CHELSEA KING JOHN TERRY CAN RULE FOR YEARS AT STAMFORD BRIDGE

3rd October 2010 By Harry Pratt

JOHN TERRY has been hailed the new ‘King of Stamford Bridge’.



That title has always belonged to the late, great Blues star Peter Osgood – and this weekend the club unveiled a statue to honour their legendary hitman of the 60s and 70s.



But, according to assistant-manager Ray Wilkins, Chelsea already boast their own modern-day version in captain fantastic Terry.


Yes, Terry may have lost the England armband last season after revelations about his private life but Wilkins insists he has never put a foot wrong in SW6.



Indeed, he even went as far as to suggest the inspirational defender is the perfect role model – on the pitch at least – for the Blues’ current crop of blossoming talent.



Wilkins said: “It was a very difficult decision placed on Fabio – but I don’t want to talk about England because when John Terry plays for us he’ll always be captain of this team


“Yes, he probably is the modern ‘King of the Bridge’. John has been a wonderful servant to this club and he remains the first name on the team sheet – even though we have some wonderfully-gifted players alongside him.



“All I can say is that I hope Terry continues to play in the same vein for us that he has been for many years – and leading the team in the way he always has done.


“We have been talking a lot this season about our young players coming through. But it’s only when these young men are learning their trade from fellas like John that they will improve.”



Some critics reckon Terry, 29, has lost a lot of pace over the last 18 months and should no longer be considered an automatic starter with England.



But Wilkins added: “Everyone keeps going on about John not being quick enough but I’ve never seen him outpaced – because he reads the game so well.”


He confirmed Carlo Ancelotti will be in the dugout today despite the death of his dad on Friday and admitted Chelsea were lucky to come into the weekend still three points clear at the top, after defeat at Manchester City.



“We felt quite fortunate to get away with dropping three points,” added Wilkins. “It turned out to be a pleasant weekend in the end.”

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football/view/156629/Chelsea-king-John-Terry-can-rule-for-years-at-Stamford-Bridge/

LYNN OSGOOD: WE`VE DONE HIM PROUD

Posted on: Sat 02 Oct 2010

Lynn Osgood and Elaine Hutchinson, along with the Chelsea faithful, have been driving forces behind the new statue of 'The King of Stamford Bridge' that was unveiled yesterday (Friday).

The widows of Peter Osgood and his former strike partner, Ian Hutchinson, knew him better than anyone and were able to guide sculptor Philip Jackson when photos of the star were not enough.

They did well, as the nine-foot statue captures the spirit of our famous number 9, as remembered by those lucky enough to have seen any of the 380 games Osgood played for Chelsea.

'It's amazing,' said Lynn, speaking to the Official Chelsea Website. 'You talk about it for a long time when it is a work in progress but it is completely overwhelming seeing it full size.

'I was a nervous wreck before that moment because you have in your mind's eye what it is going to look like, but having seen it, it's a thousand times better than I imagined.

'It depicts him perfectly. It's definitely got his character and personality - The King of Stamford Bridge,' she added.

Helping create the statue has been a time of reminiscing for Lynn (pictured below left) and for Elaine (below right), whose husband, another Chelsea legend, was Osgood's close friend on and off the pitch and even ran a pub with the famous striker once their playing careers came to an end.




'We have been searching through all the old pictures for what seems like years now,' explained Elaine.

'Lynn had a lot of photographs but I also had a lot of Peter and Ian working and playing together.

'It has been a very emotional journey. The nerves were there throughout. You're worried that the reveal would happen and you'd think "That's not Pete" but it really is.

'The way he stood and everything, it's perfect. It looks like he's standing at the back door going "Come on, are you coming out or not?" - It's just him!'

Apart from the figure's features, there was attention to other detail needed. Club historian Rick Glanvill informed Jackson on the type of boots Osgood would have worn, what the kit was like during the Sixties and Seventies and even facts on the ball itself.

'There's so much information that went into this,' said Lynn. 'Pictures, video footage and books have all been looked at and Rick has been very good providing a lot of background.

'Because of those sorts of things it has taken us a while to get to this stage and to see it real is just fantastic, Philip has done a fantastic job.'




Osgood's son Darren was also impressed: 'It's quite amazing. That look, that expression, it's him.

'Supporters who come to games will see the statue outside and remember him, it will be a focal point at the ground from now on.'

Since Osgood's death in 2006, Lynn has helped build The Peter Osgood Trust, a charity set up to enhance the lives of disadvantaged children and young people in the UK.

The charity receives a lot of support from fans, who Lynn was keen to thank for all their help with the piece.

