Lol I'm not on here much and still manage to post a fair amount

One debacle after another #-o

Rafa has a point. It seems some chelsea fans were wanted this season to go badly just to get rid of Rafa. I can understand not wanting him to get the job, but once he did surely then you put up with it, give him and more importantly the players a chance.

Well done for you champ, I hope somewhere there's a woman turned on by post counts

How Chelsea beat Udinese for Cristian Cuevas and shaved fortune off his asking price
Submitted by Chris Beattie on Mon, 03/04/2013 - 05:30

Chelsea's deal for Chilean teen Cristian Cuevas is no small triumph.

The potential of the O'Higgins player aside, Chelsea had to convince the youngster's camp to choose Stamford Bridge ahead of the established pathway for Chilean players at Italy's Udinese.

After trials at Cobham last year, Chelsea were convinced of Cuevas' talent, but were happy to wait until the summer to negotiate a price with O'Higgins. But those plans had to be ripped up as Udinese made a formal approach last month.

Having seen national team stars Alexis Sanchez and Mauricio Isla utilise the Udinese pathway to go onto bigger things at Barcelona and Juventus respectively, Cuevas would've been forgiven if he'd chosen the Italians ahead of Chelsea. But after his trial in London, Cuevas was convinced Chelsea was the best place for his career.

"The experience, even just for a week, was simply spectacular," recalled Cuevas. "I saw things at Chelsea that I'd never seen in Chile. We're just nowhere near the level of what happens at Chelsea.

"I approached the week with maturity to keep improving and vowed to try to come back in the future."

It was that desire which allowed Chelsea to knock €1 million off O'Higgins' valuation when serious negotiations kicked off.

Alerted by their South American scout Jorge Alvial of Udinese's move, Chelsea brought forward plans of a summer deal to close an agreement last month. O'Higgins were insisting on €3 million for the 17 year-old, but Chelsea refused to go higher than €2 million. Despite the option to sell to Udinese, O'Higgins agreed to respect Cuevas' wishes and accept Chelsea's final offer.

"Chelsea have been in contact with us for a long time," confirmed Pablo Hoffman, O'Higgins' general manager.

"There is no player like him in Chile. He's left-sided, an attacker, tall, who can score goals."

Perhaps influencing Cuevas' decision-making was Clarence Acuna, the former Newcastle United and Chile midfielder.

Acuna accompanied Cuevas on his trial at Cobham and has been involved in negotiations. After three years in England, Acuna is well placed to advise Cuevas on what to expect from Premier League football.

"It was five days in which I learned a lot and discovered where I can give more," Cuevas recalled, also admitting surprise at how senior players, like Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres, mixed with the juniors.

"We trained with them and I saw that they were good people. You think they would be big headed, but they're nothing like this, they were friendly and even gave advice.

"For me, to be with players who you only see on TV and to be with them on the same pitch, was a dream come true."

With the charm offensive successful, the midfielder will move to London after this summer's U20 World Championships, giving him plenty of time to brush up on his English.

"It will be a big change for me," says the teen.

"It is very different compared to Chile, I realized that when I was there. I've now started going to English classes, I have to learn to communicate well with them.

"But I am calm and happy."

He added: "Chelsea have been following me for over a year. And I knew what I wanted: I wanted to go to Chelsea."


http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/how-chelsea-beat-udinese-cristian-cuevas-and-shaved-fortune-his-asking-price-3848351#.UTQ6b6JTZ8F

I don't understand Rafa complaining about being an interim manager? Every Chelsea manager is an interim manager!

ALL SMILES ... Jose Mourinho
Jose back at Chelsea
But Rafa has no need to panic... yet!
By ROB BEASLEY
Published: 25th March 2013
84

JOSE MOURINHO will make an emotional return to Chelsea today.
The Special One is due back at Stamford Bridge for the first time since 2011.
But not, as Blues fans hope, to replace the reviled interim boss Rafa Benitez. Not yet anyway.
Mourinho has accepted an invitation from the Brazilian FA to tonight’s glamorous friendly against Fabio Capello’s Russia.
So he will be back at Chelsea for the first time since he knocked them out of the Champions League with Inter Milan, two years ago.
Mourinho’s surprise return to SW6, where he won six trophies between 2004-07, will spark more speculation about him returning for real in the summer.
He looks certain to leave current club Real Madrid in the summer.
The Portuguese coach has never hidden his love for Chelsea and English football. And only this weekend he hinted he could go back to “maybe somewhere I’ve already been” — raising hope among Blues fans he could mean Chelsea.
There will be a vacancy, too, as the reign of Benitez ends in May.
But Chelsea’s billionaire owner Roman Abramovich faces stiff competition.
Two-time Champions League winner Mourinho has also been linked with AC Milan, Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer would be delighted to see Mourinho return.
The SunSport columnist said: “Love him or hate him — and I love him — Jose adds something to the soap opera of English football.
“If his destiny proves to be Stamford Bridge once more, then it really will be game on with the Manchester clubs.”


Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4858141/Jose-Mourinho-to-return-to-Chelsea-to-watch-Brazil.html#ixzz2PC1cYKY6

Gold :lol:

Great selection leaving Ba out on Saturday away to the Saints,then letting him loose onto Man U this morning.

John Terry in the Chelsea margins but still at heart of the story

Chelsea's club captain may yet defy the sceptics suggesting he might be cast aside and secure his future under a new manager

Dominic Fifield
The Observer, Saturday 20 April 2013 22.00 BST

The scenario can be painted even now. The camera will be focused on Rafael Benítez as the Kop bellow their anthem while, on the fringes of all the hullabaloo, John Terry shuffles into his seat behind the bench at Anfield. He might even be wearing something akin to a scowl as he does so, even if he is becoming reluctantly accustomed to life on the periphery.

The management's selection will become clear just ahead of kick-off on Sunday, but recent reality dictates it would constitute a surprise now if the Chelsea club captain did not begin against Liverpool among the substitutes. The interim manager's policy of rotation is well established with the centre-half locked into a cycle where he sits out what might be deemed the more glamorous occasions and, instead, features in the scraps, however critical, round the edges. His was a watching brief at Wembley last Sunday. Fulham at Craven Cottage on Wednesday was a throwback to when he felt integral.

There was an admission after that two-goal performance in midweek that he is none the wiser as to where he stands "in the pecking order", even if he accepts the need to rotate the squad in a campaign that lurches into a 61st fixture on Merseyside. Even so, to recognise that he has fallen behind Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz as first choice, and with Gary Cahill to return to the fray next week, must still sting. Terry has started nine Premier League games this season and it was against Liverpool back in November, when Roberto Di Matteo was still in charge, that he returned from domestic suspension and damaged his knee ligaments. Benítez inherited a veteran in rehabilitation, the treatment complicated and protracted before he could be restored to contention. He is fit again now but the manager, wary of the 32-year-old's apparent susceptibility to slippery pace, has alternatives.

Perhaps it is inevitable that, with a player who has felt untouchable for so long suddenly seeming marginalised, conspiracy theories abound. Terry has 14 months to run on his £150,000-a-week contract and, as yet, no firm talks have begun over an extension. The Chelsea hierarchy supported their captain through his court case over the Anton Ferdinand affair – he was acquitted of racially abusing the QPR defender – and during the subsequent Football Association disciplinary process, dealing with the issue internally once Terry had been fined £220,000 and banned for four matches by the governing body. Yet they recognise the negative impact the incident had on the club – and Terry was again prominent on the back pages on Saturday after refusing to shake hands with the FA chairman, Lord Bernstein. The natural extension of that is to wonder whether it might impact upon negotiations over a contract extension.

Such a deal would have an extra 12 months on offer anyway given the club's recently adopted policy of one-year deals for players over 30. Ashley Cole signed his in January. Frank Lampard is considered further entrenched in the twilight of his career and does not even warrant an offer. The same may apply for Terry. In fact, one theory goes that senior figures at the club might not be averse to being rid of Lampard and Terry this summer so the manager who takes over in June starts completely afresh without players so steeped in ancien regimes on the scene. Terry, it goes, might be sold to clear the decks. Galatasaray and Fenerbahce are interested and could meet his wage demands. Clubs from the Gulf would do likewise. West Ham, remarkably, have even been mooted as a possible destination for a centre-back born in Barking.

And yet, step back and it seems inconceivable that Terry would countenance an early departure from Stamford Bridge. A payday abroad might be an option one day but he still relishes life in the Premier League, and who away from this corner of south-west London would be able to match his current salary and keen to take him on? Regardless, while this is a figure who may be divisive outside the club, he is still worshipped by Chelsea's rank and file support, a player who is convinced he has plenty to offer a team that still aspires to make its mark on the Champions League despite this campaign's blip. Lost amid his praise for David Luiz's candidacy as a long-term Chelsea captain was the line "hopefully I have a few years left". Benítez will leave after the post-season tour of the United States and Terry will have a new manager to convince. It may be José Mourinho. Even with aching joints, he would back himself to make a positive impact.

