampard was able to get into good forward positions and Michael Ballack passed the ball more comfortably.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/juventus">Juventus</a> started in sprightly fashion, hustling Chelsea and encouraging their full-backs to chase forward. At this stage Claudio Marchisio and Tiago were nullifying Chelsea's central midfield, pushing on to Mikel and stopping Lampard getting the ball. The home side opened the scoring with a brilliant combination between two strikers in tune. Gianluigi Buffon was not troubled until an amazing finish to the first half.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea were lucky to win a free-kick against Tiago and Drogba's drive was juggled off the line by Buffon. Then Lampard's deflected shot dropped invitingly to the ever-alert Michael Essien. In the final minute of the half, Chelsea had begun to assert themselves.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink had reverted to the Chelsea way, with the positions normally occupied by Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou being taken by Essien and Anelka. The Frenchman played a key role, keeping his discipline on the left side while Essien found his feet on the right. Juventus faded physically and, as expected, their ageing legs could not sustain that level of exertion.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink will be pleased and relieved that Chelsea came through a difficult fixture. Petr Cech was impressive, Mikel showed maturity, but Drogba's excellence in attack will have given the Dutch manager most satisfaction.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Drogba the difference for Buffon</h1><!--googleon: snippet--><!--googleoff: all--><!--googleon: all--><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="imgNewsTop"><a id="ipLink" href="javascript:void(0);" title="zoom"><img style="width: 220px; height: 220px; margin-left: 0px;" id="ipThumb" src="http://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles/photo/competitions/ucl/80/87/06/808706_mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon" width="220" /></a><script>var ipImg = new ipPhoto('ipImg','ipLink','ipThumb', '/multimediafiles/photo/competitions/ucl/80/87/06/808706_biglandscape.jpg','l','/e/multimedia','photoid+808706');</script><span class="imgCaption"><br />Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon <!--googleoff: all-->(©Getty Images)<!--googleon: all--></span></div><div id="newsTextpar"><p style="font-family: verdana;">Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon paid tribute to Didier Drogba for his two-goal contribution to Chelsea FC's 3-2 UEFA Champions League aggregate win against the Turin side, but stopped short of conceding the result was proof of the Premier League's superiority over Italian club football.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>'International class'</strong><br />Drogba, who scored after 12 minutes of the opening leg at Stamford Bridge, tested Buffon with a curling free-kick in the first half in Turin before striking Chelsea's second equaliser late on in Tuesday's 2-2 draw. Juventus and Italy No1 Buffon was gracious in his praise of the Ivory Coast forward. "Undoubtedly when you weigh up the performances in the first and the second legs, Drogba showed beyond doubt he is a striker of true international class," Buffon said. "He would make the difference to any side in the world."</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>No inferiority complex</strong><br />Though Buffon was prepared to bow to Drogba's quality, he refused to accept that Juve's elimination by Guus Hiddink's side was further evidence, along with Liverpool FC's 4-0 humbling of Real Madrid CF on Tuesday evening, of English football's growing domination of the European scene. "I don't think you can claim this is necessarily another example of English superiority," said Buffon. "We were at full strength in the away leg and I don't think we deserved to lose. In the return leg, we had a lot of players out, Pavel Nedvěd got injured after three minutes and after an hour we were down to ten men so I don't think there is any way you can claim quite that simplistically that Chelsea are a superior side."</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>'Great shame'</strong><br />The 31-year-old Italy goalkeeper added that Michael Essien's equaliser on the stroke of half-time was hard to take, but remained sanguine in defeat. "Their first goal was a great shame," he said. "I think perhaps we didn't play the last few minutes of the first half too well. There was a world of difference between going in at half-time 1-0 up or level at 1-1. And in the end having to put three goals past Chelsea was a tall order. But we still have the league to play for and although we can't promise anything we will give our utmost until the very end and, if nothing else, look to reduce the [seven-point] gap between ourselves and Inter."</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="storyHead"> <h1>Chelsea almost robbed as official fails in the line of duty </h1> <h2> It was the moment when even those who keep arguing against the introduction of technological goal-line assistance at major football games surely had to acknowledge that enough is enough. </h2> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="slideshow"> <div style="display: block;" class="ssImg"> <img src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01364/buffon-nogoal_1364019c.jpg" alt="Chelsea almost robbed as official fails in the line of duty " width="460" height="287" /> <div class="imageExtras" style="width: 460px;"> <span class="caption">Blue murder: Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon claws the ball back from beyond the line following a Didier Drogba free-kick. The 'goal' was not given.</span> <span class="credit">Photo: AFP</span> </div> </div> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> Millions of pounds hinge on the outcome of a Champions League match like this and when a goal as clear as Didier Drogba’s just before half-time is not given because of the incompetence of a linesman, it makes a nonsense of the sport’s biggest club event. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> If Michael Essien had not scored seconds later just before the break, this could easily have been an episode which cost the Blues a place in the quarter-finals of the Cup. Football can no longer afford for such crucial issues to be decided by such outrageous fortune.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> It happened thus; with Chelsea desperate to get back into the game and gaining some control at one down, Drogba curled the ball goalwards from a free kick and Gianluigi Buffon stretched too late to his left, actually appearing to touch the side netting as he clutched the ball. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> The naked eye did not lie; an Italian journalist in front of me immediately turned round sheepishly and offered the snap he had just taken on his camera. The ball had been over the line by a clear foot. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> Everybody knew it. A noisy stadium went quite silent, as if recognising this was the cheekiest bit of thieving in Turin since Michael Caine and his boys carried out their Italian Job. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> The face of the world’s number one keeper was a picture of “who me?” innocence as he quickly plucked the ball from behind the line and made a pointless gesture towards the linesman who had allowed him to get away with blue murder. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> Chelsea seemed so stunned, they didn’t even protest but it was a scandal all right. If they had gone into the break one down, rather than being relieved to celebrate Michael Essien’s comeback goal moments later, the whole tenor of the game would have been completely different. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> What those two moments demonstrated, though, was just how right Michael Ballack had been before the match when he talked about how the “power” and spirit of the old Chelsea had been rekindled under Guus Hiddink in just a few weeks. The disallowed goal was not a signal for self-pity but for resilience. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> And they needed to demonstrate it because, at a Stadio Olimpico bristling with atmosphere and intent, this really did feel like Guus Hiddink’s first true examination. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> This was what Juve had been missing in their naughty boys’ exile, one of those European Cup mega nights, only not in their old Stadio delle Alpi with its atmosphere lost in cavernous concrete â “ the miserable old place is being renovated - but in the compact, seater temporary home at the Stadio Olimpico. At least here, so the joke goes, you could feel as if you were experiencing that rarest of phenomena â “ the Turin crowd. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> Chelsea were meant to feel intimidated, as if they’d stepped in front of a herd of 27,000 stampeding zebras, and when the home fans tried to unfurl a giant banner pronouncing “YES WE CAN!” just before kick off, but singularly and embarrassingly failed, Chelsea could only hope it was an omen. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> It wasn’t. The early exit of Pavel Nedved through injury, prompting thoughts from his fans that this might be the last time they saw him in European action, only served to inspire the home side. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> Soon after, a sweet combination between Trezeguet and Vincenzo Iaquinta ripped holes in Chelsea’s rearguard. The man the Bianconeri always look to, Alessandro Del Piero, suddenly awoke too. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> Because he too stood by his Old Lady after the scandal, Del Piero’s stature here is beyond compare. He had been given two matches off by Ranieri to prepare himself for this contest and also offered twin support in the shape of both David Trezeguet and Vicenzo Iaquinta. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> The introduction of the attacking trio looked like Ranieri’s big gamble but, with Chelsea looking distinctly rattled and nervous after the goal, summed up by Cech’s comedy flap at one cross, Del Piero started enjoying the stage he has graced here for 16 years man and boy. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> One free kick snapped in from about 35 yards was preposterous in its ambition but was a signal of the general Italian confidence. Steel was needed and Essien’s return was a godsend. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> After the disallowed goal, it was his remarkable alertness for a man who had only played one game in six months which allowed him to surge forward and latch on to the rebound off the bar. Chelsea could only hope it was enough to ensure a scandal wouldn’t k.o them.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_headline"> <h1>Russian Football President: Hiddink Could Stay At Chelsea</h1> <h2>The president of the Russian Football Union (RFU) hinted yesterday that Guus Hiddink may be considering an extension at Chelsea.</h2> <!--h3>Stephen Crawford</h3--> <h4>11 Mar 2009 22:50:57</h4> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_detail_block"> <div id="small_article_image_container"> <img alt="Guus Hiddink" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/1210_news.jpg" /></div></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"> President of the RFU Vitaly Mutko revealed his fears that Guus Hiddink may give up his responsibilities at the helm of the Russian national team for a permanent deal at Chelsea.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Speaking to the press, Mutko said that he believes Chelsea are among the only sides Hiddink would consider coaching on a less temporary basis due to their global appeal. Mutko believes that any </span><a id="KonaLink0" target="undefined" class="kLink" style="text-decoration: underline ! important; position: static; font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2009/03/11/1150691/russian-football-president-hiddink-could-stay-at-chelsea#"><span style="color: rgb(4, 100, 209) ! important; font-weight: 400; position: static;font-size:13;" ><span class="kLink" style="color: rgb(4, 100, 209) ! important; font-weight: 400; position: static;font-size:13;" >coach</span></span></a><span style="font-family:verdana;"> would relish the opportunity to manage the Stamford Bridge outfit.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"I don’t think he would agree to join any club other than Chelsea, not because of his special relationship with Roman Abramovich, but because Chelsea is the kind of global side that any coach would like to manage."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">It is testament to Mutko's statement that the Dutchman has enjoyed such success since taking over at the club, the Russian believing Hiddink will come under increasing pressure to stay should the impeccable run of form continue.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">What lies in store for Hiddink's future really boils down to whether Russia can find a replacement for him, as the combination of managing both teams would be too demanding and no doubt encounter conflicting schedules.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"At the moment we have an agreement with Guus Hiddink that he will combine the two posts only till the summer," Mutko said.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">"Of course everything can change, but we should take into account that, for Hiddink, it is better to work with a national side. He is not only a coach but also an organiser, a politician — not a club man."</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="post-meta">Champions League Violence</p> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea fans stabbed in the rear by Juventus thugs</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">Around 1,500 Chelsea fans travelled to Turin last night to see their side <a href="http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2009/03/11/video-liverpool-and-chelsea-champions-league-highlights-2" target="_blank">earn a place in the final eight of the Champions League</a>, but two Londoners found themselves subjected to some of Italy’s less hospitable supporters.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Before kick-off, the Chelsea fans were stabbed, and were taken to hospital with injuries to their derrieres.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Such attacks are said to be common “greetings” from Italian football hooligans, who clearly aren’t aware that a simple wave and smile is much more polite.</p><br /><br /><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Gunners fan 'stabbed' in Rome</h1> <p valign="top" class="story_panel_text" style="font-family:verdana;"><span name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT">Rome's suitability to host the Champions League final will be questioned once more after an Arsenal fan was apparently stabbed on Wednesday.</span></p> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://images.teamtalk.com/09/03/800x600/Stadio-Olimpico-general-Roma-fans-Rome_1981974.jpg" title="Roma fans: Notorious reputation" class="article-pic thickbox"><img src="http://images.teamtalk.com/09/03/330/Stadio-Olimpico-general-Roma-fans-Rome_1981974.jpg" alt="Roma fans: Notorious reputation" vspace="0" width="330" align="center" height="235" hspace="0" /></a><br /><span name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT" style="font-family:verdana;"><p>Ahead of the Gunners' penalty shootout victory in the Stadio Olimpico, a supporter was attacked, the British Embassy in the Italian capital claimed, when the minibus in which he was travelling lost its way close to the stadium. </p><p>In the latest worrying incident of football hooliganism in the city, it was suggested a group of home fans targeted the vehicle and attempted to force their way inside. </p><p>"One managed to get on to the bus and there was a fight," an embassy spokesman said. </p><p>"The driver managed to get away when the Roma fan was pushed out of the bus." </p><p>The victim was able to watch the match after receiving medical care, the spokesman revealed. </p><p>He added: "We don't know if it was a stabbing or glass from a smashed window." </p><p>An Arsenal spokeswoman said: "A male Arsenal fan was believed to be stabbed outside the stadium. </p><p>"Roma fans threw stones at a bus, smashing windows, and an individual allegedly entered the bus and stabbed a fan." </p><p>A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are aware of the incident that happened in Italy and we are providing consular assistance." </p><p>Arsenal's fans had already been warned to avoid certain areas of the city by their club after a string of ugly incidents over recent years. </p><p>"If you travel to the stadium independently, please be aware you are at risk," stated the booklet circulated by Arsenal. </p><p>"Do not take trains to the Piazza Flaminio or attempt to use the Ponte Duca D'Aosta bridge as these are habitual routes taken by the 'Ultras' (Roma's hardcore supporters). </p><p>"Please stay away from the Campo De Fiori." </p><p>The Italian capital has come under the microscope in the wake of several high-profile incidents in recent years, most notably when a number of Manchester United fans were wounded in clashes with Roma fans in two separate incidents in the city in 2007. </p><p>City officials had been warned by European football's governing body, UEFA, that any serious acts of hooliganism between now and the May 27 final could see the showpiece moved elsewhere. </p><p>It now remains to be seen whether UEFA still have confidence in Rome to host a trouble-free showpiece in two-and-a-half months' time.</p></span><br /><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="heading">Stabbing of visiting fan in attack by ‘Ultras’ confirms club’s worst fears</h1><!-- END: Module - Main Heading --><!--CMA user Call Diffrenet Variation Of Image --><!-- BEGIN: Module - M24 Article Headline with no image (a) --><!-- getting the section url from article. This has been done so that correct url is generated if we are coming from a section or topic --><!-- Print Author name associated with the article --><!-- END: Module - M24 Article Headline with no image --><!-- Article Copy module --><!-- BEGIN: Module - Main Article --><!-- Check the Article Type and display accordingly--> <!-- Print Author image associated with the Author--><!-- Print the body of the article--><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="region-column1-layout2"><style type="text/css"> div#related-article-links p a, div#related-article-links p a:visited { color:#06c; } </style><div id="related-article-links"><!-- Pagination --><!--Display article with page breaks --><p> The violence that has marred the Italian game flared again in Rome last night as two Arsenal fans were injured when the coach taking them to the Stadio Olimpico was attacked by Roma supporters before the match. One of the Arsenal supporters was stabbed in the leg, according to reports. One Roma fan was arrested. </p><p> The coach carrying Arsenal supporters, who had travelled independently but had tickets, came under a hail of stones thrown by a group of Roma “Ultras” as it was approaching the stadium. Windows were smashed and at least one Roma fan entered the vehicle, in which a flare was let off. The two wounded Arsenal fans were “lightly injured”, police said, and had refused an offer of transport to hospital for treatment. They received on-the-spot aid from paramedics. </p><p> Arsenal said last night that in addition to the coach incident there were two other attacks that left fans with head injuries. “We deplore the incidents as the safety of our supporters is our highest priority,” a statement from Arsenal and the Metropolitan Police, which sent officers to Rome, said. </p><p> In a separate incident, police said two Arsenal fans, described as “completely drunk”, were arrested for vandalism on Via Veneto in the city centre. The supporters were taken to a police station, where one attempted to escape but was caught. A policeman was injured in the scuffle with the fan. Police also said that an Arsenal supporter was stopped from entering the stadium after he was found to be carrying a small hammer. He is likely to be charged with carrying an offensive weapon, but had not been arrested. </p><!--#include file="m63-article-related-attachements.html"--> <!-- BEGIN: Module - M63 - Article Related Attachements --><script type="text/javascript"><!-- function pictureGalleryPopup(pubUrl,articleId) { var newWin = window.open(pubUrl+'template/2.0-0/element/pictureGalleryPopup.jsp?id='+articleId+'&&offset=0&§ionName=FootballTeamArsenal','mywindow','menubar=0,resizable=0,width=1000,height=711'); } //--></script><!-- BEGIN: Comment Teaser Module --><!-- END: Module - M63 - Article Related Attachements --> <!-- Call Wide Article Attachment Module --><!--TEMPLATE:call file="wideArticleAttachment.jsp" /--><p> Arsenal had stated their fears before the match of the possibility of incidents outside the stadium because of the Ultras’ reputation for violence. Sixteen Manchester United supporters were stabbed in the city when the English side faced Roma twice in the Champions League two years ago. </p><p> Uefa had threatened to relocate this season’s Champions League final on May 27 away from the Italian capital if trouble persisted. Extra police were drafted to ensure the safety of the 3,000 Arsenal fans, with police vans surrounding the bars in areas where Roma’s Ultra fans meet before and after matches. The North London club sent booklets to fans last week asking them to be vigilant. </p><p> The violence came after two Chelsea supporters were stabbed in Turin on Tuesday night before their team’s Champions League game against Juventus. The fans were slashed in the buttocks and were released from hospital after treatment. </p></div></div><br /><br /><br /><h3 class="headline" id="headline" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363">CHELSEA SWEEP UP POSITIVE FUTURE AWARDS </span></h3><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="postedDate" id="postedDate">Posted on: Tue 10 Mar 2009</div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea's community coaches have been rewarded with four out of eight Positive Futures Awards at this year's ceremony held at Park Plaza Hotel in London.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The vital contributions made by Yusuf Jimacale, Ricky Dewey and Billy Thomson have been acknowledged by the youth offending organisation for their dedication and determination to improve both themselves and their communities. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea Community Coach Ian Jordan also won the special award for Exceptional Contributions to Young People's Development.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Yusuf, Ricky and Billy started out as participants on the club's social inclusion projects, designed to divert young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Yusuf initially came to our Hammersmith & Fulham Kickz programme through a love of football and within weeks he was demonstrating the sort of leadership qualities to become a popular coach who is also the driving force behind his college football team. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Yusuf has now taken various courses gaining Community Sports Leaders and volunteering qualifications and is taking an introductory course in youth work.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'What inspired me to do this is just the work that the coaches do. We don't just cover football; we actually have one-on-ones with the children and find out what they want to do,' said Yusuf.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It is just good to get credit for the work we have been doing. It motivates me and I want to keep doing it.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Ricky, aged 19, has shown similar dedication. Having initially started as a participant on our Wandsworth Positive Futures scheme, he has demonstrated a passion for developing himself and others on the programme. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">After successfully completing a Prince's Trust course and both Level One & Two FA coaching qualifications, Ricky is now a coach on our Positive Futures & Kickz social inclusion projects but still finds the time to volunteer extensively within his community. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'Basically the main thing that inspired me was putting myself on the right path,' said Ricky: 'To me the award is a big step forward. It is a bigger incentive; it makes you that bit more motivated, I know I can still go further as well.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Billy was also awarded a special prize for his contribution to volunteering. After being a participant on our Westminster Kickz Programme for almost one year, he now holds his Level One Certificate in Coaching Football and is delivering coaching sessions to Primary School PE lessons. He has recently become a paid employee at Chelsea.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Ian Jordan was surprised but honoured to land the Exceptional Contributions to Young People's Development. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It's a great honour to be a representative of the great work we as a club do with the community and London as a whole,' explained Ian.</p><span style="font-family:verdana;"> 'Our award winners deserve recognition for their hard work. The role model thing does work, so you can see there is a path to progress to work for a club like Chelsea.'</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><p style="font-family: verdana;"> <img id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondImage" class="float-left" src="http://www.sport.co.uk/public/images_news/peter%20kenyon.jpg" alt="Chelsea’s Kenyon and Barca’s Laporta involved in high-level discussions" style="border-width: 0px;" /><strong><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondTitle" class="post_title"><br /></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondTitle" class="post_title">Chelsea’s Kenyon and Barca’s Laporta involved in high-level discussions</span></strong> </p> <!-- Article Start --> <span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lText" style="font-family:verdana;"><p>Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon and Barcelona president Joan Laporta were two of the big hitters representing England and Spain at UEFA’s Professional Football Strategy Council meeting in Nyon this week. The well known figures were part of an eighteen man panel, which also included UEFA president Michel Platini, discussing a range of issues affecting the modern games.</p> <p>The major talking point to come out of the meeting was the unanimous decision by all four groups represented (associations, clubs, leagues and players) to agree in principle a ban on international transfers of minors – players aged under 18 – either into Europe or within Europe.</p> <p>"The question of minors is above all a moral and ethical issue – we have a duty to take concrete steps to protect young players and training clubs," said UEFA President Michel Platini. "I am delighted that the key stakeholders of the European football family have a common view on this major subject and I welcome the signature of this important resolution," he added.</p> <p>The meeting was attended by the following persons:</p> <p><strong>Representatives of the associations (UEFA)</strong><br />Michel Platini (UEFA President)<br />Senes Erzik (Turkey)<br />Geoffrey Thompson (England)<br />Angel María Villar Llona (Spain)<br />Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder (Germany)</p> <p><strong>Representatives of the clubs (ECA)</strong><br />Maarten Fontein (Netherlands)<br />Michele Centenaro (General Secretary)<br />Peter Kenyon (England)<br />Joan Laporta i Estruch (Spain)</p> <p><strong>Representatives of the leagues (EPFL)</strong><br />José Luis Astiazaran (Spain)<br />Lex Gold (Scotland)<br />David Richards (England)<br />Frédéric Thiriez (France)<br />Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros (General Manager)</p> <p><strong>Representatives of the players (FIFPro Europe)</strong><br />Gerardo González Movilla (Spain)<br />Leonardo Grosso (Italy)<br />Philippe Piat (France)<br />Theo van Seggelen (Secretary General)<br />Mick McGuire (England)</p> <p><strong>Representative of FIFA<br /></strong>Jérôme Valcke, General Secretary</p> <p><strong>UEFA Administration</strong><br />David Taylor, General Secretary</p></span><br /><br /><h1> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Agent: Ibra and Jose may move to Madrid</span></h1> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://fourfourtwo.com/contentimages/news/Mourinho_Ibrahimovic.jpg" alt="Mourinho Ibrahimovic" align="right" hspace="5" /> <!-- Article Start --><p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>The agent of Inter Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has claimed that both the Swedish striker and Inter manager Jose Mourinho could both be heading for Real Madrid at the end of the season.</strong></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho, whose side faces Manchester United in a crucial Champions League last 16 clash on Wednesday, only took charge of the Nerazzurri last summer following the sacking of Roberto Mancini. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">But he has already fallen out with both the Italian media and his Serie A rivals on several occasions, despite guiding Inter to the top of the table.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">But Mino Raiola, Ibrahimovic's agent, has revealed that the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid could be the Portuguese's next port of call along with the Swedish striker, who is also believed to be a target of Barcelona.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"I am sure that Mourinho does all that he can to go to Real Madrid," he told <em>Il Giorno</em>.<br /><br />"He forced Massimo Moratti to spend 45million euro and now he's winning thanks to Roberto Mancini's earlier signings.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"If Zlatan decides to move, then he'll move.<br /><br />"We keep receiving new bids. Real Madrid and Barcelona would do everything they could to get him. Ibra would score 40 goals a season in Spain."</p><br /></div> </div> </div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-83846847434368821592009-03-09T16:03:00.005+08:002009-03-10T06:05:50.709+08:00Latest Chelsea News - Lampard have Genuis IQ !! Essien ready to make first team start <h3 style="font-family: verdana;" class="section-heading">Club Details</h3> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="padding-bottom-7"><img src="http://images.thetimes.co.uk/TGD/picture/0,,285241,00.jpg" alt="165x70 JPG" width="165" height="70" /></div> <!-- BEGIN: Stadium Stats --> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="small bg-f5f5f5"> <div class="padding-2"> <div class="float-left width-65">Ground:</div> <div class="float-left width-95">Stamford Bridge</div> </div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="small"> <div class="padding-2"> <div class="float-left width-65">Capacity:</div> <div class="float-left width-95">42,522</div> </div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="small bg-f5f5f5"> <div class="padding-2"> <div class="float-left width-65">Pitch:</div> <div class="float-left width-95">113x74yds </div> </div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="small"> <div class="padding-2"> <div class="float-left width-65">Founded:</div> <div class="float-left width-95">1905 </div> </div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="small bg-f5f5f5"> <div class="padding-2"> <div class="float-left width-65">Nickname:</div> <div class="float-left width-95">The Blues </div> </div> </div> <!-- END: Stadium Stats --> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="padding-bottom-7"><img src="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00484/hiddink165x70_484919b.jpg" alt="70x70 JPG" width="70" height="70" /></div> <!-- BEGIN: Details --> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="small bg-f5f5f5"> <div class="padding-2"> <div class="float-left width-65">Manager:</div> <div class="float-left width-95">Guus Hiddink </div> </div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="float-left width-95">Official Website:<a href="http://www.chelseafc.com/" target="_top" class="link-06c"> www.chelseafc.com</a>
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<br /><div id="article_headline"> <h1>Chelsea Star Frank Lampard Alleged To Have Genius IQ</h1> <h2>Like the kid at school that is an outstanding achiever in all facets of life, Frank Lampard has combined weighty brain power to his playmaking, ball-pinging, goalkeeper-slaying and net-bulging form.</h2> <!--h3>Alan Dawson</h3--> <h4>Mar 5, 2009 9:36:17 AM</h4> </div> <div id="article_detail_block"> <div id="small_article_image_container"> <img alt="FA CUP: Frank Lampard, Chelsea - Ipswich Town (PA)" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/42356_news.jpg" /> </div></div> It is rare that intellectuals and footballers are paired together in the same sentence because education is sometimes over-looked in favour of honing skills at tender ages, but a Chelsea club doctor has confirmed that Frank Lampard has an IQ that could be considered genius.
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<br />A-grade magnet Lampard - who turns 31 this summer - recently took an intelligence test along with several other Blues and is believed to have recorded a score that exceeds 150.
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<br />Fellow Englishman John Terry also scored highly and was placed third, but Lampard stole top honours.
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<br />Dr English is quoted by <i>Eurosport </i>as saying, "John Terry was in the top three but Frank Lampard scored one of the highest sets of marks ever recorded by the company doing the tests - higher than me!"
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<br />A score of 150 would rank Lampard in the top 0.1 per cent in the country, which would be enough to secure the international a place in respected high-IQ society, Mensa.
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<br />Lampard obtained 12 GCSEs while at school in Essex and is even alleged to have secured an A* in Latin.
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<br /><p align="center"><b><i>IQ Table</i></b></p> <p> </p><table style="width: 100%;" border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1"> <tbody> <tr> <td align="middle">140 +
<br /></td> <td align="middle">Genius/ Almost Genius
<br /></td></tr> <tr> <td align="middle">120-140
<br /></td> <td align="middle">Very Superior Intelligence
<br /></td></tr> <tr> <td align="middle">110-119
<br /></td> <td align="middle">Superior Intelligence
<br /></td></tr> <tr> <td align="middle">90-109
<br /></td> <td align="middle">Average/ Normal Intelligence
<br /></td></tr> <tr> <td align="middle">80-89
<br /></td> <td align="middle">Dullard
<br /></td></tr> <tr> <td align="middle">70-79
<br /></td> <td align="middle">Borderline Intelligent Deficiency
<br /></td></tr> <tr> <td align="middle">Under 70
<br /></td> <td align="middle">Feeble-Minded
<br /></td></tr></tbody></table> <p>*Source: <i>Increasebrainpower.com</i></p>
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<br /></div><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" face="verdana">Michael Essien May Start For Chelsea Against Juventus, Admits Hiddink</h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">Michael Essien could be in line for a shock return to the starting line-up</h2><!-- END: Module - Main Heading --><!--CMA user Call Diffrenet Variation Of Image --><!-- BEGIN: Module - M24 Article Headline with no image (a) --><!-- getting the section url from article. This has been done so that correct url is generated if we are coming from a section or topic --><!-- Print Author name associated with the article --><!-- END: Module - M24 Article Headline with no image --><!-- Article Copy module --><!-- BEGIN: Module - Main Article --><!-- Check the Article Type and display accordingly--><!-- Print Author image associated with the Author--> <!-- Print the body of the article--><div id="region-column1-layout2"><style type="text/css"> div#related-article-links p a, div#related-article-links p a:visited { color:#06c; } </style><div id="related-article-links"><!-- Pagination --><!--Display article with page breaks --><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Didier Drogba, the Chelsea striker, dedicated his latest goal to Michael Essien, the Ghana midfield player, who could start for Chelsea in tomorrow’s Champions League game with Juventus in Turin. Guus Hiddink is considering playing Essien for the first knockout round, second leg, in which Chelsea hold a 1-0 advantage. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> After scoring against Coventry City in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final, Drogba promptly raced to celebrate with Essien, who later came on as a substitute to make his first appearance after six months out with a knee injury. “I know what it feels like,” Drogba explained. “I was happy for him that he was on the bench. I think he can make a big impact. We need people like him, physically and technically.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Hiddink admitted that he is weighing up starting Essien. “Michael did a very good job after his very heavy injury,” the interim manager said. “He is fit, but there is a difference to be game-fit. I have time to think.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Nicholas Anelka, who has an ankle injury, is less likely to play. “I doubt it,” Hiddink said. “He’s working but he’s been out many days. We’ll see what is his reaction to treatment and training. It’s very close.”