'It's all down to the fans that we've got this statue, it was their vision and they pressed to have something like this outside of Stamford Bridge and it's absolutely fitting. It's amazing!

'It will tie in with the Peter Osgood Trust (www.thepeterosgoodtrust.org) and hopefully help build awareness for the charity as well.'

Elaine added: 'I hope they [the fans] will love it. It's going to be there forever so that is a lasting, befitting tribute to the King of Stamford Bridge.'

'He'd love it, absolutely love it and I think we've done him proud,' decided Lynn.

'We're fantastically proud ourselves, he was a very special man and he deserves this very much.'
http://www.chelseafc.com/page/LatestNews/0,,10268~2172287,00.html

Chelsea Midfielder Florent Malouda: Winning The Champions League Is Our Main Target

Frenchman says they won't take their eyes off Premier League though...
By Peter Lennox
Sep 26, 2010 6:00:00 PM

Chelsea midfielder Florent Malouda says the club's dream is to lift the Champions League at Wembley in May.

Malouda has been in outstanding form this season, and already has six Premier League goals to his name.

The 30-year-old told the Daily Star Sunday that it is European success which drives the club on.

"It's a big target for this club to win the European Cup," he said.

"Coming so close has been frustrating and we really do feel this is the year we can win it”

The strength in depth of the Chelsea squad, Malouda believes, holds the key to their success.

"The manager can put one team out on a Saturday and another out in the week. They would both be world class."

The dynamic French midfielder also thinks that their manager Carlo Ancelotti is the perfect man to lead them to glory, both at home and in Europe.

“I think our manager is one of the most proven managers there is," he said.

"Every single player at the club is having a lot of fun playing under him and he wants the Champions League as much as us. This can be the season for us."

Malouda insisted, however, that any talk of the Blues taking their eyes off the Premier League should be quickly dismissed.

He said: "Any talk of us putting more importance on the Champions League than the Premier League is wrong - we know how important both are to the club and the fans.

"We want them both. We know how hard that will be but we have a fantastic squad.”

http://www.goal.com/en/news/9/england/2010/09/26/2137804/chelsea-midfielder-florent-malouda-winning-the-champions

Joffa can keep this in the top 20 threads on the page via sheer spamage.

Sticky this shit Joff, you have the power

Drogba hauled off by Carlo but champions' problem is they had no one to replace him

By Rob Draper Last updated at 11:49 PM on 25th September 2010

Carlo Ancelotti defended his decision to replace Didier Drogba with Daniel Sturridge 15 minutes from time - when Chelsea were chasing the game - and insisted he was happy with the strength of his squad.

A glance at the respective benches yesterday gave an indication of the changing balance of power in the battle of billionaires.

Whereas Chelsea called on the inconsistent and inexperienced Sturridge, 21, Yuri Zhirkov and 17-year-old Josh McEachran in their hour of need, Manchester City could introduce exciting international players in Adam Johnson, Jerome Boateng and Emmanuel Adebayor to shore up their position.

The Chelsea manager said of the Drogba substitution: 'I wanted to put more speed up front with Anelka and Sturridge, and he was fresh so that's why I took this decision.'

Though manager and player exchanged a respectful handshake, the Ivorian shook his head as he approached the bench.

Injuries to Frank Lampard, Yossi Benayoun and Salomon Kalou have exposed the relative lack of depth in Chelsea's squad.

Talented though McEachran is, he is not yet a player to rescue Chelsea on one of their rare off days, and when Ancelotti looked to his bench to strengthen his failing midfield, he had only the slight teenager to turn to.

The Chelsea manager insisted: 'Josh McEachran came on for 10 minutes and played well. We have to have confidence in the young players and we do have confidence in them.'

Yet the rapid promotion of McEachran, 19-year-old Frenchman Gael Kakuta and 20-year-old Dutchman Patrick van Aanholt has been born out of necessity rather than design.

Fellow substitutes Ross Turnbull, an inadequate reserve goalkeeper, and Sturridge, a man in danger of wasting his early promise, were free transfers also recruited in the new age of austerity under owner Roman Abramovich.

While Chelsea did include among their seven substitutes yesterday Paulo Ferreira who, at 31, represents a good back-up full-back, Zhirkov, their most expensive substitute who cost £18million from CSKA Moscow, increasingly looks out of place at Stamford Bridge.
City, by contrast, boasted a full complement of internationals among their seven substitutes, assembled at a collective cost of £85million, with the experience of Shay Given, Patrick Vieira and Adebayor sitting alongside the burgeoning talents of Boateng and Johnson.