As for doubts within the hierarchy over his value to the collective, it was back in December when one senior figure privately suggested the side had appeared rudderless "without JT", both over that ban and the initial absence through injury. Behind the scenes, his standing remains even as influence on the pitch transfers to a younger generation. Back in Moscow after the conclusion of their Europa League quarter-final against Rubin Kazan, the team had filed through to the departure gate at Sheremetyevo airport in the small hours only to find sponsors and press waiting ahead of them in the queue to board. An awkward pause ensued while airport staff frantically sought clearance to proceed and, when the green light was offered, the chief executive, Ron Gourlay, shouted over to Terry by name with confirmation and the captain led his players on to the flight.

His position in the pecking order remains. He will be frustrated at a lack of involvement, craving the "three games a week" he claims he can still play, and life on the fringes in another enthralling occasion at Anfield might leave him infuriated. But Terry will feel he is not quite done yet.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2013/apr/20/john-terry-chelsea-future

Interesting to see how few adults these days (Outside of London) support Chelsea.

Torres feels no threat as Chelsea chase ace Falcao

JEREMY WILSON – 25 APRIL 2013

Fernando Torres has claimed that he would welcome the signing of Radamel Falcao at Chelsea and stressed that he now sees his own future as part of a new generation that can re-establish the club among Europe's elite.

It is exactly a year since Torres (29) scored at the Nou Camp against Barcelona in a Champions League campaign that was to ultimately end in team glory, but with him complaining that the season had provided the "worst moments" of his career.

Torres subsequently held talks with Chelsea about his situation and, upon arriving in Basel ahead of the Europa League semi-final first leg tonight, he was upbeat about the future.

"I have always felt part of the club," Torres said. "Things change. I really think the club always told me the truth. They have hope in me. They trust in me. I know I want to stay here."

Chelsea are among the clubs pursuing Falcao, the Colombia striker, who has a £46m release clause at Atletico Madrid.

It is an addition that would place Torres' position in doubt, but he is adamant that he would be happy to see another world-class player at Chelsea. Asked specifically about Falcao, Torres said: "Since I came to Chelsea only top players have come, so it would not be a surprise.

"Every player is welcome at Chelsea. Every top player."

Torres has scored only 32 goals in 124 matches at Chelsea, but it has been his best season since his arrival in January 2011 and he is optimistic about continuing that improvement.

"I'm still young, the squad and the players we have are young and we can do great things. I would like to be involved in this team for the next few years. We can become one of the best teams, not just in England, but in Europe," he said.

Torres, though, did also argue that Chelsea are still a team in transition and need to become less reliant on individuals. "Much of the ability we have here depends on the talents of individuals – Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Oscar and some other players . We have to learn to become a team.

"The key is to adapt to a new system, new players, a new style of football.

"It has maybe taken more time than it should, but after a couple of seasons here, I can see how different the team are compared to when I arrived."

After his success in the Spain international team, the Europa League presents Torres with the chance to complete his set of major European trophies. "There are many more still to come. I'm happy, but I'd be happy if we won the Europa League," he said. (© Daily Telegraph, London)

Basel v Chelsea, Live, UTV/3e, 8.05

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/torres-feels-no-threat-as-chelsea-chase-ace-falcao-29220815.html

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho appears closer to a return to Chelsea after his side lost to Dortmund

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho looks to be on his way out at the Bernabeu, a process that could be hastened after his side's 4-1 first-leg Champions League semi-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund.

And Atletico Madrid hitman Falcao is expected to seal a £46m switch to Stamford Bridge at the end of the season, to sign a four-year-deal worth £200,000.

According to German newspaper Bild, the return to West London for Mourinho is 'almost certain' after Madrid's set-back last night.

German newspaper Bild are convinced Mourinho will head back to Stamford Bridge, along with Falcao

Mourinho's appointment is set to be supplemented with the expensive arrival of Falcao
Mourinho would be a popular choice for Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who has seen interim boss Rafa Benitez incur the wrath of fans.

Benitez will depart at the end of this season, and Mourinho's appointment is set to be supplemented with the expensive arrival of Falcao.

Coincidentally, Madrid - along with rivals Manchester United - are Chelsea's closest challengers for the coveted Colombian goalscorer.

http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/394639/Jose-Mourinho-and-Falcao-set-to-head-for-Chelsea?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-sport-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Sport+Feed%29

We're not talking enough about Frank Lampard
By David Pasztor on Apr 27 2013,

Shaun Botterill
I didn't intend to write a love letter...

"I'm totally impressed with what I've heard and seen. Chelsea have sold the club to me."