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onmousemove="=" onmousemove="va809befc9a;else" vaa09befc9a="true;v9f09befc9a();}va909befc9a="> <!-- Middle Starts --> </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="middle-out-top"> <div id="middle-out-bottom"> <div id="middle-content" class="single"> <div id="middle-content-bottom"> <!-- Content Starts --> <div id="content" class="wrap"> <div class="col-left"> <div id="main-content"> <!-- Sing Post Starts --> <div class="page post wrap"> <a title="Permanent Link to Drogba Hands Champagne To Essien" href="http://www.thesoccerblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/essienchelsea.jpg"><img src="http://www.thesoccerblog.org/wp-content/themes/busybeemdv/thumb.php?src=http://www.thesoccerblog.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/essienchelsea.jpg&h=150&w=200&zc=1&q=95" alt="Drogba Hands Champagne To Essien" class="thumbnail alignright" /></a> <h2><a href="http://www.thesoccerblog.org/premiership/drogba-hands-champagne-to-essien/" rel="bookmark" title="Drogba Hands Champagne To Essien">Drogba Hands Champagne To Essien</a></h2> <p>Drogba was keen to make a fuss over fit-again Essien following the Blues’ win over Coventry.</p> <p>Chelsea’s professional FA Cup quarter-final victory at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena was punctuated by goals from Didier Drogba and Alex in either half, and also the return of Michael Essien.</p> <p>The midfielder was injured whilst on international duty with the Black Stars of Ghana, sustaining a cruciate ligament problem in August 2008.</p> <p>Drogba, scorer of the Blues’ opener after 15 minutes on Saturday, was keen to shove the spotlight onto his returning team-mate, who replaced John Mikel Obi after 65 minutes.</p> <p>“It’s a very good result and we’re in the semis,” Drogba told <em>ITV</em> after the contest. “2-0 is what you need in the Cup and it’s great that we’ll go back to Wembley.”</p> <p>He added of Essien, “We’ve missed him a lot and we’re happy that he’s back.”</p> <p>The man himself, Michael Essien, smiled, “It’s good to be back. I’ve missed football and I’m looking forward to the games ahead.</p> <p>“It’s been hard to look on, yes, but I’m here now.”</p> <p>Essien then presented Drogba with the man of the match champagne but the hitman, who had celebrated his goal with Essien during the opening period, tried to give it to the midfielder.</p> <p>“It’s for you, my friend,” Drogs called, but Essien had already run away. If he can get back to match sharpness, he’ll perhaps be bringing home his own bubbly before long.</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="heading">I will show Chelsea the real Deco</h1><!-- END: Module - Main Heading --><!--CMA user Call Diffrenet Variation Of Image --><!-- BEGIN: M24 Article Headline with landscape image (d) --><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/js/m24-image-browser.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/js/tol.js"></script><!-- BEGIN: Module - M24 Article Headline with landscape image (d) --><script type="text/javascript"><!-- /* Global variables that are used for "image browsing". 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Instead of spending four-figure sums at West London restaurants, Deco, the Chelsea and Portugal midfield player, is putting money into his charitable organisation, Deco Institute, in the Brazilian city of Indaiatuba, near São Paulo, where he grew up. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> The institute gives children aged between 6 and 17 a chance to develop and prepares them for adult life in conjunction with the country’s apprenticeship scheme. “We really wanted to change something and if you want to do that, you have to start where you live,” he said. “All countries have social problems, but in Brazil they live in a place with many difficulties — they are offered drugs at 10, 11. This gives them the chance to be someone.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Other players have football schools, but Deco’s operation has gone farther. “Sport is important, but not sport alone,” he said. “These kids need to get a job, to work. At 16 or 17, when they pass out of the institute, what can they do then? That’s the difference between our institute and others. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “We have 200 kids, and another 200 who belong to other institutes but use our space. We put in about £400,000 a year, but we are doing this because we believe in it. The responsibility is big, but I think we’re doing well and we see the progress in the kids.” </p><!--#include file="m63-article-related-attachements.html"--><!-- BEGIN: Module - M63 - Article Related Attachements --><script type="text/javascript"><!-- function pictureGalleryPopup(pubUrl,articleId) { var newWin = window.open(pubUrl+'template/2.0-0/element/pictureGalleryPopup.jsp?id='+articleId+'&&offset=0&§ionName=FootballTeamChelsea','mywindow','menubar=0,resizable=0,width=1000,height=711'); } //--></script><!-- BEGIN: Comment Teaser Module --><!-- END: Module - M63 - Article Related Attachements --> <!-- Call Wide Article Attachment Module --><!--TEMPLATE:call file="wideArticleAttachment.jsp" /--><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Some Chelsea supporters worried earlier in the season whether they would see as much progress in their team, and Deco admits that injuries have prevented him from contributing as he would have liked since moving to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona in the summer. A continuing hamstring problem makes him a doubt for tomorrow’s Champions League first knockout round match away to Juventus, which Chelsea lead 1-0 from the first leg. But rumours of a summer move to the Turin club may mean that Chelsea never see him at his best. “We can only see on the final week whether it was a good or a bad season. I don’t want to make an excuse, ‘I was injured.’ I will try to show the real Deco for the rest of the season. But it’s important to be without injury and then I can play better.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> The team also struggled as a whole, which led to the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the manager who brought him to London and who had managed him at international level. “We started well but after injuries to some important players, maybe we had to play the same team in too many games,” Deco said. “We lost something that we had early in the season. Maybe Scolari should have had more time, but in football you don’t get it. It’s always results. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “Of course it’s difficult when a coach wants you and then he leaves. Yes, I worked with Scolari for many years in the national team, but I also played without him for years. I have a contract with Chelsea, not Scolari. I need to prove that Chelsea made a good decision to bring me here.” Deco, 31, has been impressed by the approach of Guus Hiddink, Scolari’s replacement, even though it is based more on a Dutch work ethic than Brazilian fantasy. The successive 1-0 wins in Hiddink’s first three matches remind Deco of José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager and his coach at Porto, where he won the first of his two Champions League medals in 2004, the second with Barcelona in 2006. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “Barcelona played beautiful football, but I think our team in Oporto was stronger,” Deco said. “When we scored first, the game was finished. The mentality that Mourinho built was fantastic. [Frank] Lampard and the others are great players anyway, but I can see a Mourinho influence on them because they played for him for years.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> With that mentality rediscovered, what can Chelsea win? “Chelsea has a big team, big players that can decide a game,” he said. “I had offers from other clubs, but I chose Chelsea, not just because of Scolari, but because I wanted to win titles again and, for me, Chelsea was the best club to do that. So Chelsea can win the Champions League. The Premier League? If we just had to win our games, we could win the Premier League, but when you depend on other teams, it’s difficult. The worst thing would be if Manchester United lose games and we don’t win ours.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><i>Deco is the newest ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which addresses social challenges through a worldwide programme of sports-related community development initiatives. Since its inception in 2000, Laureus has raised more than €15 million (now about £13.5m) for projects that have helped to improve the lives of more than 750,000 young people, and supports almost 70 projects worldwide.</i></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">
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<br /></p> <img style="font-family: verdana;" class="article-photo" src="http://bleacherreport.com/images_root/image_pictures/0244/1275/18561_feature.jpg" alt="" width="350" height="233" /><div id="article-body"> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Juventus v Chelsea </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="mxb"> </div> <!-- S BO --><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:11;" ><hr /></span> <!-- S IIMA --> <table style="font-family: verdana;" width="226" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr><td> <div> <img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/45056000/jpg/_45056873_champ_league_226x170.jpg" alt="Champions League" vspace="0" width="226" border="0" height="170" hspace="0" /> </div> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <!-- E IIMA --> <!-- S SF --><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="first"><b>Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is unlikely to have recovered from an ankle injury in time to face Juventus.</b> </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Blues boss Guus Hiddink, whose side lead 1-0 from the first leg, said: "Will Anelka be fit? I doubt it. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"He is working but has been out now for many days. We'll see what his reaction is to some treatment plus training." </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Midfielder Michael Essien could return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in Saturday's 2-0 win at Coventry, his first game in six months. <!-- E SF --></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink added: "Essien has played and trained with the second team. Now he is fit but it is different to be game fit if you are playing very tough games. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I have hours to think whether we start with him (against Juventus), yes or no, and see what his reaction is from Saturday - but it is good to have people on the bench who can slot in easily." </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">If Anelka is absent, Hiddink will hope that Didier Drogba maintains his impressive run of form up front. <!-- S IBOX --> </p><table style="font-family: verdana;" width="231" align="right" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody><tr> <td width="5"><img src="http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/shared/img/o.gif" alt="" vspace="0" width="5" border="0" height="1" hspace="0" /></td> <td class="sib606">
<br /></td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!-- E IBOX --> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The Ivory Coast striker, who did not play regularly under Hiddink's predecessor Luiz Felipe Scolari, opened the scoring as Chelsea eased past the Sky Blues in their FA Cup quarter-final win at Highfield Road - his third goal in five games since the Dutchman took charge. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">As well as his scoring streak, Drogba's application has also impressed Hiddink, who revealed the player is taking part in extra training sessions. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink said: "From the first day, when I saw him at Watford in the FA Cup, and after that, for me he has been a guy who has been working hard. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I have had no complaints about his attitude and commitment and he is working hard in training and in games. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I don't want to judge what happened before I came here but outside of training sessions with the whole group, we are also doing a specific programme with him and that is paying off. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"He likes to do it. It is not that I have to force him to do extra work. We focus on what is asked and demanded in the game. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"He wants to do it and, when it is paying off like at Coventry, it is perfect." </p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko will miss the game at the Stadio Olimpico after breaking a bone in his left foot during his side's derby win over Torino in Serie A on Saturday. </span>
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<br /><img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://images.rivals.net/08/04/460x238/Cech_773482.jpg" visible="True" /> <div class="article_summary" style="font-family:verdana;"> <div class="margin_wrapper float_left"> <div class="float_left"><span class="bold dark">Petr Cech - happy with Guus Hiddink</span></div> </div> </div> <h1 style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ctl00_cpMainContent_lblHeadline">Cech speaks to end speculation</span></h1> <div class="subheader" style="font-family:verdana;"> <span class="darker bold">By <span id="ctl00_cpMainContent_lblAuthor">Paul Griffiths</span></span> - <span id="ctl00_cpMainContent_lblDateLine">09/03/2009 01:34</span> </div> <!-- Article Start --> <p class="bold" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="ctl00_cpMainContent_lblStrapline">Chelsea and Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech spoken to refute claims that he was in any way responsible for the sacking of former Blues boss Phil Scolari who was dismissed in February after a comparatively poor run of results and replaced by current albeit temporary manager Dutchman Guus Hiddink. </span></p> <span id="ctl00_cpMainContent_lblBodyText" style="font-family:verdana;"><p>After he left the club, Scolari blamed senior players such as Cech, Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and German international Michael Ballack among others although the Brazilian cited the three as the main instigators of his dismissal after it emerged that the three players had met with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to discuss the then crisis situation at Stamford Bridge. </p><p>However, speaking to the News of the World, Cech said: "We stayed with him and tried to help him. We helped both with our attitude and our performances on the pitch. But in the end he came out with such comments." </p><p> He went on: "I will say only one thing. Every time something similar to this happens there are always a lot of rumours and speculations. I was rather surprised that this came out from the coach because mostly managers stay together with their team." </p><p>He went on: "However I do not worry about it now. I just try to focus on my current performances to finish the season as well as we can." </p><p>Since the arrival of Hiddink, Chelsea have won the five matches they have played, six including the FA Cup win at Watford where the team were managed by Scolari and then Hiddink's assistant Ray Wilkins. </p><p> Saturdays result against Coventry meant that Chelsea went through to the FA Cup semi finals and will play either Arsenal or Hull City with Manchester Utd facing Everton in the other game. </p><p>Chelsea won 2-0 with the goals coming from Drogba and Alex. Talking to the Sunday tabloid about that match, Cech said of Drogba: "Didier was unlucky with injuries at the beginning of the season. It took more time to get back to his full physical condition. Also he was only coming on for the last 20 minutes." </p><p>He added: "It was even worse for him than for me. But he has played full games in our last few matches and we all saw his contribution to the team." </p><p> Whatever Cech said about Scolari, he is positive that Hiddink's arrival has been a good thing: He said: "You can see the work we have done since the change of managers. Our team performance is back and I still believe we will finish higher than Liverpool." </p></span>
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<br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="titlestory">Jose Mourinho admits he wants Chelsea to win the Champions League if his own Inter Milan team fail. </h1><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="content"> <p> He said: “People like Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba are my present friends. They are not just my former players. Frank is without doubt the best midfield player in Europe not to have won the European Cup and that is not right, it needs to be rectified. </p><p>“If he wins it at Chelsea or somewhere else, he needs to win it. He is too good not to. If we qualify I would very much like to draw an English club again. I loved my time in England and I know they would be great games. </p><p>“Liverpool would be a good one for me. I still feel I owe them one in Europe and Rafa has been my toughest opponent in European competition. I hear about my name linked to the Liverpool job, but they link Jose to everything.” </p> </div>
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<br /><h1 class="titlestory">Mancini ahead of Rijkaard to succeed Chelsea's Hiddink</h1><div class="content"> <p>Chelsea have a three-man shortlist for manager next season.</p> <p>The <i>Sunday Mirror</i> says Chelsea will select from a three-man short-list of Guus Hiddink, Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini when they make a permanent managerial appointment this summer. </p><p> Caretaker coach Hiddink maintains he will leave and return to his post as Russia's national coach. </p><p>Although he is earning considerable favour among key Chelsea players and owner Roman Abramovich, they seemed resigned to his departure. </p><p>Mancini's prospects are gathering pace, with the Italian highly thought of inside Chelsea and rumours rife he is looking to buy a house in London.</p> </div>
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<br /><h1 class="titlestory">Chelsea keen to sign permanently Inter Milan's Quaresma</h1> <div class="content"> <p>Chelsea are ready to open talks with Inter Milan over a permanent deal for Ricardo Quaresma. </p><p> The <i>London Evening Standard</i> says Quaresma joined Chelsea on loan for the rest of the season in January after struggling to settle at the Italian club. The 25-year-old set up the winning goal for Didier Drogba against Portsmouth and also crossed for Alex to score the second in the win at Coventry. </p><p>The Portuguese international, who is ineligible to play against Juventus in the Champions League tomorrow night because he is cup-tied, has also settled in quickly with his new team-mates and is highly-rated in the dressing room.</p> </div>
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<br /><h2> Didier Drogba’s fortunes have been transformed under Guus Hiddink, but the striker says Chelsea’s new manager has largely ignored him since taking charge. </h2> <div class="oneHalf gutter"> <div class="headerOne"> </div> <div class="story"> <div class="slideshow"> <div style="display: block;" class="ssImg"> <img src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01362/drogba_1362673c.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink has ignored me, says Chelsea's Didier Drogba" width="460" height="287" /> <div class="imageExtras" style="width: 460px;"> <span class="caption">Revival: Didier Drogba has begun to find his best form under Guus Hiddink</span> <span class="credit">Photo: GETTY IMAGES</span> </div> </div> </div> <p> Drogba has now scored three goals in his last four games following his predatory strike in the win over Coventry. </p> <p> The Ivorian, so central to Chelsea’s success under Jose Mourinho, was a peripheral figure under Felipe Scolari, and had only scored three goals all season until Hiddink’s arrival last month. </p> <p> Hiddink has been credited for reviving the striker, though the legendary Dutch manager has apparently spent little time working closely with Drogba. </p> <p> "Guus hasn't said anything to me – that's normal, you don't have to speak every day to a player. Just being in the team is enough and it means a lot,” said Drogba. </p> <p> "He doesn't need to speak to me – he has just picked me in the squad and put me in the team – then I know what I have to do. </p> <p> "I've been in this situation before – you just work, work and work, and you want to improve. If you continue to do that, something good will happen to you. I kept working hard and now people have forgotten what happened over the past few months." </p> <p> Looking back to his uncomfortable time under Scolari, Drogba said: “The start of the season was non-existent for me really – I was out with injuries and, when I came back, it was very difficult for me. </p> <p> "That's football. When everything is going well, and you are scoring goals, your confidence is getting higher and nobody speaks to you because they don't need to.” </p> <p> Hiddink’s influence has injected fresh confidence into Chelsea ahead of their Champions League meeting with Juventus, when Michael Essien could return to add his unique brand of energy and ability into the mix. </p> <p> "He [Essien] can make a big impact,” said Drogba. “In the pressure of big games, we need people like him, physically and technically. We are in a difficult situation and we need to be clever if we are to end the season with success." </p> </div> </div>
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<br /><h1 class="titlestory">Hiddink tells Chelsea to buy Real Madrid's Van der Vaart</h1> <div class="content"> <p>Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is keen on Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. </p><p> The <i>People</i> says Hiddink has told Roman Abramovich to sign Real Madrid star Van der Vaart. </p><p> Hiddink recommended his fellow Dutchman to the Chelsea owner - sparking suggestions he could remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season. </p><p> Temporary Blues boss Hiddink claims he will step down in the summer to concentrate on his other job as Russia's national boss. </p><p>But whether he stays or goes, Hiddink is fully involved in planning for next season - and Van der Vaart is at the top of his shopping list. </p><p>Hiddink is a long-time admirer of the Dutch international midfielder and is convinced he would be a success at the Bridge. A bid in the region of £8million is being prepared.</p> </div>
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<br /><div class="storyHead"> <h1>Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink brings back Jose Mourinho model</h1> <h2> Chelsea touch down in Turin this morning transformed by Guus Hiddink’s restorative influence. </h2> </div> <div class="oneHalf gutter"> <div class="story">
<br /><div class="slideshow"><div style="display: block;" class="ssImg"> <img src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01362/guus_hiddink_1362556c.jpg" alt="Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink (pictured right) brings back Jose Mourinho model " width="460" height="287" /> <div class="imageExtras" style="width: 460px;"> <span class="caption">Back to the future: Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink (right) has adopted a less expansive style of play than his predecessor Luiz Felipe Scolari</span> <span class="credit">Photo: PA</span> </div> </div> <div style="display: none;" class="ssImg"> <img src="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01362/didier-drogba_1362220c.jpg" alt="Chelsea overcome spirited Coventry to reach FA Cup semi-finals" width="460" height="287" /> <div class="imageExtras" style="width: 460px;"> <span class="caption">In form: Dider Drogba's third goal in four matches helped Chelsea to an FA Cup quarter-final victory over Coventry City</span> <span class="credit">Photo: REUTERS</span> </div> </div> </div> <p> Roman Abramovich may have paid north of £20 million to dispense with Jose Mourinho more than 18 months ago, but Hiddink appears to have taken one look at the changes that have since been wrought within this squad and decided: out with the new, in with the old. </p> <p> The Dutchman’s first six matches in charge have all illustrated Mourinho’s indelible mark upon the club, but none as emphatically as this dismembering of Coventry. </p> <p> It would be a disservice to Hiddink to argue that he simply retrained Chelsea’s players to secure an early 1-0 lead and then shut the game down, even if this is largely what transpired in a one-sided quarter-final at the Ricoh Arena, because there has been a revival in every department. </p> <p> Against Coventry John Terry chased down every ball, Michael Essien was reinstated in his marauding midfield role and Alex, once a liability at centre-half, scored the type of winning goal of which a centre-forward would have been proud. Why, even Didier Drogba was unrecognisable from the dawdling dilettante of late, dispatching his first-half strike ruthlessly and rushing to the touchline to embrace Essien in a convincing show of unity. </p> <p> Essien, the “bison”, is the all-action playmaker whose six-month absence with cruciate ligament damage has cost Chelsea so grievously. </p> <p> Hiddink’s return of six wins out of six represents an even more impressive start than Mourinho managed at Chelsea, and a significant reason seems to be the sense of calm authority he has engendered. Any hint of a returning confidence among his players has been harnessed and Drogba, in particular, has not so much been revived as reborn. </p> <p> The Ivorian’s future appeared untenable when he turned in a display of supreme indifference at Old Trafford in January, but the desire detectable in his play since Hiddink arrived means he will start against Juventus tomorrow in his usual capacity, leading the line and making a nuisance of himself only among the opposition defence. </p> <p> “When you’re scoring goals, your confidence is getting higher,” Drogba said. “The more you play, the more chances you have to score.” </p> <p> From the outset Hiddink has made Drogba integral to his plans, trying to forge the long-awaited regular strike partnership with Nicolas Anelka, who is unlikely to have recovered from an ankle injury in time for tomorrow’s game. </p> <p> “For me he [Drogba] is a guy who has been working hard,” the manager said. “I have had no complaints about his attitude. When it is paying off like at Coventry, it is perfect.” </p> <p> The impact of Drogba was not lost on Chris Coleman. “Chelsea put out their best players and that was a massive compliment to us,” the Coventry manager said. </p> <p> “It’s like they were back to where they were before.” Just like under Mourinho, was the subtext. </p> </div> </div>
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<br /><strong><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondTitle" class="post_title">Gudjohnsen: Chelsea will win in Turin</span></strong> <!-- Article Start --> <span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lText"><p align="left">Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen believes that Chelsea will win against Juventus in Italy. The former blues legend thinks that Didier Drogba's finish in the first leg is all the West London club need to secure a result.</p> <p>Gudjohnsen told goal.com:</p> <p>"I believe that they will win through against Juventus because with that one goal lead I think that will give them something to hold on to and they can win in Turin as a result," he revealed.</p> <p>"I really like (Claudio) Ranieri too and know that he is doing a good job at Juve, but I do not see them being able to beat Chelsea."</p></span>
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<br /><img src="http://images.rivals.net/08/04/460x238/Cech_773482.jpg" visible="True" /> <div class="article_summary"> <div class="margin_wrapper float_left"> <div class="float_left"><span class="bold dark">Petr Cech - happy with Guus Hiddink</span><span id="ctl00_cpMainContent_lblHeadline"><span style="font-weight: bold;">
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<br /></span>Cech speaks to end speculation</span></div> </div> </div> <!-- Article Start --> <p class="bold"><span id="ctl00_cpMainContent_lblStrapline">Chelsea and Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech spoken to refute claims that he was in any way responsible for the sacking of former Blues boss Phil Scolari who was dismissed in February after a comparatively poor run of results and replaced by current albeit temporary manager Dutchman Guus Hiddink. </span></p> <span id="ctl00_cpMainContent_lblBodyText"><p>After he left the club, Scolari blamed senior players such as Cech, Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and German international Michael Ballack among others although the Brazilian cited the three as the main instigators of his dismissal after it emerged that the three players had met with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to discuss the then crisis situation at Stamford Bridge. </p><p>However, speaking to the News of the World, Cech said: "We stayed with him and tried to help him. We helped both with our attitude and our performances on the pitch. But in the end he came out with such comments." </p><p> He went on: "I will say only one thing. Every time something similar to this happens there are always a lot of rumours and speculations. I was rather surprised that this came out from the coach because mostly managers stay together with their team." </p><p>He went on: "However I do not worry about it now. I just try to focus on my current performances to finish the season as well as we can." </p><p>Since the arrival of Hiddink, Chelsea have won the five matches they have played, six including the FA Cup win at Watford where the team were managed by Scolari and then Hiddink's assistant Ray Wilkins. </p><p> Saturdays result against Coventry meant that Chelsea went through to the FA Cup semi finals and will play either Arsenal or Hull City with Manchester Utd facing Everton in the other game. </p><p>Chelsea won 2-0 with the goals coming from Drogba and Alex. Talking to the Sunday tabloid about that match, Cech said of Drogba: "Didier was unlucky with injuries at the beginning of the season. It took more time to get back to his full physical condition. Also he was only coming on for the last 20 minutes." </p><p>He added: "It was even worse for him than for me. But he has played full games in our last few matches and we all saw his contribution to the team." </p><p> Whatever Cech said about Scolari, he is positive that Hiddink's arrival has been a good thing: He said: "You can see the work we have done since the change of managers. Our team performance is back and I still believe we will finish higher than Liverpool." </p></span>
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<br /><h1 class="titlestory">Mancienne wants to partner Chelsea's Terry for club and country</h1> <div class="newsubmit">09.03.09 | tribalfootball.com</div> <div class="content"> <p>Michael Mancienne is convinced he can be Chelsea skipper John Terry's defensive partner - for club and country. </p><p> He told the <i>People</i>: "One of my dreams is to play alongside the England captain on a regular basis, especially as I have grown up here watching him. </p><p> "Jt has been a massive influence and as a person he has been great for me as well. </p><p> "He's definitely very interested in the kids coming through at Chelsea and is a great role model for us. </p><p>"It's great to watch a player come from the Chelsea youth ranks to captain England because obviously you would want something like that to happen to yourself. </p><p> "With Hiddink, it seems to be different than it is with a lot of big clubs because he is not afraid to throw in his youngsters. </p><p> "It's a great confidence booster. </p><p> "There's a lot more light at the end of the tunnel for me. And I hope that I will get more of a sniff of a first-team place. </p><p> "I hope Hiddink doesn't leave in the summer."</p> </div>
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<br /><span class="boldspaced">Yet ANOTHER apology from the media: John Terry</span>
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<br /><!-- Article Start --><span class="boldspaced">What again? Yet ANOTHER apology from the Mirror to a Chelsea player or Abramovich? Yes indeed! The Mirror ran a story recently stating that Guus Hiddink had partly blamed John Terry for Ashley Cole’s recent arrest for drunken behaviour – they have now printed the following apology:</span>
<br /><blockquote><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“Mirror.co.uk would like to apologise to John Terry for wrongly suggesting in a headline that Guus Hiddink had blamed him for Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole's arrest.”</span></span></em> <p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Some sections of the media got so hysterical that they practically demanded Terry have the England captaincy removed!</span></span></p></blockquote><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://v4admin.sportnetwork.net/upload/379/EMP-6608712.jpg" alt="Terry - Jan 09" title="Terry - Jan 09" width="511" height="307" /></span></span> <blockquote><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">You have to laugh at the double standards and hypocrisy from the media on certain clubs – especially Chelsea. </span></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Gerrard was recently involved in an alleged attack on a barman yet the slant from the media was sympathy – Terry gets accused of making remarks on 9/11 and he gets banned from playing for England!</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I’ve lost count of the amount of apologies The Mirror and The Times have issued so far – two is it to Terry?<span> </span>A couple to Shevchenko?<span> </span>One from each to Abramovich?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">This won’t be the last apology – the press have carte blanche to attack, invent and say what they like.<span> </span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span></span>Make no mistake – there is a definite agenda against us and until the media are more vigorously regulated it’s not going to stop.</span></span></p></blockquote>
<br />The Last one was this
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<br /><div id="lead"> <span class="boldspaced">Mirror Apologises to Abramovich</span>
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<br />THE DAILY MIRROR</div> By dixon9
<br />August 1 2008
<br /><!-- Article Start --><span class="boldspaced">The Daily Mirror have been forced to print an apology to Roman Abramovich after claiming that he approached Turkey national coach Fatih Terim behind Grant’s back during the crucial run-in of last season. This apology is just another in a line of apologies issued from the media after various defamatory stories against Andrei Shevchenko and John Terry.
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<br /></span><blockquote><p><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The media have it well in for us and they know they have an easy market of plebeian masses that will only too gratefully lap up any negative stories on Chelsea – I can’t see them stopping but again they have had to apologise (after the damage was done obviously):</span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The Mirror apology read as follows:</span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ></span><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“On March 22 we published a story which we claimed to be an exclusive both in the newspaper and on our website stating that Roman Abramovich was drawing up a secret hit list of potential managers and had authorised the sounding out of Turkey boss Fatih Terim.”</span></span></em><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></em></p><p><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“We now accept that Mr Abramovich had authorised no such approach and nor had he drawn up any secret hit list.”</span></span></em><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></em> </p><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 2.75pt;" class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">“We apologise to Mr Abramovich for the upset and distress caused by the publication of this article.”</span></span></em></p></blockquote><p style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt 2.75pt;" class="MsoNormal"><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em></p><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"></span></em><em><span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://v4admin.sportnetwork.net/upload/379/old/3791168999778.jpg" alt="ROMAN STANDING" title="ROMAN STANDING" width="300" height="300" /></div><blockquote><p> <span style="font-family:Arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span> <span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Abramovich lawyers said that:</span></span></p></blockquote></span></span></em><blockquote><p><em><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The story has caused substantial damage to his reputation, and caused him considerable distress and embarrassment.”</span></span></em><em><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></em><em><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The Mirror had made no attempt to check the allegations with him, press officers, or Chelsea, or warn him before publication.
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<br /></span></span></em><em><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The Mirror also failed to apologise to him, or take proper steps to mitigate the damage, and of failing to respond fully to his complaints. </span></span></em></p><p><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The compensation is reported to be £150,000 from the Daily Mirror publishers but Abramovich is also going to seek aggravated damages as well as also suing over the website version of the story which was not taken off-line until April 28<sup>th</sup>.</span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">To add more icing to the cake Abramovich is further seeking an injunction as well as damages as he believes the invented negative stories about him and Chelsea Football Club will not cease (The Mirror has already had to apologise twice to Shevchenko).</span></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> </span></span></p><p><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ></span><span style=";font-family:Arial;color:black;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Probably won’t make that much difference – but maybe certain quarters of the media will think a bit longer before adding fuel to the thirsty anti-Chelsea bandwagon?</span></span></p></blockquote>Cheers ~ Come On Chelsea ~
<br /></div>
<br /><!-- E BO --> </div></div></div></div></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-15616013054321272832009-03-05T05:54:00.002+08:002009-03-05T05:58:40.071+08:00Roman jnr living fairy-tale after training with Chelsea on Abramovich's recommendation<h1 style="font-family: verdana;">A 16-year-old Russia starlet plucked from obscurity by <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea </a>has described his time at the club's Cobham training ground as 'a fairy-tale'.</h1><p style="font-family: verdana;">Roman Emelianov was discovered when Roman Abramovich led a Chelsea scouting mission to Konoplyov Academy in Togliatti, 700 miles east of Moscow and most famous as the home of Lada cars.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="floatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/03/article-0-039B015B000005DC-153_306x463.jpg" alt="Roman Abramovich" class="blkBorder" width="306" height="463" /> <p class="imageCaption">Personal recommendation: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The teenager is a midfielder for the Russian Under 17 team and also plays for second division outfit FC Togliatti. He was pointed out personally by Abramovich as the most talented player of his age.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'For me it's like a fairy-tale,' Emelianov told a Russian newspaper. 'At first I couldn't believe it was happening to me.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Last summer, Togliatti was visited by a delegation from Chelsea headed by Roman Abramovich.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'They watched me play in two matches. Later Abramovich came over to me and told me to begin learning English.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I can't sign a professional contract in England until I'm 18. I'm going to train with Chelsea youths for another week or two and return home. But they say they will follow my progress and invite to training camps here four times a year.' </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Asked what impressed him most in London, Emelianov said: 'I won't forget a dinner Roman Abramovich invited me for. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'It was so unusual for me that I even felt a bit uncomfortable. Also I had a chance to play against Michael Essien.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'He is recovering from injury and they arranged a game for him involving two teams of Under 18 players. We played a match and Michael's team lost to mine 7-1.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I was surprised that he's so small. On the telly he looked taller to me.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p><span class="main-content"><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="ss-header hstyle2 main-headline">Hiddink hails character</h1> <h3 style="font-family: verdana;">Blues boss praises side after Fratton Park triumph</h3><br /><div class="ss-art-body"> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="ss-art-subcol"> <a href="http://img.skysports.com/09/03/800x600/Hiddink1_1946070.jpg" class="thickbox" title=""><img src="http://img.skysports.com/09/03/218x298/Hiddink1_1946070.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink Chelsea press" title="Guus Hiddink Chelsea press" width="218" /></a> <p class="ss-text-caption">Hiddink: Building pressure</p> <!--/art-col-links/--> </div><!--/ss-art-subcol/--> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="ss-text-bold">Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink praised his side's mental strength and character after they beat Portsmouth 1-0 at a rain-soaked Fratton Park. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">A Didier Drogba strike 11 minutes from time was enough to give Chelsea all three points and keep their faint title hopes alive.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The win keeps the Blues second and moves them to within four points of leaders Manchester United, although the champions have two games in hand.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Dutch boss was understandably pleased with the victory, but especially after the hosts had numerous good chances to win the game themselves.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"It's good, the team are mentally strong, the team showed a lot of character," he told <i>Sky Sports</i>.</p><h4 style="font-family: verdana;">Risks</h4><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I had prepared my third substitution for the 75th minute and we might have taken some risks but the goal came at a good moment."</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink was also pleased that his side had applied pressure to United ahead of their fixture away at Newcastle on Wednesday.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"The pressure is on to go for the championship, when you are chasing its good to keep the pressure on," he added.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Russia national team boss also found time to praise his match winner Drogba as the Ivory Coast international claimed only his second league goal of the season.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"He is the man in the team who's leading who's mentally strong," Hiddink added.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"He is enjoying his football and enjoying his training. He had a difficult night and he had a slight chance and he took it."</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">United boss Ferguson wary of Chelsea 'traps' as champions plot their title defence<br /></h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Sir Alex Ferguson insists <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a> 'won’t fall into any traps' after claiming that Guus Hiddink had tried to unsettle the Premier League leaders by saying <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea </a>can win the title.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Blues boss spelt out his belief that his team can overhaul United in the table even though they are seven points behind the champions who have a game in hand.</p><span style="font-family: verdana;">But Ferguson is sure his team can take the pressure and said: 'You hope to disturb your opponents and I have done it myself because you hope to get nearer.</span><br /><br /><img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/03/article-1158914-03A85D71000005DC-178_468x385.jpg" alt="Sir Alex Ferguson" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="385" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Focused: Sir Alex Ferguson</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'But we won’t take anything lightly and we play Newcastle on Wednesday knowing that they are fighting for survival and that it won’t be easy.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'It will be nip and tuck for all teams in the division, so we will not be falling into any traps.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">United are unbeaten in the League since losing 2-1 at Arsenal in November but Ferguson dismissed the idea that the title race was over.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The manager said: 'We have lost Leagues in March and April before and we have also won them by going on fantastic runs. I think we will drop points before the end of the season but I also believe others will, too.'</p><br /><br /><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="sIFR-ignore">Inter owner unsure of Mourinho future</h1><img id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_Left_Left_Left_ctl01_imgFullSize" src="http://www.setanta.com//Global/Images/sport/football/2008-2009/italy/Inter/mourinho_training.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; width: 480px; font-family: verdana;" /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="div_article_main_content"> <p>Inter owner Massimo Moratti says he is delighted with Jose Mourinho – but hinted that he may not remain at the club long-term. </p><p>Despite dropping two points in the 3-3 draw with Roma on Sunday, Inter remain seven points clear at the top of Serie A and are widely expected to retain the trophy. </p><p>However, Mourinho has had some difficulties in adapting to life in Italy, with various disputes with the press and rival managers, and some supporters have not been convinced by his style of play. </p><p>The Inter boss recently revealed that he intends to return to Chelsea at some point and, while Moratti confirmed he is happy with his work at the club, he suggested that he does not know if he will remain in Italy for an extended period. </p><p>“We are very satisfied with Mourinho’s work with us,” he told Sport Express. </p><p>“When I discovered that there was an opportunity to get him, we just went for it, and he was very happy to accept. </p><p>“When he signed the deal, both parties were extremely satisfied, and we both still feel the same.” </p><p>Asked how long Inter hoped to hold onto Mourinho, Moratti said: “It’s not important. </p><p>“What is important is that, for as long as he works for us, he delivers trophies every year.” </p><p>With Inter already dominating Serie A, Mourinho was reportedly brought to the club to boost the side’s chances of winning the Champions League. </p><p>However, Moratti knows all too well that knockout competitions rely on an element of fortune and is making no demands. </p><p>“Of course, for us it would be extremely important to win the Champions League,” he said. “The tournament is significantly different from the league in that a single game has so much more importance. </p><p>“In the league, it is spread over a longer period of time, so the result is less dependent on the mood and state of the team on any particular day. </p><p>“Luck is a much less important factor in the league, but that takes nothing away from the Champions League or our desire to win it.” </p><p>Inter travel to Old Trafford next week for the second leg of their clash with Manchester United. </p><p>The Italian side struggled for long periods at the San Siro with former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari particularly poor, but Moratti feels they have every hope of getting a positive result in the second leg. </p><p>“The first leg was extremely difficult for us, but the main thing was that the visitors were unable to score at the San Siro,” he said. </p><p>“Everything is still in our hands. </p><p>“In defence of Muntari, I would say that he usually plays better.” </p> </div><br /><br /><br /> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="container"> <div class="wrapper"> <div class="inner"> <img src="http://www.espnstar.com/servlet/file/215174_33_preview.jpg?ITEM_ENT_ID=215174&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=10&FILE_SERVICE_CONF_ID=33" alt="Manchester United Training Session For Club World Cup Final" class="image" align="right" /><h3>Modric tells Ron to quit acting!</h3> <div class="freestyle-text"> <p class="excerpt">Tottenham ace Luka Modric has hit out at Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo over his over-theatrical antics on the pitch.</p><p>Midfielder Modric was on the losing side in the Carling Cup Final at the weekend in which Ronaldo scored in the penalty shoot-out to give Sir Alex Ferguson his second title of the season.</p><p>Ronaldo slammed referee Chris Foy after the match for giving him a yellow card after the Portuguese winger dived inside the Spurs' box searching for a penalty.</p><p>Speaking to the Daily Mail, Modric said: 'He's an excellent player, but he really overdoes the theatrical bits.</p><p>'In England, where fairness is especially kept in mind and where a masculine, fair game is the law, such whining stands out even more. I don't know what good it will do him.'</p><p>The Croatian playmaker also revealed why he was not one of the penalty-takers and assured Spurs fans that his future is at White Hart Lane.</p><p>Modric added: 'Redknapp asked me how I felt. I wasn't among the first five strikers, but I would have had a go if we had gone into sudden-death.</p><p>'I wasn't too thrilled about that, because I have to do everything to overcome that fear. There is no point in it becoming a chronic frustration.'</p><p>When quizzed about his future, Modric declared: 'Leave those stories alone, I've just arrived.'</p><p>Spurs take on Middlesbrough tonight with three points likely to steer either team further away from relegation troubles.</p></div></div></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="news_heading"> Cuellar: Chelsea deserve to be Champions!</div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="news_article"> <div class="clubNewsImage"> <br /> </div> Carlos Cuellar believes Chelsea Football Club are the best team in England.<br /><br />The Blues may be some seven points behind Manchester United in the race for the title, but they have a fan in Aston Villa’s Spanish defender.<br /><br />"The team that has made us suffer the most is Chelsea. They have quality, speed, mobility, they keep possession,” Cuellar told AS.<br /><br />"Manchester United are very good, but they have been lucky and have won games when they have not played well." </div><br /> </div></span></p>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-60745293362864851402009-03-03T17:16:00.002+08:002009-03-03T17:21:23.638+08:00Hiddink: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has rekindled his love affair with the club<h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Roman Abramovich has rediscovered his love for <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> and now often attends training sessions, according to Guus Hiddink.</h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We have known each other long enough, but now due to my work in Chelsea we have naturally developed even closer ties,' said the Dutchman.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Roman lives with the interests of the club and spends a lot of time here, often coming to training sessions.'</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/02/article-0-0392092D000005DC-26_468x311.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink and Roman Abramovich" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="311" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Guus Hiddink says Roman Abramovich has rediscovered his love for Chelsea</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">There had been speculations that the financial crisis and new interests meant that Abramovich was not so interested in Chelsea.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But Hiddink insisted to Russian journalists who were shown around the Chelsea training facilities at Cobham that he will leave Stamford Bridge at the end of the season.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">He also made clear that he is already advising Abramovich on his successor at Chelsea.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I often talk to Roman Abramovich. Among other things he is interested in my opinion about the future of Chelsea,' he said.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/03/02/article-0-039B965F000005DC-502_468x339.jpg" alt="Hiddink" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="339" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Hiddink has enjoyed a fine start as manager of Chelsea</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'But I think I should not discuss this subject in public now. First of all, we need to achieve the aims of the team for this season.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink stressed: 'I don't want to leave the Russian team in someone else's hands now. That's why I have a firm agreement with Chelsea that I only work with them until the end of May.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'In autumn, Russia is going to play too many important matches. It's impossible to combine the two jobs under such circumstances.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'To leave my work undone is against my principles. The Russian team is going to be my priority.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">It can be done! Sportsmail proves every Premier League club can field an English XI</h1><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">A decade on from the last all-homegrown XI in the top flight, England still expects</h2> <p style="font-family: verdana;">It's 10 years to the day since the last all-English Premier League XI started a match when Coventry thrashed <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/aston-villa.html">Aston Villa</a> 4-1 at Villa Park - and with the influx foreign players looking likely to continue it could be some time until that feat is matched again.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Sportsmail Online has taken a look at what the potential line-ups would be if all 20 Premier League clubs we forced to field an English only team this weekend.