"I think I can take my game on from here and win a lot of medals with the club. Hopefully I can test myself against the best players in Europe and we can contest for trophies."

-Frank Lampard, The Guardian, 2001. VI. 14.

It is rather ironic that in a season that has already seen Chelsea win a club record number of penalties, Frank Lampard is struggling for goals. Struggling not for the season - his 14 in 44 appearances are in-line with his 1-in-3 Chelsea average - just as of late. Specifically, since hitting the 200-goal milestone a month ago.

When Lampard scored his 15th header in royal blue down at the Shed End, we figured Bobby Tambling's record of 202 stood little chance of surviving. When he scored for England a few days later, we figured it was a certainty. Frank's going to break the record! He will take his rightful place at the top of the Chelsea scoring charts - what better honor for such a strange, truly unique breed of midfielder?

But that would've been all too easy. That would've been too much like a rerun of, say, Didier Drogba's perfect Chelsea ending. Not that it's a certainty that he will fail to surpass Tambling's mark but Lampard has now gone nine games without scoring. Since he's not Torres, this is actually rather rare. Nine in a row ties for third longest in his Chelsea career, after a 13-match drought at the end of the 2006-07 season and a 10-match span at the end of the 2008 calendar year. He also went nine scoreless (if you count the Community Shield) before converting a penalty for Chelsea's second goal of this current Premier League season.

That penalty was the first of 17 - the club record number mentioned earlier - won so far this season. Injuries and squad rotations have denied Super Frank the chance to take all but six of them. Despite Eden Hazard's and David Luiz's general excellence in converting them as well, that's a sad ratio for arguably the greatest ever penalty taker in modern history. As it stands, Lampard has scored 47 penalties for Chelsea (of 54), an average of just four per season. While he already has five this season - the one miss coming in a crucial ... spot ... versus Joe Hart and Manchester City - he must look at those eleven not taken by him longingly as he stares down the ever-widening gulf of goals and time to Tambling's record.

Because if there's one thing that's playing against Frank more than his advancing age, his slowly declining form, and suboptimal team tactics, it's time. There is a very real chance that Lampard is less than a month away from having played in his last competitive Chelsea fixture. I'm not sure we're letting the magnitude of this sink in - whether that's due to Interim distractions or just plain old denial - but the man who has been synonymous with Chelsea Football Club since 2001, the man who is third on the all-time appearance charts, and the man who has kissed the badge more often than all but one, may soon be gone. And not gone as in having taken up a non-playing position at Chelsea, but gone as in having taken up a playing position elsewhere in Europe or the USA or, heaven forbid, Manchester United.

So why is no one talking about this? If Frank takes the pitch Sunday versus Swansea City, it will be his 400th Premier League appearance for Chelsea. Have we already resigned to losing the club's arguably greatest player of all time? Have we grown tired of talking about all this after the deluge of headlines last season and, again, earlier this season? Has everyone concerned already said his piece and is now just letting the chips fall where they may? Speak up, young Moses, I can barely hear you!

"Everyone would like to see Frank Lampard stay next season."

"He has been magnificent for us this season, he's scored goals and created goals at the same time. He is a legend for this club and the players would love to see him here next season."

-Victor Moses, The Daily Mail

Twenty-one years ago, Kerry Dixon was nine goals away from Tambling's record when Chelsea cashed-in on him. He was 31 that summer and would go on to play for five more years, scoring 30+ despite rapidly declining form. Of course, Tambling himself was just 29 when he was sold, his career extending another decade beyond. Had he stayed, 202 would probably not be the number to shoot for.

In the end, it's not the numbers that matter. The other day I visited my second home down Bidwell way and, amongst other things, walked out with a couple bottles of Lost Abbey Red Poppy Ale. Red Poppy Ale is a seasonal offering from Southern California's Port Brewing Company - a personal favorite from a personal favorite. It comes corked and capped in standard sized 375 ml bottles and it costs $15. Make no mistake, that's a lot of money for a bottle of beer. But it's oh so very, very good and it's oh so incredibly unique. Sure, other breweries make sour cherry ales, too, but not quite like this.

Not. Quite. Like. This.



Chelsea and Lampard have six, probably seven matches left together. It's a partnership that over the years has been of so very, very good and oh so indescribably unique. Three more goals would be nice. One more year would be even better.

http://www.weaintgotnohistory.com/2013/4/27/4272758/frank-lampard-chelsea-contract-goal-record?

Valuable John Terry ready to be retapped

FOR Roy Hodgson, it will boil down to this: England’s World Cup hopes versus England’s worldwide image.