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Indicative of the dearth of English players in the Premier League at present, some sides include many reserves and even youth players as we struggled to fill the team sheet and if you notice two right-sided full backs or the odd attacking midfielder up front, that'll be because we've had to shuffle the pack a little to get a team together.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The clubs with the strongest sides include <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a>, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/west-ham-united.html">West Ham</a>, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/everton.html">Everton</a>, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/tottenham-hotspur.html">Tottenham </a>and Aston Villa who boast many internationals and former internationals among their ranks and the notable strugglers would include <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/arsenal.html">Arsenal</a>, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/liverpool.html">Liverpool</a>, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/wigan-athletic.html">Wigan</a> and <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/sunderland.html">Sunderland </a>with <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/blackburn-rovers.html">Blackburn </a>fielding six reserves!</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Judging by some of the potential line-ups we're sure fans of the Premier League will be grateful for the foreign invasion!<br /><br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">Here's the teams</h2><div style="text-align: center; background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;"><h2><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">MANCHESTER UNITED</span><br /></h2></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><p><span style="font-weight: bold;">Ben Foster</span><br /></p></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><p>Gary Neville Wes Brown Rio Ferdinand Richard Eckersley<br /></p></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><div class="clear"> </div><p>Owen Hargreaves Michael Carrick Paul Scholes Lee Martin</p></div><div style="text-align: center; font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><p>Wayne Rooney Fraizer Campbell<br /></p><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-1157357-03A87E16000005DC-936_468x348.jpg" alt="rio ferdinand" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="348" /> <p class="imageCaption">Big man at the back: United and England defender Rio Ferdinand</p> </div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">CHELSEA</span></h2><span style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><br /></span> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Sam Walker</p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> Jack Cork John Terry Michael Mancienne Ashley Cole </p> <p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Joe Cole Frank Lampard Jimmy Smith Lee Sawyer</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"> Scott Sinclair Shaun Cummings</p><p style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;"><br /></p> </div> <div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 0);">LIVERPOOL</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"></span></span></h2><p style="font-weight: bold;">David Martin</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Jamie Carragher Jack Hobbs Stephen Darby Robbie Threlfall</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Steven Gerrard Adam Hamill Jay Spearing Paul Anderson</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Craig Linfield Nathan Eccleston</p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></p></div><br /><h2 style="background-color: rgb(153, 51, 102); font-family: verdana;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(0, 255, 255);">ASTON VILLA</span><br /></h2><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><p style="font-weight: bold;">Stuart Taylor</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Luke Young Curtis Davies Zat Knight Nicky Shorey</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Steve Sidwell Nigel Reo-Coker Gareth Barry James Milner</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Ashley Young Gabriel Agbonlahor</p><div class="thinArtSplitter"> <div class="splitLeft"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-1157357-037C31F2000005DC-209_224x329.jpg" alt="Gabriel Agbonlahor" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="329" /> </div> <div class="splitRight"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-1157357-03A00887000005DC-204_224x329.jpg" alt="ashley young" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="329" /> </div> <div class="clear"> </div> </div> </div><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Great expectations: Striker Gabriel Agbonlahor (left) and winger Ashley Young are tipped for a bright future with Aston Villa and England<br /></p><h2 style="background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: verdana;" align="center"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">ARSENAL</span><br /></h2><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><p style="font-weight: bold;">Manuel Almunia<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Gavin Hoyte Kerrea Gilbert Paul Rogers Kieran Gibbs</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Jack Wilshere Henri Lansbury Mark Randall James Dunne</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Jay Simpson Theo Walcott</p><p style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></p><div style="background-color: rgb(51, 102, 255);" align="center"><h2><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">WIGAN</span></h2></div><div align="center"><p><b>Chris Kirkland</b></p></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p><b>Peter Moore Emmerson Boyce Titus Bramble Luke Ashworth<br /></b></p><p><b>Lewis Montrose Ben Watson Lee Cattermole Michael Brown</b></p><p><b>Daniel Barrie Matty Hampson</b></p></div> <p><b><br /></b></p> <div align="center"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">STOKE</span></h2><p><b>Steve Simonsen</b></p><p><b>Andy Griffin Danny Higginbotham Leon Cort Ryan Shawcross</b></p><p><b>Danny Pugh Micahel Tonge Rory Delap Matthew Etherington</b></p><p><b>James Beattie Dave Kitson</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p></div> <h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">EVERTON</span><br /></h2></div><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><p style="font-weight: bold;">Carlo Nash</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Tony Hibbert Jack Rodwell Joleon Lescott Leighton Baines<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Phil Neville Leon Osman Phil Jagielka Dan Gosling</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">James Vaughan Lucas Jutkiewicz</p><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-1157357-02BA8301000005DC-631_468x327.jpg" alt="lescott" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="327" /> <p class="imageCaption">Playing for the jersey: Joleon Lescott has had a good season for Everton </p> </div><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><div align="center"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(51, 102, 255);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">BLACKBURN</span></h2><p><b>Paul Robinson</b></p><p><b>Stephen Warnock Jonathan Bateson Dean Winnard Alex Marrow</b></p><p><b>David Dunn Rostyn Griffiths Andrew Haworth Marcus Marshall<br /></b></p><p><b>Matt Derbyshire Jason Roberts</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p></div><div align="center"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">MIDDLESBROUGH</span></h2><p><b>Ross Turnbull</b></p><p><b>Justin Hoyte David Wheater Chris Riggott Andrew Taylor<br /></b></p><p><b>Stewart Downing Gary O'Neil Nathan Porritt Adam Johnson<br /></b></p><p><b>Jeremie Aliadiere Jonathan Franks</b></p></div><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="center"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(153, 51, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 204);">WEST HAM</span></h2><p><b>Rob Green</b></p><p><b>James Tomkins Jordan Spence Mathew Upson Calum Davenport</b></p><p><b>Kieron Dyer Mark Noble Scott Parker Lee Bowyer</b></p><p><b>Dean Ashton Carlton Cole</b></p><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-1157357-037BF331000005DC-547_468x323.jpg" alt="rob green" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="323" /> <p class="imageCaption">In with the big boys: Rob Green (2nd right) and Carlton Cole (far right) with England</p> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="center"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 255, 255);">MANCHESTER CITY</h2><p><b>Joe Hart</b></p><p><b>Michael Ball Nedum Onuoha Micah Richards Wayne Bridge<br /></b></p><p><b>Shaun Wright-Phillips Michael Johnson Kelvin Etuhu Ched Evans</b></p><p><b>Daniel Sturridge Darius Vassell</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p><h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">FULHAM</span></h2> <p><b>David Stockdale</b></p> <p><b>Paul Konchesky Chris Smalling Elliot Omazusi Adam Watts</b></p> <p><b>Julian Gray Danny Murphy Giles Barnes Wayne Brown</b></p> <p><b>Bobby Zamora Andy Johnson</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="center"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">SUNDERLAND</span></h2><p><b>Martin Hunter</b></p><p><b>Phil Bardsley Anton Ferdinand Nyron Nosworthy Peter Hartley<br /></b></p><p><b>Kieran Richardson Dean Whitehead Grant Leadbitter Nathan Luscombe</b></p><p><b>David Dowson Michael Chopra</b></p></div><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="center"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 51, 102);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">TOTTENHAM</span></h2><p><b>Carlo Cudicini</b></p><p><b>Michael Dawson Ledley King Jonathan Woodgate Jamie O'Hara</b></p><p><b>Aaron Lennon Jermaine Jenas Tom Huddlestone David Bentley</b></p><p><b>Jermain Defoe Darren Bent</b></p><div class="thinArtSplitter"> <div class="splitLeft"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-1157357-03A4C08E000005DC-325_224x291.jpg" alt="lennon" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="291" /> </div> <div class="splitRight"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-1157357-03964EAE000005DC-325_224x291.jpg" alt="jenas" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="291" /> </div> <div class="clear"> </div> </div> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="center"><p class="imageCaption">A wing and a player: Wide boy Aaron Lennon (left) and midfielder Jermaine Jenas<br /></p><h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">NEWCASTLE</span></h2><p><b>Steve Harper</b></p><p><b>Ryan Taylor Steven Taylor David Edgar Ben Tozer</b></p><p><b>Joey Barton Nicky Butt Kevin Nolan Danny Guthrie</b></p><p><b>Alan Smith Michael Owen</b></p><p><b><br /></b></p></div><h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: verdana;"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 153);">PORTSMOUTH</span></h2><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>David James</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Mark Wilson Glen Johnson Sol Campbell Martin Crainie</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Jerome Thomas Sean Davis Hayden Mullins Glen Little</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Peter Crouch David Nugent</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></p><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 128);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">BOLTON</span></h2><p style="font-weight: bold;">Tom Brocklehurst</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Nicky Hunt Robert Sissons Gary Cahill Jlloyd Samuel<br /></p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Matt Taylor Fabrice Muamba Mark Davies Chris Basham</p><p style="font-weight: bold;">Kevin Davies James Sinclair</p></div><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h2 style="background-color: rgb(255, 153, 0); font-family: verdana;">HULL</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Matt Duke</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Ian Ashbee Tony Gardner Michael Turner Andy Dawson</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Nick Barmby Bryan Hughes Dean Marney Jimmy Bullard</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Caleb Folan Craig Fagan</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br /></b></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" align="center"><h2 style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">WEST BROM</span></h2><p><b>Scott Carson</b></p><p><b>Paul Robinson Neil Clement Leon Barnett Jared Hodgkiss</b></p><p><b>Jonathan Greening Joss Labadie David Worrall Dwayne Samuels</b></p><p><b>Ishmael Miller Luke Moore</b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h1>New logo? AirAsia chief Fernandes poses in Manchester United shirt<br /></h1> <p>Tony Fernandes, self-confessed <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/west-ham-united.html">West Ham</a> fan and ebullient chief executive of AirAsia, has posted a picture of himself wearing a Manchester United shirt on his blog.</p><p>The enterpreneur is set to decide on whether to replace floundering American insurance company AIG as <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a>'s main sponsor.</p><p>With AIG's current four-year £56.5million deal expiring in May next year, one of the most prestigious sponsorship deals in world sport is up for grabs.</p><p>But Fernandes will have to pay an estimated £20m a year to see the logo of his low-cost airline adorning the torsos of the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.</p><p>Competition is, unsurprisingly, fierce with several businesses sent out a sample shirt to see how their logo would look.<br /></p><p>Fernandes, pictured below, also posted rhetoric on his blog, remarking: 'Here is the million-dollar question or, rather, the multimillion-dollar question. Do I commit to the shirt sponsorship of Manchester United?'</p><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/25/article-0-03A9440F000005DC-479_468x354.jpg" alt="If the shirt fits: Fernandes poses in the mocked-up United shirt" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="354" /> <p class="imageCaption">If the shirt fits: Fernandes poses in the mocked-up United shirt</p> <p>Born in Malaysia, entrepeneur Fernandes has carved an image for himself as Asia's answer to Richard Branson.<br /></p><p>With the launch of AirAsia came the slogan 'Now everyone can fly', and with the company already a partner of United and in the midst of a three-year deal to sponsor referees, he is no stranger to the Barclays Premier League.</p><p>And with Asian markets devouring all things football, should Fernandes desire to sponsor United, surely the £20m a-year outlay will really take off.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><h1>THE LIST: Sportsmail's top ten of football's biggest traitors</h1><br /><p>Every team in the land has that one player (or more...) who saw the higher wages and bigger stadiums and decided they could live with forever being booed each time they touched the ball at their former club.<br /></p><p><span style="font-style: italic;">Sportsmail</span> have given it some thought, drudged up some odious footballing memories from bygone seasons, remembered times they wished they hadn't and come up with the top 50 traitors of all time.<br /></p><p>Do you agree with our top 50? Make sure you have your say.<br /></p><h2><span style="background-color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">SPORTSMAIL'S BIGGEST FOOTBALLING TRAITORS... 10-1</span></span></h2><h2>10. Ashley Cole</h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-04906D8C0000044D-577_468x662.jpg" alt="A dejected Ashley Cole of Arsenal, walks past the Champions League trophy" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="662" /> <p class="imageCaption">For joining Chelsea from Arsenal after 'nearly swerving off the road' at the Gunners' 'piss-take' offer of £55,000-a-week. 'I was so incensed. I was trembling with anger. I couldn't believe what I'd heard.' Neither could we Ashley, neither could we. </p> <h2> 9. Wayne Rooney<br /></h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-022A92FA000005DC-157_468x490.jpg" alt="Wayne Rooney of Manchester United" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="490" /> <p class="imageCaption">For claiming 'once a blue, always a blue' before joining Manchester United after just 67 Premier League appearances for Everton.</p> <h2> 8. Alan Smith</h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-00E3B7540000044C-801_468x563.jpg" alt="Leeds United's Alan Smith " class="blkBorder" width="468" height="563" /> <p class="imageCaption">For joining Manchester United from Leeds just weeks after the Yorkshire club were relegated (the first time). Ouch.</p> <h2>7. Paul Ince</h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-00E9153500000190-374_468x402.jpg" alt="For being photographed in a Manchester United shirt while still a West Ham player. Still receives plenty of stick at Upton Park for that slight misjudgement." class="blkBorder" width="468" height="402" /> <p class="imageCaption">For being photographed in a Manchester United shirt while still a West Ham player. Still receives plenty of stick at Upton Park for that slight misjudgement.</p> <h2>6. Nick Barmby</h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-0035389400000258-359_468x516.jpg" alt="Liverpool's Nicky Barmby" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="516" /> <p class="imageCaption">For being the first Everton player to cross Stanley Park since 1959 after four seasons at Goodison Park.</p> <h2>5. Jermain Defoe</h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-0069E57900000258-588_468x500.jpg" alt="Jermain Defoe, West Ham" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="500" /> <p class="imageCaption">For turning his back on Charlton to sign for West Ham. For handing in a transfer request within 24 hours of West Ham's relegation in 2003. For moving to Tottenham. Oops.</p> <h2>4. Harry Redknapp</h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-0278C6610000044D-871_468x310.jpg" alt="Two Portsmouth fans wear t-shirts relating to Southampton manager Harry Redknapp" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="310" /> <p class="imageCaption">For joining Southampton from Portsmouth. For returning to Fratton Park after taking Southampton down to the Championship. For jumping ship again at Portsmouth to join Tottenham - which in turn upset West Ham fans. Nice work Harry.</p> <h2>3. Mo Johnston</h2><div class="clear"> </div><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-00BF448100000190-438_468x286.jpg" alt="Glasgow Rangers manager Graeme Souness (right) with new signing, striker Maurice Johnston" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /> <p class="imageCaption">For choosing Rangers rather than return to Celtic after a brief spell in France just days after giving a press conference declaring his love for his former club.</p> <h2>2. Luis Figo</h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-0032538400000258-943_468x337.jpg" alt="Barcelona fans burn a poster of former Barcelona player Luis Figo" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="337" /> <p class="imageCaption">For joining the hated Real Madrid from Barcelona in a world record £37m deal. Pesetero.</p> <h2>1. Sol Campbell</h2><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-1156662-002957A600000258-68_468x325.jpg" alt="Sol Campbell of Spurs " class="blkBorder" width="468" height="325" /> <p class="imageCaption">For running down his contract at Tottenham and signing for bitter rivals Arsenal on a free transfer. He could have gone anywhere in the world and he'd still have been revered at White Hart Lane. But he went there and will never be forgiven for it.</p><br /><p>There are certain qualities every football fan always loves about their favourite player.<br />For some it's how they dig deep for the team and the gutsy character they show on the pitch. For others it's their one-in-a-million goal celebration or passion for winning every time they put on the club shirt.<br /></p>But all fans agree the best thing a footballer at their team can have - loyalty. </div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-82736990340128128382009-03-02T03:26:00.004+08:002009-03-02T04:02:16.388+08:00All About Chelsea - Super Frankie Lampard To The Rescue Yet Again !!<h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea 2 Wigan 1: Lampard's winner isn't kidding Hiddink
<br /></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;">All around him, fans were celebrating and his staff were ecstatic. Yet Guus Hiddink, <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea's</a> new manager, stood impassive, arms folded and grimfaced, a pose that has become familiar in the past 10 days. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">He is Sir Alf Ramsey reincarnated, in temperament at least, keeping his head when all round are losing theirs. Frank Lampard had just headed home a winner over <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/wigan-athletic.html">Wigan</a> in the 90th minute and Stamford Bridge had erupted in sheer relief. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Not Hiddink, however. He makes encouraging noises about the commitment and the reaction of his players but he knows this Chelsea side need to improve - and quickly. 'I'm happy and satisfied for the win but the way we gave away control in the second half is not super-satisfying,' said Hiddink. </p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/28/article-1154991-03B35543000005DC-501_468x286.jpg" alt="John Terry" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">How's that for starters: John Terry opens the scoring at Stamford Bridge</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I have to be happy but also critical. We have to improve tactically when we are on and off the ball. 'If the boys can always guarantee a last-minute win, then I can suffer for 90 minutes on the bench. But no one can give me that guarantee. What I like to see is that the game is killed when you're dominating in the first period.' </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Yesterday his side were labouring, stumbling towards another draw at home, the kind that became familiar under Luiz Felipe Scolari. Chelsea had the better of the game, the pick of the chances but had allowed themselves to be caught out in the final 10 minutes, thanks to slack defending. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Yet as the fourth official held up the board that indicated three minutes of added time, John Terry played a long ball, hoping for once to outwit Wigan's excellent defensive partnership of Emmerson Boyce and Titus Bramble. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Michael Ballack flicked the ball on and Lampard directed a header home to lift Chelsea to second in the table. But Chelsea were fortunate that referee Lee Probert did not rule out the goal because Lampard held Mario Melchiot. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/28/article-1154991-03B359AB000005DC-850_468x306.jpg" alt="Hiddink and Wilkins" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="306" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Party time: new Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink and assistant Ray Wilkins celebrate John Terry's opener</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Wigan manager Steve Bruce was right to be utterly dismayed, for his team deserved better after a fine performance. As for the title race, Manchester United remain seven points clear with a game in hand and Hiddink is no romantic dreamer. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I'm rather realistic,' he said. 'That's to say we have first to win our games - and hopefully a little bit more comfortably than we did today. And second, we have to ask Edwin van der Sar if he would like to let the ball in the back of his net. I don't think he would be willing to do so. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'A stable team like Manchester United are in a good seat. But as long as we have a possibility, and as long as it's not decided, we will aim for it and that's what the team showed last week at Villa Park and today.' </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Wigan had the best of the opening chances and Paul Scharner should have put them ahead on 18 minutes when clear through on goal. A minute later Ashley Cole headed off the line from Bramble's header. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Two chances in two minutes!' reflected Bruce. 'I don't think I've had two chances in the last two years here! But we didn't take them and we needed to.' </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/28/article-1154991-03B35AD5000005DC-605_468x415.jpg" alt="Drogba" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="415" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">In the wars: Didier Drogba battles for possession with Mario Melchiot</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea then awoke, John Mikel Obi forcing an excellent save from Chris Kirkland before the goal came on 25 minutes.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Lampard crossed into the six-yard area, Boyce headed the ball away but only to Terry on the edge of the area. The Chelsea captain's leftfooted volley was impressive but it was the deflection by Boyce that beat Kirkland.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The goal will go down as Terry's and his 35th for the club takes him past Peter Sillett, from the Fifties, as the club's highest-scoring defender. Lampard forced another sharp save from Kirkland in the 37th minute and Bramble was again required to clear off the line when Drogba finally managed to get past the Wigan keeper.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Yet Wigan kept coming and Scharner should have scored with a diving header after Maynor Figueroa provided an excellent looping cross. Four minutes later it seemed they had a point for their travails. Figueroa again provided the cross and Olivier Kapo stuck out a leg to deflect it in. They celebrated in the corner in front of their fans, though it turned out to be premature. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/28/article-1154991-03B38F3F000005DC-894_468x317.jpg" alt="Lampard" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="317" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Delivering on time: Frank Lampard wheels away in delight after scoring Chelsea's late winner</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">
<br /></p><span style="text-decoration: underline; font-family: verdana;"></span><p style="font-family: verdana;"> <img id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondImage" class="float-left" src="http://www.sport.co.uk/public/images_news/2009/2/28/AI_HIDDINKE38022009.jpg" alt="Hiddink: Chelsea can greatly improve" style="border-width: 0px;" /><strong><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondTitle" class="post_title">
<br /></span></strong></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong><span id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_secondTitle" class="post_title">Hiddink: Chelsea can greatly improve</span></strong> </p> <!-- Article Start --> <span style="font-family: verdana;" id="ctl00_ContentPlaceHolder1_lText">Guus Hiddink said he was satisfied with Chelsea's 2-1 win over Wigan, but warned his team there is still plenty of room for improvement. Frank Lampard secured all three points for Hiddink's men with an injury-time winner.John Terry had given Chelsea the lead with a spectacular scissors-kick midway through the first half, but Wigan got back into the game thanks to an 81st minute strike from Olivier Kapo.
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<br />But Lampard's late winner maintained Hiddink's unbeaten start to his reign at Stamford Bridge.
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<br />The Dutchman said: "I am happy and satisfied with the win, but the way we gave away the possession in the second half is not satisfying.
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<br />"I have to be happy but also critical with where we need to improve.
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<br />"I think Wigan deserved a lot of respect, they work very hard and can cause teams a lot of problems as they did with us.
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<br />"We should have scored in the first 20 minutes, but when we got the goal we did well and we also did well after their goal and I thought we deserved to get a goal and we did in the 90th minute.
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<br />"I like to see teams kill the game off in the first half if they are dominating and then we can play better."
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<br />Wigan manager Steve Bruce complained of a push by Lampard on Melchot before the goal, but Hiddink suggested that the contact was minimal and part of the game.
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<br />He added: "I have seen the complaint and there was a lot of shuffling in both boxes which is good to see, but if you are going to penalise a team for that then there should have been five or six penalties.
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<br />"There is a challenge in the box, but there is not a lot of contact between Lampard and Melchot.
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<br />"But if you want to dispute it, then you can also dispute the challenge on Ballack a few seconds before as he was also pushed. But both instances are just part of the game."
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<br /></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" id="story_title">No more blues at Chelsea thanks to Drogba, says Hiddink</h1> <div style="font-family: verdana;" id="story_content"> <p>LONDON: Ivory Coast forward Didier Drogba has been singled out by Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink as one the key factors behind the Premier League team’s resurgence.</p> <p>Drogba had been frozen out at Stamford Bridge by former boss Luiz Felipe Scolari but was restored to the side immediately after the former Brazil coach was sacked earlier this month.</p> <p>And, after impressing in the 1-0 win at Aston Villa last weekend, Drogba confirmed his return from exile by scoring the only goal of the game in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Juventus.</p> <div class="story_image center" style="width: 264px;"> <img src="http://thestar.com.my/archives/2009/3/1/sports/s_52didier.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="229" /> <span class="caption">Didier Drogba</span> </div> <p>Prior to Hiddink’s arrival, doubts had been expressed about Drogba’s commitment to the Blues, with the forward being linked with a move away, particularly to former club Marseille.</p> <p>But Hiddink insists the player has been anything but a disruptive influence and believes Drogba is contributing as much off the pitch as he is on it.</p> <p>“I knew about Didier because of his performances in the World Cup and other tournaments, but I didn’t know him personally,” Hiddink said. “But I’m very positive about his contribution.</p> <p>“On the pitch he is fighting for every ball so the other ones can take advantage of that. And besides that he got his goal.</p> <p>“Off the pitch he is a great example in the dressing room to make the team strong. So he is not just for himself, he is very committed with the rest of the team as well. So I cannot find one detail that’s not okay.</p> <p>“I don’t know how it was before but he has responded to the team which is important.</p> <p>“I’m not the most important man here, but players must respond to the team. And if I can guide a little bit to the left of the right or whatever, then I will do. But his attitude is very good.”</p> <p>Scolari maintained Drogba and Nicolas Anelka could not play together but Hiddink has no doubts the two forwards can develop a fruitful partnership.</p> <p>“This debate will go on. But what for me is the most important thing, is if they are both bringing what they can tactically to the team,” he said.</p> <p>“That means they have a defensive responsibility as well when we lose possession and if they do that then we can use their force, their sharpness when we have the key moments in attack.</p> <p>“And if that’s the case, then I am sure they can play together.”</p> <p>Michael Essien, meanwhile, could mark the end of his six-month injury nightmare by returning for the return trip to face Juventus.</p> <p>The midfielder has been out since damaging knee ligaments last September. He will take the next step in his recovery from knee surgery when he appears for the Blues reserves at Aston Villa tomorrow. — AFP </p> </div>
<br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;"> ASHLEY COLE WANTS STABILITY </h1> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="image-holder"> <img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00028/cole2_516x350_28584a.jpg" alt="NO HIDDINK PLACE - Ashley Cole (right) believes the constant changing of managers, with Guus Hiddink (left) the latest to take charge, is damaging Chelsea" width="516" height="350" /> <div class="caption-container"> <div class="caption"> NO HIDDINK PLACE - Ashley Cole (right) believes the constant changing of managers, with Guus Hiddink (left) the latest to take charge, is damaging Chelsea </div> </div> </div> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;"> Chopping and changing bosses has hurt Chelsea, says defender </h2> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="article-right-column"> <div class="image-holder"> <script src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/js/notw.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> <div class="image-holder"> <img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00028/cole_01_280x414_28582a.jpg" alt="GIVE US A CUDDLE - Ashley Cole (right) and Frank Lampard are committed to Chelsea's cause" width="280" height="414" /> </div> <div class="caption-container"> <div class="caption"> GIVE US A CUDDLE - Ashley Cole (right) and Frank Lampard are committed to Chelsea's cause </div> </div> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="byline"> By ROB BEASLEY, 28/02/2009 </p> <div style="font-family: verdana;"><h3> ASHLEY COLE is admitting the off-field turmoil at Chelsea has left them out of the title race and relying on the Champions League for glory. </h3><p> And the England defender admitted he LOVED playing under sacked boss Felipe Scolari. </p><p> Cole, 28, said: “You look at Man United - they’ve had the same manager for a long time and won things consistently. I do feel we need a bit of stability. But as a player you can’t do anything about that. </p><p> “You’ve got to go out there — whether it’s for a manager or a caretaker manager — and try and do your best, try to do it for the club.” </p><p> Chelsea have had FOUR managers in the last 17 months. Jose Mourinho, who had guided the club to two titles, left in September 2007 and his successor Avram Grant was axed at the end of last season. </p><p> Brazilian World Cup-winning boss Scolari was brought in but lasted just seven months until he was sacked on February 9 amid rumours of a player rebellion. </p><h4> Friend </h4><p> Former Holland coach Guus Hiddink has taken over until the end of the season but Cole admits he loved playing for Scolari. </p><p> He said: “He let me have the freedom of the wing and I seem to be playing as well as I have for Chelsea. So I was happy with that. I’m going to miss Scolari. He helped me a lot. He was more of a friend as well, which was good for me. </p><div class="inline-image-516"><img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00028/cole1_516x350_28583a.jpg" alt="HERE WE SCO - Ashley Cole (right) enjoyed working with Phil Scolari (right)" title="HERE WE SCO - Ashley Cole (right) enjoyed working with Phil Scolari (right)" /></div><p> “He was a good man and the players liked him. He did really well for the club but it was time for a change. Now it’s going to be a bit different but I’m here in a team, it’s not just about myself.” </p><p> But he admits Hiddik and Scolari share many of the same attributes. Cole revealed: “They are both nice guys — not just about football but about your life. </p><p> “They treat you more like a man — it’s not just football, football, football. </p><h4> Change </h4><p> “Scolari was a father figure, which was good as well. Hiddink speaks to the young players a lot, helps them through and gives them confidence. </p><p> “You saw Michael Mancienne come in against Juventus and do well. He’s good for young players and he’s a funny guy and seems to get on with all the lads. </p><p> “He seems to know what he’s doing. Bosingwa and I have to stay back a bit more now and defend as a unit and maybe that could be the change that can change our season. I’m going to enjoy playing for him.” </p><div class="inline-image-right-280"><img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00028/cole_03_280x414_28581a.jpg" alt="KING COLE - Ashley Cole celebrates scoring for Chelsea" title="KING COLE - Ashley Cole celebrates scoring for Chelsea" /><div class="caption">KING COLE - Ashley Cole celebrates scoring for Chelsea</div></div><p> But Cole admits Europe is Chelsea’s best chance of glory this season as they trail Manchester United by 10 points in the league. </p><p> Cole, who still vividly remembers the heartbreak of last year’s Champions League final penalty shoot-out loss to United, said: “We’re never going to give up on the league but I think it’s unlikely for United to drop that number of points when they’re grinding out results and playing really well. I think it will be the Champions League.” </p><p> And are the Blues good enough to win European club football’s greatest prize. </p><p> “Yes,” says Cole defiantly. “Of course, you need a bit of luck but everybody said we wouldn’t get there last year and we got there, so if we just keep grinding out results and playing well then hopefully we’ll be in the final again.” </p><p> Chelsea go to Turin with a 1-0 lead over Juventus after Wednesday’s home leg and Cole hopes that will be enough to put his side through to the last eight. He said: “It’s always good not to concede a goal and away from home we always feel we’re good enough to get a goal or nick a few.” </p><div class="inline-image-516"><img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00028/NWL01HAUL_516x173_28588a.jpg" alt="" title="" /></div><p> Another plus for Cole in midweek was the display of Didier Drogba. The striker, who looked set to leave the club under Scolari’s leadership, appears to have got a new lease of life under Hiddink. </p><p> Cole said: “He seems back to full fitness and showed in both boxes what he’s about. We’re going to need him if we’re going to carry on in all these competitions.”
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<br /></p><h1>Chelsea need to make Guus Hiddink permanent boss, says Michael Ballack</h1> <!-- font resizer --><div class="art-o art-align-left"> <img src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/feb2009/0/5/Image_1_for_Aston_Villa_01_Chelsea_gallery_812973908.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink" width="450" border="0" height="313" /> </div> <p>Michael Ballack wants Guus Hiddink to get the Chelsea job on a permanent basis, after being bowled over by the Dutchman's first two weeks at the club.</p> <p>And the Germany captain hinted that an extension of Hiddink's stay beyond the summer would influence his own decision on signing a new contract with the Blues.</p> <p>Ballack was one of the players accused of getting Luiz Felipe Scolari fired after meeting with owner Roman Abramovich.</p> <p>It is a charge he denies - although he is keen to praise Scolari's successor for reviving Chelsea's fortunes.</p> <p>Ballack said: "We've had some good results already which is fantastic. He has given us confidence.</p> <p>"We've never played with the style of a team like Arsenal, who play more football. Our strength is our power and we have to get back to that.</p> <p>"We lost our commitment a little bit in the last weeks of Scolari's reign. When we had tight games we failed to get anything out of them.</p> <p>"It's not easy to change a manager in the middle of the season. But the coach has given us a lot of confidence and has spoken a lot with the players. His personality is impressive and has already made a big impact in the dressing room.</p> <p>"And we all know he has a lot of experience. He has shown throughout his career, wherever he is, that he is a success.</p> <p>"Even if he is not in charge of the best team he always brings out the best in them."</p> <p>Ballack's contract runs out in the summer, although there is an option to extend it by another 12 months.</p> <p>"I want to be here next season but there is no rush," he said. "Everyone knows the situation, but there is no pressure from me or the club. I am happy here.</p> <p>"But it's always good for a team if there is consistency at the top. I can't decide who will be here next year.</p> <p>"But I am very happy, and the players are very happy, with the coach. This has been demonstrated in terms of results and performances. We all hope he will stay longer."</p> <p>Hiddink insists that he will remain with the Russian national team at the end of the season and concentrate on international football full-time.</p> <p>But the way his Chelsea reign has started has given Ballack hope of keeping his new boss at the Bridge.</p> <p>Ballack said: "The situation with him is clear. He has a contract with Russia and everybody respects this. But a lot of things are possible. If we have success with him then maybe he will want to stay."</p> <p>Another hoping that the Dutchman stays is defender Michael Mancienne, who three years after signing for Chelsea finally made his first-team debut last month after Scolari's departure, and was brought on as a substitute by Hiddink against Juventus 11 days later.</p> <p>The 21-year-old - called up to the England squad to face Germany in November, but yet to be handed a new deal by Chelsea - said: "With Hiddink it seems to be different here. He's not afraid to throw in his youngsters.</p> <p>"There is a lot more hope for me now. I hope he doesn't leave in the summer."</p></div>
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<br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Lampard sees benefit of hard work</h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;" valign="top" class="story_panel_text"><span name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT">Chelsea goal hero Frank Lampard insists the Blues have been working harder than ever since interim coach Guus Hiddink took charge of the side.</span></p> <table style="font-family: verdana;"> <tbody><tr> <td> <div class="mainPic"> <a href="http://images.teamtalk.com/09/02/800x600/FrankLampard_1866649.jpg" title="Lampard: Players have reacted to Hiddink" class="article-pic thickbox"><img src="http://images.teamtalk.com/09/02/330/FrankLampard_1866649.jpg" alt="Lampard: Players have reacted to Hiddink" vspace="0" width="330" align="center" height="235" hspace="0" /></a> <div style="width: 300px; font-style: italic; font-size: 11px;">
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<br /></div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> <!--PAGE LAYOUT--> <span style="font-family: verdana;" name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT"> <p>The England midfielder struck in the 90th minute to kill off Wigan and push Chelsea into second place in the Premier League. </p><p>Captain John Terry had put Chelsea in front in the 24th minute but Olivier Kapo stunned the Blues with an 81st-minute leveller. </p><p>Lampard's goal earned Hiddink his third successive win since he agreed to take charge of the side until the summer. </p><p>Chelsea's training ground work-rate under sacked boss Luiz Felipe Scolari had allegedly dipped below acceptable levels to the players and Hiddink put their fitness levels under the spotlight after they tired in the second-half of their Champions League win over Juventus in midweek. </p><p>But Lampard declared: "Guus has obviously made a positive difference to the team. He's come in within a short space of time to try make the difference. </p><p>"He's done it by just saying the simple things and getting us working hard on the training ground and tactically working hard to organise us a bit better. I have been very impressed and enjoyed working with him </p><p>"The players have reacted and we needed to do that. We must take responsibility and the players have worked harder in the last few weeks than maybe before. It is just a shame that we have let a gap open up at the top. </p><p>"My goal was important because it was frustrating to be 1-0 up for such a long time and have chances to go 2-0 and then let them back in the game. </p><p>"But credit to Wigan who worked very hard and started well. Once we got our first goal we dominated and we should have scored another one. But it was very important to get three points. </p><p>"Man United have still got a great gap and everyone knows that. But it is nice mentally to be back in second position and we need to try and keep winning games. You never know what can happen. We will wait and see." </p><p>Wigan boss Steve Bruce claimed referee Lee Probert cost them a point by failing to spot a push by Lampard on defender Mario Melchiot as he headed the winner. </p><p>But while Lampard admits there was slight contact, he believes Chelsea deserved a slice of luck. </p><p>"There was a bit of contact but whether it was a foul I don't know," added Lampard. "There were plenty of fouls in the middle of the park that went unnoticed as well. They were very aggressive and to be fair to them, they worked very hard. </p><p>"But sometimes you deserve a little bit of luck and we worked for it." </p><p>Meanwhile, goalkeeper Petr Cech insists Chelsea's dressing room spirit is unbreakable. </p><p>Cech kept Chelsea in the game in the first-half as he denied Paul Scharner and Maynor Figueroa. </p><p>The spirit at the club has been under the spotlight in recent weeks following the departure of Scolari. </p><p>But suggestions of a split inside the camp have been firmly rejected by the club and the players and Cech is adamant the spirit has always been solid. </p><p>"The players here have always had a great spirit in the dressing room and this is something you can't undermine," declared Cech. </p><p>"Actually I think this is why so many people stay here a long time and why this club has a lot of long-serving players. It tells a story which is that this club pulls everyone in the same direction." </p><p>Cech, like Lampard, signed a long-term contract in the summer that ties him to the club until 2013. </p><p>But incredibly, the Chelsea stopper, who recently surpassed 200 appearances for the Blues, is already thinking of his next one. </p><p>"I hope I can stay in the team for another 200 games," added Cech. "I've got a five-year contract so if I can carry on without any injuries, I could reach 400 games for Chelsea and I hope that's not my last contract here either." </p><p>Chelsea's victory over Wigan also saw Didier Drogba put in another rejuvenated performance under Hiddink. </p><p>The Ivorian was marginalised by Scolari but he is rapidly getting back to his best under the Dutchman. However, the striker insists the resurgence has come from within. </p><p>"He (Hiddink) is someone who puts a lot of expectations on himself and that's something he passes on to the players," revealed Drogba. </p><p>"He sets high goals because he knows we can achieve them. On Wednesday it was a Champions League game against a massive team (Juventus). </p><p>"In that situation you don't need to rely on the manager to motivate you. We know what we have to do. </p><p>"The season is still alive. Even though we are behind in the league, this is football and many things can still happen. </p><p>"We're still in the FA Cup, we're still in the Champions League so it is still a very interesting season for us."</p></span>
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<br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea boss Hiddink's loving London and singing the Blues
<br /></h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;">In keeping with club tradition Guus Hiddink got up to sing in front of his new charges as part of his <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea </a>initiation.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Not too much should be read into his choice of song, however.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Presumably his decision to pick Summertime had more to do with his love of the works of George Gershwin than any coded reference about how long he would be staying at Stamford Bridge.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-0-03A7D21D000005DC-217_468x331.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="331" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Soccertime: Guus Hiddink's Chelsea squad are back in tune</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Indeed, for a man who continues to maintain his stay in this country will be a fleeting one, it seems leaving England behind will be one hell of a wrench for Hiddink.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Dutch tactician continues to toe the party line about leaving Chelsea at the end of the season and returning full-time to his post as coach of the Russian national team.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But as revealed in Sportsmail on Friday, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s latest manoeuvre in trying to persuade the man who has rekindled his love for the game to stay at Stamford Bridge now entails placing Zenit St Petersburg manager, Dick Advocaat, in charge of his home country’s team.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">And listening to Hiddink wax lyrical about his love of life in the capital, it seems Abramovich’s powers of persuasion may not be tested to their full after all.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘I know London. I love being in the city very much and it is good to be here.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">It is not because I am trying to please you. I was here many times in games and I love the way this self-irony is common in England.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-0-03ABAFAC000005DC-50_468x525.jpg" alt="Hiddink" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="525" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Hiddink has a 100 per cent record as Chelsea boss</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'You can look in the mirror and say, “How stupid I am”. This is good to see.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘On the other hand, working very seriously is the other part. That is why I like the English approach very much.’</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink, a self-confessed fan of quintessentially English comedies Monty Python and The Office, is not averse to taking the mickey out of himself either, especially when it comes to giving mischievous responses to continued questions about his next move.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘Have you sampled the delights of a traditional English pub yet?’ asks one journalist, trying to build a picture of how much Hiddink has integrated into our way of life.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘I might be spotted somewhere,’he jokes before filling in some of the blanks.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘Every now and again I go with my partner and have dinner. We like it very much.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="floatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/27/article-0-03ABB0C2000005DC-16_306x577.jpg" alt="Claudio Ranieri" class="blkBorder" width="306" height="577" /> <p class="imageCaption">Juventus coach Claudio Ranieri was given a tremendous reception on his return to Stamford Bridge</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">‘She is also involved in very social things in London. Recently she has had contact with people who work in welfare in London.’</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Realising this might all sound like he is becoming a little too settled for a man who is supposed to be on his way come the end of the season, he then delivers the killer line with a heavy sense of English irony: ‘We like to integrate as soon as possible so we can leave as soon as possible.’</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The same quick wit applies when he appears to momentarily drop his guard about his future.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Had he enjoyed the reception Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri received upon his return to Stamford Bridge and would he hope for the same treatment?</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘Yes, it would be perfect,’ said Hiddink.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘I enjoyed very much how the Stamford Bridge public reacted on his home coming.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘That is also very British and I like it very much.
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Regarding me, I hope I can have the same in July or August.’</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">August?
<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘Yes, but listen, when I come back and visit then I hope for the same reception, which will mean the team have performed until the end of May when I stop.’</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Time will tell but the living in London certainly seems to be easy.</p>
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<br /><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="image-holder"> <img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00029/516-BLUES_516x249_29088a.jpg" alt="" width="516" height="249" /> </div> <h1 style="font-family: verdana;"> Blues line up former Barcelona boss </h1> <div style="font-family: verdana;"><h3> FRANK RIJKAARD has been lined up to take over as Chelsea boss next season. </h3><p> The former Barcelona boss has been sounded out by stand-in chief Guus Hiddink and has confirmed his interest. Sport of the World can reveal that the Dutch pair discussed Rijkaard’s impending appointment last week at the request of Blues owner Roman Abramovich. </p><p> The plan is for Hiddink to return to his duties as Russian national team manager in the summer — with Rijkaard succeeding him at Stamford Bridge. </p><p> But there is the possibility of Hiddink returning to Chelsea to work with Rijkaard in a director of football role at the end of Russia’s World Cup campaign. </p><p> The two have worked together before with Rijkaard part of Hiddink’s coaching team when he was in charge of Holland. They have retained a close friendship and share the same football philosophies. </p><h4> Discussions </h4><p> When Sport of the World contacted a source close to Rijkaard, he refused to discuss the Chelsea appointment. </p><p> But he added: “They are a club he admires — but he would not want to talk about that particular subject at the moment.” </p><p> But another Dutch source confirmed that everything is in place for Rijkaard to take the reins in west London. </p><p> The source said: “Guus and Frank have had long discussions about the job in the last few weeks. It has been informally agreed Frank will step in during the summer. </p><p> “Abramovich wants Hiddink to complete Russia’s World Cup campaign — but there will then be the option for him to return to Chelsea and work in tandem with Rijkaard.” </p><p> Riijkaard has been out of work since he left Barcelona at the end of last season. He built up a reputation as one of Europe’s finest coaches. </p><p> During his five years in Spain, he led Barca to two La Liga titles and the Champions League by beating Arsenal 2-1 at the 2006 final in Paris.