By: Paul JoycePublished: Sat, April 27, 2013

Can Terry still play a role for England? Roy Hodgson thinks so

Hodgson will be tempted to tap into John Terry’s willingness to end his international exile, viewing the latest twist in a saga that refuses to go away as a potential solution to pressing on-field problems.

He will remember Terry’s performances at Euro 2012, when he marshalled England superbly, and think of the predicament his side is in Group H where slipshod defensive displays leave them off the pace and a place at Brazil 2014 in jeopardy.

Even though Terry, now 32, does not command a regular role at Chelsea, Hodgson will feel he has value. Ahead of Terry’s FA trial when he was found guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand, the England manager did not disguise his feelings.

“I’m hoping, and I make no secret of that, the case will take its course, that John, hopefully, will be freed as he was freed in a court of law, and will carry on playing for England,” said Hodgson in August.” That’s my hope.”

Hodgson can still see Terry's value with limited centre-backs to choose from

Even though Terry, now 32, does not command a regular role at Chelsea, Hodgson will feel he has value.
Little will have changed since then. Hodgson plainly prefers him to Rio Ferdinand, hence the latter’s omission from Euro 2012. And there is an irony that having been concerned about England’s lack of centre-back options since Terry retired in a fit of pique at his treatment by the FA, and in particular chairman David Bernstein, the coach must now decide who to leave out.

Ferdinand may now regret more than ever going to Doha instead of reviving his own prospects against San Marino and Montenegro.

Not for the first time in recent years, Terry’s shadow looms large. Hodgson will be mindful of taking soundings from his employers before making a final decision for the friendlies with the Republic of Ireland and Brazil.

He will, at the forefront of his mind, believe having Terry back will bolster chances of success.


http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/395113/Valuable-John-Terry-ready-to-be-retapped?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+daily-express-sport-news+%28Daily+Express+%3A%3A+Sport+Feed%29

Chelsea offer Frank Lampard new deal after contract re-think

Club to relent and hand England midfielder extension to stay for possible Jose Mourinho return
SAM WALLACE WEDNESDAY 01 MAY 2013

Frank Lampard's Chelsea career looks set to extend beyond next month and into another season as there is a willingness from the club to offer him a one-year extension, once the new manager is in place this summer.

The saga has run all season with unhappiness among supporters that Lampard, 34, has been allowed to drift out of contract despite his desire to stay. The Independent understands that the mood has changed lately at the club and that a one-year deal, on around his current pay scale, will be offered to him.

The announcement of a new contract would not be made until after the season is over, and most likely when a new manager arrives. The lead candidate is Jose Mourinho, who would naturally support any deal for Lampard. There is even a suggestion that Mourinho would announce Lampard's deal at his first press conference.

Eliminated by Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League semi-finals, Mourinho gave the clearest indication yet that he would leave Real Madrid this summer and return to Chelsea. “There are clubs in England that love me; especially one,” he said

Earlier in an ITV interview that was cut short, Mourinho described Chelsea as “a special club”. He added: “I want to be where people love me to be.”

Lampard staying will virtually guarantee that he will surpass Bobby Tambling's club record of 202 goals. Lampard is on 201 with no more than six games left in the season.

There has been cautious interest from Sir Alex Ferguson in the player, 35 in June when he is due to become a free agent. Lampard was also close to a deal with Los Angeles Galaxy, whose Major League Soccer season began last month, but that has fallen through.

Key to any potential deal between LA Galaxy and Lampard was Tim Lieweke, formerly president and chief executive of AEG, the owners of the franchise. When he left the LA Galaxy in March the chances of Lampard moving there reduced significantly.

The observations of the England manager, Roy Hodgson, that he would prefer Lampard to be based in Europe, have been another consideration.

The club will not wish to present any new contract for Lampard as a change of heart on their part. In the event of the deal being done they are likely to say that it was a decision made once the situation was assessed at the end of the season.

The one-year deal for Ashley Cole, announced in January, was agreed at close to his current pay deal, worth around £200,000-a-week. Nevertheless, the days when the club was dominated by the English contingent are long gone. The players whom the Roman Abramovich hierarchy look to now are Petr Cech, David Luiz and Fernando Torres.

The interim first-team coach Rafa Benitez could potentially have all but one of his first-team squad available for selection for tomorrow's Europa League semi-final second leg against Basle at Stamford Bridge. Gary Cahill played the full game against Swansea City on Sunday, leaving only Oriol Romeu among the long-term injured.

Deal or no deal: Blues' old guard

Petr Cech, 30

Chelsea's number one goakeeper has three years left on his contract having joined the club in July 2004.

Ashley Cole, 32

The England left-back joined from Arsenal in 2006 and was given a year extension in January, keeping him at the club until 2014.

John Terry, 32

Terry made his Chelsea debut in 1998 and has been at the club ever since. But the captain has only a year left on his contract.

Paulo Ferreira, 34

The Portuguese full-back looks set to leave as a free agent in the summer.

Yossi Benayoun, 32

The Israeli's contract is up at the end of the season and there is no sign of a renewal.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/chelsea-offer-frank-lampard-new-deal-after-contract-rethink-8598278.html

Jose Mourinho drops huge hint about move to Chelsea: 'Clubs in England love me - especially one'

The Real Madrid manager was speaking after his side's Champions League exit at the hands of Borussia Dortmund
PETE JENSON THE BERNABEU WEDNESDAY 01 MAY 2013


Jose Mourinho gave the clearest indication yet that he will leave Real Madrid and go back to Chelsea at the end of the season after failing to get the Spanish side into the Champions League final for the third time of asking following a 4-3 defeat on agreegate to Borussia Dortmund.

“There are clubs in England that love me; especially one” said Mourinho when asked if he was more appreciated in the Premier League than in Spain. It almost sounded like the “I am a special one” all over again.

Asked if the decision had already been taken he said: “I have not made a decision out of respect for my club. I have a contract, not that contracts are worth that much these days. But I want to play the Spanish Cup final at the end of the season and I want to finish second in the league.

”And then I will sit down with Florentino Perez my president and my friend. I know I am loved in England by the supporter,s by the media who treat me in a fair way criticising me when it is merited and praising me when it is deserved.

“Here in Spain some people hate me and it is difficult to make my decision because I like the club and I have a lot of affection for people here. We have made a great team that is ready to win something.”

The sub-text throughout was that Real Madrid might get to the European summit but Mourinho would not be going there with them. He added: “The important thing is that Real Madrid win it [their 10th European Cup] that is what is important. I don't live by what nearly happens. It has been three great years in the competition for them and the 10th will come.

”If it comes with me then great and if not then great because I have a lot of friends here. We failed in the first season because they didn't let us win. In the second we went out on penalties and this time we went out because of a terrible first game. But Madrid is a fantastic club and because of these last three years they are now top seeds in the competition.“


http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/jose-mourinho-drops-huge-hint-about-move-to-chelsea-clubs-in-england-love-me--especially-one-8598288.html

Jose Mourinho to Chelsea? Road to Special One’s second coming not straightforward

Jose Mourinho was yelling at his players. “I need more from you,’’ he shouted at Frank Lampard, John Terry and the rest of the Chelsea team being held 0-0 at Bolton Wanderers on April 30, 2005. Standing in the centre of the dressing-room at half-time, Mourinho demanded a “jersey” for himself.

By Henry Winter10:30PM BST 04 May 20131 Comment
“Give Stevie [Clarke] a jersey, give [Baltemar] Brito a jersey and for five minutes we’ll show you the passion needed to win a game like this,’’ Mourinho declared.
Just five minutes. The three of them would give everything, even though Mourinho’s playing days were both nondescript and distant, Clarke had retired five years before and Brito, 54, was not the most accomplished centre-back ever produced by Brazil. Mourinho was simply challenging his drained players.
They were so close to the title, a first in 50 years. They had worked so hard. They just needed to find that ounce more sweat that Mourinho himself would bring if able to pull on that blue top. “And after five minutes bring oxygen, call an ambulance and take me to hospital,’’ Mourinho said.
Classic Mourinho. There’s a lot of humour to the man, a quality many of his players enjoy but his many critics do not see. His players responded, dragging up the required energy. Lampard scored twice and Chelsea left the Reebok as champions with Joe Cole waving out of the skylight of the team bus.
Managers are assessed on signings, strategies, man-management and the ability to influence the course of games, whether through substitutions, tactical tweaks or interval rhetoric. On Dec 12, 2004, Mourinho let rip at players trailing 2-1 at Highbury. Chelsea’s very frank official biography notes how Mourinho threw a cup full of Lucozade which cascaded down Clarke and Carlo Cudicini.