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<br /></p><h1> MICHAEL ESSIEN ON WAY BACK </h1> <h2> Crocked Chelsea defender lined up for Villa reserve clash </h2> <div class="article-right-column"> <div class="image-holder"> <script src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/js/notw.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> <div class="image-holder"> <img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00029/ess_280x420_29132a.jpg" alt="ESS IS MORE - Michael Essien" width="280" height="420" /> </div> </div> <div><h3> GUUS HIDDINK hopes to have Michael Essien back in action in the next two weeks. </h3><p> Essien has been out since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in September while playing for Ghana. </p><p> But Hiddink has been boosted by the news the influential midfielder could be back for the final games of the season. </p><p> Essien said: “According to my physio Thierry Laurent, it should not take more than a month for me to play again. He has assured me that once we go through a few other exercises for two or three weeks, I should be fit enough to return. </p><p> “Guus Hiddink has been around for quite a while and knows what it takes to get positive results out of nothing. He is a fantastic manager and I am looking forward to playing for him.” </p><p> Hiddink added: “We’ve worked with him in recent days - five-a-side, eight-a-side - and he will be available on short notice I think. Not now, but we plan to play him on Monday with the reserves at Aston Villa.” </p></div></div>
<br /><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="three-col"> <h1>Ashley Cole: New Chelsea boss Guus is great, but I miss Luiz Felipe Scolari</h1> <!-- font resizer --><div id="article-body"> <div class="art-o art-align-left"> <img src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/jan2009/8/0/D95E1B5A-EAD3-85DF-370B6BE5B3E4CBB6.jpg" alt="Luiz Felipe Scolari (Pic:Getty)" width="450" border="0" height="300" /> </div> <p>Ashley Cole admits he is missing Luiz Felipe Scolari - although he thinks Guus Hiddink has got Chelsea playing as a team again.</p> <p>The England defender, like John Terry and Frank Lampard, got on famously with Big Phil - sacked two weeks ago after only seven months in charge.</p> <p>Cole said: "Scolari was a good man and the players liked him. I think he did really well for the club. For him it wasn't just about football, it was about a player's life.</p> <p>"Scolari helped me a lot. He was a father figure to me and a lot of the younger players. He let me have the freedom of the wing and I think I started playing as well as I have ever done for Chelsea.</p> <div class="advert"> <div class="mpu-ad"> <script type="text/javascript">//<![CDATA[ if (typeof dartOrd == 'undefined') dartOrd=Math.random()*10000000000000000000; document.write('<scr' type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/dailymirror.4240/' + 'sport_mputwo__300x250;'+mirrDartBLU()+';sz=300x250;pos=;sect=football;psect=sport;zone=sport;templ=page;'+mirrDartSIP()+';oid=21162307' + ';tile=4' + ';ord=' + dartOrd + '?"><\/scr' + 'ipt>'); //]]></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://ad.uk.doubleclick.net/adj/dailymirror.4240/sport_mputwo__300x250;;sz=300x250;pos=;sect=football;psect=sport;zone=sport;templ=page;sip=null;oid=21162307;tile=4;ord=4527079984112797000?"></script><!-- Template Id = 1 Template Name = Banner Creative (Flash) --> <!-- Copyright 2002 DoubleClick Inc., All rights reserved. --><script src="http://m1.emea.2mdn.net/879366/flashwrite_1_2.js"></script> <object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="FLASH_AD" width="300" height="250"><param name="movie" value="http://m1.emea.2mdn.net/1729411/300x250_MIRROR_DYNAMIC_1.swf"><param name="flashvars" value="clickTag=http%3A%2F%2Fad.uk.doubleclick.net%2Fclick%253Bh%3Dv8%2F37e3%2F3%2F0%2F%252a%2Fi%253B211759919%253B0-0%253B0%253B21034196%253B4307-300%2F250%253B30446085%2F30463962%2F1%253B%253B%257Eokv%253D%253B%253Bsz%253D300x250%253Bpos%253D%253Bsect%253Dfootball%253Bpsect%253Dsport%253Bzone%253Dsport%253Btempl%253Dpage%253Bsip%253Dnull%253Boid%253D21162307%253Btile%253D4%253B%257Eaopt%253D3%2F1%2F31%2F0%253B%257Esscs%253D%253fhttps%3A%2F%2Fmirror.mylotto24.co.uk%2Fapp%2Ftrace%2Fen%2FGB%2Fthemirror%2Fjsp%2F%3FpartnerId%3D150"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="bgcolor" value="#"><param name="wmode" value="opaque"><param name="AllowScriptAccess" value="never"><embed src="http://m1.emea.2mdn.net/1729411/300x250_MIRROR_DYNAMIC_1.swf?clickTag=http%3A%2F%2Fad.uk.doubleclick.net%2Fclick%253Bh%3Dv8%2F37e3%2F3%2F0%2F%252a%2Fi%253B211759919%253B0-0%253B0%253B21034196%253B4307-300%2F250%253B30446085%2F30463962%2F1%253B%253B%257Eokv%253D%253B%253Bsz%253D300x250%253Bpos%253D%253Bsect%253Dfootball%253Bpsect%253Dsport%253Bzone%253Dsport%253Btempl%253Dpage%253Bsip%253Dnull%253Boid%253D21162307%253Btile%253D4%253B%257Eaopt%253D3%2F1%2F31%2F0%253B%257Esscs%253D%253fhttps%3A%2F%2Fmirror.mylotto24.co.uk%2Fapp%2Ftrace%2Fen%2FGB%2Fthemirror%2Fjsp%2F%3FpartnerId%3D150" quality="high" wmode="opaque" swliveconnect="TRUE" bgcolor="#" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="never" width="300" height="250"></embed></object><noscript></noscript><noscript></noscript> </div> </div> <p>"I am going to miss him. I haven't spoken to him since he left but if we get a chance to talk I will thank him. But now it is a little bit different. It is about the team - not me.</p> <p>"It was time for a change and Hiddink has come in and, although I haven't seen too much of him - it's only been a couple of weeks - he is also a good guy.</p> <p>"Hiddink is also good for the youngsters. He has already given Michael Mancienne a chance.</p> </div> </div>
<br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;"> FLORENT MALOUDA READY TO GO </h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;"> French midfielder threatens to quit Chelsea if he doesn't play </h2> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="article-right-column"> <div class="image-holder"> <script src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/js/notw.js" type="text/javascript"></script> </div> <div class="image-holder"> <img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00028/malouda_280x420_28643a.jpg" alt="FLORENT MALOUDA - threat" width="280" height="420" /> </div>
<br /></div><div style="font-family: verdana;"><h3> FLORENT MALOUDA has threatened to join Juventus in the summer — if he does not get a chance under new Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink. </h3><p> The French winger is linked with a move to Italy, having struggled to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since his £13.5million transfer from Lyon in 2007. </p><p> Malouda, 28, said: “There are four more months for me to get in the team. If that doesn’t happen then I will analyse the situation.”</p><p>
<br /></p><h1>Hiddink to Chelsea Players: Armani or Else!</h1> <p><img src="http://www.theoffside.com/files/2009/02/chelsea-armani.jpg" alt="" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-10368" width="187" height="240" />
<br /></p><p>New Chelsea manager <strong>Guus Hiddink</strong> has <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/chelsea/4861867/Chelsea-manager-Guus-Hiddink-issues-tough-new-rules-to-players.html">new rules</a> for the Chelsea players: <strong>Wear your Armani suits, or face the consequences!</strong></p> <p>Hiddink feels that former gaffer <strong>Luis Felipe Scolari</strong> was far too lax with the Chelsea boys, so he’s imposed a new set of rules. My personal favorite? The club’s Armani suits must be worn on the way to both home and away games. And not only that, but the boys had better knot those ties correctly!</p> <p>(I’m pretty sure that enforcing this rule will require Tie Police. Apply c/o Guus Hiddink. End of the line is wa-a-a-a-ay back there, behind all of those young, nubile, surgically enhanced women with the spike heels and fake tans.)
<br /><span id="more-10367"></span>
<br />Guus’s new rules:</p> <blockquote><p><strong>Club suits to be worn when: </strong></p> <p>Reporting for duty
<br />Travelling to the stadium for both home and away games
<br />When leaving the ground
<br />Ties must always be worn witgh suits and be knotted correctly </p> <p><strong>Other rules: </strong></p> <p>Punctuality for training
<br />Restrictions on the use of mobile phones
<br />Increased fitness regime following laid back approach from Scolari
<br />Change in diets
<br />Fines for breaking any rules </p></blockquote></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-66618345213521012382009-02-26T08:30:00.006+08:002009-02-26T12:06:05.096+08:00Cristiano Ronaldo confident United will finish off Inter, Unhappy Hiddink As Chelsea Perform Below Par In A 1 - 0 Victory Over Juventus<h1>Unhappy coach Hiddink lays into underachieving Chelsea stars</h1><p>Guus Hiddink tore into his underachieving <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> stars after they scraped a 1-0 win over Juventus in the Champions League.</p> <p>Didier Drogba's 12th-minute strike put Chelsea in command of the first leg of this first knockout round tie at Stamford Bridge but they were unable to press home their advantage and will travel to Turin in two weeks time defending a narrow advantage.</p> <div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-0-03ABAFCD000005DC-721_468x598.jpg" alt="Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri and current boss Guus Hiddink watch on at Stamford Bridge" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="598" /> <p class="imageCaption">The old and the new: Former Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri and current boss Guus Hiddink watch on at Stamford Bridge</p><p>Hiddink was furious that his Chelsea side were unable to break Juve's resistance after Drogba had put them ahead.</p><p>The Dutch coach, who has now won his two games in charge of Chelsea 1-0 following the win at Aston Villa, said: 'I am satisfied that we won but overall I am not satisfied with the performance.</p><p>'We started well but after the goal we dropped off too far and we were too anxious. Juventus dominated the second half but did not create any danger.</p><p>'The tie is evenly balanced but I'm pleased we kept a clean sheet.</p><p>'I was not happy with the functionality of the team but we will improve it.'</p><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/26/article-0-03AB6522000005DC-599_468x620.jpg" alt="Didier Drogba" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="620" /> <p class="imageCaption">Jumping for joy: Didier Drogba celebrates his superb goal with a giant leap</p> <p>Hiddink also confirmed that the players he has inherited from Luiz Felipe Scolari are not fit enough to play top-level football and admitted his team tired in the second half against former Chelsea boss Ranieri's ageing Italian team.</p><p>Hiddink added: 'They are not at tip-top physical level. They are at a high level of fitness but not near the top for games like this. It is something we will work on.'</p><p>Ranieri was greeted by a standing ovation by the Chelsea fans who protested his removal five years ago and despite his team's second-half efforts, that was the highlight of his evening.</p><p>'I was extremely happy because it shows that they haven't forgotten me,' said Ranieri.</p><p>'People tend to forget very quickly, so I'd like to thank them.'</p><p>Source - DailyMail</p><p><br /></p><h1 class="storyTitle" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; font-size: 2.8em; font-family: verdana;">Frank Lampard praises Chelsea's rearguard action</h1> <!-- end page tools --> <!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline --><p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard highlighted the importance of not conceding an away goal after the 1-0 win over Juventus in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="sp-inlinePhoto"><img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/domr/camoranesicole275.jpg" width="275" border="0" height="200" /></div><p style="font-family: verdana;">Didier Drogba scored the only goal in the first half of a closely-fought tie at Stamford Bridge, giving the Blues the upper hand going into the second leg in Turin in a fortnight.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"We created enough chances to score more but it's very important we keep a clean sheet at home,'' Lampard told <i>Sky Sports</i>.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"Juve are a top team. We're past the group stages now and any team you play are going to cause you problems.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"But it's good we didn't concede and we have the chance to go there and cause them some problems.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"It wasn't the best performance over the 90 minutes but it was a big performance and a big result.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"There were patches where we played well. We started very well but at times we maybe sat off a little bit.''</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Drogba insisted his timely return to form was not down to new boss Guus Hiddink taking over from Luiz Felipe Scolari.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"No, no, I don't think it's because of a change of manager,'' he said.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"We did our best. It was a difficult game and we created chances to score more but it's a good result.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"We need to improve a lot of things but it's good for the team that we have players who can make a difference and score goals.''</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hiddink was not totally satisfied despite the win, although he accepted Juventus did not make it easy for his team.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"We started very well and for the first 20 minutes we were pressing well and scored a very good goal,'' said the Dutch coach.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"We should have scored at least one more to give ourselves a bit of a breather because, let's be honest, in the last period of the game we suffered a lot.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"What I like and what I think we still have to work on a lot is to have more control even in these tough games.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"It's not an easy team to play against, Juventus. They can play very well in between your defensive and midfield line. So it's very difficult to play them.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"But, nevertheless, we should have controlled more and that's what I didn't like about the last part of the game.''</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 class="storyTitle" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; font-size: 2.8em; font-family: verdana;">Jose Mourinho: Rearguard action was a necessary tactic</h1><!-- end page tools --> <!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline --><p style="font-family: verdana;">Jose Mourinho has revealed he had to play a rearguard action against Manchester United at the San Siro to protect his team from conceding a crucial away goals.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="sp-inlinePhoto"><img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/jb2/joseporto_get275.jpg" width="275" border="0" height="200" /><div style="width: 275px;"><p class="photoDesc">Jose Mourinho celebrates FC Porto's infamous victory at Old Trafford in 2004.</p></div></div><p style="font-family: verdana;">Inter Milan and United are locked at 0-0 after the first leg of their Round of 16 tie, and Mourinho now believes he will be able to continue his fine run of form against Sir Alex Ferguson which has resulted in just one defeat in 13 matches.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Portuguese coach knows that any goal Inter can muster at Old Trafford will be worth double should the teams finish level meaning his side would then progress on away goals. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">With United able to play with pace and power, Mourinho chose to play a containing game in the first half which only just came to fruition as the visitors dominated.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho will hope Inter can emulate his FC Porto side and knock Manchester United out on their own turf.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"They are a very quick team and we don't have these characteristics,'' he explained. "The only reason I lost only once against Manchester United is that I understood this immediately. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"If they had scored in the first half, the situation would have been harder for us and, for this, it is not an easy decision to make to sit deep and try to block them.''</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho apologised to his team's fans for the fact the game ended goalless, but he still thinks they will thank him in the long run for not going gung-ho against the Red Devils.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">And he seems to have got the hang of the tactical dependency of Italian football.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"It is a shame for the fans who have come here and seen a 0-0, but it was still a high quality game,'' he said. "If we had played further up the field, then it gives us more options in attack, but it leaves us more room behind.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"They are quick on the wing, but then so too are (Davide) Santon and Maicon, who are truly fast.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"Is it better to have (Sulley) Muntari and (Javier) Zanetti covering for them or pressing (Darren) Fletcher a bit higher up the field? It is not an easy game, but it is a beautiful one.''</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Meanwhile, UEFA is considering disciplinary action against Mourinho after his post-match allegations of refereeing bias.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"We are looking into the comments along with our disciplinary department," a spokesman for European soccer's governing body said on Wednesday.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Following the first knockout round, first leg encounter, Mourinho said he was unhappy with Spanish referee Luis Medina Catalejo particularly over his dismissal of a penalty claim by Inter striker Adriano.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"If we have a referee that gives the same protection to the away team (at Old Trafford), we will go into the quarter-final," Mourinho told reporters.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 class="storyTitle" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; font-size: 2.8em; font-family: verdana;">Cristiano Ronaldo confident United will finish off Inter</h1><!-- end page tools --> <!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline --><p style="font-family: verdana;">Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has insisted the club are on track for the Champions League quarter-finals after being held to a 0-0 draw by Inter Milan in the San Siro.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="sp-inlinePhoto"><img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/PH2/CRon27501123.jpg" width="275" border="0" height="200" /></div><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Portuguese star insisted that United were the better team and have what it takes to finish off the job back at Old Trafford in two weeks' time.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"We played better than Inter last night,'' said Ronaldo. "We created more chances, especially in the first half, and we deserved to win. At home I feel we have a better chance.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I don't know whether Inter will be a better team in Manchester. We respect them but in my opinion we have a better chance at Old Trafford because we have a better team.''</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Ronaldo was not too down heartened despite finding goalkeeper Julio Cesar in top form.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"It is not a concern, it happens sometimes,'' he said. "Their goalkeeper made so many great saves but overall it was a fantastic performance. The lads were brilliant and I am very proud to have been part of a team that played like that.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I know we didn't score but if we play like that in the second leg, I think we will win.''<br /></p><p><span style="font-family:verdana;">Source - Soccernet</span></p><p><br /></p><h1>Madrid caught by Benayoun sucker punch</h1><span class="newsDate">Wednesday 25 February 2009</span><!--googleon: all--><div class="newsAuthorLocation">Match report by <strong>Chris Burke</strong> from <strong>Santiago Bernabéu</strong></div><!--googleoff: all--><!--googleon: all--><div class="imgNewsTop"><a id="ipLink" href="javascript:void(0);" title="zoom"><img style="width: 220px; height: 220px; margin-left: 0px;" id="ipThumb" src="http://www.uefa.com/multimediafiles/photo/competitions/ucl/80/44/72/804472_mediumsquare.jpg" alt="Yossi Benayoun heads in the winner" width="220" /></a><script>var ipImg = new ipPhoto('ipImg','ipLink','ipThumb', '/multimediafiles/photo/competitions/ucl/80/44/72/804472_biglandscape.jpg','l','/e/multimedia','photoid+804472');</script><span class="imgCaption"><br />Yossi Benayoun heads in the winner <!--googleoff: all-->(©Getty Images)<!--googleon: all--></span><span class="imgCaption Photogallery"></span></div><div id="newsTextpar"><p>Liverpool FC hold the whip hand in this tie after Yossi Benayoun secured the Premier League side a famous 1-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, leaving Real Madrid CF with it all to do if they are to seize a UEFA Champions League quarter-final berth at Anfield on 10 March.</p><p><strong>Tense encounter</strong><br />Benayoun decided a tense first leg with a header after 82 minutes, rising unmarked to direct Fábio Aurélio's free-kick past Iker Casillas. It capped a resilient performance from Rafael Benítez's charges, who began the game a little wastefully but grew in confidence as the clock ran down.</p><p><strong>Gerrard absence</strong><br />Steven Gerrard's absence from the Liverpool starting lineup undoubtedly gave Madrid a pre-match boost. The sizzling atmosphere cannot have hurt either as the men in white made early inroads. An Arjen Robben through ball almost led to an opening goal after five minutes and, although Pepe Reina denied Raúl González, an early pattern had emerged. Madrid were dominating possession and hunting down openings, while the visitors lost the ball too easily and looked increasingly resigned to a night of defending.</p><p><strong>Liverpool chances</strong><br />When a first chance did arise for the Reds, it sprung from a lapse at the back, the Madrid defensive line failing to intercept a long clearance towards Fernando Torres, who strode forward and forced Casillas into a fine reaction save from close range. The Spain goalkeeper was called into action shortly afterwards too, as Benayoun collected another long pass down the right and tried, unsuccessfully, to beat him with a lob.</p><p><strong>Efforts</strong><br />Those counterpunches restored some balance before Madrid had the ball in the net with half an hour gone, only for Gonzalo Higuaín's header to be disallowed for offside. Marcelo and Robben then fired wide, as did Higuaín following a surging run, yet Liverpool's dogged tackling kept them competitive and Reina did the rest, showing good reflexes to deny Robben via Albert Riera's outstretched leg. Closing out the half, Xabi Alonso tested Casillas from within his own half to restate the visitors' attacking threat.</p><p><strong>Robben danger</strong><br />The Liverpool midfielder was less accurate from significantly closer when he tried his luck again after the restart, with Madrid's own No14, the fit-again Guti, now on in place of Marcelo. Robben shifted to the left to accommodate the newcomer, but the winger continued to enjoy a free role and shot wide from the right. Both coaches had predicted a tight affair and they were being proved right, with neither team able to establish genuine supremacy as time ticked down. In terms of individuals, Robben remained the danger man for the hosts and Benayoun made some good runs for Liverpool, with Torres subdued after receiving a knock and eventually replaced by Ryan Babel.</p><p><strong>Benayoun goal</strong><br />The greater urgency unsurprisingly belonged to Madrid, eager to build a first-leg lead, but after yet another Robben effort – the Dutchman unleashing a powerful strike that Reina tipped over – Benayoun had the final, and potentially decisive, word. The entrance of Gerrard at the end merely capped a memorable night for the noisy travelling supporters, although Riera will be suspended for the second leg.</p><p>Source - UEFA.com<br /></p></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-86884294462745054982009-02-24T16:00:00.003+08:002009-02-24T16:20:15.608+08:00Running scared: United will not be able to look us in the eye, goads Jose<h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Jose Mourinho renewed his rivalry with Sir Alex Ferguson by declaring that Manchester United will not have the nerve to go ‘eye to eye’ and attack Inter Milan in the San Siro tonight. </h1><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >Mourinho and Ferguson come face to face for the 13th time with the United manager having won just two of the pair’s previous 12 meetings — one of those on penalties.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" face="verdana">And former Chelsea and Porto boss Mourinho lit the touch paper ahead of what should be a titanic Champions League last 16 tie by predicting United will change their attacking style to try and avoid first-leg defeat.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;" face="verdana">Mourinho, nine points clear in <span style="font-style: italic;">Serie A </span>and confident enough to name his Inter team in front of the English media, said: ‘I don’t think they are coming here to play eye to eye, to try to win the game here.</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A42F2D000005DC-915_468x308.jpg" alt="Warming to the task: Rio Ferdinand (centre) and the rest of Manchester United's stars looked anything but frightened as they jogged around the San Siro Stadium in training ahead of tonight's clash with Jose Mourinho's men" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="308" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Warming to the task: Rio Ferdinand (centre) and the rest of Manchester United's stars looked anything but frightened as they jogged around the San Siro Stadium in training ahead of tonight's clash with Jose Mourinho's men</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘I have paid great attention to every match in the previous year in the Champions League. Man United changed. They will go to this game with a different approach to normal.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘I know Sir Alex doesn’t like the word — and a team like Man United doesn’t like the word — so I’m not saying they are afraid of us. But they respect us. They know they can lose.’</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A3C98E000005DC-179_468x299.jpg" alt="Confident: Mourinho is convinced his Inter Milan side can knock out Champions League holders United" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="299" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Confident: Mourinho is convinced his Inter Milan side can knock out Champions League holders United</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Ferguson laughed and smiled through his own press conference, amused by Mourinho’s familiar display of bullishness. He admitted that the Portuguese coach was right in one way, confirming that he will meddle with United’s usual formation.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">It is expected that Wayne Rooney will play on the left of a five-man midfield, with Dimitar Berbatov operating as a lone striker. But the United manager was also happy to hit back at the Inter coach and predicted an away goal for United that will ensure they go through when the teams reconvene at Old Trafford next month.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Ferguson said: ‘I am sure that Jose has seen us enough to know that we will try to win the game. That won’t change. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘There could possibly be one positional change, but other than that we will play the same way as we do in the Premier League. I am basing my tactics on the way they will play and I am hopeful and confident that we will be able to impose ourselves on them. I’m told that Jose thinks the game will go to extra-time when we get to Old Trafford, but I don’t.’</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A43D91000005DC-888_468x317.jpg" alt="Attacking intent: Ferguson claims his side will aim to win in th San Siro" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="317" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Attacking intent: Ferguson claims his side will aim for victory in the San Siro</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">United arrived in Milan yesterday beset with injury problems in defence, a situation reminiscent of the time they came to this stadium to face AC Milan without key men two years ago and were hammered 3-0.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">With Nemanja Vidic suspended and Gary Neville, Wes Brown and Rafael Da Silva injured, United also have doubts over Jonny Evans and John O’Shea. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A43941000005DC-813_233x403.jpg" alt="Injury doubt: Ferguson hopes O'Shea (left) will be fit, while Rooney (right) may play in midfield" class="blkBorder" width="233" height="403" /> <p class="imageCaption">Injury doubt: Ferguson hopes O'Shea (left) will be fit, while Rooney (right) may play in midfield</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Last night, O’Shea trained with his team-mates while Evans looked on from the sidelines, suggesting that the former will partner Rio Ferdinand in the centre of defence while Darren Fletcher will fill in at right-back.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">However, it is understood that Evans has a much better chance than Ferguson has suggested of shrugging off his ankle injury. Inter are missing Argentina defender Walter Samuel, the only key player unavailable.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Ferguson added: ‘We do have some major problems and if neither O’Shea nor Evans make it then it will be time to panic. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘They are both big concerns for me but we have to accept that one or both might be missing and get on with it. The crowd and the atmosphere will help our players, I am sure of that and we have come a long way since a couple of years ago.’ </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho has always been more than comfortable facing Ferguson since the day in 2004 when his Porto team shocked United at Old Trafford by knocking them out at this stage, 3-2 on aggregate, after a late goal.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Ferguson, for his part, claimed not to be bothered about his record against Mourinho. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘He came to England saying he was the Special One and it galvanised Chelsea,’ he reflected. ‘They caught us on the hop at the time. But I don’t worry about the record. If I had lost them all, maybe I would worry.’</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The United players were watched last night by their former club-mate David Beckham as they trained and the current AC Milan star may even be in the visiting end with his father, Ted.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Possible Line-Up<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">INTER MILAN</span> (4-4-2): Julio Cesar; Maicon, Cordoba, Chivu, Santon; Zanetti, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Muntari; Adriano, Ibrahimovic.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">MAN UTD </span>(4-3-2-1): Van der Sar; O’Shea, Ferdinand, Evans, Evra; Ronaldo, Carrick, Scholes; Giggs, Rooney; Berbatov.<br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >Ref: Luis Medina Cantalejo (Sp).</span><br /><br /><br /><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">The winner takes all? Mourinho and Ferguson prepare to lock horns again in Europe<br /></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;">Such is his respect and admiration for Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho stopped short of naming <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a>'s team yesterday. It was a tactic he so memorably employed when he arrived at Barcelona as Chelsea manager, predicting Frank Rijkaard's starting line-up as well as revealing his own in what amounted to a wonderful piece of theatre.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But there is a mutual appreciation between the Special One and the knighted one and Mourinho resisted the temptation to be quite that provocative on this occasion.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A4D4BC000005DC-783_468x267.jpg" alt="Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="267" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Tonight, however, is a game Mourinho desperately wants to win. He spoke at Inter Milan's picturesque training ground of his desire to 'celebrate a victory against the European champions in 15 days' but it is so much more than that. It is the chance to conquer the club that conquered the club that kicked him out of English football 18 months ago. The opportunity to remind Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich exactly what he is missing. 'It's nothing special,' said Mourinho. Oh yes it is.<br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >It was why he went as close as he was going to get to taunting Ferguson and his players, declaring that United undergo something of a transformation when visiting the bigger European sides. He said they are cautious rather than cavalier and while he made a point of saying they were not 'afraid' of such ties, he as good as said they were. In English, Italian and Portuguese. Ferguson would no doubt agree that Mourinho can be a cunning linguist. </span><br /><br /><p style="font-family: verdana;">He is a performer. He once referred to his encounters with the media as 'the salt and pepper of his day' and he was eager to entertain his audience yesterday. First came the looks of utter boredom during the press conference Javier Zanetti gave prior to his, then the histrionics when the interpreter misquoted him.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">In his carefully prepared words, though, came the real magic. 'I have paid great attention to every match in the previous year in the Champions League,' said Mourinho. 'Man United changed.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="floatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A31316000005DC-518_306x423.jpg" alt="Jose Mourinho" class="blkBorder" width="306" height="423" /> <p class="imageCaption">Same old Jose: Inter Milan coach Jose Mourinho was in good form during his media conference ahead of the Champions League clash against Manchester United on Tuesday night.</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'Remember the way they played against Barcelona, for example. They go to this game with a different approach. I know Sir Alex doesn't like the word and a team like Man United doesn't like the word, so I'm not saying they are afraid of us, but they respect us.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'They know they can lose. Because of that, I don't believe they will come here with the same approach they have in the Premiership. I know that. They will change more than us. We will play the same way we do in our championship. We will play 4-4-2. We will play with Adriano and Ibrahimovic up front, with four at the back and a diamond in midfield. We have no fear to say that in midfield we will play Muntari, Stankovic, Cambiasso and Zanetti. At left back we will play the 18-year-old, Davide Santon.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'We have no fear to admit this is how we will play. Man United will not play like they do in the Premier League with Ronaldo, Tevez, Berbatov and Rooney. They will go with Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Park, more defensive. I don't think they are coming here to play eye to eye, to try to win the game here.'<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Ferguson responded as Mourinho suspected he would. With a smile, a knowing laugh and a warning. So Mourinho thinks the tie could take '210 minutes'. Ferguson replied by suggesting it would be all but over after 90 minutes of enthralling battle at the San Siro this evening. 'We'll just have to wait and see,' he said.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho does have a point about last season's game at the Nou Camp and even Ferguson admitted he had 'one slight modification' in mind for this contest. A move away, one would assume, from 4-4-2 to a 4-3-2-1 formation that sees Berbatov deployed as a lone striker with Wayne Rooney to his left and Cristiano Ronaldo to his right. Not a bad team, but not as aggressive as it could be.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Not that anyone should be surprised. Mourinho is the only manager in world football whose record against Ferguson reflects so badly on the Scot. Six wins and just two defeats in his 12 meetings, first with Porto and then Chelsea.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Ferguson acknowledged as much at the San Siro, again out of respect for his opponent. But there was a quiet confidence about Ferguson, perhaps because he knows he has the better team.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A43EFA000005DC-209_468x286.jpg" alt="Sir Alex Ferguson" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Relaxed mood: United boss Sir Alex Ferguson could also afford a smile as he faced the press in Milan.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">While Inter Milan are nine points clear at the summit of Serie A, it is not the league it used to be. It lacks the quality of England and Spain and cannot claim to have the world's finest player, whatever Mourinho thinks. Mourinho declared Zlatan Ibrahimovic would soon follow Ronaldo in winning the Ballon d'Or and FIFA's World Player of the Year award. Let's just say you have to admire Mourinho for trying to inspire confidence.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> To the suggestion that Italian football is now inferior to a league which has occupied three of the four semi-final spots in the Champions League for the last two seasons, Mourinho went on the defensive.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Different competition,' he said. 'You can't say one is better than the other. The game in England is more emotional. It is beautiful and open, with an incredible atmosphere. But from a technical point of view, here it is stronger.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'We were happy with the draw and for me it is very easy to prepare for the game from a psychological point of view. I don't need to motivate the players. Everything is there. The smell of the game is in the air, the adrenaline is in the air. The job for me is easy in that respect. We know they are a tough opponent but I'm 100 per cent sure that they know they have a tough job.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'They are the champions. We respect that but we will see if they are the best. I'm not speaking in a negative way about them. Never, never. I'm speaking positively about them and they are really top, with a top manager. But I am calm in my mind. I'm confident and ready.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'You know the way I am. I started with a small team and worked my way up. I have my way of managing. I live very closely with my players. I believe 100 per cent in them. I know for many years that Inter did not win the big cups in Europe. Milan and Juventus have had a lot of success. But tomorrow is what counts. The past is a museum. It might be a beautiful museum, but it is no more than that.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Ferguson has had great glories in the past, won so much, but what is important is what you do today and what is coming up.'<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">And then, a final word of warning. 'Anything can happen in these games,' he said. 'In 2004 Man United went out to a young Porto team and nobody would have bet a euro on that.'<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Now what made him think of that?</p> <a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A4D054000005DC-554_468x330_popup.jpg" rel="" class="lightboxPopupLink" onclick="return false"> <span class="clickToEnlargeTop"></span><img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A4D054000005DC-554_468x330.jpg" alt="Mourinho v Manchester United" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="330" /> </a><br /><br /><br /><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Ronaldo insists Manchester United must 'kill or be killed' against Inter Milan</h1><br /><p style="font-family: verdana;">Ronaldo said: 'They are a team we have to respect. They are a very good side who lead the Italian league by a lot of points so we must be very careful.<br /><br />'It's time to kill - or be killed.'<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="floatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-0156326700000578-432_306x393.jpg" alt="Ronaldo hopes to repeat last year's Champions League success" class="blkBorder" width="306" height="393" /> <p class="imageCaption">Unique feeling: Ronaldo hopes to repeat last year's Champions League success</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> No team have ever retained the Champions League but Ronaldo aims to help United create history after the shootout victory over Chelsea in last year's final.<br /><br />The World Player of the Year said: 'The feeling of the Champions League is unique.<br /><br />'When you hear the music and you come out onto the pitch it's a completely different game and atmosphere to the others.<br /><br />'The emotion of winning my first Champions League medal was spectacular. When [Edwin] van der Sar stopped [Nicolas] Anelka's penalty it was like the earth stood still.<br /><br />'I hope to repeat that feeling very soon.'</p><br /><br /><p style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a> winger Cristiano Ronaldo emphasised the importance of tomorrow's Champions League tie against Inter Milan - 'it's kill or be killed.'<br /><br />The knockout stage begins this week with the holders and Barclays Premier League leaders United up against a team on course to win their fourth consecutive Serie A title.<br /><br />The mind games between Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho will provide a fascinating sideshow to what many see as the tie of the round.<br /></p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-039C4C12000005DC-243_468x358.jpg" alt="Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="358" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Ready to rumble: Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo hopes to take his goal-scoring form into this week's Champions League clash against Inter Milan at the San Siro</p><br /><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Remember me? I knocked United out in 2004 and I'll do it again with Inter, goads mischievous Mourinho<br /></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;">Jose Mourinho today warned that he is ready to inspire the underdogs to another shock Champions League triumph over <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a>.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Portuguese boss was in charge of Porto when they sent United crashing out in 2004 and he is now ready to inspire Inter Milan to a place in the quarter-finals at the expense of the holders.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">United face a testing first leg at the San Siro tomorrow night before the return clash at Old Trafford in a fortnight.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-0-03A31316000005DC-164_468x538.jpg" alt="Jose Mourinho" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="538" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Confident: Inter boss Jose Mourinho</p><br /><p style="font-family: verdana;">And former <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea </a>boss Mourinho has now turned up the heat before his latest showdown with United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="floatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-1153045-00B692690000044C-480_306x362.jpg" alt="Jose Mourinho " class="blkBorder" width="306" height="362" /> <p class="imageCaption">Party time: Mourinho celebrates at Old Trafford after Porto's win in 2004</p></div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Fergie was left reeling five years ago when Porto grabbed a late winner at Old Trafford to seal a spot in the last eight.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">A suited Mourinho famously celebrated by sprinting down the touchline and sliding on his knees.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'This competition is different to the league where there are normally three or four teams who can win the competition,' said Mourinho.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'In the Champions League I think there are a minimum of 10 to 12 teams with the ambition, quality and capacity to do it.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Inter in the past went out in the last 16 to teams like Valencia or Villarreal who they should normally be beating, but that's football.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'In 2004, Manchester United went out to a young Porto that nobody would have even bet a euro on winning and that's football.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho went on to make a tongue-in-cheek remark over his upcoming reunion with Ferguson by claiming it will be an equal privilege for both men.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-1153045-0316D4EE000005DC-16_468x301.jpg" alt="Sir Alex Ferguson" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="301" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Rivalry: Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to face Mourinho</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The pair tussled for the Barclays Premier League during Mourinho's time in England but Fergie's trophy haul puts his younger rival in the shade.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'From what I know of him as a coach, he has a lot of faith in himself and his<br />team, and rightly too,' he added.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'If I am relaxed here now, he will certainly be the same, if not more relaxed than me.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'It will be a great pleasure to meet him again and it will be the same for him. We have had a great relationship from the start built on great respect and I hope it goes on like this to the end.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho believes the clash with United will be settled at Old Trafford next month.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/23/article-1153045-03A37B34000005DC-576_233x385.jpg" alt="Jose Mourinho " class="blkBorder" width="233" height="385" /> <p class="imageCaption">Focus: Mourinho in training today</p></div><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I have told the players that they have got to go into this tie and not be afraid of the possibility of, in 15 days, Inter being out of Champions League,' he said.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'We have got to go into this tie thinking that in 15 days probably we can celebrate that we have beaten the European champions.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Nothing will be decided tomorrow. After the game, we will all have the feeling that there is going to be another great game at Old Trafford.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Probably come the last minute at Old Trafford, nobody knows who is going to go through.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I am not expecting a result tomorrow that you can say it is done, that Manchester United or Inter have done it.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho went on to suggest United will be negative at the San Siro in an attempt to avoid defeat, while also claiming that they will not miss suspended centre-back Nemanja Vidic.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I think United is of course a great team technically, but I watch with great attention every match in the previous season in the Champions League,' Mourinho added.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Man Utd changed to play away from home. They are not going to come here to have fun.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I am not saying they are afraid of us, no, but they respect us and they know that they can lose.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'They are only strong in defence because their opponents have been poor. There are teams who go to Old Trafford and do not play with much ambition. It then becomes easier for them to control the game.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'Obviously Vidic is a great player, but they have John O'Shea and Jonny Evans, who is<br />playing really well.</p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >'Paul Scholes and Michael Carrick give them a lot of stability so the fact Vidic is not playing will not be a big advantage for us.'</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >Source - DailyMail<br /><br /></span><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_headline"> <h1>Beckham 'Can't Wait' For Manchester United - Inter Clash</h1> <h2>David Beckham has spoken about his excitement ahead of his former club's Champions League tie with Inter this week.</h2> <!--h3>Zack Wilson</h3--></div><p style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/people/england/1886/david-beckham">David Beckham</a> attended <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/teams/england/97/man-utd">Manchester United's </a>training session in Milan the San Siro earlier, ahead of their Champions League match-up with Inter tomorrow night, and spoke about the massive sense of anticipation he is feeling prior to the tie, even though he is not playing.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"I can't wait," the England midfielder told Manchester United's official website. "I haven't been to many United games since I left so as soon as this match was announced I looked to see if I was still going to be in Milan when it would be played.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"I'm so excited about it, but it's also a great opportunity to see the likes of Rio [Ferdinand], Wazza [Wayne Rooney] and, of course, Giggsy [Ryan Giggs] and Scholesy [Paul Scholes] who I haven't seen for a while.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">It's a match between two of the biggest clubs in the world and two great teams who are both in top form, so it's got the makings of a fantastic game. Both managers are so experienced so technically and tactically I'm sure it'll be a very tight contest."</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The iconic midfielder went on to reiterate his undying loyalty as a supporter of Manchester United, and expressed hopes that they could go on and capture a historic 'quadruple' of trophies.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"Oh yes, I've been a United fan all and always will be," he continued. "I've still got friends in the team who I played with at Old Trafford and still play with for England. So I always follow how they're doing.<br /><br />"I really hope they'll win every one of them. It would be amazing if they could. It was a fantastic achievement when we won the Treble in '99 and for them to be involved in four competitions this season is brilliant - as a player there's nothing better than that. Hopefully they can do it."</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">As for the key to beating Inter, Beckham felt that it might well be to stop their deadly front two of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Adriano from performing at their best.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"Inter have got top players throughout their team, but, yes, the two forwards are the players who can cause the most problems," Beckham explained.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"But United have got great defenders and don't forget, Inter will also be worried about the players United have got in attack."</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">With all the talk of 'quadruples' and 'domestic clean sweeps' that's currently doing the rounds, Beckham also felt that the current United team was every beat as good as the one with which he won a famous 'treble' in 1999.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"Yes definitely," he affirmed. "It's so strong all the way through from the goalkeeper to the strikers. It's an amazing squad of players and I'm sure they'll go on to achieve great things."</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_headline"> <h1>Marco Materazzi And Patrick Vieira Left Out Of Inter Squad To Face Manchester United</h1> <h2>The number 23 has not been picked by coach Jose Mourinho as a result of an ongoing problem with his thigh according to reports...</h2> <!--h3>Salvatore Landolina</h3--></div><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.goal.com/en/teams/italy/2/internazionale-news">Inter</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> defender </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.goal.com/en/people/italy/3/marco-materazzi">Marco Materazzi </a><span style="font-family: verdana;">and French midfielder </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.goal.com/en/people/france/1143/patrick-vieira">Patrick Vieira </a><span style="font-family: verdana;">will not line up against European champions </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://www.goal.com/en/teams/england/97/man-utd-news">Manchester United</a><span style="font-family: verdana;"> tomorrow night after being left out of the squad.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Italian was at Appiano Gentile with the rest of the squad today, but he has failed to shake of a niggling problem to one of his thigh muscles. Vieira who came on against Bologna on Saturday has not been passed fit enough by Mourinho and he will not be risked.</span><br /><br /><i style="font-family: verdana;">Sky Sport Italia</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> claim the Italian was sent home early as the rest of the team stayed behind to continue preparations into the afternoon. It is believed 18-year-old Davide Santon, who has been outstanding this season, will take 'Matrix's' place in defence.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Inter have released the list of 19 players who have received the nod and the wink from Mourinho.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The squad to play Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday night is as follows: </span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>Goalkeepers:</strong> 1 Francesco Toldo, 12 Julio Cesar, 22 Paolo Orlandoni.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>Defenders:</strong> 2 Ivan Ramiro Cordoba, 6 Maxwell, 13 Maicon, 16 Nicolas Burdisso, 24 Nelson Rivas, 26 Cristian Chivu, 39 Davide Santon.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>Midfielders:</strong> 4 Javier Zanetti, 5 Dejan Stankovic, 7 Luis Figo, 19 Esteban Cambiasso, 20 Sulley Muntari.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>Strikers:</strong> 8 Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 9 Julio Cruz, 10 Adriano, 45 Mario Balotelli.</p><span style="font-family: verdana;">The news of both absences will be welcomed by Sir Alex Ferguson's side. The Red Devils will be hoping to come away from their trip to Milan with the right result.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_headline"> <h1>Champions League Preview: Inter - Manchester United</h1> <h2>Inter are all set to lock horns with Manchester United in what promises to be an enthralling affair at the Giuseppe Meazza on Tuesday evening... </h2> <!--h3>A Intern</h3--> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" id="article_detail_block"> <div id="small_article_image_container"> <img alt="" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/40841_news.jpg" /></div></div> <b style="font-family: verdana;">Time For The Special One To Deliver</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">When Jose Mourinho entered the San Siro last summer, the Portuguese tactician was under no illusion that Champions League success was pivotal to Inter patron Massimo Moratti’s decision to hire him.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">‘The Special One’ is not a man inclined to feel pressure, but the ghost of ex-head coach Roberto Mancini will hang in the Milan air as Manchester United swing into town for the first leg of this second round clash of the titans.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mancini was famously jettisoned by Moratti after gifting the Nerazzurri three Serie A titles in a row, but it was his failure to make a splash in Europe's premier club competition that sealed his fate.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Mourinho has upheld Mancini’s fortunes in Serie A, with last weekend’s 2-1 win over Bologna sending La Beneamata nine points clear of Juventus at the top of the division.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Worryingly for the Champions League winner from his days at Porto, he seems to have inherited his predecessor's luck in the Champions League.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Inter stumbled through an elementary group in the first round, drawing 3-3 with Cypriot minnows Anorthosis, and registering defeats to outsiders Werder Bremen and Panathinaikos.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">A repeat of these wretched performances will blow apart Moratti’s master plan for Il Biscione to be proclaimed as the continent's finest and place an intense spotlight on the latest incumbent of his clubs hot seat.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;">Defensive Nightmare</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Manchester United have one hand on the Premier League crown after this weekend’s events, but their grip on the Champions League trophy has diminished after a defensive injury crisis took over Old Trafford.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Last season’s double winners charged to a seven point lead at the summit of the English top flight after Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City followed the Reds controversial 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Amidst the euphoria surrounding the Merseysiders slip up, the treatment room at United’s Carrington training base has dampened the sense of excitement.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">From the moment that centre-back Jonny Evans felt a recurrence of the ankle injury that sidelined him for the majority of February, Sir Alex Ferguson knew he was in trouble for the trip to the San Siro.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Already missing the suspended Premier League’s defender of the moment Nemanja Vidic, plus the injured duo Wes Brown and Gary Neville, Ferguson was counting on the Ulsterman to contain the twin threats of Adriano and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Now, Evans and team-mate John O’Shea face a race against time to be declated match fit. Without them, the Scottish manager faces an examination of the depth of his squad as he struggles to conjure up a centre-back capable of keeping Inter’s strikers from breaking down the door.</span><br /><br /><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;">TEAM NEWS<br /><br />Internazionale:</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Veteran centre-backs Walter Samuel (calf) and Marco Materazzi (knee) miss the visit of Manchester United, whilst midfielders Patrick Vieira and Luis Jimenez are also unavailable to Jose Mourinho.</span><br /><br /><i style="font-family: verdana;">Squad: </i><span style="font-family: verdana;">Toldo, Julio Cesar, Orlandoni, Cordoba, Maxwell, Maicon, Burdisso, Rivas, Chivu, Santon, Zanetti, Stankovic, Figo, Cambiasso, Muntari, Ibrahimovic, Cruz, Adriano, Balotelli.</span><br /><br /><i style="font-family: verdana;">Possible starting XI:</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Julio Cesar, Maicon, Cordoba, Chivu, Santon, Zanetti, Cambiasso, Muntari, Maxwell, Ibrahimovic, Adriano.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;">Manchester United:</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Sir Alex Ferguson is definitely without the suspended defender Nemanja Vidic, Gary Neville (illness) and Wes Brown (metatarsal). Jonny Evans (ankle) is a severe doubt, whilst John O’Shea (heel) faces a late fitness test.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Brazilian midfielder Anderson (ankle) has returned to training, whilst Owen Hargreaves (knee) is sidelined until next season.</span><br /><br /><i style="font-family: verdana;">Squad:</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Ferdinand, Evra, O'Shea, Evans, Fabio, Eckersley, Giggs, Park, Carrick, Nani, Scholes, Possebon, Gibson, Fletcher, Ronaldo, Rooney, Berbatov, Tevez, Welbeck</span><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></b><i style="font-family: verdana;">Possible starting XI:</i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Van der Sar, Evra, Ferdinand, O’Shea, Rafael Da Silva, Ronaldo, Park, Fletcher, Carrick, Berbatov, Rooney.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;">PLAYERS TO WATCH<br /><br />Inter:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> A predator strikes when it senses weakness. For </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Zlatan Ibrahimovic</b><span style="font-family: verdana;">, the prospect of facing a decimated Manchester United defence is an opportunity to be ruthlessly exploited. Ibrahimovic has been terrorising Serie A’s backlines this year in his charge to the upper regions of the scoring charts. The Swede should fill his boots again on Tuesday against the rag tag United rearguard.</span><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Manchester United:</b><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Never has there been a time in </span><b style="font-family: verdana;">Rio Ferdinand’s </b><span style="font-family: verdana;">career when he’s been more vital to his team than this Champions League second round meeting. The England international is Manchester United’s only fit centre-back. Ferdinand was flawless in his last visit to Italy against Roma last year. A repeat show will give the Red Devils a chance of progressing.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;">PREDICTION</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The attention of Europe will fall on the San Siro as the Italian emperors face the Premier League’s finest.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">No matter the grandeur, Manchester United will take to the pitch as a wounded beast. This puts the ball firmly in Jose Mourinho’s court, a position the Portuguese is loath to abandon.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Damage limitation is the name of the game for Sir Alex Ferguson. If his charges can register an away goal, then this trip to the Italian peninsula will be considered a success.</span><br /><br /><b style="font-family: verdana;">Prediction: Inter 2-1 Manchester United</b><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Source - Goal.com</span>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-88371389820297121802009-02-23T06:05:00.002+08:002009-02-23T06:09:10.920+08:00Guus Hiddink: I cannot lose as Chelsea manager<h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="heading"><!-- BEGIN: Portrait image --> <img title="Guus Hiddink, the Chelsea manager" src="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00490/hiddink_360_490927a.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink, the Chelsea manager" width="185" border="0" /></h1><!-- END: Module - Main Heading --><!--CMA user Call Diffrenet Variation Of Image --><!-- BEGIN: Module - M24 Article Headline with portrait image (b) --><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/js/m24-image-browser.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/js/tol.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"><!-- /* Global variables that are used for "image browsing". 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In the meantime, the Dutchman should simply relax and enjoy his new job for what it is: the best gig in town. </div></div><span class="byline"></span></div></div><!-- END: Module - Module - M24 Article Headline with portrait image (b) --><!-- Article Copy module --><!-- BEGIN: Module - Main Article --><!-- Check the Article Type and display accordingly--><!-- Print Author image associated with the Author--><!-- Print the body of the article--><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="region-column1-layout2"><div id="related-article-links"><p> A quick glance through the recent history books suggests that Chelsea are the most intense, pressurised club at which to work in the Barclays Premier League, with Roman Abramovich casting off managers as a Roman emperor would his concubines, but these circumstances are the exception that proves the rule. Until the end of the season, Hiddink is in a win-win situation. </p><p> If he is successful, by ending the club’s long wait to win the Champions League, there will be such a clamour for him to be appointed permanently that even Abramovich, the owner, will struggle to ignore it, leading to a political wrangle with the Russian Football Union for his services. If he fails, he can return to Moscow for a quiet life to steer Russia to next year’s World Cup finals in South Africa. As Hiddink acknowledged yesterday, his position is as close to bulletproof as it gets. </p><p> “At the end of the season, I cannot be sacked,” he said. “Before? Maybe. But not at the end of the season, because our working relationship ends at the end of the season.” The challenge begins this lunchtime away to Aston Villa, where Ricardo Carvalho could make a surprise return after a hamstring injury, having trained yesterday. </p></div></div><p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But Hiddink cannot really come to harm, even in the more intangible area of maintaining his international reputation, because he will take the credit for any success while being able to blame setbacks on the unrest in a dressing-room whose divisions have already been made public. No wonder Hiddink did not consider joining Chelsea to be a risk, with the only danger being that he will antagonise fans in Russia, such as those who protested against his dual role in Moscow yesterday. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “It was not an easy decision to make, but in this business I don’t think it’s important to spend too much time worrying about risks,” the Chelsea interim manager said. “I love the game and working with young, energetic people and I am not so concerned about what might happen in the future. If you think too much about risks then you should sit at home and watch plastic flowers.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> All of which goes some way to explaining Hiddink’s relaxed demeanour at Stamford Bridge yesterday, but the tone he has taken with his players has been rather different. There has been a marked increase in intensity on the training ground this week and, in keeping with his preference for flexibility, the players have switched repeatedly between 4-4-2 and 4-3-3, in contrast to his predecessor’s dogmatic devotion to 4-1-4-1. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Hiddink is well aware of the fact that several players were implicated in Luiz Felipe Scolari’s departure, by failing to perform to their potential if nothing else, and made a point of reminding them of their responsibilities. The 62-year-old will revert to his senior players at Villa Park today after watching Ray Wilkins experiment with youth in the FA Cup win against Watford, but will stick with them only if they respond to his methods. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “In any group, whether you are footballers or anyone else, there is a hierarchy,” Hiddink said. “And that is how it should be because with the right attitude, you can challenge those players to take responsibility. I like to have a recognised hierarchy in my team because they can help boss the younger players, and I see that as healthy. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “A manager has power, but it’s limited power. When you bring in new ideas it’s not a revolution at all. The players have to cope with these ideas and they have to execute. I said to the players that I like very much the experience of the Premier League, but I’ve not come and asked them to give me three or four weeks and then we’ll start work. Chelsea are now in circumstances to deliver. The players must deliver up to their standard, up to the club’s standard. I don’t give them any excuses, saying let’s give it three or four weeks to see what has been changed. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “At any level, but especially the high level, you have to have the attitude to deliver and take your responsibility as a big player. If you take the responsibility then you have the right to fail every now and then because they are human as well, but not by not taking responsibility. They must always do that, no matter who is the manager and who is in charge. They owe that to the fans, who are very loyal to the club. They owe more to them than to managers or whatever.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Having laid down the law to his players, Hiddink felt sufficiently relaxed to discuss his relationship with Abramovich, a subject that troubled most of his predecessors and ultimately did for them. Whereas Scolari spoke to the Russian “four or five” times in the space of seven months, Hiddink and Abramovich have been almost inseparable for the past week, with the owner attending the win away to Watford and the reserve-team match against Portsmouth at Griffin Park, as well as making regular trips to the training ground. Not even Avram Grant was able to work in such close proximity to Abramovich.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “Let’s be realistic, Abramovich’s interest depends on results,” Hiddink said. “Of course he likes to see results, but there was no demand to ‘do this’ or ‘do that’. I cannot judge before, but what I have noticed in the last few days is that he is also at Cobham \. I respect the way he contributes to Russian football and every now and then we see each other to see how it is developing. We are not friends. Friends you see every day of the week and they know all the bad things about you. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “We don’t talk a lot about the specific tactics or strategy. We talk generally about football and he loves it. He watches a lot of games live and on the TV. He can enjoy it when he is watching. For instance, this week at Brentford with the reserves, I looked at the players and also 180 degrees to see that he is enjoying watching young players. He loves it. He is not just showing off.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> The one big question mark against Hiddink is his lack of success at a leading European club, with his spell at Real Madrid a decade ago lasting half a season. Hiddink was sacked at the Bernabéu after falling out with Lorenzo Sanz, the the Real president, but does not envisage any problem with Abramovich, as long as the owner does not attempt to pick the team. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “I did that job ten years ago and we got this clash after winning the World Club Cup,” he said. “There was a little bit of a clash with me and the president about playing some players whom he liked to have played in the squad. Then you know what the consequences in a few weeks are.”<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> The only other doubt surrounds Hiddink’s absence from the club game for several years, although in this respect it would be unfair to compare him to Scolari, who had never worked at a European club before arriving at Chelsea. Hiddink took PSV Eindhoven to a Champions League semi-final as recently as four years ago — he won the European Cup for the club in 1988 — and any doubts over his stamina should be allayed by the fact that he was also coaching Australia at the time, a far more challenging commute. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “I’ve been in national team management for the last few years but recently I was also at a very respected club, PSV Eindhoven,” he said. “Every morning I am on time to Cobham so I don’t forget. I don’t say, ‘Oh, I’m national team manager, I don’t have to go. Oh, when is next game? March? Oh, I can sleep for three weeks.’ I love working daily with the lads. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “When I worked in Spain in the 1990s, I said to myself that I’d quit and do something different, but that was around ten or 12 years ago. As long as I like the job, I’ll cope with the pressure. As long as it isn’t paralysing me and gives me energy, I can go on for a few months or years.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> As for his ambitions for the rest of the season, the job description is very simple — qualify for the Champions League next season and anything else is a bonus. Hiddink admitted as much yesterday when his eyes almost glazed over at the dreamy prospect of running Manchester United close in the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “Finishing second to Manchester United and getting to the Champions League final sounds like a movie,” he said. “That would be a beautiful end to the season. You’ve given me a good idea and we’ll work on that. That would be very OK.” </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Such achievements were not enough to stop Grant being sacked last season, the one fact that seemed to elude Hiddink on an impressive debut in front of the cameras, but that was then and this is now. As the beaming smile on his face testified, Hiddink has nothing to lose. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Before the axe fell</b></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> When Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea in July 2003, he said: “We have no plans to change the management here at the moment.” This is what Guus Hiddink’s four predecessors had to say. </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Claudio Ranieri </b>(September 2000 to June 2004) </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “I don’t know Mr Abramovich and I would like to speak to him. To be honest, I don’t know anything about these rumours regarding the new owners and another manager. But I do know the rules of the game, and that when control of a club passes from one man to another anything can happen.” — July 4, 2003 </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>José Mourinho</b> (June 2004 to September 2007) </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “Please don’t call me arrogant. What I am saying is true because I’m a European champion. I’m not one from the bottle, I’m a special one.” — June 2, 2004: </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Avram Grant </b>(September 2007 to May 2008) </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “I am not a special one, I am a normal person. I did not get the job because I am a friend of Roman Abramovich. I remember when Arsène Wenger came here, people said, ’Arsène who?’ and he did a great job.” <i>— September 21, 2007</i></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Luiz Felipe Scolari </b>(July 2008 to February 2009) </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> “I’m special for my friends, family and country — as a manager I’m so-so. I’ve always been a fighter. Until now, everything I have fought for and tried to achieve I have done. Even when it was very difficult, I got there. My team will be the same.” <i>— July 8, 2008</i></p><p><i><span style="font-family: verdana;">http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/premier_league/chelsea/article5776177.ece</span><br /></i></p>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-82004218667870454122009-02-19T07:34:00.002+08:002009-02-19T07:57:27.753+08:00~ Guus Magic At The Bridge And Essien Return ~<h1>Chelsea open up the Bridge to allow kids watch their heroes train</h1>By <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Sportsmail+Reporter" class="author" rel="nofollow">Sportsmail Reporter</a><br />Last updated at 3:35 PM on 17th February 2009<p>There's no doubt new <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea </a>boss Guus Hiddink means business. Not only did he go to a reserve team match along with owner Roman Abramovich last night but now he's showing Blues fans just how he's going to get his well-paid stars into Champions League-winning form and fitness.</p><p>He has blasted his squad for not being fit enough so when the Stamford Bridge doors were opened to allow kids to watch the first team train during half term there was no shortage of takers - around 6,000 turned up to watch Hiddink put them through their paces today.</p><p>Many players probably wished they were at the anonymous Cobham training base but for one day only they were centre stage while they were learning - and supporters lapped it up.<span style="background-color: rgb(0, 0, 255);"></span><br /></p><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-038D513E000005DC-78_468x286.jpg" alt="the bridge" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /> <p class="imageCaption">Here come the players: Chelsea stars trot out for trainng</p> <p> </p><div class="thinArtSplitter"> <div class="splitLeft"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-038D5176000005DC-800_224x423.jpg" alt="Roman" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="423" /> <p class="imageCaption">Maybe we should charge to watch training every day: Roman Abramovich contemplates his latest credit crunch solution </p></div> <div class="splitRight"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-038D5028000005DC-600_224x423.jpg" alt="Guus, Wilkins" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="423" /> <p class="imageCaption">Can you leave the pitch please Mr Kenyon: But then Guus Hiddink realises it's actually his assistant Ray Wilkins in the big coat </p></div> <div class="clear"> </div> </div> <div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-038D510B000005DC-234_468x400.jpg" alt="Terry" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="400" /> <p class="imageCaption">For my next trick...Chelsea skipper John Terry practises his offside appeals </p> <p> </p> <div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-038D513A000005DC-522_468x511.jpg" alt="Guss" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="511" /> <p class="imageCaption">The exit's that way if you can't cope: Hiddink shows his players the path to fitness </p> <p> </p><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-038D4EA0000005DC-724_468x228.jpg" alt="hiddink" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="228" /> <p class="imageCaption">Stretching a point: Chelsea players do their best to impress new boss Guus Hiddink </p> <p> </p><div class="clear"> </div> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/17/article-0-038D4EA4000005DC-86_468x295.jpg" alt="drogba" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="295" /> <p class="imageCaption">Watch those two, they're trouble: Ray Wilkins (left) helps Hiddink evaluate Michael Ballack and Didier Drogba<br /></p><p class="imageCaption"><br /></p><h1 class="heading">Guus Hiddink to make impact at Chelsea with double changes</h1><!-- END: Module - Main Heading --><!--CMA user Call Diffrenet Variation Of Image --><!-- BEGIN: Module - M24 Article Headline with portrait image (b) --><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/js/m24-image-browser.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/js/tol.js"></script><script type="text/javascript"><!-- /* Global variables that are used for "image browsing". 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Alex missed training with an ankle injury to leave Hiddink with the daunting task of patching up a threadbare defence because Ricardo Carvalho (hamstring) and Ashley Cole (suspension) are already unavailable for the visit to Villa Park. </p><p> Alex may come back into contention by the end of the week, but Hiddink will still have only two of his first-choice back four to call upon at a ground where Chelsea have not won for ten years. Paulo Ferreira will fill in for Cole at left back — a role he fulfilled regularly for Portugal under Luiz Felipe Scolari, the previous Chelsea manager — but replacing Carvalho will not be so straightforward. </p><p> Branislav Ivanovic and Michael Mancienne were given the opportunity to impress Hiddink yesterday in a ten-a-side practice match that pitted Chelsea’s first team against the reserves, but both contain an element of risk. </p><p> Ivanovic has made only six Barclays Premier League starts since signing from Lokomotiv Moscow 12 months ago and looked shaky in the FA Cup win over Watford last Saturday. </p><!--#include file="m63-article-related-attachements.html"--><!-- BEGIN: Module - M63 - Article Related Attachements --><script type="text/javascript"><!-- function pictureGalleryPopup(pubUrl,articleId) { var newWin = window.open(pubUrl+'template/2.0-0/element/pictureGalleryPopup.jsp?id='+articleId+'&&offset=0&§ionName=FootballTeamChelsea','mywindow','menubar=0,resizable=0,width=1000,height=711'); } //--></script><!-- BEGIN: Comment Teaser Module --><!-- END: Module - M63 - Article Related Attachements --><!-- Call Wide Article Attachment Module --><!--TEMPLATE:call file="wideArticleAttachment.jsp" /--><p> While Mancienne was more impressive at Vicarage Road, it was his first appearance for the club and he was deployed at right back. With Emile Heskey likely to return from injury up front for Villa on Saturday, supported by the pace of Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young and James Milner, Villa Park will be no place for a rookie. </p><p> Hiddink has plenty of experience elsewhere in his squad, however, with the earliest indications that he intends to use as much of it as possible. The Dutchman partnered Anelka with Drogba for the duration of the practice match, which was divided into four ten-minute periods, with the Ivory Coast striker scoring the opening goal as the first team won 2-1. </p><p> Such a team selection, even in a practice match, represents a considerable departure from the tactics employed by Scolari, who started the strikers together only once. Anelka said as much after scoring a 16-minute hat-trick when paired with Drogba for the final 20 minutes at Watford, complaining that Scolari never gave them the opportunity to prove themselves as a partnership. </p><p> The only other innovation made by Hiddink was the use of Deco as a holding player at the base of a three-man midfield. The Portugal player has struggled to produce his best form recently as matches have passed him by and Hiddink is determined to get him on the ball more often, encouraging him to dictate the pace of play and get Chelsea’s attacks going from a deeper role. </p><p> John Obi Mikel was also given an opportunity in his familiar role as a midfield anchor man, but Deco represents a more attacking option as Chelsea seek to close the seven-point gap between them and Manchester United at the top of the table. </p><p> The most intriguing sight at a training session that was open to the club’s supporters at Stamford Bridge was the presence of Roman Abramovich, the owner, who has watched more football in the past few days than in the first six months of the season. The Russian was also at the reserves’ 6-0 win over Portsmouth on Monday night after attending the victory over Watford, an indication of a resurgence of interest in the wake of his disenchantment with Scolari. </p><p> “I’m not here to entertain you all morning,” Hiddink said at the open training session, where 5,164 fans watched the action. “I’m here to lead the entertainment of the team. I hope we have a strong end to the season, but we need your support. I will give everything to make the team work.”<br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="threeColLeft"> <h1 class="sIFR-ignore">Essien: I'll be back in a month</h1> by Tom Adams , 18 February 2009 <img id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_Left_Left_Left_ctl01_imgFullSize" src="http://www.setanta.com//Global/Images/sport/football/2008-2009/premier_league/chelsea/essien-home.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; width: 480px;" /> </div><p>New Chelsea coach Guus Hiddink will be delighted to hear the news that injury-stricken midfielder Michael Essien feels he is no more than a month away from returning to first team action.</p> <p>The Ghana star has not played for The Blues since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in August but recently returned to first-team training and was included in Chelsea’s squad for the knockout stages of the Champions League.</p> <p>And although he still has some work to do at the club’s Cobham training facility before he can be considered match fit, Essien is optimistic that he could make his long-awaited return at the end of March.</p> <p>“According to [rehabilitation physio Thierry] Laurent, it should not take more than one month for me to play actively again,” Essien told 90minutes.</p> <p>“He has assured me that once we go through a few other exercises for two or three weeks, I should be fit enough to return to the pitch.”</p> <p>The former Lyon midfielder has also paid tribute to Hiddink after the Dutchman was appointed as Chelsea manager until the end of the season following Luiz Felipe Scolari’s departure.</p> <p>Hiddink will combine his role at Chelsea with his responsibilities for leading the Russian national side and Essien believes the 1988 European Cup winner will reinvigorate a Chelsea side afflicted by mixed form and a reportedly divided dressing room.</p> <p>“Hiddink has been around for quite a while and knows what it takes to get positive results out of nothing,” Essien added. </p> “He is a fantastic manager, so we hope he would bring the magic to give us strength we need to mount a challenge in all competitions.”<p><br /></p><h1>Chelsea sack Luiz Felipe Scolari: 10 reasons why he had to go</h1> <!-- font resizer --><div class="article-image"> <img style="" src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/dec2008/6/1/39E0B788-E1E7-1B47-EA35B2DA11E72B2A.jpg" alt="Luiz Felipe Scolari (pic:Getty)" width="450" border="0" height="314" /> <p class="article-date">Luiz Felipe Scolari (pic:Getty)</p> </div> <p>Chelsea’s sacking of Luiz Felipe Scolari has stunned the Premier League – but to many Blues fans the decision came as a blessed relief. Here are 10 reasons they wanted the Brazilian out.</p> <p><strong>1) He’d lost the fans<br /></strong>At the end of Saturday’s dismal 0-0 home draw with <st1:city><st1:place>Hull</st1:place></st1:city> – a game which the Blues should have lost – an unusually quiet <st1:place><st1:placename>Stamford</st1:placename> <st1:placetype>Bridge</st1:placetype></st1:place> crowd got very vocal. They booed and chanted "You don't know what you're doing” as two fans unfurled a ‘Scolari Out’ banner which also called for the return of Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke from West Ham. With characteristic understatement, Scolari’s understudy Ray Wilkins called it “a tad out of order”.<br /><br /></p> <p><strong>2) He’d lost the dressing room too</strong><br />Supporters were dismayed in December by claims that senior players had questioned Scolari’s substitutions in matches against West Ham and Arsenal. It was also alleged that John Terry and Frank Lampard had confronted the manager to ask for the intensity of training to be stepped up in a bid to return to the high-tempo football of the Jose Mourinho era. Some players privately grumbled about wanting a return to Jose Mourinho's rigid 4-4-2 system and moaned about the manager turning up late for training. The lack of respect ran both ways: Scolari simply didn’t seem bothered after a humiliating 3-0 reverse at Manchester United recently and his players echoed that with their resigned body language at <st1:place>Liverpool</st1:place> and against <st1:city><st1:place>Hull</st1:place></st1:city> in the games which sealed his fate.<br /><br /></p> <p><strong>3) He turned Fortress Stamford Bridge into a fun day out for visitors</strong><br />Not only did the Blues’ 86-game unbeaten home record go against Liverpool in October, but the Scolari era saw 16 Premier League points dropped at home out of a possible 39.<br /><br /></p> <p><strong>4) He got his tactics wrong<br /></strong>Scolari’s firm belief in the lone striker – either in a <st1:date year="2001" day="4" month="5">4-5-1</st1:date> or a <st1:date year="2003" day="4" month="3">4-3-3</st1:date> formation – meant Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka never got an extended run together. Moves from man-to-man to zonal marking and the late addition of Ricardo Quaresma were too-little-too-late acknowledgments of <st1:city><st1:place>Chelsea</st1:place></st1:city>’s killer flaws at set pieces and out wide.<br /><br /></p> <p><strong>5</strong><strong>) He struggled against the minnows<br /></strong>Home draws with <st1:city><st1:place>Hull</st1:place></st1:city>, <st1:city><st1:place>Newcastle</st1:place></st1:city>, Southend and <st1:place>Burnley</st1:place> – the latter made even worse by a 5-4 penalty defeat which knocked them out of the League Cup – would never have happened under Jose Mourinho. Neither would poor near-misses against Stoke and <st1:stockticker>CFR</st1:stockticker> Cluj.</p> <p><strong>6) He struggled against the big boys too<br /></strong>For once, Anelka wasn’t just sulking when he moaned last week: 'From the start of the season, we've lost our tests against the biggest teams. Whenever the biggest matches in the Premier League come along, we have just not shown we know how to perform at the 'real' Chelsea level.'” So far <st1:city><st1:place>Chelsea</st1:place></st1:city> have just one point in total to show from two games apiece against <st1:place>Liverpool</st1:place> and Manchester United and a home match against Arsenal.<br /><br /><strong>7</strong><strong>) He put his faith in the wrong players</strong><br />Scolari bought Deco on the back of a terrible season at <st1:city><st1:place>Barcelona</st1:place></st1:city> and persisted with him until recently despite the Portuguese midfielder’s evident struggles to keep up with the pace of the Premier League. He also kept Drogba out of the side in favour of Anelka – who might be the Premier League’s leading scorer but has only netted once in eight weeks… and that against Southend.<br /><br /><strong>8) He’d stopped communicating with the fans</strong><br />It’s bad enough when a manager stops attending pre- and post-match press conferences – even worse when in his stead he sends out human Valium Wilkins in his stead. Scolari’s struggles with the English language didn’t help him in his struggles to win over an increasingly frustrated <st1:city><st1:place>Chelsea</st1:place></st1:city> crowd.</p> <p><strong>9) He’d turned into an unlucky manager</strong><br />Major injuries to Michael Essien and Joe Cole and fitness problems for Didier Drogba, John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho – not to mention the farcical gazumping of Robinho by Manchester City after Chelsea had offered fans the chance to buy a shirt with his name on it - conspired to wreck Scolari’s hopes of continuing Chelsea’s flying start to the season. <st1:city><st1:place>Roman Abramovich's </st1:place></st1:city>reincarnation as a credit crunch Doug Ellis and subsequent reluctance to perform major surgery on an ageing team didn’t help either. If only Big Phil had endured this kind of misfortune against England in the 2002 and 2006 World Cups and the 2004 European Championship.</p> <p><strong>10) He wasn’t even as good as Avram Grant<br /></strong>His haul of only 49 points from 25 games is 15 worse than the 64 Jose Mourinho managed in his first season, 17 worse than Mourinho hauled in the following year as the title was won again – and five worse than the seemingly hapless Avram Grant got last year. Grant’s team scored 48 goals in those games – Scolari’s could only manage 44.</p></div></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-34337579862051353002009-02-15T10:02:00.000+08:002009-02-15T16:57:41.603+08:00Jose says he'll return to Chelsea one day<h1 class="storyTitle" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; font-size: 2.8em; font-family: verdana;">Jose says he'll return to Chelsea one day<!-- end page tools --> <!-- begin story body --> <!-- template inline --></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;">Jose Mourinho believes he will return to Chelsea sometime in the future. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="sp-inlinePhoto"><img src="http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/images/JonMC/October%202006/mourinho-205.jpg" width="205" border="0" height="345" /><p class="photoDesc">Mourinho: Back to the Bridge?</p></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"> The London club, have put Russia coach Guus Hiddink in charge until the end of the season after sacking Luiz Felipe Scolari on Monday but the Portugese boss, sacked in September 2007, seemingly believes he has unfinished business at Stamford Bridge.</span><p style="font-family: verdana;">"If you ask me if one day I think I will return to Chelsea, I will tell you yes I think so, I think so because we were so happy together," Internazionale boss Mourinho told a news conference ahead of Sunday's derby against AC Milan. "But when I say one day, I am not saying to you when."</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> "I am not there, I am just a supporter from the outside," he continued. "I'm somebody who wishes them good because it's a special club for me, I have special friends there.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I belong to their story, they belong to my story so I am not enjoying this period where they have had several managers in one year and a few months.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I hope they find stability and go back to (winning) trophies."</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Inter team have a seven-point lead at the top of Serie A, said he was not surprised to see England midfielder David Beckham doing well during his loan spell at AC Milan from Los Angeles Galaxy.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"I knew in advance all the fears people had about him were not fair," said Mourinho. "I knew he was a top professional, he arrived in great condition with great ambition.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">"He has adapted very well, he is playing very well. He is giving different kinds of qualities to his team and I hope he stays for the good of the league." </p>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-25906231015024807572009-02-12T19:01:00.004+08:002009-02-12T19:20:35.571+08:00Luiz Felipe Scolari slams Germany captain "Michael Ballack betrayed me over Chelsea sacking!"<a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/football/world-football/2009/02/11/luiz-felipe-scolari/sun-seite-scolari-11489457-mfbq,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=465.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 465px; height: 349px;" src="http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/football/world-football/2009/02/11/luiz-felipe-scolari/sun-seite-scolari-11489457-mfbq,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=465.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-size:180%;" class="artSub" >Luiz Felipe Scolari slams Germany captain </span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;"> "Michael Ballack betrayed me over Chelsea sacking!"</span></span> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>Sacked Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has sensationally slammed Michael Ballack for betraying him.</strong></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="elLe"><div class="bdeElCon227"><div class="infoTitle"><span>Michael Ballack's bust-ups</span></div> <div class="bdeInfoEl227"><div class="infobox"><div class="infoImg"><a href="http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/football/world-football/2008/11/25/germany-captain-michael-ballack/defends-public-criticism-of-coach-joachim-loew.html" target="btobody"><img src="http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/football/world-football/2008/11/25/germany-captain-michael-ballack/10918552__MFB-sport-ballack-verteidigt-kritik__MBQF-1227611529,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=227.jpg" alt="Michael Ballack verteidigt Kritik an Bundestrainer Jogi Löw" width="227" height="170" /></a></div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="elLe"><div class="bdeElCon227"><div class="imageelement" style="width: 227px;"> <img src="http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/football/world-football/2009/02/11/luiz-felipe-scolari/felipe-scolari-11483427-mfbh,templateId=renderScaled,property=Bild,width=227.jpg" alt="Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked after just 224 days in charge at Chelsea" width="227" height="302" /><div class="elementtext"> <p>Luiz Felipe Scolari was sacked after just 224 days in charge at Chelsea.</p></div> </div> </div></div><p style="font-family: verdana;">Scolari, a World Cup winner while in charge of Brazil, told a friend that the <a href="http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/football/world-football/2008/11/25/germany-captain-michael-ballack/defends-public-criticism-of-coach-joachim-loew.html" target="btobody">Germany captain</a> – as well as fellow Chelsea stars Didier Drogba and Petr Cech – were responsible for his departure from the Stamford Bridge club.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘<a href="http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article2227070.ece" target="_blank">The Sun</a>’ newspaper in Britain broke the story, and said the former Blues boss had told his friend: <strong>“<a href="http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/football/world-football/2009/02/09/michael-ballack-video/chelsea-star-pelted-with-snowballs-by-teammates.html" target="btobody">Ballack</a>, Cech and Drogba became my enemies. They have a direct line to [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich.”</strong></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">BILD reporters in London have discovered that John Terry and Frank Lampard, along with Cech and <a href="http://www.bild.de/BILD/news/bild-english/sport-news/more-sport/2008/08/14/ballack/to-quit-chelsea.html" target="btobody">former Bayern Munich star Ballack</a>, were all unhappy with Scolari because there was too little training.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">He was seemingly right, however, to keep Drogba on the bench.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><strong>Scolari was sacked after a poor first half of the season, with Chelsea lying fourth in the Premier League table and only taking eight points from the last six games.</strong></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The goalless draw at home to newly-promoted Hull City on Saturday proved to be the last straw.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea have already started the search for his replacement, with veteran Dutchman Guus Hiddink – currently coach of Russia and friend of Abramovich – favourite to take the job until the end of the season.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Also in the frame for the Stamford Bridge post are Frank Riijkard, who won two league titles and a Champions League while in charge at Barcelona, and former Inter boss Roberto Mancini.