The missiles, real and verbal, continued. Mourinho launched a tub of Vaseline at the wall, which dripped down towards the clothes of the fitness coach Rui Faria. Mourinho was oblivious, too busy screaming at the players who reacted positively. Eidur Gudjohnsen equalised and Chelsea took an important point. Afterwards, Mourinho apologised for the outburst and assorted projectiles. There’s a humanity to a man often depicted by his enemies as soulless, as a peacock obsessed only with his CV and mirror.
The story of the self-annointed Special One is also of a special impact on others. He inspires players. “Listen guys,’’ Mourinho told the Chelsea squad on their first meeting in 2004, “you’ve done nothing in the game but if you stick with me we are going to win this league by April’.’’ Cole looked at Mourinho. “Who is this geezer?” he thought. Then training started. It was so intense and well-structured that all the players knew they were going places with this cocksure coach. Cole played his most effective football under Mourinho.
Lampard used his autobiography to record his gratitude to Mourinho for developing him. Emerging from the showers in Seattle in pre-season that 2004 summer, Lampard was told by the waiting Mourinho that he was “the best player in the world” and now was the time to prove it, to dominate games and win trophies.
Mourinho makes good players believe more, deliver more. He fell short at Real Madrid, barring one remarkable La Liga campaign, but otherwise he has enthused squads from Porto to Chelsea and Inter Milan. And not only players. Look around the Premier League. Mourinho’s tutoring can be seen in the burgeoning achievements of three highly regarded young managers, Andre Villas-Boas, Brendan Rodgers and Clarke.
Anyone seeking to judge properly this complicated coach must also contemplate the charge-sheet. For all his charisma, Mourinho lacks the dignity of Michael Laudrup or Carlo Ancelotti, whose feted playing days bequeathed a security so they never feel the urge to indulge in managerial tricks. Mourinho’s career is a catalogue of mind games, frequent jibes against referees like Anders Frisk, unseemly comments about opposing managers like Arsène Wenger and occasional rifts with players like Iker Casillas. He winds up rival fans, shushing Kopites. He even poked Tito Vilanova of Barcelona in the eye. He has done much wrong.
The Spanish media will not miss 'Mou'. El Mundo newspaper contacted me last week, enquiring why Mourinho feels loved in England and loathed in Spain. He is popular here because he adds spice to football life, because he takes on Manchester United and because he is fun. Last Friday’s diatribe at the Spanish media would have caused delight here.
“The press don’t know the starting XI? Correct. I don’t put your beloved children in the team? Correct.” Such comments would have been greeted with gales of laughter at an English press conference.
Now he prepares to leave Real amidst much flirting with his old love Chelsea. The strong expectation had hitherto been that he would continue his European tour by alighting in France, at Paris St-Germain, a club with all the hallmarks of a Mourinho project. Wealthy, ambitious benefactor? Tick. Long time without European glory? Tick.
But the talk is now of Chelsea who need an adrenalin shot, a bonding agent. Rafael Benítez has guided them to the Europa League final but the gulf remains between interim manager and fans and the gap grows behind team and Premier League leaders. Mourinho would galvanise Chelsea in the league, making them pursue United more tenaciously. Mourinho’s return would stir up the title pot. “It will make me angry,’’ remarked Sir Alex Ferguson.
The road to the Special One’s Second Coming is not straightforward. So many questions need considering by Roman Abramovich and the board. Could Mourinho work with Michael Emenalo, the technical director who drives transfer policy with Abramovich? Could Mourinho persuade Chelsea to keep Lampard? Do any of the players still have issues with him? Not all were heartbroken at his leaving on Sept 20, 2007.
Will he give youth a chance? Chelsea boast a string of talented youngsters from FA Youth Cup finalists to Romelu Lukaku on prolific loan at Clarke’s West Brom. Mourinho does not have a reputation of gambling on kids, although he has been rewarded for backing Raphael Varane, one of Europe’s rising stars, at the Bernabeu.
And what will his style be? The title winners of 2005 and 2006 were all about power. Chelsea’s recent direction under Abramovich involves turning the pitch into a canvas for the elegant brush-strokes of artists like Juan Mata, Oscar and Eden Hazard. Small is beautiful. Mourinho has utilised such nimble creatures before from Deco at Porto, Cole at Chelsea, Wesley Sneijder at Inter and through the creativity of Mesut Ozil, Angel di Maria and of course the tall, athletic match-winner Cristiano Ronaldo at Real. Mourinho’s teams have become more expansive.
Chelsea’s board seem to want to build the team, arguably the club, around David Luiz, who is likely to succeed Terry as captain. Luiz is the conundrum everyone must consider when rushing Mourinho back to SW6. It is hard to see the risk-taking Brazilian as a Mourinho stalwart, certainly not in defence where the coach prefers more calculating characters like Ricardo Carvalho at Porto and Chelsea, Walter ‘The Wall’ Samuel at Inter, and the physical Sergio Ramos at Real.
Luiz has been stationed in midfield to eye-catching effect by Benítez. Yet Mourinho wants a defensive type in there from Costinha at Porto, Claude Makelele at Chelsea to Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso at Inter. At Real, he has paired Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso (with great passing range). If Mourinho does return to the Bridge, his use of Luiz will be fascinating. Abramovich will be watching closely. Everyone will. Nobody attracts attention quite like Jose Mourinho.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10037775/Jose-Mourinho-to-Chelsea-Road-to-Special-Ones-second-coming-not-straightforward.html   