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">EXCLUSIVE: The Chelsea part-timer - Hiddink set to double up with Russia and Kenyon may be next to go </h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Last updated at 6:01 AM on 11th February 2009</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Roman Abramovich completed one of the most astonishing deals in English football history last night when he replaced his World Cup-winning manager with a coach he will share with Russia.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">In a move revealed exclusively by <span style="font-style: italic;">Sportsmail </span>and which has cast serious doubts over the future of <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> chief executive Peter Kenyon, Guus Hiddink will take over from the sacked Luiz Felipe Scolari until the end of the season while also continuing to guide the Russians to the next World Cup.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The situation is simplified by the fact that Abramovich is already helping the cash-strapped Russian Football Union pay Hiddink's 7million euro (£6.14m) salary.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/10/article-1141474-0361F214000005DC-880_468x455.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink " class="blkBorder" width="468" height="455" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">At the double: Guus Hiddink will take over at Chelsea until the end of the<br />season while also continuing to guide the Russians to the next World Cup </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But it remains no less amazing when Chelsea's Russian owner is acting against the judgment of a football administrator as experienced as Kenyon, who considered it more prudent to give Scolari the chance to revive his stuttering side.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Abramovich arrived in London on Monday with the specific intention of sacking Scolari in a secluded part of the club's Surrey training complex and spent yesterday at Stamford Bridge once again directing operations.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">By lunchtime he had received permission from the Russian Football Union to speak to Hiddink and by last night the details of the deal were all but in place.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea officials remain unsure if Saturday's FA Cup tie against Watford would be Hiddink's first game in charge or the hugely important Barclays Premier League encounter at Aston Villa a week later.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/10/article-1141474-035F177E000005DC-344_468x302.jpg" alt="Roman Abramovich" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="302" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Good friends: Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich with Hiddink (right)<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><p style="font-family: verdana;">This week's events will be of considerable concern to Kenyon, who has been a largely isolated figure over the last few days. Abramovich did not even wait for him to return from a holiday in Barbados before sacking Scolari, greatly contrasting with Kenyon's role as executioner in the axing of the three previous managers.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Kenyon arrived back in London early yesterday - two days earlier than expected - to find his position as the highest-paid executive in English football a matter of huge speculation.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">In his favour, however, is his strong relationship with agent Pini Zahavi, who once again has emerged as Abramovich's favoured middle-man in the Hiddink deal.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Earlier yesterday Hiddink, who is under contract with Russia until after the 2010 World Cup, explained why he could not resist Chelsea's advances.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'I have to admit it's a complicated situation involving the Russian national team and Chelsea,' he said while with his squad at a training camp in Turkey.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">'This is an exceptional situation. If it was any club other than Chelsea my answer would be a straight "No". </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/10/article-1141474-035E2602000005DC-397_468x333.jpg" alt="F Luiz Felipe Scolari " class="blkBorder" width="468" height="333" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Pay off: Sacked Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari will walk away with around £6m<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">But Chelsea is different because I have good relations with the owner. 'It would be a full managerial role, a day-to-day job.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">But this would only be for the next two or three months until the end of the season. 'I will not leave my job with the Russian national team.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">When I took the Russia job it was a long-term project and I don't like to leave it unfinished. But we'll meet in the next few days and will talk about the whole thing.'<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Chelsea have agreed compensation for Scolari - thought to be around £6m - and his assistants Flavio Teixeira, Darlan Schneider and Carlos Pracidelli.</p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="articleHeading">BALLACK: PHIL WAS THE WEAKEST LINK AT CHELSEA </h1> <!-- MAIN IMAGE, IT'S CAPTION AND THE GALLERY BIT --> <div style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; width: 281px; font-family: verdana;"> <div style="background: transparent url(http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/58/281x351/69264_1.jpg) no-repeat scroll 0% 0%; float: left; width: 281px; height: 351px; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" title="Michael Ballack"> </div> <div class="articleFirstImageCaption" style="width: 261px; float: left;"><br /> </div> </div> <div style="overflow: hidden; width: 175px; font-family: verdana;"> <div class="left date" style="width: 177px; height: 20px;"> 12th February 2009 </div> <div class="left" style="border-bottom: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0pt 0pt 5px; width: 177px; height: auto;"> <h4 class="left author" style="font-size:12px;">By <span class="bold">Steve Goodman </span></h4> </div> <div class="left" style="width: 177px; height: 30px;"> <p> <a href="http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/69264/Ballack-Phil-was-the-weakest-link-at-Chelsea-/#comments" class="speechBubble">Your Shout ( <span class="bigCommentsNum" id="commentscountertop">0</span> )</a> </p> </div> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="introcopy">MICHAEL BALLACK has delivered his own damning verdict on Big Phil Scolari’s Chelsea reign by admitting the Brazilian was the club’s weakest link.<br /><br />Scolari was sacked on Monday after the Blues dropped to fourth in the league, seven points behind leaders Manchester United.<br /><br />Several senior stars are believed to have put the boot into Scolari when Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich sought opinions before axing him and replacing the World Cup winner with Guus Hiddink.<br /><br />But even though the German midfielder accepts he and his team-mates should shoulder part of the blame for Chelsea’s dip, he believes Scolari left himself wide open to criticism.<br /><br />Ballack said: “Every coach has his own training methods – and Scolari has been very successful with his way of doing things in the past.<br /><br />“He has proved that he is a great coach but most recently there has been a lack of success at Chelsea. When that happens the blame comes down on to the weakest link in the chain – the manager.<br /><br />“The players are also responsible for the fact that things have not gone so well recently.<br /><br />“I was surprised about Scolari being sacked. I had not expected it and I had a good relationship with him.”<br /><br />Ballack added: “Something like this is always unpleasant. It is a shame as he was not with us for long.<br /><br />“Of course, there was criticism and we did not achieve the results we wanted.”<br /><br />Hiddink will be Ballack’s fourth manager since Jose Mourinho signed him in 2006. But despite the upheavals, Ballack believes he can still achieve his ambitions at Stamford Bridge.<br /><br />“I want to win the Champions League and play internationals – and I can do these at Chelsea,” he said.<br /><br />“We were level with Manchester United until the end of last season and unlucky to lose the Champions League final on penalties.<br /><br />“Mourinho was decisive in my moving to Chelsea but we have still been a top European club since his departure. “We proved it in making the Champions League final last year.” </p> <!-- MAIN IMAGE, IT'S CAPTION AND THE GALLERY BIT --><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;"><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">Shocked Terry blames his Chelsea team-mates for getting Scolari the sack</span></span><br /> <!-- MAIN IMAGE, IT'S CAPTION AND THE GALLERY BIT --> <p style="font-family: verdana;">John Terry last night pointed the finger at his <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> team-mates for getting Luiz Felipe Scolari the sack and admitted only 'two or three players' supported the Brazilian coach.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">In a remarkable admission, the England captain revealed that he is preparing to lift the lid on Scolari's turbulent seven-month spell at Stamford Bridge after tonight's friendly here against Euro 2008 champions Spain.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Hours after it became clear that owner Roman Abramovich was bringing in Russia coach Guus Hiddink to replace Scolari, Terry said: 'I've got sympathy for Scolari and I'm very shocked by what's happened. He had my support, that's for sure. Two or three other players will say exactly the same thing.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/10/article-1141411-0364A2C4000005DC-922_468x364.jpg" alt="JT" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="364" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">On the attack: John Terry (left) turns his attention back to England last night</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/11/article-1141411-035EE088000005DC-252_468x321.jpg" alt="England's John Terry (left) chats with Guus Hiddink before an England v Russia international" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="321" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Welcome boss: England's John Terry (left) chats with Guus Hiddink before an England v Russia international</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We will go into all the details after the (Spain) game. Scolari's a great man and unfortunately when the team aren't playing well, it falls on his head.<br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;"> 'Maybe they (the owner) should look at some of us. We did under-achieve. The overall picture needs to be looked at by the powers that be at the club.'</span><br /><br /><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sportsmail </span>understands that Roman Abramovich flew to London last Thursday and held a series of meetings with senior players, including Michael Ballack, Petr Cech and Didier Drogba.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Terry and his England team-mate Frank Lampard are believed to be the two players who remained behind Scolari until the bitter end.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/10/article-1141411-0355FA46000005DC-625_468x387.jpg" alt="Manager C" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="387" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Sympathy: Terry says the players should take the blame for axing of Scolari<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The England skipper added: 'I'm not affected by it. We have not been performing well individually and collectively as a squad and that falls on the manager's head. That's unfair because a few of us could have done better in our time with the manager.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'We started off very well, but form and results dipped. At the start, I was playing well for the first five or 10 games. Since then I could have been better.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I'm my own worst critic and I know I need to improve my fitness and my game. That coincided with Chelsea's poor run of form and I could have done better. I hold my hands up to that.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/10/article-1141411-036385FD000005DC-576_468x317.jpg" alt="Guus Hiddink " class="blkBorder" width="468" height="317" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Astute: Guus Hiddink would stabilise the club if he was made boss, says Terry<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'With everything that's going on, to be away from England and concentrate on my own game is a relief given what's happening back home.'<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Terry said Hiddink would stabilise the club. 'He's very astute,' said the defender.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'His teams play, they get the ball out from the back. I don't know too much more about him but we will have to wait to see.'</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Performing seals are great at Abramovich's Chelsea - just so long as they win<br /></h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;">By MARTIN SAMUEL Chief Sports Writer<br />Last updated at 12:20 AM on 10th February 2009</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="article-icon-links-container"> <ul class="article-icon-links cleared"><li class="first"> <a class="comments-link" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1140384/MARTIN-SAMUEL-Performing-seals-great-Abramovichs-Chelsea--just-long-win.html#comments" rel="nofollow"> <span class="linktext">Comments (<span class="readerCommentNo" rel="1140384">26</span>)</span> </a> </li><li class="gr3ox"> <a class="addstories-link myst-add myst-article-1140384" href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1140384/MARTIN-SAMUEL-Performing-seals-great-Abramovichs-Chelsea--just-long-win.html" rel="1140384|3| nofollow"> <span class="linktext">Add to My Stories</span> </a> </li></ul> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">So much for sexy football. It turns out that there is nothing more tedious than not winning and Roman Abramovich is learning this rather obvious lesson the hard way.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">In Jose Mourinho, Abramovich had a manager who knew how to win, but his victories were not always pretty to watch. This was not good enough, apparently. Roman, we<br />were told, was not amused.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">So, after a bizarre interlude, he got in the man who spliced Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and<br />Rivaldo to win a World Cup for Brazil, and sat back to watch the firework display.<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">One disappointing bang and a misfiring Catherine wheel of early-season form later, one imagines Abramovich and his <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> board would now crawl across broken glass to secure a manager capable of grinding his way to the top of the table, while everybody in the main stand falls asleep.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Looking at what has unfolded at Chelsea, the requirement would seem to be to win the League, while balancing a ball on one’s nose like a performing seal. Mourinho was too boring, Scolari too beatable.</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/09/article-0-01E2C7B900000578-765_468x351.jpg" alt="No Plan B: Once teams worked out Scolari's game-plan, Chelsea faltered" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="351" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">No Plan B: Once teams worked out Scolari's game-plan, Chelsea faltered</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Even by the standard of new Premier League ownership, this is a directionless farce, and it is one entirely of the owner’s making because he has to trust his fortune to a manager with vision if he is to succeed. He had that man in Mourinho, but he grew to fear his strength.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Beware the boss who wants to have fun. Beware the guy who says working for him is going to be a blast. Abramovich is said to be that sort of owner. He wants to be entertained, he wants the spectacle, he wants to see his investment out on the field doing tricks.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/09/article-0-0279BAC200000578-495_468x286.jpg" alt="Tough man to please: Scolari was given the elbow after failing to entertain the ruthless Abramovich" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Tough man to please: Scolari was given the elbow after failing to entertain the ruthless Abramovich</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Scolari’s reign has exposed that as a myth. It transpires Abramovich wants the same as any director or supporter. He wants his team to win; and when they do not, he wants to nail the guy responsible.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Scolari did not do a good job at Chelsea. His team set off at a sprint, but quickly tired and his methods were one-dimensional. Once Chelsea’s rivals had worked out the game-plan, they were easy to stop, and Scolari did not seem able to provide an alternative.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">So there is mitigation for this decision, yes; or there would be if Chelsea did not seem to be a club that has completely lost its bearings. That is what Mourinho gave them: a man who knew where he was going. Abramovich’s wealth was a hugely important part of the process but, as has been found since, financial investment alone provides no guarantee if the ship is rudderless.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The ludicrous employment of Avram Grant, a man with no credentials for the job other<br />than a cultural bond with Abramovich, started the drift away from sanity, and if Scolari’s appointment seemed a sound move, his failure to return Chelsea to the efficient unit created by Mourinho may yet prove catastrophic, if the club slips out of the top four.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/09/article-0-0156113B00000578-419_468x343.jpg" alt="Ludicrous: Grant eyes the Champions League trophy after suffering defeat in Moscow" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="343" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Ludicrous: Grant eyes the Champions League trophy after suffering defeat in Moscow</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Scolari’s c.v. was stellar, but it was still a risk to give him his first club position in Europe. An international manager for close to a decade, he would have been used to expanses of thinking time between matches to put right weaknesses and miscalculations.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">In the Premier League, matches, not to mention body blows, come thick and fast and<br />Scolari never seemed able to recover from them.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">His Brazilian heritage may have appealed to Abramovich and at the start of the season<br />Chelsea were splendid to watch but, by the time of Saturday’s goalless draw with Hull City, this was a team satisfying none of Abramovich’s criteria. Winning? No. Entertaining? No. This season, Chelsea have failed to win in nine of 19 games at<br />Stamford Bridge.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/09/article-0-0175993A00000578-862_468x286.jpg" alt="The Special One that got away: Mourinho " class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">The Special One that got away: Mourinho </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">In conversation a week ago, Frank Lampard, a consistent influence in midfield under a<br />succession of managers, said that Chelsea players used to stand in the tunnel at home games, feeling invincible, never considering defeat.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Recently, he said, there has been uncertainty. Would they win? Would they score?<br />Scolari’s failing is that he has not been able to make any impact on that mindset.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘The years we won the League,’ Lampard recalled, ‘we would win games 1-0, not playing well. Rio Ferdinand said to me that the Manchester United players would watch our games, hoping we’d get beat, and we might play poorly enough to get<br />beat, but then we’d nick it, and it was the most frustrating thing for them.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/09/article-0-0308DFFC000005DC-483_468x286.jpg" alt="Invincibles: Lampard (left) and Terry (right) celebrate Premier League glory in 2005" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Invincibles: Lampard (left) and Terry (right) celebrate Premier League glory in 2005 under Mourinho's tutelage</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">‘Manchester United have been best at doing that this season and that is why they are top. We need to get into that mode. We have to take responsibility.’<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Indeed, Manchester United’s recent run of 1,212 minutes without conceding a League<br />goal has included a run of eight 1-0 wins in 13 matches. That is Mourinho form. That is what Chelsea had, but it was not pretty enough for some people in the owner’s box.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">They wanted excitement: and now they have got it.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="main-content"><h1 class="ss-header hstyle2 main-headline">Drogba happy with Hiddink</h1></span><span class="main-content"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/09/01/800x600/didierdrogba_1768630.jpg" class="thickbox" title=""><img src="http://img.skysports.com/09/01/218x298/didierdrogba_1768630.jpg" alt="didier drogba" title="didier drogba" width="218" /></a> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Blues striker believes that Russia coach will be good for the club</span></span><span class="main-content"><br /> <p class="ss-text-caption"><span class="main-content"><p class="ss-text-bold">Chelsea striker Didier Drogba believes that the appointment of Guus Hiddink as manager until the end of the season is 'good for the club'. </p> <p>The 30-year-old was in action for the Ivory Coast on Wednesday against Turkey and grabbed an equaliser in the last minute to make the score 1-1.</p><p>The former Marseille ace didn't feature regularly under ex-boss Luiz Felipe Scolari due in part to injury and suspension but since regaining full fitness Drogba has failed to live up to the reputation of past seasons.</p><p>Despite this the striker was disappointed to see the Brazilian coach get the sack but declared himself pleased with the appointment of Hiddink.</p><p>"It's good for the club, I think," he told <i>Sky Sports News</i>.</p><p>"We are going to work very hard to qualify for the next round of the Champions League and improve our points in the league."</p><p><br /></p></span></p></span></p><div class="threeColLeft"> <h1 style="font-family: verdana;" class="sIFR-ignore">Essien edging closer to comeback</h1><span style="font-family: verdana;"> by Robin Hackett , 11 February 2009 </span><img id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_Left_Left_Left_ctl01_imgFullSize" src="http://www.setanta.com//Global/Images/sport/football/2008-2009/premier_league/chelsea/essien_airport.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; width: 480px; font-family: verdana;" /><br /><br /><div style="font-family: verdana;" id="div_article_main_content"> <p>Michael Essien has taken part in his first group training session for Chelsea since September. </p> <p>The Ghana midfielder has had a long spell on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament on international duty, but he has now taken a significant step towards recovery. </p> <p>Essien is yet to return to full training – he was only involved in non-contact activities – but he appears to be on course to do so by the end of the month. </p> <p>The 26-year-old is scheduled to return to first-team action in mid-March. </p> </div><br /> </div><p><span class="main-content"><p class="ss-text-caption"><span class="main-content"></span></p></span></p>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-85789751297414274762009-02-10T02:30:00.005+08:002009-02-10T02:46:30.084+08:00Scolari SACKED !!!! What Next For Chelsea FC ?<h3 class="headline" id="headline" style="font-family:verdana;"><span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363">SCOLARI DISMISSED </span></h3><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="postedDate" id="postedDate">Posted on: Mon 09 Feb 2009</div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today (Monday) with immediate effect.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">While that continues Assistant Coach Ray Wilkins will take charge of the team on a temporary basis.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;">http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~1551166,00.html</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><span style="font-weight: bold;"></span><img src="http://www.espnstar.com/servlet/file/197785_33_preview.jpg?ITEM_ENT_ID=197785&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=10&FILE_SERVICE_CONF_ID=33" alt="AC Siena v FC Inter Milan - Serie A" class="image" align="right" /><h3>Who next for Chelsea?</h3> <div class="freestyle-text"> <p class="excerpt">espnstar.com takes a look at the possible candidates to take over from the Brazilian at Stamford Bridge.</p><p><strong>GUUS HIDDINK</strong></p><p>The Dutchman, currently employed as Russia coach, was reportedly high on Chelsea's wish-list before they settled on Scolari in the summer. Regarded as one of the most astute tacticians in world football Hiddink's efforts in taking Russia to the semi-finals of Euro 2008 mark him as an obvious candidate for Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich. Unlike Scolari, the Dutchman has also made his name at club level in Europe having guided PSV Eindhoven to three Eredivisie titles as well as the semi-finals of the 2004-05 Champions League.</p><p><strong>GIANFRANCO ZOLA</strong></p><p>A legend during his playing days at Chelsea, Zola would be a hugely popular choice among the Stamford Bridge faithful. Despite his relative inexperience in club football he has forged a good reputation since taking over as manager at West Ham this season with former Blues assistant Steve Clarke by his side.</p><p><strong>JOSE MOURINHO</strong></p><p>Chelsea's most successful manager having led them to back-to-back league titles, the Portuguese is the most exalted of all Blues managers. Sacked at the start of last season, Mourinho has since stated he would one day like to return to management in England. A return to Stamford Bridge would, however, seem unlikely with an apparent falling out with Abramovich leading to his departure, while he remains contracted to Inter Milan - who currently lead Serie A by seven points.</p><p><strong>ROBERTO MANCINI</strong></p><p>The 44-year-old Italian was sacked by Inter Milan at the end of last season despite leading them to the past three Serie A titles. He remains a high-profile candidate despite remaining out of work and has history in England having played at Leicester at the start of the decade.</p><p><strong>FRANK RIJKAARD</strong></p><p>The former Barcelona boss has been out of work since leaving the Catalan club at the end of last season. During his five-year spell at the Nou Camp the 46-year-old led Barca to two league titles as well as Champions League success when they beat Arsenal 2-1 in the 2005-06 final.</p><p><strong>ROBERTO DI MATTEO</strong></p><p>Another former Blues fan favourite Di Matteo is best remembered for scoring the fastest FA Cup final goal as the Blues beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in 1997. He was named as manager of League One club MK Dons in the summer and has them on track for promotion in his first season with the team currently sitting second in the table.</p><p><strong>AVRAM GRANT</strong></p><p>The Israeli was replaced by Scolari in the summer after taking the Blues to their first Champions League final where they lost on penalties to Manchester United. His softly-spoken mentality, and the fact he succeeded Mourinho, meant Grant was never truly accepted by Blues fans.</p><p><br /></p><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><img src="http://www.espnstar.com/servlet/file/195125_33_preview.jpg?ITEM_ENT_ID=195125&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=10&FILE_SERVICE_CONF_ID=33" alt="Chelsea v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League Semi Final" class="image" align="right" /><h3>Terry says sorry to fans</h3> <div class="freestyle-text"> <p class="excerpt">Chelsea captain John Terry has apologised to the club's loyal fans for his team's recent run of poor performances.</p><p>The Blues were booed off the Stamford Bridge pitch on Saturday after a goalless draw with Hull and Terry accepts the players are responsible for the fans' unrest.</p><p>The stalemate against the Tigers saw Luiz Felipe Scolari's side slip to fourth in the table, seven points behind leaders Manchester United, who have a game in hand.</p><p>"I apologise to the fans because our performances at home and away have not been good enough and we have not been putting on the performances which give their ticket value for money," Terry told the Evening Standard.</p><p>"They are working awfully hard to afford to come with their friends and families and we are not turning it on for them."</p><p>Midfielder Salomon Kalou also sympathises with the supporters after Chelsea missed out on a home win against the Tigers.</p><p>The 23-year-old thinks a return to form and possibly a trophy can be achieved with some hard work.</p><p>"For the fans and for us it was a really difficult afternoon," Kalou told the club's official website.</p><p>"The most difficult thing is that we had a lot of chances to win the game and we didn't take them.</p><p>"We had a couple of amazing games at home at the beginning of the season but now there is the momentum where it is difficult to win at home, but we have to find a solution because there are some very important games coming up at home, so we have to keep working hard.</p><p>"You can always do better, push yourself and improve, and I believe there is a lot of things we can do to improve, so now we have to show the fans we are still working hard.</p><p>"As players we are frustrated, but we can still go for a trophy."</p><p><br /></p><h3>Terry: We have to win something!</h3> <div class="freestyle-text"> <p class="excerpt">Chelsea captain John Terry warned his out of sorts teammates that they have to win some silverware this season.</p><p>Chelsea slipped to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League as a goalless draw against Hull meant they have dropped 16 points at Stamford Bridge this season.</p><p>The Blues are three points behind Aston Villa and their chances of catching title favourites Manchester United are fading fast.</p><p>Chelsea face Watford in the FA Cup next weekend, then travel to Villa in the league before a first leg tie against Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League at Stamford Bridge.</p><p>The Blues felt the frustration of Chelsea's fans against Hull as they taunted Scolari with chants of 'You don't know what you're doing' before booing them off at the end of the game.</p><p>Assistant coach Ray Wilkins labelled the minority as being 'out of order' but an FA Cup and Champions League exit could put an end to a disappointing first season under Scolari.</p><p>Terry, though, is determined to lead the Blues back into the title race and delivered another rallying call.</p><p>"The challenge is massive," said Terry. "We can't take our focus off it for one minute. We have to win something this season.</p><p>"We have to do everything we can to get ourselves back in the thick of the title race.</p><p>"We have to start winning and keep on winning. We have to win big games like Villa and Arsenal away and Watford next week.</p><p>"What is important is that we all stick together and that's the supporters as well."</p><p>Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet against their four rivals at the top of the table and Terry accepts that is not good enough.</p><p>They have failed to beat Manchester United, Arsenal, and Liverpool but managed a 2-0 success over Villa back in October.</p><p>"In games against the top five we've only kept one clean sheet this season, the win over Aston Villa, and that's not good enough.</p><p>"We haven't scored enough goals against them either."</p><p>Scolari may have been the target for a section of the Chelsea boo boys but there is no doubting his desire to push their title rivals all the way - despite the gap in points.</p><p>Scolari said: "We are prepared to fight and we are aware that there are many points still to play for and for the teams above us to drop - it is only February and the league ends in May.</p><p>"We want to take our battle for the title right to the end of the season."</p><p>Chelsea were unable to overcome a stubborn Hull side, who squandered a couple of chances to win the game themselves, and even winger Ricardo Quaresma, on loan from Inter Milan, failed to inspire them.</p><p>It was his substitution in favour of Didier Drogba, in the second half, that sparked the chants from the boo boys but Wilkins backs Scolari to cope with the pressure.</p><p>"Whenever someone manages at a club as big as Chelsea there is always pressure to bring home trophies that is not only here but at Arsenal, Man Utd and Liverpool," said Wilkins.</p><p>"And to a large degree the guys at the bottom end of the table face pressure to keep teams in the division.</p><p>"There will always be that type of pressure to win trophies and he will strive for that and we will work extremely hard to try and achieve that goal."</p><p><br /></p> <img src="http://www.espnstar.com/servlet/file/200206_33_preview.jpg?ITEM_ENT_ID=200206&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=10&FILE_SERVICE_CONF_ID=33" alt="Arsenal v West Ham United - Premier League" class="image" align="right" /><h3>Blues have their fill of 'Big Phil'</h3> <p class="excerpt">Gianfranco Zola and Steve Clarke are favourites to become the dream managerial duo at Chelsea after the club.</p><p>This comes after the sacking of coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. The Brazilian coach was dismissed by the Blues on Monday afternoon after just seven months in the Stamford Bridge hot- seat.</p><p>Scolari paid the price for a season in which Chelsea have dropped 16 home points, were bundled out of the Carling Cup by Coca-Cola championship side Burnley and slipped to fourth in the Barclays Premier League.</p><p>A statement issued by Chelsea confirmed his departure: "Luiz Felipe Scolari has been dismissed as manager of Chelsea Football Club today (Monday) with immediate effect.</p><p>"The Chelsea board would like to place on record our gratitude for his time as manager. Felipe has brought many positives to the club since he joined and we all feel a sense of sadness that our relationship has ended so soon.</p><p>"Unfortunately the results and performances of the team appeared to be deteriorating at a key time in the season.</p><p>"In order to maintain a challenge for the trophies we are still competing for we felt the only option was to make the change now.</p><p>"The search for a new manager has already started and we hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.</p><p>"While that continues Assistant Coach Ray Wilkins will take charge of the team on a temporary basis."</p><p>Scolari, looked increasingly like a man out of his depth in the Premier League and Saturday's goalless draw with Hull only highlighted the Brazilian's inability to get the best out of his squad.</p><p>'Big Phil' was taunted with chants of 'You don't know what you're doing' by fans who also booed the players off the pitch at the final whistle.</p><p>Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson had pointed to Chelsea's ageing squad at the start of the campaign but the problems ran deeper than that.</p><p>After a flying start to their league season under Scolari, including nine straight away wins, the team's confidence evaporated to such an extent that they only just overcame Southend in the FA Cup.</p><p>The Brazilian's pedigree was undeniable at international level - but the consensus of opinion was that the 60-year-old had been out of league football too long and found himself unable to cope with the English game.</p><p>Scolari generally under-achieved when it came to tactics and his insistence on a 4-3-3 formation was ultimately responsible for his downfall.</p><p>His treatment of a clearly demotivated Didier Drogba was also baffling during a period when the Ivorian's pace and power would surely have been preferable to the languid efforts of the league's top scorer Nicolas Anelka.</p><p>But perhaps the biggest clanger dropped by Chelsea this season was the decision to allow assistant coach Clarke to leave for West Ham last September.</p><p>No wonder that much of the talk among Chelsea fans already revolves around the dream ticket of Zola and Clarke.</p><p>The message on banners unfurled at Stamford Bridge on Saturday demanded the end of Scolari's reign and the appointment of Zola and Clarke.</p><p>Chelsea have now met one half of the request, but prising the duo from West Ham will be difficult.</p><p>Zola, whose side narrowly lost to Manchester United on Sunday, insists he has no intention of walking out on the club that has provided him with a chance to manage in the English top flight.</p><p>But Chelsea may well test that resolve in the coming days as they look to appoint what will be their third manager since Jose Mourinho was axed in September 2007.</p><p><br /></p> <img src="http://www.espnstar.com/servlet/file/200281_33_preview.jpg?ITEM_ENT_ID=200281&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=10&FILE_SERVICE_CONF_ID=33" alt="Gianfranco Zola of Chelsea celebrates his goal during the FA Carling Premiership match against West Ham United at Stamford Bridge in London. Chelsea won 4-2. " class="image" align="right" /><h3>Zola camp coy on Chelsea link</h3> <div class="freestyle-text"> <p class="excerpt">Gianfranco Zola's lawyer has refused to rule his client out of the running to become the new manager of Chelsea.</p><p>The Blues legend has already emerged as one of the favourites to succeed Luiz Felipe Scolari, who was sacked by the London giants on Monday.</p><p>Zola has impressed hugely at West Ham, after only taking charge at Upton Park in September.</p><p>But Chelsea fans are keen to see the Italian - who is assisted by Jose Mourinho's former number two Steve Clarke - back at Stamford Bridge.</p><p>Zola's lawyer Fulvio Marrucco has been quick to confirm that although no approach has been made, Chelsea could be hard to turn down.</p><p>"At the moment we know nothing about the link between Gianfranco Zola and the vacant position at Chelsea," Marrucco said in a statement.</p><p>"Gianfranco is very happy at West Ham and still thanks them for giving him the opportunity to be a coach in the Premier League.</p><p>"It is very difficult to say if anything will happen but Chelsea is a special place for Gianfranco Zola."</p><p><br /></p> <img src="http://www.espnstar.com/servlet/file/154018_33_preview.jpg?ITEM_ENT_ID=154018&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=10&FILE_SERVICE_CONF_ID=33" alt="Inter Milan v CSKA Moscow - UEFA Champions League" class="image" align="right" /><h3>Agent: Mancini not on Blues shortlist</h3> <div class="freestyle-text"> <p class="excerpt">Ex-Inter Milan boss Roberto Mancini is not a candidate to replace Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea, according to his agent.</p>Scolari was dismissed on Monday afternoon following the Blues' poor results of late.<p>Mancini, who is unemployed since being sacked by Inter Milan last summer, has been linked with a move to the London club in recent months.</p><p>However, his agent Giorgio De Giorgis has had no contact with Chelsea.</p><p>De Giorgis said to the Italian media: "No-one has contacted us, hence, I exclude the possibility that Mancini will go to Chelsea.</p><p>"We are aware of Scolari's sacking but they would have contacted us in the case they had though about him (Mancini).</p><p>"Instead, they have contacted others."</p><p><br /></p> <img src="http://www.espnstar.com/servlet/file/188165_33_preview.jpg?ITEM_ENT_ID=188165&COLLSPEC_ENT_ID=10&FILE_SERVICE_CONF_ID=33" alt="Chelsea v Fulham - Barclays Premier League" class="image" align="right" /><h3>Drogba vows to help Chelsea</h3> <div class="freestyle-text"> <p class="excerpt">Didier Drogba admits he is finding things "a little difficult" but has vowed to help Chelsea get back on track.</p><p>Drogba has fallen out of favour under Luiz Felipe Scolari, and his introduction in place of Ricardo Quaresma against Hull on Saturday prompted taunts of 'You don't know what you're doing' from fans towards the Blues boss.</p><p>But the 30-year-old is confident both he and the west London outfit - who slipped to fourth in the Barclays Premier League after being held to a goalless draw by the Tigers - will overcome their current troubles.</p><p>"It's a little difficult at the moment, but we will find ways to return," he told L'Equipe. "I hope in the Champions League we will do well.</p><p>"You can't have a 10-year career where everything is great. I am in a period like that - a little less good.</p><p>"Is this difficult to experience? If I say no, people will say I am not ambitious. If I say yes, people will think I am demoralised when it is really not the case.</p><p>"It is not easy but it is not the end of the world. The main thing is that I am in good health physically."</p><p>The Ivory Coast frontman, who stopped off in France en route to Turkey for Wednesday's friendly international, played down talk he could be interested in a return to Marseille.</p><p>"Nino (Wiltord) is there and Brandao has just arrived. Let's trust these people rather than talk about Drogba," he said after watching his former team beat Bordeaux 1-0 at the Stade Velodrome last night.</p></div></div></div><p>Source - ESPNSTAR<br /></p></div></div></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-50837676139193752532009-02-09T18:45:00.002+08:002009-02-09T18:50:23.632+08:00~ Hot And Not Wrap Up Of This Week Premier League Matches ~<div class="bd"> <div class="split-content-a"> <h3>Who's Hot</h3> <!-- Generated by --> <ul><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/ad984d26b2bc6490130963689b61907d.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Fernando Torres </h4> <p>Does the fact that Torres came off the bench against Portsmouth to win the game vindicate or undermine Rafa Benitez's decision to leave him on the bench?</p> </li><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/7e087d06f7cd6b0a1ff270b558884fd3.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Aston Villa </h4> <p>The win at Blackburn was the ninth of Villa's 13-game of unbeaten run, and has propelled them back into third place following Chelsea's stumble against Hull.</p> </li><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/0a13fc96e66deca2bd917b88a1177cc4.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Jo </h4> <p>The forgotten man at Manchester City, Jo took just 90 minutes to restore his reputation after scoring twice and winning a penalty on his Everton debut.</p> </li><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/4340c144e516933ec10bfdeb10465380.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Craig Bellamy </h4> <p>Two games at Eastlands, two match-winning goals for the loveable rogue. Many questioned paying £14m for him, but Bellamy has helped drag City up to ninth.</p> </li><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/eb5ff4514f9a8b92f9c0ad14e18d58a8.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Ryan Giggs </h4> <p>Not many players have scored in 19 consecutive league campaigns, but Giggs has following his superb match-winning goal for Manchester United at West Ham.</p></li></ul><br /></div> <div class="split-content-b"> <h3>Who's Not</h3> <!-- Generated by --> <ul><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/eeecc0d8512f3fda233bb8d906a7f82c.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Chelsea </h4> <p>After Saturday's draw against Hull the fortress that was once Stamford Bridge has seen just six wins in 13 league games so far this season.</p> </li><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/e789769b60b641396391b1ff2ceacb1f.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Rob Styles </h4> <p>Having missed Danny Pugh's handball on the line and sent off Matthew Etherington, Styles accomplished the rare feat of being slagged off by both managers after Sunderland-Stoke.</p> </li><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/a883e9e7d57e3c5827131741f11c16c7.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Middlesbrough </h4> <p>You have to go all the way back to November 9 before you see the last time Boro won a league game. That awful run has landed them firmly in the relegation mire.</p> </li><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/000b2a7bbdc6b859799ec6d7659aed3d.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Gary Megson </h4> <p>Trotters boss Gary Megson described his team's 3-0 defeat at Everton as "a complete waste of 90 minutes". Now he knows how everyone else feels when they watch Bolton.</p> </li><li> <h4> <img src="http://l.yimg.com/eur.yimg.com/ng/sp/eurosport/20090208/25/3608d0c03217ff14615b4254e7aa8ddc.jpg" alt="" width="96" height="96" /> Emmanuel Eboue </h4> <p>A comically self-destructive display for Arsenal against Spurs, getting sent off for dissent and a petulant leg-flick. And had a goal disallowed. And Arsenal were better without him.</p> </li></ul> </div> </div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-27295822281593443812009-02-09T06:36:00.003+08:002009-02-09T06:50:09.883+08:00Liverpool's Stars Were Too Tired To Start At Portsmouth And Torres Uprise<h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Fernando Torres Sees Liverpool Positives</h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">With the upcoming Champions League game against Real Madrid, Torres tries to take the positives from Liverpool's recent form...</h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/42917_news.jpg" alt="Fernando Torres Sees Liverpool Positives" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /> <div class="label"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p2"> <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/MediaImagesGallery.aspx?Id=42917" id="Articolo_ei1_hg" class="L1"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lG"></span></a><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/UserControlsV2_5/#" id="Articolo_ei1_hp" class="L2" onclick="window.open('/en/MediaImagePopup.aspx?Id=42917','MediaImageZoom','left=100,top=100,width=300,height=300,status=0,toolbar=0,menubar=0,location=0,resizable=0,scrollbars=0',true);return(false);"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lP"></span></a> <span class="closer"></span> </div> </div> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1100215/fernando-torres-sees-liverpool-positives#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1100215/fernando-torres-sees-liverpool-positives#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1100215/fernando-torres-sees-liverpool-positives#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> <span class="bot"></span> </div> </div> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has signalled his intent for the upcoming game against Real Madrid by stating that the Reds play better football against the bigger teams.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Spanish striker moved from Madrid rivals Atletico Madrid to Liverpool two years ago and would love nothing more than to get one over on his old enemy.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The 24-year-old striker never beat Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu and he has stated that he hoped Liverpool can produce something special for the Reds' fans.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking to Spanish daily sports </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">AS</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">, Torres said, "We began very well and at the moment we're going through a period which isn't the best. But we're not bad, maybe it's just that we're stifled by lesser teams who are happy with a draw.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;" name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT"> <p>"We are better against the big teams and we have to show that against Real Madrid.</p> <p>"We're getting back players that have been absent with injury like me.</p> <p>"It all depends on how you look at things.</p> <p>"You can be pessimistic and think that we have been knocked out of the Cup and that it was tough for us to win, or you can think positively, which is what I do, and see that we are fighting for the league, that we're in the last 16 of the Champions League, that on the whole we are better than previous years.</p> <p>"That's what I think."</p><p>The match with Madrid pits two of the most successful teams in the competition against each other, and Torres is certain that it is the biggest tie of the round.</p></span><span style="font-family: verdana;" name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT"><p>"It is the most attractive tie of the Champions League. One of the teams with the best history in Europe against one with the greatest in England and only one can remain in the competition.</p> <p>"For me it's not just another game and that's not just for my Atletico past: it is an extra motivation for anyone to face Madrid in Europe.</p> <p>"I have never won in the Bernabeu and with all the respect that I deserve and they have for us, I really want go and look like equals against Real.</p> <p>"There is no favourite, apart from maybe each team at home. That the second leg is at our place might be an advantage...but that doesn't always prove true.</p> <p>"I am well aware that they will be very dangerous in the Champions League. They always have been.</p> <p>"But in cup games, and the other day is the exception that proves the rule, we are like a fish in water.</p> <p>"The league is harder because there are clubs who have more money and you can tell that."</p><p>Liverpool may be without influential skipper Steven Gerrard for the tie and manager Rafael Benitez will be hoping he can recover from a hamstring injury in time.</p><p><br /></p></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Fernando Torres: I Played Too Many Games Last Season</h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">Fernando Torres is counting the count of a successful first season in English football.</h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/43230_news.jpg" alt="Fernando Torres: I Played Too Many Games Last Season" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /> <div class="label"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p2"> <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/MediaImagesGallery.aspx?Id=43230" id="Articolo_ei1_hg" class="L1"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lG"></span></a><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/UserControlsV2_5/#" id="Articolo_ei1_hp" class="L2" onclick="window.open('/en/MediaImagePopup.aspx?Id=43230','MediaImageZoom','left=100,top=100,width=300,height=300,status=0,toolbar=0,menubar=0,location=0,resizable=0,scrollbars=0',true);return(false);"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lP"></span></a> <span class="closer"></span> </div> </div> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1099431/fernando-torres-i-played-too-many-games-last-season#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1099431/fernando-torres-i-played-too-many-games-last-season#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1099431/fernando-torres-i-played-too-many-games-last-season#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> <span class="bot"></span> </div> </div> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Liverpool striker Fernando Torres has put his recent injury problems down to playing too many games last season.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Spaniard was an instant hit in his first season at Anfield, scoring 24 Premier League goals after signing from Atletico Madrid.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">This season, however, the striker has struggled with a series of injuries and has only recently returned to action.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">According to </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">setanta.com</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">, Torres has revealed his belief that the demands of English football could be to blame for his injury problems. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I hadn’t played a season like that before and maybe it is one reason I’ve had problems,” he said. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I’d never played the amount of games I played last season. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“When I was at Atletico Madrid I would only play La Liga and cup matches. I would play maybe 20 games a season less than I played here.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Torres’ season was also extended, due to the European Championships in Austria and Switzerland where the Liverpool striker helped Spain to victory, and he admitted he was now counting the cost of his exploits.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“As well as getting used to The Premier League we went all the way to the Champions League semi-final," he explained. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"On the back of that, I played at the Euros too and Spain went all the way to the final.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It was fantastic for me with no major problems but this season has been harder simply because of my injuries. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Starting my second season this way is disappointing – it’s frustrating when you can’t help your team.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The striker appears to be back to form and fitness having scored three goals in his last two club appearances but he freely admits he still feels tired. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“I’ve been a little bit tired because I haven’t played full games for some time,” said the striker. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“But with so many games at weekends and in midweek, I’ll only be better with each game and be back to 100 percent soon. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"My only target now is to play as many games as I can and score goals.”</span><br /><br /><i style="font-family: verdana;"><b> Goal.com<br /><br /><br /></b></i><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Liverpool's Stars Were Too Tired To Start At Portsmouth - Rafa Benitez</h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">Red Rafa has further defended his decision to rest a host of key players in last night's thriller at Fratton Park...</h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/32582_news.jpg" alt="Liverpool's Stars Were Too Tired To Start At Portsmouth - Rafa Benitez" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /> <div class="label"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p2"> <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/MediaImagesGallery.aspx?Id=32582" id="Articolo_ei1_hg" class="L1"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lG"></span></a><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/UserControlsV2_5/#" id="Articolo_ei1_hp" class="L2" onclick="window.open('/en/MediaImagePopup.aspx?Id=32582','MediaImageZoom','left=100,top=100,width=300,height=300,status=0,toolbar=0,menubar=0,location=0,resizable=0,scrollbars=0',true);return(false);"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lP"></span></a> <span class="closer"></span> </div> </div> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1099250/liverpools-stars-were-too-tired-to-start-at-portsmouth-rafa-beni#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1099250/liverpools-stars-were-too-tired-to-start-at-portsmouth-rafa-beni#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/08/1099250/liverpools-stars-were-too-tired-to-start-at-portsmouth-rafa-beni#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> <span class="bot"></span> </div> </div> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;">The pundits, the punters and quite probably the players themselves were utterly befuddled upon reading the Liverpool team-sheet for their clash with Portsmouth.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">As if it wasn't strange enough that Rafael Benitez used what looked like a 3-6-1 formation, he also opted leave Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Albert Riera and Dirk Kuyt out of the starting XI.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">That, combined with Steven Gerrard's absence through injury and the recent sale of Robbie Keane, left Reds fans fuming as their side twice conceded the lead to relegation-threatened Pompey.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">It was the introduction of goalscorers Kuyt and Torres that sparked the Merseysiders' late comeback, but Benitez has stood by his decision to rest his key men after the draining FA Cup tie against Everton in midweek.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"Torres, Kuyt and Alonso were really tired," he said on Liverpool's official website. "We had to play extra-time with ten men in a Cup replay, and then come here two days later. They were so tired. I talked with the medical and technical staff and made the decision.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"It is not a gamble when you know they are tired. If you ask the players, all of them will say they are fit, but you have to decide based on all the information."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Despite scraping to a 3-2 win in Hampshire thanks to Torres' extra-time header, Liverpool were the better side for much of the game, particularly in the opening half-hour.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Benitez continued, "From the first minute we were playing really well, passing the ball and controlling the game.</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"It was really disappointing to make a mistake to concede the goal, and after that another mistake. But we deserved to win because we worked hard and played well."</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><br /><i style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Mike Maguire, Goal.com</b></i><span style="font-family: verdana;" name="intelliTxt" id="intelliTXT"></span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="no-bok"><b><span style=";font-size:130%;" >Liverpool owner accuse Benitez</span><span style=";font-size:180%;" ><br /> </span></b>More board room rant after attack on Sir Alex<b><span style=";font-size:180%;" ><br /> </span></b></span><span style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128);font-size:78%;" ><br /> SOCCERVOICE.COM,<span lang="no-bok"> 08.02.2009</span></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;" lang="no-bok"><span style=";font-size:85%;" >Daily Star on Sunday reports that Liverpool owner George Gillett claims Rafael Benitez's rant against Sir Alex Ferguson is to blame for Liverpool's Premier League blunt.<br /> <br />Benitez managed to grab all three points yesterday, but things never looked certain and the manager might have to take critisism for the way he compose his team.<br /> <br />With Gerrard out, you would expect that the rest of the stars would play, but players such as Alonso and Torres were put on the bench.<br /> <br />Liverpool fans are not shure about their team and there are a lot of unsettlement around a team that should really be flying and on top of the world. They are just two points behind in the race for the Premier League title and still competing in the Champions League.<br /> <br />The fact that not one single player moved to Liverpool during the January transfer window shows lack of financial backing. Fans of other clubs believe that Liverpool are strong, their own fans has not been able to say that they feel they can win the Premier League this year.<br /> <br />Benitez and his players could show the strength and there is always important to stay behind those you've got instead of talking of players that are not there today.<br /> <br />Rumours are that Liverpool could be sold if anyone comes up with a bit in the region of £180 million, that is probably what it takes to get the ownership of the club.<br /><br /><br /></span></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">I’ll Give Away My Medal If Liverpool Win Premier League - Robbie Keane</h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">Despite being in a relegation battle at Tottenham, Robbie Keane could end the season with a Premier League winners' medal.</h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/43156_news.jpg" alt="I’ll Give Away My Medal If Liverpool Win Premier League - Robbie Keane" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/699/tottenham/2009/02/07/1097744/ill-give-away-my-medal-if-liverpool-win-premier-league-robbie-ke#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/699/tottenham/2009/02/07/1097744/ill-give-away-my-medal-if-liverpool-win-premier-league-robbie-ke#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/699/tottenham/2009/02/07/1097744/ill-give-away-my-medal-if-liverpool-win-premier-league-robbie-ke#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> <span class="bot"></span> </div> </div> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Robbie Keane has admitted that, should Liverpool win the Premier League this season, he would give away his medal.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The striker, who rejoined Tottenham Hotspur this week after a miserable six months at Anfield, will be eligible for a league winners’ medal should they claim the title this season.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">However, the Republic of Ireland international has insisted that he was not interested in picking up a medal, having failed to establish himself during an ill-fated spell on Merseyside.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“Winning the Premier League would mean nothing at all to me now,” he told </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">The Sun</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">. “My brother is a Liverpool fan, so I’d probably give it to him. The way I look at it is that a medal means something when you are a part of the squad and involved in winning a trophy.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keane also insisted that he next month’s League Cup final against Manchester United means more to him, even though he is cup-tied for the final after appearing for three minutes as a substitute against Crewe Alexandra in the third round. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Tottenham striker added, “Next month’s Carling Cup final means more to me because I’m a Tottenham player now, even though I can’t play.”</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The former Liverpool man is set to make his second Spurs debut against Arsenal tomorrow in the north London derby.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Yet, he also revealed he still has no idea why Rafael Benitez had seen fit to drop him in recent weeks, and also why the Spaniard had decided to sell him, only six months after signing him. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“He never explained to me why he left me out of the team and he never told me he was selling me,” said Keane. “I did everything in my power to make things work but sometimes a manager just doesn’t fancy you as a player, simple as that.”</span><br /><i style="font-family: verdana;"><b><br />Gill Clark, Goal.com </b></i><br /><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Peter Crouch To Robbie Keane: Rafa Benitez Killed My Liverpool Career As Well</h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">The anti-Rafa brigade is now officially fronted by a big-man-small-man combo...</h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/25341_news.jpg" alt="Peter Crouch To Robbie Keane: Rafa Benitez Killed My Liverpool Career As Well" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /> <div class="label"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p2"> <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/MediaImagesGallery.aspx?Id=25341" id="Articolo_ei1_hg" class="L1"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lG"></span></a><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/07/UserControlsV2_5/#" id="Articolo_ei1_hp" class="L2" onclick="window.open('/en/MediaImagePopup.aspx?Id=25341','MediaImageZoom','left=100,top=100,width=300,height=300,status=0,toolbar=0,menubar=0,location=0,resizable=0,scrollbars=0',true);return(false);"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lP"></span></a> <span class="closer"></span> </div> </div> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/07/1097633/peter-crouch-to-robbie-keane-rafa-benitez-killed-my-liverpool-ca#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/07/1097633/peter-crouch-to-robbie-keane-rafa-benitez-killed-my-liverpool-ca#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/02/07/1097633/peter-crouch-to-robbie-keane-rafa-benitez-killed-my-liverpool-ca#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> <span class="bot"></span> </div> </div> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;">Peter Crouch and Robbie Keane may not look like brothers, but they are twins in their contempt for Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Keane's short-lived Liverpool career came to an unceremonious end this week after Benitez sent him back to Tottenham with his bags in tow, and now Crouch has let 'Robbie' know that he feels his pain.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">"There are a few similarities between what has happened with Robbie and my own situation. I feel sorry for him," Crouch told </span><i style="font-family: verdana;">The Sun</i><span style="font-family: verdana;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“We all know what a great player Robbie is but he didn’t get a fair crack of the whip at Liverpool.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“But that is the way Rafa operates and it can be very frustrating because, when I was there, he never really explained why I was not playing.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“There were times when I thought he didn’t fancy me but then he’d start me for two or three games on the spin.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“It got to the stage where I gave up second guessing which games I would be playing and which ones I wouldn’t," he added.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The biggest letdown for me was the Champions League final against AC Milan, when Rafa went with one up front and played Dirk Kuyt, as I was desperate to show what I could do on the big stage.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“The Liverpool fans won’t care about what Rafa is like as long as they keep winning and you cannot argue with his record but, at the same time, it can be very frustrating.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;"> Crouch will be desperate to show Benitez what he is missing out on when he takes on his ex team at Fratton Park this weekend. though he insists that he does not have an axe to grind.</span><br /> <br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“When I left to rejoin Portsmouth Rafa told me he rated me and wished me all the best so I do not feel I have a point to prove.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">“But, at the same time, there is always an extra incentive when you are playing against your former club so I would love to score.” </span><br /><br /><i style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Derek Wanner, Goal.com</b></i><br /><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Ryan Babel: I can become new Liverpool hero now Robbie Keane has gone</h1> <!-- font resizer --><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="art-o art-align-center"> <img src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/jan2009/9/2/ABF57285-F8A0-D615-3954B197BB1A1D43.jpg" alt="Ryan babel (Getty)" width="450" border="0" height="300" /> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Ryan Babel believes the departure of Robbie Keane can finally make him a striking star with Liverpool.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Holland international Babel said: "I've had a really good talk with manager Rafa Benitez. I told him I am really happy at Liverpool.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"This is the place where I want to become a top-class player. Robbie has gone to Tottenham and that increases my chances so much more.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"I'm ready for more playing time. Meeting the manager, and having a talk about the future, was really important."</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Babel joined Liverpool from Ajax in an £11million deal in the summer of 2007 but has been a fringe player since.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">There have been increasing calls around Anfield for the Dutchman to take some of the pressure off Fernando Torres's shoulders.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Babel - who missed a sitter at Portsmouth last night - added: "I understand Liverpool is a massive club. When you play here, you know you are going to face so many matches every season.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">"We play in all competitions and not a single player can play all of those matches.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;">Agger: The Ball Is In Liverpool's Court</h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">The Reds' Danish defender remains clueless over his contract situation, and has admitted he could move on...</h2> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/36869_news.jpg" alt="Agger: The Ball Is In Liverpool's Court" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/01/27/1079563/agger-the-ball-is-in-liverpools-court#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/01/27/1079563/agger-the-ball-is-in-liverpools-court#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1713/liverpool/2009/01/27/1079563/agger-the-ball-is-in-liverpools-court#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> <span class="bot"></span> </div> </div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="C"><p>Daniel Agger's long-term future at Liverpool has been under a cloud for quite some time. </p> <p>Firstly, the emergence of Martin Skrtel has brought immense competition in central defence, combined with the apparent indestructibility of veteran stoppers Jamie Carragher and Sami Hyypia.</p> <p>But the main source of the 24-year-old's unrest at Anfield is the confusion surrounding his contract, which expires in the summer of 2010.</p> <p>Agger entered discussions with the Reds last year, but no progress has been made in nearly three months and a move to AC Milan is looking likelier by the day.</p> <p>"The ball is in Liverpool's court. I've not heard from them about this since the beginning of November," the Danish star told members of the press last night.</p> <p>"There is no reason to have high expectations and to be honest, I have no idea if they want to sign a new deal."</p> <p>Agger isn't the only one upset by this, as manager Rafael Benitez recently expressed his frustration at Liverpool's delay in offering a contract extension to the talented centre-half.</p> <p><strong><em>Mike Maguire, Goal.com</em></strong></p></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-32793253322070181572009-02-09T05:42:00.006+08:002009-02-09T06:49:51.076+08:00Arsenal In TURMOIL !! Van Persie, Fabregas, Adebayor All Set To Leave and Ade And Clichy Injury Woes e<h1 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="ss-header hstyle2 main-headline"><span style="font-size:100%;">Eboue disputes red card</span></h1> <h3 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Gunners midfielder makes case for defence</span></h3><div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="ss-art-body"> <div class="ss-art-subcol"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://img.skysports.com/09/02/800x600/Eboue_1863475.jpg" class="thickbox" title=""><img src="http://img.skysports.com/09/02/218x298/Eboue_1863475.jpg" alt="Emmanuel Eboue sent off Spurs v Arsenal Premier League" title="Emmanuel Eboue sent off Spurs v Arsenal Premier League" width="218" /></a></span> <p class="ss-text-caption"><span style="font-size:100%;">Eboue: Sees red for Gunners</span></p> <!--/art-col-links/--> </div><!--/ss-art-subcol/--> <p class="ss-text-bold"><span style="font-size:100%;">Emmanuel Eboue has apologised for his sending-off against Tottenham, but the Arsenal midfielder feels referee Mike Dean was wrong to issue the first of his yellow cards. </span></p> <p><span style="font-size:100%;">The Ivorian was dismissed in the 37th minute at White Hart Lane, after invoking the wrath of Dean first for dissent and then for a petulant kick-out at Spurs midfielder Luka Modric.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">While accepting his trip on Modric was deserving of a booking, Eboue insists he did nothing wrong in the incident that led to his first card.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">"I am sorry," he told the club's <i>official website</i>. "This game was very, very important for us. We must always win when we play against Tottenham and give our best for the fans.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">"I am so disappointed to get the red card but I say thank you to my friends [team-mates] who gave everything. We drew and we are happy. It is a good point for us after playing so long with 11 v 10.</span></p><h4><span style="font-size:100%;">Injustice</span></h4><p><span style="font-size:100%;">"For the second booking, I touched him. I put my leg up because [Modric] had touched me before in front of the referee and he did not say anything. He kicked me when I tried to go forward and I put my leg up. The second card is normal, I accept it.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">"For the first yellow card I did not say anything bad.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">"I was in front of the ball and I was talking with Manuel Almunia. After that I said [to the referee] you have to whistle before and he said okay. I came back to take my place and then he called me and gave me a yellow card. I don't really understand why. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">"But for me the referee was not good today."</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Eboue had the ball in the net 13 minutes into the goalless draw but was penalised for a push on Jonathan Woodgate, a decision Gunners boss Arsene Wenger branded 'not acceptable'.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">And the Frenchman's words have now been echoed by Eboue: "It was a goal," the 25-year-old said. </span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">"I don't know why he did not give it. The referee said I touched Woodgate but I did not."</span></p></div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Fabregas, Adebayor & van Persie To Leave If Arsenal Miss Out On Champions League - Report</span></h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">A trio of Gunners could flee the Emirates in the summer if results don't improve this term...</span></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="image-holder"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00026/arse_02_280x420_26581a.jpg" alt="ROBIN VAN PERSIE - concerned" width="280" height="420" /></span> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="caption-container"> <div class="caption"><span style="font-size:100%;"> ROBIN VAN PERSIE - concerned </span></div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="image-holder"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00026/arse_03_280x420_26580a.jpg" alt="EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR - concerned" width="280" height="420" /></span> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="caption-container"> <div class="caption"><span style="font-size:100%;"> EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR - concerned </span></div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="image-holder"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00026/arse_01_280x420_26582a.jpg" alt="CESC FABREGAS - concerned" width="280" height="420" /></span> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="caption-container"> <div class="caption"><span style="font-size:100%;"> CESC FABREGAS - concerned<br /><br /></span></div> </div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > The <i>News of the World </i>claims that Cesc Fabregas, Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie will hand in transfer requests if Arsenal finish outside the top four this season.<br /><br />Fabregas has often been linked with Barcelona, where he flourished in the youth ranks before moving to England as a teenager. The injured skipper has denied rumours of an imminent return to his homeland, but he has made no secret of his frustration at sitting in the stands while his side continue to drop points.<br /><br />Adebayor was expected to leave Ashburton Grove last summer, but the Togolese striker stayed put after he and the board reached a compromise over his wage demands. Milan and Barca were both interested but pulled out after being quoted around €40 million.<br /><br />A clutch of clubs have been keeping tabs on van Persie's situation, as the Dutchman is currently embroiled in slow-moving negotiations over his contract. Real Madrid are thought to be keen on the classy forward, as are Juventus and Barca.<br /><br />Arsene Wenger would obviously be highly reluctant to let any of these three players leave, as they constitute the core of the team's forward play, but he may have little choice if things continue on their current path.<br /><br />An unnamed source was quoted as saying, "There is a real problem developing because the big names are bemused at the way things are going.<br /><br />"If Arsenal finish outside the top four, there’s no way the likes of Van Persie, Adebayor and Fabregas will hang around. They love playing for Arsene Wenger but they also want to win things.<br /><br />"And, as things stand, they can’t see that happening. It’s not about how much money they can earn, it’s about winning trophies for these guys."<br /><br />Arsenal are currently languishing in fifth, four points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and some 11 points adrift of Premier League leaders Liverpool.<br /><br /><i><b>Mike Maguire, Goal.com</b></i><br /><br /></span><div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" id="article-header"> <div id="main-article-info"> <h1><span style="font-size:100%;">Barcelona target leading Arsenal trio</span></h1> <p id="stand-first" class="stand-first-alone"><span style="font-size:100%;">• Van Persie tops list that includes Fábregas and Adebayor<br />• Gunners prepare for summer squad overhaul</span></p> </div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" id="content"> <div id="article-wrapper"> <div class="image"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Football/Clubs/Club%20Home/2009/2/7/1234021916889/Robin-van-Persie-001.jpg" alt="Robin van Persie" width="460" height="276" /></span> <p class="caption"><span style="font-size:100%;">Arsenal's Robin van Persie is a key target for Barcelona. Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Tom Jenkins</span></p> </div> <p><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/barcelona">Barcelona</a> have placed the core of <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/arsenal">Arsenal</a>'s team on a list of planned summer reinforcements, with Robin van Persie a priority target. The Spanish league leaders had an offer of cash plus Alexander Hleb rejected last month but believe they can persuade Arsenal to sell in the close season when he enters the final 12 months of his current contract.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">In addition to recruiting Van Persie as a left-sided attacker, Barcelona are working on approaches for Emmanuel Adebayor and Cesc Fábregas. While they do not consider it possible to capture all three in a single transfer window, Barça regard Arsenal as "a selling club" and expect the London club to release at least one of their star names to raise funds for reconstruction of their own squad.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Van Persie is considered the most attainable because of his contract situation. The 25-year-old has less than 18 months left on his present deal and is stalling on an extension that would make him one of Arsenal's best paid players. Van Persie is understood to be concerned about Arsenal's failure to compete for silverware in recent times.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Barcelona attempted to exploit the uncertainty last month with a cheeky offer to return Hleb in part exchange. Still angered by the manner in which the Belarus midfielder engineered his exit from the club last July, Arsenal refused to countenance Hleb's return.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Adebayor is coach Pep Guardiola's choice as a replacement for Samuel Eto'o, who has also entered the final 18 months of his current contract. While other members of the Camp Nou hierarchy would prefer a move for Valencia's David Villa or Karim Benzema of Lyon, Guardiola's stock is high after an impressive start to his reign as coach.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Fábregas remains a long-term target for the club who lost him to Arsenal as a teenager. Though Barça are confident that Fábregas would return, the strength of the club's midfield this season has made his recruitment a less pressing issue.</span></p><p><span style="font-size:100%;">Arsenal, meanwhile, are preparing an overhaul of their own with signs emerging that the club will invest heavily in one or more established players in an attempt to make their first team more competitive. The club is also aware of the threat to expensive corporate ticket sales posed by their recent difficulties in domestic competition – a concern that partially explains the atypically fevered purchase of Andrei Arshavin last week.</span></p> </div> </div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Arshavin Warns Wenger: I Will Speak My Mind</span></h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Trouble could brew at the Emirates Stadium as the little Russian goes against the Professor's grain...</span></h2> <div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/17190_news.jpg" alt="Arshavin Warns Wenger: I Will Speak My Mind" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /></span> <div class="label"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p2"> </div> </div> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1100091/arshavin-warns-wenger-i-will-speak-my-mind#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1100091/arshavin-warns-wenger-i-will-speak-my-mind#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1100091/arshavin-warns-wenger-i-will-speak-my-mind#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > New Arsenal signing Andrei Arshavin has stated that he doesn't care who he upsets and will not hold back from speaking his mind when he feels the need.<br /><br />The little Russian playmaker made his long awaited move from Russian league side Zenit St. Petersburg in the final hours of the transfer window and is Arsenal's new club record signing, moving to north London for a fee of £16.95 million.<br /><br />The 27-year-old has said that he finds it hard to hide his dislike for someone and has warned Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger that he will not refrain from speaking his mind.<br /><br />Speaking to <i>The People</i>, Arshavin said, "Sometimes I find it hard to hide my dislike of certain people. It may be bad but that's just me. </span><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> "I like to speak my mind - it has earned me enemies. I am better sometimes than at other times, but I am always honest."<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The Russia international believes the way to repay fans faith in him is to play well and score goals and he is sure to warm to Gunners' fans everywhere if he puts this theory into practice.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The experience is new for the dynamic playmaker, as it's the first time he has left Russia, having played for his hometown club of Zenit for his whole career.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> "Most of the time I am in a good mood, when I feel low I try and hide it from people," he continued. "I try not to let down my fans - my way of repaying their affection and support is to try and play as well as I can. </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> "Victory is my goal in life. It doesn’t matter what I am doing — I want to win. Victory is the reason I walk on to the field. It is the thing for which I keep on training. </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"> "I’ve never left Russia before. These are new feelings for me and I need to get accustomed to them. Everything in London is going to be unusual and new. But in professional terms I’ve no doubt I made the right move."</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Arsenal fans will be able to see their new prize signing showing his skills in the coming as he regains his match fitness after two months of non-competitive football.</span></p> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><i><b>Nick Turner, Goal.com<br /><br /><br /></b></i></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Fabregas: Hleb watches Arsenal with me</span></h1> <!-- BEGIN Content Text --> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://chongster.cachefly.net/arsenalmania/images/article_splash/lZeBCtSJV.jpg" alt="Fabregas: Hleb watches Arsenal with me" title="Fabregas: Hleb watches Arsenal with me" /></span></p> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">By <a href="http://arsenal-mania.com/people/10001/Jonathan-Chong.html" title="About Jonathan Chong">Jonathan Chong</a> on Saturday, February 7, 2009</span></h2> <!-- Article Start --> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Midfielder <a href="http://arsenal-mania.com/players/Francesc-Fabregas/35/profile.html" title="Francesc Fabregas's profile">Francesc Fabregas</a> has revealed that ex-Arsenal winger watches Arsenal matches with him when they are in Barcelona.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Fabregas is in the Spanish city recovering from a long-term injury.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">He said: "I watched the <a href="http://arsenal-mania.com/clubs/10007/Everton/profile.html" title="Everton">Everton</a> game on Wednesday night with Alex Hleb in Barcelona.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">"It wasn't being shown on general television in Spain, but eventually managed to find a place where it was on, but it was a very strange place!</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">"It was nice to watch it with Alex, and I was very pleased for the team that they got the equaliser."<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Emmanuel Adebayor To Miss Three Key Weeks Of Arsenal's Season With Hamstring Injury</span></h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">The talismanic striker is set to be sidelined through a crucial part of the Gunners' season...</span></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/33577_news.jpg" alt="Emmanuel Adebayor To Miss Three Key Weeks Of Arsenal's Season With Hamstring Injury" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /></span> <div class="label"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p2"> </div> </div> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1099925/emmanuel-adebayor-to-miss-three-key-weeks-of-arsenals-season-wit#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1099925/emmanuel-adebayor-to-miss-three-key-weeks-of-arsenals-season-wit#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1099925/emmanuel-adebayor-to-miss-three-key-weeks-of-arsenals-season-wit#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor seems set to miss the next three weeks through a hamstring injury that he sustained during the 0-0 draw in the north London derby against Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon.<br /><br />The Togo forward limped off the pitch after pulling up in the 35th minute of the game at White Hart Lane, and will now miss a crucial part of the Gunners' season.<br /><br />The 24-year-old is set to miss the Premier League game against Sunderland, the FA Cup match against Cardiff City and could miss the first leg of the knockout stage in the Champions League clash against AS Roma.<br /><br />The loss will no doubt be a big one for Gunners' boss Arsene Wenger but his spirits could be lifted with the return of Eduardo da Silva, who has recovered from the crippling ankle injury he suffered last year and could feature in the coming weeks for the first time in nearly a year.<br /><br />Wenger's attacking options have also been given a boost by the record signing of Russian starlet Andrei Arshavin, who joined the Gunners at the end of the transfer window last week from Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg, and will surely add some much needed creativity to a depleted Arsenal midfield.<br /><br />However, the 27-year-old will have to wait a couple of weeks while he regains his match fitness, as he has not played a competitive match for two months since the end of the Russian Premier League season.<br /><br /></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Gael Clichy Injury To Keep Him Out Of France Friendly</span></h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">A setback for the young French full back looking to make his mark on the international stage...</span></h2> <div style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/35892_news.jpg" alt="Gael Clichy Injury To Keep Him Out Of France Friendly" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /></span> <div class="label"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p2"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/MediaImagesGallery.aspx?Id=35892" id="Articolo_ei1_hg" class="L1"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lG">galleria</span></a> <a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/UserControlsV2_5/#" id="Articolo_ei1_hp" class="L2" onclick="window.open('/en/MediaImagePopup.aspx?Id=35892','MediaImageZoom','left=100,top=100,width=300,height=300,status=0,toolbar=0,menubar=0,location=0,resizable=0,scrollbars=0',true);return(false);"><span id="Articolo_ei1_lP">zoom</span></a></span> </div> </div> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1100191/gael-clichy-injury-to-keep-him-out-of-france-friendly#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1100191/gael-clichy-injury-to-keep-him-out-of-france-friendly#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/1712/arsenal/2009/02/08/1100191/gael-clichy-injury-to-keep-him-out-of-france-friendly#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" > Arsenal left-back Gael Clichy has suffered an international setback after being ruled out of France's friendly next week against Diego Maradona's Argentina in Paris.<br /><br />The 23-year-old defender limped off after a bad head collision with Darren Bent in this afternoon's Premier League clash between Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.<br /><br />The former Cannes player is being left out of the France game as a precautionary measure, and he should be back to full fitness in time for the Gunners' FA Cup fourth round replay clash with Cardiff City at Emirates Stadium on February 16.<br /><br />The Toulouse born player made the switch from French football to the Premier League in 2003 after Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's former connections in France paid off and the attacking full-back made the move to north London for the bargain basement price of £250,000.<br /><br />Since then, Clichy has made 124 Premier League appearances for the club, scoring just once, and despite a mass of interest from Italy and Spain's big clubs, the 23-year-old has remained at the club.<br /><br />As yet, Clichy has only made two senior appearances for France, after falling behind the likes of Patrice Evra and Eric Abidal, and the young full-back has had to bide his time in order to get a look in for the first choice left-back spot on the French team and he is sure to get more opportunities in the future.<br /><br /><i><b>Nick Turner, Goal.com</b></i></span>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-38798977397113215642009-02-09T03:55:00.006+08:002009-02-09T06:49:39.434+08:00Blue Days For Scolari And Chelsea ~ Ronaldo on Mourinho, Ibrahimovic and defeating Inter<div style="font-family: verdana;" align="center"> <div id="pic"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/imgs/cronaldonews.jpg" alt="" width="140" border="0" height="350" /><img style="width: 254px; height: 200px;" src="http://www.stretford-end.com/images/match-photos/07_08/bolton-19-03-08/ronaldo-scores.jpg" alt="Ronaldo" border="0" /></span></div> <!-- Article Start --> </div><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;font-size:100%;" ><br />Cristiano Ronaldo has told Italian television that Manchester United are stronger than Inter and he is better than Zlatan Ibrahimovic.<br /> </span> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >The two teams go head-to-head in the Champions League later this month and the Portuguese international has no doubts on the victors.<br /> </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >“Inter are a strong side with great players, but we are better than them and I firmly believe we’ll be able to beat them,” he assured on RAI television.<br /> </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >“By eliminating Inter, we can feel a step closer to the Final.”<br /> </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Jose Mourinho stirred up controversy in December when he announced that Ibrahimovic was “a better player” than Ronaldo and more deserving of the Ballon d’Or.<br /> </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >“I respect everyone’s opinion, but the trophies that count are in my house,” grinned the United star.<br /> </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >He also blamed Inter and Mourinho for failing to get the best out of Ricardo Quaresma, who was sent on loan to Chelsea just six months after signing.<br /> </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >“Ricardo has great quality and it’s a shame he didn’t get the chance to prove his true value,” continued Ronaldo.<br /> </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >“He was wonderful at Porto and with the Portugal jersey, so he cannot be judged on the basis of just a few games that were not up to his usual standard.<br /> </span></p> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular;font-size:100%;" >“It’s probably the fact he was bought for so much money that put excessive pressure on him and it’s not easy to do well in Italy straight away.”<br /><br /><br /></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Ronaldo on goals and opposing fans</span></h1> <div style="font-family: verdana;" id="pic"><span style="font-size:100%;"><img src="http://www.stretford-end.com/images/player-pictures/ronaldo/ronaldo5.jpg" alt="Ronaldo" width="254" border="0" height="169" /></span></div> <!-- Article Start --> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><b> Manchester United winger and World Player of the year Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he has targeted beating his 42 goals that he notched up last season. </b></span> </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Ronaldo has so far scored 14 goals in all competitions this season - meaning that he must hit the back of the net at least 28 times to match his phenomenal scoring from last term. Ronaldo did miss a part of the season through injury at the start of this campaign whilst also taking into account that he has a long summer as he featured in Euro 2008 for Portugal. </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> Ronaldo was quoted as saying "I’ve improved every season and last season was the best, but I want more. "This season I want to score the same amount of goals, or more. It will be hard but it’s possible." </span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"> He also responded about the abuse he still receives from opposing supporters:"It’s normal for me now. If it doesn’t happen, I’m thinking, ‘Why aren’t they booing me?’ Maybe they think if they boo, I’ll lose my concentration but it doesn’t happen. I like it."<br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="main-content" style="font-size:100%;"><h1 class="ss-header hstyle2 main-headline">Zola - We stood up to leaders</h1> <h3>Hammers chief admits one moment made the differenceLast updated: 8th February 2009 </h3> <div class="ss-art-body"> <div class="ss-art-subcol"> <a href="http://img.skysports.com/09/01/800x600/West-Ham-v-Fulham-Gianfranco-Zola_1799635.jpg" class="thickbox" title=""><img src="http://img.skysports.com/09/01/218x298/West-Ham-v-Fulham-Gianfranco-Zola_1799635.jpg" alt="West Ham v Fulham Gianfranco Zola" title="West Ham v Fulham Gianfranco Zola" width="218" /></a> <p class="ss-text-caption">Zola: Proud of players</p> <!--/art-col-links/--> </div><!--/ss-art-subcol/--> <p class="ss-text-bold">Gianfranco Zola was proud of how his West Ham United team stood up to Manchester United, despite the 1-0 defeat. </p> <p>The Hammers' six-match unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end courtesy of Ryan Giggs' individual goal in the second half.</p><p>But West Ham matched the leaders for long periods, with Carlton Cole having his side's best chance in the first half when his attempted chip was saved by Edwin van der Sar.</p><p>Zola was happy with how his team restricted the opposition's chances and believes it is an indication of the progress being made at Upton Park in recent weeks.</p><h4>Good sign</h4><p>"I think it's a good sign, for certain, because it has been a close game," Zola told <i>Sky Sports</i>.</p><p>"I believe that our goalkeeper made only one save, so I think it was a close match.</p><p>"That's the difference when you play the best team in the world, if you make one mistake you pay and it's costly.</p><p>"I'm very happy with the performance of my players. It was a tough match and they stood up to Man Utd in a very good way."</p><p>The West Ham boss did not want to criticise Cole, who has been called up to the England squad to face Spain, for not taking advantage of his team's best opening.</p><p>Zola added: "He wanted to chip it over and maybe he should have gone for power, but to be honest he has played a great match.</p><p>"I can't say anything to him and in the second half there were a couple of chances where we were close."</p><p>The Italian continued: "I don't just see the defeat, I see the way the team plays and they stood up to the best team in the world right now and they played just as well as them."</p><p><br /></p><h1>Gianfranco Zola: I Won't Ditch West Ham United For Chelsea</h1> <h2>The little Italian has insisted he won't walk out on the Hammers, not even to take up a more lucrative offer on the other side of London...