I'm with the group that don't like him but you got to hand it to the cocky prick his record speaks and he would be great back at the blues and the epl.
As fergi mentions it will make him angry and everyone else for that matter hope it happens.

Jose signs
OFFICIAL: Mourinho is Blues boss

SPECIAL DELIVERY ... Mourinho will be expected to bring success to Stamford Bridge
EXCLUSIVE By ROB BEASLEY
Last Updated: 30th May 2013

JOSE MOURINHO is Chelsea’s new boss — and that’s official!

The Special One sealed a spectacular £40million four-year deal on Tuesday night.

A senior Blues source revealed: “It’s official — Jose is a Chelsea man again! Everyone is delighted he’s coming back — the club, the players and the fans

“We are already looking forward to next season — we are sure it’s going to be very exciting.”

The Sun exclusively told you on May 3 that Real Madrid chief Mourinho was heading back to the Bridge.

And we can now reveal Mourinho finally put pen to paper during a two-day trip to London this week.

His cover story was attending the Crystal Palace-Watford play-off final at Wembley on Monday and visiting friends in the capital.

But the real purpose of the visit was to seal an emotional return to his beloved Blues along with right-hand man Rui Faria.

Now it is expected he will be unveiled next week in a blaze of publicity by the Europa League champions.

That is after he has taken charge of Real’s final game at home to Osasuna on Saturday, which will bring to an end his controversial three-year reign at the Bernabeu.

There is just time for the 50-year-old father of two to squeeze in a holiday with his family before starting work in earnest in July.

Mourinho’s first match looks sure to be the pre-season friendly in Thailand against the Singha All Stars XI, the kick-off to a Far East tour that also takes in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Then he will take the Blues to America for the International Champions Cup tournament which features two of Mourinho’s former clubs, Real Madrid and Inter Milan, as well as Everton, Juventus, AC Milan, Valencia and LA Galaxy.

Much is expected of Mourinho, who won six trophies in just three seasons during his first spell at Chelsea between 2004-07.

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4947332/Jose-Mourinho-is-Chelseas-new-boss-and-thats-official.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/chelsea/10118387/Chelsea-to-sign-Bayer-Leverkusen-forward-Andre-Schurrle.html

Chelsea's £300m kit deal to spark Mourinho buying spree

GET SHIRTY ... David Luiz, Gary Cahill, Fernando Torres and Oscar show off the new kit
By MARK IRWIN
Last Updated: 22nd June 2013


JOSE MOURINHO has been given the green light to launch a major spending spree after Chelsea signed a staggering £300million deal with adidas.

The 10-year sponsorship is a world record fee for an agreement between a football club and kit manufacturer.

And the eye-watering figures have eased Chelsea’s concerns about falling foul of UEFA’s new Financial Fair Play regulations.

The deal smashes the previous landmark of £287m which Manchester United signed with Nike for a 15-year term back in 2000.

And it means Chelsea will no longer be so reliant on billionaire owner Roman Abramovich to bankroll them.

Their previous agreement with adidas, first signed in 2006 and renegotiated in 2010, was worth around £20million a year.

But success in the Champions League and Europa League, coupled with Mourinho’s return as manager, has raised the club’s global appeal.

Chief executive Ron Gourlay said: “The new deal reaffirms adidas’ belief in Chelsea’s status in world football.”

This is the third major kit agreement in recent weeks after Arsenal signed a £30m-a-year deal with Puma and Liverpool signed for £25m-a-year with Warrior.


http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/4979289/Chelsea-dripping-in-cash-with-a-record-300m-10-year-kit-deal.html

Ten years at Chelsea for Mr Abramovich



Edited by Joffa: 5/7/2013 09:37:45 AM

van Ginkel fee agreed between Vitesse and Chelsea. Just subject to personal terms and a medical.

And 9 different managers :oops:

Ranieri, Mourinho, Grant, Scolari, Wilkins, Hiddink, Ancelotti, Villas Boas, Di Matteo, Benitez, Mourinho (2)...that's 11.