</h2><div class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/40797_news.jpg" alt="Gianfranco Zola: I Won't Ditch West Ham United For Chelsea" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/735/west-ham/2009/02/08/1099104/gianfranco-zola-i-wont-ditch-west-ham-united-for-chelsea#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/735/west-ham/2009/02/08/1099104/gianfranco-zola-i-wont-ditch-west-ham-united-for-chelsea#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/735/west-ham/2009/02/08/1099104/gianfranco-zola-i-wont-ditch-west-ham-united-for-chelsea#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> In the early months of Gianfranco Zola's reign at West Ham United, it seemed quite possible that budding manager could be sent back to Italy with a dismissal notice in his pocket.<br /><br />However, things have gradually turned around for the Irons under the former Azzurri star's guidance, and they now sit eighth in the Premier League standings after going unbeaten in their last six games.<br /><br />Thus, the 42-year-old has been tipped as one of the top candidates to take over from the under-fire Luiz Felipe Scolari at Chelsea, whose title hopes are vanishing fast with every passing week.<br /><br />But the Stamford Bridge legend has voiced his commitment to West Ham, and he hopes to repay the club for taking a gamble on such an inexperienced gaffer.<br /><br />Zola told <i>The Mirror</i>, "In football you never know what lies round the corner but I have no intention of walking out on West Ham. I owe a lot to them. Not many clubs would have given me this opportunity.<br /><br />"My main concern is to do well here and repay the faith West Ham and their supporters have shown in me. It’s not in my nature to walk out on something that has only just begun."<br /><br />West Ham sit 16 points behind Chelsea, who slipped to fourth in the table after Hull City held them to a goalless draw yesterday.<br /><br /><i><b>Mike Maguire, Goal.com</b></i> </div></span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" class="main-content" ><div class="ss-art-body"><h1> Kaka out of derby but foot not broken</h1> <div id="storyBy"> <!-- Author Start -->Reuters<!-- Author End --> - Today, 14:39</div> <br /> <img src="http://fourfourtwo.com/contentimages/news/Kaka21.jpg" alt="Kaka21" align="right" hspace="5" /> <!-- Article Start --><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><strong> MILAN- Brazilian midfielder Kaka has been ruled out for at least 15 days with a foot injury, his club AC Milan said on Sunday.</strong></p> <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The playmaker, who was injured during Saturday's 1-1 Serie A draw with Reggina, will miss Brazil's friendly with Italy on Tuesday and next Sunday's league derby with Inter Milan.</p> <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> "Kaka reported a trauma to his left foot. The checks made after Milan-Reggina did not show any kind of fracture," Milan said in a statement.</p> <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> "The prognosis is at least 15 days," a later statement added.</p> <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Kaka scored a 67th-minute penalty to give a lacklustre Milan a point at home to bottom club Reggina but soon asked to be substituted after taking a knock.</p> </div></span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br />Fergie: This title's far from over<br />By Ben Blackmore , 08 February 2009 <img id="ctl00_ctl00_ctl00_Left_Left_Left_ctl01_imgFullSize" src="http://www.setanta.com//Global/Images/sport/football/2008-2009/premier_league/man-utd/ferguson_close_480.jpg" style="border-width: 0px; width: 480px;" /><br /></span><div id="div_article_main_content"> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Sir Alex Ferguson warned his Manchester United players the title is far from secured, despite Sunday’s win at West Ham. </span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">United moved two points clear of Liverpool, with a game in hand, thanks to a Ryan Giggs' winner on what is something of a bogey ground for the champions. </span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Yet another clean sheet at Upton Park has just added to United’s growing aura of invincibility, but Ferguson insists there is still plenty of work to be done. </span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Mistakes can be made," said the United boss. </span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"We had an 11-point lead over Arsenal in 1998 and lost the league, so we are not counting our chickens. </span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"We shouldn't either because this game can come and bite you. This is a fantastic result and performance. It is time to kick on."<br /></span></p><h1 style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Barcelona Pretty In Pink Next Season - Report</span></h1> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Blaugrana may be decked in pink on occasion next season, as Nike prepare a revolutionary new kit...</span></h2><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/35995_news.jpg" alt="Barcelona Pretty In Pink Next Season - Report" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /></span> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/722/la-liga/2009/02/08/1099302/barcelona-pretty-in-pink-next-season-report#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/722/la-liga/2009/02/08/1099302/barcelona-pretty-in-pink-next-season-report#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/722/la-liga/2009/02/08/1099302/barcelona-pretty-in-pink-next-season-report#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="C"><span style="font-size:100%;">Barcelona are preparing a revolutionary pink shirt to use next season.<br /><br />According to<i> El Mundo Deportivo</i>, Nike has created a pink shirt that will showcase a 'chromatic revolution.' The only issue to be decided is whether it will be the second or third shirt.<br /><br />Barca are also planning to bring back the orange shirt, which will assume one of the positions.<br /><br />A pink shirt is not without precedent in the Primera Division. Dani Alves has already played in one, as Sevilla used it as their third shirt in the 2007-08 season. Espanyol also had a pink alternative shirt last season.<br /><br />The most famous pink shirt, however, belonged to Alaves, who wore it at times during their famous UEFA Cup run of 2000-01.<br /><br />Other famous clubs to have worn pink shirts include Juventus and Benfica, while Scotland wore one in a friendly against Germany in 1999. There are only two clubs, however, who wear pink as their traditional colour: Palermo, and Sport Boys del Callao, of Peru.<br /><i><b><br />Arjun Miglani, Goal.com<br /><br /></b></i></span><h1><span style="font-size:100%;">Gareth Barry May Still Leave Aston Villa - O’Neill</span></h1> <h2><span style="font-size:100%;">The transfer story that simply won’t go away has raised its head once more. </span></h2> <div class="PhotoBox"> <div id="Articolo_ei1_p1"> <span style="font-size:100%;"><img id="Articolo_ei1_i1" onerror="this.title+='[!] '+this.src;this.onerror=null;this.src='http://i.media.goal.com/g/177_thumb.jpg';" src="http://i.media.goal.com/g/41977_news.jpg" alt="Gareth Barry May Still Leave Aston Villa - O’Neill" style="border-width: 0px; width: 200px;" /></span> <div class="Related"> <div class="Bag" style="display: none;"> <ul><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/737/aston-villa/2009/02/08/1099389/gareth-barry-may-still-leave-aston-villa-oneill#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26387_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/737/aston-villa/2009/02/08/1099389/gareth-barry-may-still-leave-aston-villa-oneill#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26413_thumb.jpg" /></a></li><li><a href="http://www.goal.com/en/news/737/aston-villa/2009/02/08/1099389/gareth-barry-may-still-leave-aston-villa-oneill#" title="Questa foto è correlata ;)"><img src="http://www.goal.com/images/26362_thumb.jpg" /></a></li></ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="C"><span style="font-size:100%;">Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill has admitted that despite his side’s superb form this season, skipper Gareth Barry may still leave the club.<br /><br />O’Neill’s side beat Blackburn Rovers 2-0 yesterday, a result which moves them above Chelsea and into third place in the Premier League.<br /><br />The Villans are also still in the UEFA Cup, have made it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup and look odds on to claim Champions League football next season.<br /><br />However, this may not be enough to keep Barry at the club and O’Neill has warned that should his side fail to claim European football for next season, they could risk losing their skipper.<br /><br />“Gareth was true to his word that he would stay in January,” he told the <i>News of the World</i>. “If we keep the momentum going who knows? But if we don’t qualify for Europe, things will be in the balance.”<br /><br />Barry was linked throughout the summer with a move to Liverpool, however the proposed deal fell through after the two clubs failed to agree a fee for the midfielder.<br /><br />The situation appeared to cause a falling out between Barry and his manager with the Villa boss stripping the England international of the club captaincy.<br /><br />Barry has since been in impressive form for Villa, and has temporarily regained the armband in the absence of injured skipper Martin Laursen.<br /><br />However, O’Neill also suggested that should Barry decide to move on in the summer, he wouldn’t stand in his way. He concluded, “Having given this season, I don’t think anyone would begrudge him the opportunity to move.”<br /><i><b><br />Gill Clark, Goal.com </b></i><br /></span> </div> <span class="A" style="font-size:100%;"><!--Tiziana Garofalo<span>(N° Tessera 123456 ODG)</span>--></span> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-2568680452975491"; var _GL_ = "en"; _GL_ = _GL_.toLowerCase(); if (_GL_ == "es-la") {_GL_ = "es";} if (_GL_ == "en-us" || _GL_ == "en-india") {_GL_ = "en";} if (_GL_ != "en" && _GL_ != "es" && _GL_ != "de" && _GL_ != "fr" && _GL_ != "it") { _GL_ = "en"; } google_language = _GL_; /* 336x280, created 12/17/08 Articles */ google_ad_slot = "0317465811"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; //--> </script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"></script><script></script><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span></div><h1 style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Roman ruins: Fans turn on Big Phil as Russian owner sees Chelsea drop further behind in title race<br /></span></h1> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">By IAN RIDLEY<br />Last updated at 4:55 PM on 08th February 2009</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> fans rounded on manager Luiz Felipe Scolari last night as their side suffered another setback to their fading title hopes with a goal-less draw against <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/hull-city.html">Hull</a> at Stamford Bridge that will leave owner Roman Abramovich desperately disappointed.</span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">A large banner was unfurled demanding the sacking of the Brazilian World Cup-winning manager, who was also subjected to a chant of 'You don't know what you are doing' from home supporters. At the final whistle, jeers also rang around the ground.</span></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/07/article-0-03559977000005DC-862_468x482.jpg" alt="Chelsea's manager Luiz Felipe Scolari reacts during their English Premier League soccer match against Hull City at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge stadium in Lond" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="482" /></span> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption"><span style="font-size:100%;">Feeling the pain: Chelsea's manager Luiz Felipe Scolari shows his frustrations as his Blues side grind out a goalless draw against Hull at Stamford Bridge<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Once invincible at home, Chelsea now look vulnerable and have dropped 16 points in 13 home league games. They have slumped to fourth in the table behind Aston Villa and have failed to score in their last two games.<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">But if Scolari hoped for the focus to move away from his difficulties during this week's internationals, Liverpool's Xabi Alonso ensured Frank Lampard would not escape the spotlight by re-igniting their row.</span></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/07/article-0-03554C5F000005DC-279_468x708.jpg" alt="'s Frank Lampard looks dejected towards the end of the game" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="708" /></span> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption"><span style="font-size:100%;">Living on a prayer: Frank Lampard knows Chelsea are not making their lives easy as they chase the Premier League crown<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The Chelsea midfielder was controversially sent off during his side's 2-0 defeat at Anfield last week and although the FA overturned his red card on appeal, Spaniard Alonso insisted Mike Riley made the right decision. </span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The bitter rivals could face each other again on Wednesday when Spain play England in a friendly in Seville and Alonso said: 'As far as I am concerned, Lampard's tackle was a hard and unnecessary piece of play.</span></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/07/article-0-0355432F000005DC-538_468x286.jpg" alt="sea Fans make clear their ideas : Chelsea fc vs Hull City fc for English Premiership at Stamford Bridge ( UK) on 07/02/2008. Picture By Marcello Pozzetti" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /></span> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption"><span style="font-size:100%;">Letting it be known: Some Chelsea fans have lost faith in Scolari<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> </p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">'He says he went for the ball, but I saw his leg going straight towards my ankle. </span></p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">'I don't think he was going for me but those sort of challenges are always dangerous. Honestly, I was very lucky because it could have caused me a serious injury. When I saw my opponent's foot on my leg I feared another injury like the one in that past season. Jumping saved my ankle.<br /></span></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" ><img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/07/article-0-0355736D000005DC-255_468x371.jpg" alt="Chelsea's Salomon Kalou, 2nd right, attempts to head the ball as Hull City's Richard Garcia, 2nd left, stretches for it during their English Premier League soccer " class="blkBorder" width="468" height="371" /></span> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption"><span style="font-size:100%;">Hull's Richard Garcia beats Salomon Kalou to the ball on a frustrating day all round for title chasing Chelsea<br /></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;">'For me, the challenge was dangerous and received the card that anyone, Lampard or any other footballer, should receive.' </span></p><span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:100%;" >The bad blood between Lampard and Alonso dates back to a Premier League game on New Year's Day 2005 when Lampard's challenge left Alonso with a broken ankle. And last week Lampard said: 'Ever since, he has that look in his eye when we meet, and there is always a bit of shoving and jostling'.</span><br /></div><span class="A"><!--Tiziana Garofalo<span>(N° Tessera 123456 ODG)</span>--></span> <script type="text/javascript"><!-- google_ad_client = "pub-2568680452975491"; var _GL_ = "en"; _GL_ = _GL_.toLowerCase(); if (_GL_ == "es-la") {_GL_ = "es";} if (_GL_ == "en-us" || _GL_ == "en-india") {_GL_ = "en";} if (_GL_ != "en" && _GL_ != "es" && _GL_ != "de" && _GL_ != "fr" && _GL_ != "it") { _GL_ = "en"; } google_language = _GL_; /* 336x280, created 12/17/08 Articles */ google_ad_slot = "0317465811"; google_ad_width = 336; google_ad_height = 280; //--> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><script>window.google_render_ad();</script>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-72324356073251358742009-02-05T18:40:00.003+08:002009-02-05T18:47:01.171+08:00Frank Lampard available - but red card referee Mike Riley 'injured' And Quaresma Handed No 18 Started Training At Cobham<span style="font-family: verdana;font-size:180%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Frank Lampard available - but red card referee Mike Riley 'injured'</span></span> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="art-o art-align-left"> <img src="http://images.mirror.co.uk/upl/m4/feb2009/8/7/407ADC9C-BD27-FAA3-7C41DAD773786B53.jpg" alt="Frank Lampard is red-carded by Mike Riley (Pic:Getty)" width="450" border="0" height="210" /> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Frank Lampard had his red card against Liverpool overturned yesterday and will be available for Chelsea's next three games.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">But blunder ref Mike Riley will not take charge of a match this weekend after suffering an unspecified "injury" during the Anfield clash.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Lampard was dismissed by the Yorkshire official after 60 minutes of Liverpool's 2-0 win for a challenge on Xabi Alonso.</p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="art-o art-align-left"> <div class="vplayer-blank"> <div class="multimedia-blank vPlayer"> <div class="videoembed" id="playerDiv"><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.omnisport.tv/flash/swfobject.js"></script><script type="text/javascript" src="http://www.omnisport.tv/customerEmbedCode/id_61/esc.js"></script> <script>addPlayer(116, 1317222, '', -1, "FlashContent", false, 'off', false);</script> <object style="visibility: visible;" id="FlashContent" data="http://www.omnisport.tv/ptvFlash/omnisport/esc/ESCPlayer.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="300" height="385"><param value="noscale" name="scale"><param value="opaque" name="wmode"><param value="http://www.omnisport.tv" name="base"><param value="#FFFFFF" name="bgcolor"><param value="true" name="allowfullscreen"><param value="always" name="allowscriptaccess"><param value="channel_id=116&clip_id=1317222&freeText=&partner_id=-1&useCustom=false&autoPlay=off&startMute=false&locale_id=61" name="flashvars"></object></div> </div><!--This div clears the container for below--> </div> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Tv replays showed he played the ball first. He is now free to play against Hull and Aston Villa and in the FA Cup fifth round tie with Watford.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Lampard also had a red card against West Ham 10 months ago rescinded on appeal.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Assistant referee Mo Matadar saw the incident when Jose Bosingwa put his studs in Yossi Benayoun's back, so the FA can't take any further action against him.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: verdana;" class="headline" id="headline"><span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363">FRANK VIEWS ON SEEING RED </span></h3><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="postedDate" id="postedDate">Posted on: Wed 04 Feb 2009</div> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Frank Lampard was quietly confident he would not be sitting out the next three games but does not wish to criticise referees following his latest successful claim for wrongful dismissal.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The Chelsea vice-captain discovered yesterday that the red card shown by Mike Riley was considered a mistake by an FA commission, the second time in a year one has found in his favour after a sending-off. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Speaking having learned the verdict, Lampard said:</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I expected it to be rescinded anyway. It was obviously a mistake, we all make mistakes, footballers make mistakes as much as anyone and the referee did so. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It is good for me that I don't miss more games but I lost half-an-hour. Playing half-an-hour with 10 men obviously puts your back right up against the wall.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'It was a mistake but I don't want to have a go at referees about it because they do a very hard job and I respect them very much. It is just a shame that we lost the game because of it.'</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">Despite being on the wrong end of an erroneous decision, Lampard remains unconvinced by the idea of video replays in such cases. </p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'I don't know about fouls like that because it is very difficult to keep stopping the game for any foul, you open up a big door to look at every foul that happens.</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">'All I think it needs is referees to have time to consult the other officials. There are four of them now and they are getting different angles. And to use common sense. </p> <span style="font-family: verdana;">'For players that don't necessarily go around kicking and trying to hurt people, you have to understand that even if you are at the wrong angle, a player is not trying to hurt people.'</span><p style="font-family: verdana;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/58/281x351/68483_1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 281px; height: 351px;" src="http://images.dailystar-uk.co.uk/dynamic/58/281x351/68483_1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p style="font-family: verdana;" class="introcopy">Chelsea's new loan signing Ricardo Quaresma can rip the Premier League apart.</p> <div style="margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 10px; width: 475px; float: left; display: inline;"><style> #bodycopy a { font-size: 12px; } </style> <p style="font-family: verdana;" id="bodycopy">That is the opinion of the winger’s new Stamford Bridge team-mate Ricardo Carvalho.<br /> <br />Big Phil Scolari beat Spurs manager Harry Redknapp to grab livewire Quaresma, 25, from Inter Milan on Monday.<br /> <br />And Portuguese defender Carvalho is adamant his international team-mate can be a big hit in English football and give the Chelsea team a huge lift.<br /> <br />The former Porto star was brought in with just minutes to go before the transfer deadline closed – after Joe Cole was ruled out for the season with a cruciate ligament injury.<br /> <br />And Carvalho said: “Quaresma is a very fast and explosive player who is a real warrior on the pitch, so he will be able to handle the physical nature of the Premier League.<br /> <br />“But at the same time he is a very technical player and can score goals, which will be good for us.<br /> <br /> “He will be a huge help to us at this time of the season.<br /> <br />“He is a very attacking player and that is what we need at Chelsea at the moment.” Quaresma has always been interested in the Premier League, according to Carvalho.<br /> <br />“At different times with the Portugal national team he would always ask about English football and was interested in what it was like,” the Blues centre-half explained.<br /> <br />“He could have come here last summer but he ended up going to Inter Milan with Jose Mourinho – but it has not worked out for him there.”<br /> <br />Scolari had an immediate advantage over Redknapp because he has worked with the winger before, during his time as Portugal’s national team boss.<br /> <br />And Carvalho thinks that, plus the number of Portuguese players at the club, will help Quaresma settle into life at Chelsea quickly.<br /> <br /> Carvalho added: “Scolari knows Quaresma well and this is an advantage for us.<br /> <br /> “He also knows a lot of players here already, but he will need time to adapt.<br /> <br />“He will add more pace, which is important. Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba will love playing with him because he gets a lot of assists.<br /> <br />“We have to be strong between now and the end of the season after the defeat to Liverpool.<br /> <br /> “I just want to get back to help out.”</p><p style="font-family: verdana;" id="bodycopy"><br /></p><h3 style="font-family: verdana;" class="headline" id="headline"><span id="articleDetailHeadline_14363">SNOW DOME </span></h3><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="postedDate" id="postedDate">Posted on: Wed 04 Feb 2009</div> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">The snow hasn't yet cleared, but the players, including new boy Ricardo Quaresma, were back at Cobham for training on Wednesday, with the return of a competitive element inside the dome.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">As the training pitches are still lying underneath a fair few inches of snow, <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/TheManagement/0,,10268%7E1326960,00.html?WT.mc_id=scolaripp-news">Luiz Felipe Scolari</a> again took his squad inside our all-weather dome, which boasts the latest artificial playing surface as well as a covering from the conditions.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">Just like he did in early January, Scolari brought competition to the session, with the squad split into four six-man teams.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"><img alt="Training" src="http://www.chelseafc.com/javaImages/42/3c/0,,10268%7E5323842,00.jpg" width="400" height="300" hspace="0" /></span></span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB"><span lang="EN-GB"></span>After introductions and a warm-up, where he chatted with Deco, and a quick game of keep-ball, Quaresma was thrust into action alongside captain John Terry, Petr Cech, Mineiro, <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E28616,00.html">Juliano Belletti</a> and <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E20230,00.html?WT.mc_id=anelkapp-news">Nicolas Anelka</a>.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">They put up a valiant effort, but came unstuck against the stars of the day - young goalkeeper Aldi Haxhia, Ashley Cole, Alex, Deco, Miroslav Stoch and <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E28142,00.html?WT.mc_id=drogbapp-news">Didier Drogba</a> - all of whom were on form.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">Deco in particular shone with some classy touches and accurate passing in limited space, while managing to strike a post four times in one game. Drogba and Stoch were clinical, while <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E5476,00.html?WT.mc_id=acolepp-news">Ashley Cole</a> scored arguably the day's best goal.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">Latching on to a clipped <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E29254,00.html">Deco</a> free-kick, Cole turned and volleyed home in one motion, a finish deserving of the win.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">Unlike in January, there was no Ray Wilkins on playing duty, his role was the same as the other staff, to oversee and referee the games.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB">With the session complete, there were naturally a few snowballs thrown on the way in, before <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E31329,00.html">Salomon Kalou</a> and <a class="contextLink" href="http://www.chelseafc.com/page/PlayerProfileDetail/0,,10268%7E28123,00.html">Jose Bosingwa</a> took things further and had their own private battle.</span></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB"><img alt="Snow fight" src="http://www.chelseafc.com/javaImages/43/3c/0,,10268%7E5323843,00.jpg" width="400" height="300" hspace="0" /></span></p> <p><i style="font-family: verdana;"><span lang="EN-GB"></span></i><br /></p><p id="bodycopy"> </p></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-60978573708451650622009-02-05T18:33:00.002+08:002009-02-05T18:39:33.360+08:00Hey big spenders - so refined or profligates extraordinaire - Sportsmail<h1 style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Sportsmail's</span> club-by-club guide to what your team's squad costs<br /></h1><p style="font-family: verdana;"> By <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=y&authornamef=Laura+Williamson" class="author" rel="nofollow">Laura Williamson</a><br />Last updated at 8:58 AM on 05th February 2009</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">The Barclays Premier League clubs' squads cost a staggering £1.65billion to assemble. That's so much money it's difficult to comprehend - and it doesn't even take the players' wages into account.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The gulf between big spenders Chelsea (£200.7million) and the club who have shelled out the least, Hull City (17.4m), is a whopping £183.3m.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Tigers doubled their record transfer fee by paying Fulham £5m for Jimmy Bullard last month, yet Chelsea casually splurged the equivalent of City's entire squad on Damien Duff in 2003.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinArtSplitter"> <div class="splitLeft"> <div class="clear"> </div> <div class="splitLeft"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-0-03391532000005DC-622_224x423.jpg" alt="Jimmy Bullard, Hull City's new signing" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="423" /> </div> <div class="splitRight"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-0-006B15B600000258-907_224x423.jpg" alt="Damien Duff" class="blkBorder" width="224" height="423" /> </div> </div> <div class="splitRight"> <br /></div> <div class="clear"> </div> </div> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Different world: Bullard and Duff in his prime<br /></p> <p style="font-family: verdana;"> The Blues' owner, Roman Abramovich, also reportedly spent £17m on a Lucian Freud painting, Benefits Supervisor Sleeping (plus £30m on Andriy Shevchenko, who had us all sleeping with his lacklustre performances). Worlds apart? Yes, but only eight Premier League places.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">There is a significant gap between the spending of Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham, Manchester City and Liverpool, whose squads all cost significantly more than £100m, and the rest of the Premier League clubs.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Judging by the league placings of Spurs and Manchester City, spending obviously doesn't always lead to results.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But which clubs have backed up their purchases with solid performances? Here's <span style="font-style: italic;">Sportsmail's</span> guide to the Premier League cash cows.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">1. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/chelsea.html">Chelsea</a> - £200.7m<br /></h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: Third<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Roman Abramovich's billions brought Chelsea two league titles, an FA Cup, two league cups and oh-so-close in the Champions League within four years. </p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-0-0156986200000578-918_468x286.jpg" alt="Cash cow: Abramovich's billions are yet to yield the Champions League" class="blkBorder" width="468" height="286" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Cash cow: Abramovich's billions are yet to yield the Champions League</p> <p style="font-family: verdana;">But Frank Lampard's £11m move from West Ham, the home-grown talent of John Terry and Michael Ballack's free transfer from Bayern Munich seem shrewd buys compared to the proliferation of £15m-plus players driving their Bentleys into Chelsea's training ground.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">2. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-united.html">Manchester United</a> - £189.65m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: First<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Sir Alex Ferguson's success has been built on players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes who learnt their trade at Old Trafford, yet his current squad still cost £189.65m.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The £18.6m United spent on Michael Carrick and the £29.1m for Rio Ferdinand showed Ferguson is prepared to back his instincts, whilst the £12.25m paid to bring Ronaldo to Old Trafford was an absolute steal.</p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="clear"> </div> <img style="font-family: verdana;" src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-0-03A02ACC0000044D-888_468x337.jpg" alt="Nice little earner: Ronaldo and Ferguson " class="blkBorder" width="468" height="337" /> <p style="font-family: verdana;" class="imageCaption">Nice little earner: Ronaldo and Ferguson </p> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-0-03414365000005DC-246_233x207.jpg" alt="Harry Redknapp the manager of Tottenham Hotspur " class="blkBorder" width="233" height="207" /> <p class="imageCaption">Malcontent: Redknapp</p></div> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">3. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/tottenham-hotspur.html">Tottenham</a> - £187.2m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 14th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">All the gear and no idea springs to mind, but this figure is skewed by the return of Jermain Defoe and Robbie Keane to White Hart Lane.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Even so, £187.2m represents a significant outlay for a Carling Cup trophy and a relegation battle.</p><p style="font-family: verdana;"> Plus Redknapp is always complaining about the relatively small size of his first team squad.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">4. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/manchester-city.html">Man City</a> - £166.6m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 10th<br /><br />Yeah, yeah. Manchester City are in the early stages of a 10-year development plan. But £166.6m?<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The jury's still out, but Man City's willingness to pay double figures for standard Premier League players seems a touch naive.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatLHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-0-0343C4A3000005DC-403_233x187.jpg" alt="Bargain: Torres" class="blkBorder" width="233" height="187" /> <p class="imageCaption">Bargain: Torres</p></div> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">5. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/liverpool.html">Liverpool</a> - £140.6m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: Second<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Fernando Torres' £22m record transfer fee is the most Liverpool have paid for a player and the Spain striker has been worth every penny.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">But there are perhaps too many £10m-plus players in Rafa Benitez's squad who haven't set the world on fire, such as £12m Albert Riera.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Home-grown talents Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher remain at the heart of Liverpool's title challenge.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">6. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/newcastle-united.html">Newcastle</a> - £81.6m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 15th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Dennis Wise needs to take a long, hard look at himself if he's still in charge of transfers at St James' Park. More than £80m has got Newcastle absolutely nowhere.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-1135774-0340D9B9000005DC-853_233x148.jpg" alt="Emile Heskey of Aston Villa" class="blkBorder" width="233" height="148" /> <p class="imageCaption">Solid: Heskey</p></div> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">7. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/aston-villa.html">Aston Villa</a> - £81.55m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: Fourth<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The £3.5m Villa paid for Emile Heskey sums up the club's general approach to transfer dealings - solid and unshowy.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Martin O'Neill's young guns represent great value for money as they challenge for a Champions League spot.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">8. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/arsenal.html">Arsenal</a> - £74.4m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: Fifth<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">A squad comprising immense young talent would perhaps benefit from a few major signings to boost the club's progress, but this is not the Arsenal way. Debt-free and living by their own means, the Arsenal model is to be admired for its sustainability.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">9. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/sunderland.html">Sunderland</a> - £68.5m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 13th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Roy Keane spent a lot of cash as he brought top flight football back to Wearside and Sunderland are not quite showing the value for money to repay Niall Quinn's faith.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">10. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/west-ham-united.html">West Ham</a> - £62.25m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: Eighth<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Hammers had a very large squad and Zola has been shrewd in off-loading fringe players on loan deals during the transfer window. West Ham's £62.25m squad seems about right for a club of its size.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-1135774-0341A0DA000005DC-519_233x112.jpg" alt="Prudent: Moyes" class="blkBorder" width="233" height="112" /> <p class="imageCaption">Prudent: Moyes</p></div> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">11. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/everton.html">Everton</a> - £60.25m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: Sixth<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">David Moyes has done a magnificent job of making Everton a competitive Premier League outfit on limited resources.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The club's £60m outlay for consistently good Premier League finishes is highly commendable.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">12. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/portsmouth.html">Portsmouth</a> - £51.6m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 16th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">A £50m squad looked a bargain under Redknapp but seems excessive under Tony Adams, especially when you consider it cost almost double that of Stoke City, with whom Pompey are equal on points in the Premier League.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">13. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/middlesbrough.html">Middlesbrough</a> - £47.4m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 19th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">At almost £50m Boro's squad should be strong enough to stay up, but it's not looking good.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">14. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/fulham.html">Fulham</a> - £45.2m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: Ninth<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Another British manager proving prudent in his wheeler-dealings, Roy Hodgson joins David Moyes in doing well with relatively limited resources.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatLHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-1135774-0321199D000005DC-463_233x175.jpg" alt="Solid profit: Palacios" class="blkBorder" width="233" height="175" /> <p class="imageCaption">Solid profit: Palacios</p></div> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">15. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/wigan-athletic.html">Wigan</a> - £38.3m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: Seventh<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Steve Bruce snapped up Wilson Palacios for £1m and Wigan made a £13m profit on the player when he moved to Spurs earlier this month, representing outstanding business for the Lancashire club.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The Latics were canny in recouping £3.5m for Emile Heskey and are doing extremely well in the Premier League considering the cost of their squad.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">16. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/bolton-wanderers.html">Bolton</a> - £34.75m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 12th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">£12m on Johann Elmander? Hmmmm. Thus said, Bolton are good value if you compare their outlay with that of Newcastle, Sunderland or Middlesbrough.<br /></p><div style="font-family: verdana;" class="thinFloatRHS"> <img src="http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/02/04/article-1135774-033DF4DA000005DC-510_233x162.jpg" alt="Prize asset: Santa Cruz" class="blkBorder" width="233" height="162" /> <p class="imageCaption">Prize asset: Santa Cruz</p></div> <h2 style="font-family: verdana;">17. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/blackburn-rovers.html">Blackburn</a> - £34.4m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 18th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">Roque Santa Cruz is Blackburn's biggest asset and the club did not cash in on him in the transfer window. Good on them.<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">The big spending days of Premier League success are gone but, if Sam Allardyce can pull the club out of its current slump, Blackburn should continue to do well on a relatively small budget.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">18. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/west-bromwich-albion.html">West Brom</a> - £32.1m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 20th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">With the most expensive squad of the three promoted teams, West Brom will perhaps suffer the heaviest blow if they go straight back down.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">19. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/stoke-city.html">Stoke</a> - £27m</h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 17th<br /></p><p style="font-family: verdana;">A £27m squad has held a £140.6m equivalent (Liverpool) to a 0-0 draw twice in the same season. It may not always be pretty, but Stoke are playing within their means.<br /></p><h2 style="font-family: verdana;">20. <a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/teampages/hull-city.html">Hull</a> - £17.4m<br /></h2><p style="font-family: verdana;">League position: 11th<br /></p><span style="font-family: verdana;">A squad that cost less than £10m before January performed far, far beyond anyone's expectations in the first half of the season. Even if the bubble has burst, Hull City deserve to be proud of themselves. Don't forget, the club nearly went bankrupt 10 years ago.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1135774/Hey-big-spenders--Sportsmails-guide-teams-squad-costs.html?ITO=1490</span>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7774873446261611354.post-88079735960569699872009-02-04T06:27:00.002+08:002009-02-05T18:33:03.729+08:00CHELSEA TV EXCLUSIVE: QUARESMA ARRIVES<a style="font-family: verdana;" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ngerumpi.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/ricardo-quaresma.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://ngerumpi.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/ricardo-quaresma.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >http://ngerumpi.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/ricardo-quaresma.jpg<br /><br />Chelsea's newest player and our newest Portuguese international was at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday afternoon. Ricardo Quaresma took the time to give the club's channel his first thoughts on the loan move taking him from Italy to England.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >Are you happy to be here in London now that the loan deal has gone through?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >I am very happy. The best thing for any football player is to play for big clubs and I was very lucky to go to Inter and now I am very thankful to Mr. Scolari and everybody at Chelsea who made this deal possible.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >Now I aim to play the best that I can to help Chelsea to achieve their goals because all I want is to show my qualities, to show what I am made of and hopefully I am going to help Chelsea achieve their goals.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >You are joining five Portuguese players here and you know the manager very well. How much will that help you to settle in?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >It is always nice to have people to help you when you come to a new club. Obviously Chelsea is a great club and it has great quality players and I am very proud that I can have the chance to represent such a great club. With all the other Portuguese players I am sure it is going to be easier for me and I am very glad to be here with them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >The style of football that you play, do you think it is better suited to Chelsea and the Barclays Premier League than it was in Serie A?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >Everything depends on the team and sometimes on your luck. I try to give my best for the team when I play. I didn't have many opportunities to show my qualities at Inter but I believe these two are two great leagues in the world and all I want is to show what I am made of, to show hard work, to show all my qualities here. I am really glad I have this opportunity to play with such a good club as Chelsea.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >What will be your main goals at Chelsea and how would you describe yourself as a player?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >I don't like to talk about myself, I prefer that other people talk about me. But what I can promise is I am going to work very hard, I am going to give my best, I am going to prove that I deserve to be in this team and that I am the right player to help Chelsea achieve their goals. Hopefully I will be able to do so.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >You play on both flanks. How do you feel about the competition with the likes of Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >It is always great to have great players in the team and to have this type of competition because this really makes you work hard. Life is a risk and sometimes you have to take risks to achieve the goals you set yourself and that is what I intend to do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >I believe the competition is good and these two are players that I admire. My intention is to work hard to gain my place in the team and I believe competing with great players is what makes you a better player.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >You scored against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge playing for Porto is 2006/07 and there was a great piece of skill when you hit the crossbar in Porto as well. What is your memory of your games against Chelsea?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >It was a great experience for every player, especially for myself. We strive to play these big games, that is what mostly motivates us players, playing great games against great clubs and great players. I was happy that I was able to score here at Chelsea and when I hit the bar, unfortunately I couldn't score there but it was a great experience for me. I hope now to do the same things for Chelsea, rather than against them.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >What is your message for the Chelsea fans?</span><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >I hope to please the supporters as much as I hope to please the team because that is what we play for, that is what motivates us. I have been happy enough to have the support of all teams I have played for before and I do hope to have the same here.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >I hope the supporters will like me and will see my qualities because I am going to do my best for them and hopefully I am going to give the supporters lots of happiness.<br /><br /><br /></span><h1 style="font-family: verdana;" id="page-title" class="asset-name asset entry-title">Blues eye permanent winger deal</h1> <div style="font-family: verdana;" class="asset-content entry-content-detail"> <div class="asset-body asset-body-detail"><strong><img src="http://images.eatsleepsport.com/photo.ashx?teamName=chelsea&storyID=851710" alt="Chelsea" width="200" height="150" /><br />Chelsea will have the option of signing Ricardo Quaresma on a permanent basis, should he impress in his loan spell at Stamford Bridge.</strong><br /><br /><div id="front-page-border"> The Blues made a surprise last-gasp swoop for the Portugal international ahead of Monday's 5pm deadline, after they received word from Inter Milan that they were willing to offload the winger.<br /></div><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Quaresma, who was also a target for Tottenham, was left out of Inter's squad for the Champions League knockout stages having struggled for form since joining Inter from Porto for �24million last year.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Luiz Felipe Scolari knows the player well from their time together with the Portuguese national team and was keen to bring in a replacement for Joe Cole, who is out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.</span> <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Chelsea have agreed to pay Quaresma's �48,000-a-week wages and could make the 25-year-old permanent addition during the summer transfer window.</span></div></div>Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15233582873806316930noreply@blogger.com0