Joleon Lescott and Jo, though out of favour at present with manager Roberto Mancini, are also still full internationals.

Chelsea, who were once the recipients of similar bountiful transfer funds from their indulgent owner as City now receive, must have looked on a little enviously.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1315268/Drogba-hauled-Carlo-champions-problem-replace-him.html#ixzz10aecYepe

MANCHESTER CITY v CHELSEA

SportingPreview.com: 25 September 2010

Salomon Kalou and Yossi Benayoun are out for Chelsea for three weeks and Frank Lampard has not recovered from his hernia problem and will not play against Manchester City this lunchtime.

Benayoun and Kalou are expected to be out for up to a month after suffering calf and thigh injuries respectively in the 4-3 Carling Cup defeat by Newcastle.


Paulo Ferreira will revert to the sub's bench to make way for captain John Terry who missed the 4-0 win over Blackpool five days ago with a rib injury but played against Newcastle.

Nicolas Anelka will replace Kalou in the only other change from last week.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has to cope with a defensive injury crisis.

Micah Richards, Wayne Bridge and Aleksandar Kolarov are definitely out, and the fitness of Joleon Lescott (groin) and Jerome Boateng will need to be checked before Mancini can finalise his line-up.

Further forward, Emmanuel Adebayor returns after missing four matches with a dead leg, but Shaun Wright-Phillips is also out.

Manchester City Squad: Hart, Given, Zabaleta, Kompany, K Toure, Boyata, Cunningham, Lescott, Boateng, Silva, De Jong, Y Toure, Barry, Vieira, Milner, Johnson, Tevez, Adebayor, Jo, Santa Cruz.

Chelsea Squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, Alex, Cole, Ramires, Mikel, Essien, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda, Ferriera, Borini, Bruma, Zhirkov, Sturridge, Turnbull, Van Aanholt, McEachran.

http://www.sportingpreview.com/matches/10110418.php

Ancelotti knows only too well the real goal

SOCCER ANGLES: Carlo Ancelotti can lose at Manchester City today and be relatively relaxed . . . . but lose to Marseilles and he might not be allowed to forget it, writes MICHAEL WALKER

REMEMBER A man called Luiz Felipe Scolari? Big Brazilian bloke, England tried to get him as their manager after dismissing Sven Goran Eriksson? Scolari said Manchester City also tried to sign him.

Scolari did eventually arrive in English football after certain drama but it was not in east Manchester, it was at Stamford Bridge. It was only two years ago, but time does fly.

This weekend in 2008 Scolari was leading Chelsea for the sixth time in the Premier League. They went to Stoke and won 2-0 to go top. Chelsea then won six of their next seven matches to stay there and Scolari was looking like an eclipse of Avram Grant in terms of succeeding Jose Mourinho. All we and his players could do was praise him.

Less than three months later Scolari was sacked. Drawing at home to Hull was deemed the final straw. In came Guus Hiddink until the end of the season. That brought stability, the FA Cup and almost a victory over Barcelona in the semi-final of the Champions League.

Scolari was forgotten already. Hiddink seemed a perfect fit at Chelsea but he had promised himself elsewhere so Roman Abramovich had to seek another manager, Chelsea’s sixth in the Russian’s time at the club.

So then came Carlo Ancelotti. It felt like a safe rather than spectacular appointment. Ancelotti had a major profile due to his European and domestic achievements with AC Milan of course, but we are a small-minded people: what would he bring to Chelsea? The answer was “The Double” – the Premier League and the FA Cup. Before the invention of the Premier League that was a revered achievement but Abramovich’s money was part of the dilution of the term’s status.

That could be seen in Ancelotti receiving more praise for beating Manchester United to the title than for adding the FA Cup via victory over basket-case Portsmouth at Wembley. Stopping United meant something.

Courtesy of a winning, self-deprecating personality, Ancelotti also eased himself into our general affection. There was none of the rampant egotism of Mourinho – which we sometimes enjoyed – instead there was a lower-key humour.

That has been on view again this season as Chelsea have begun the season with five straight league victories, 20 goals and one against. Only Scott Parker has broken through. The opponents – West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, West Ham and Blackpool — are likely to figure in the bottom half of the table in May but they represent a quarter of the division. Alex Ferguson has queried the degree of difficulty involved but you beat what’s in front of you.

It is an even better start at Chelsea than last season. Then they won their first five league games under Ancelotti, scoring 12 times. Tottenham came to Stamford Bridge for the sixth match and this was to be “the first serious test”, much as Chelsea’s game at Manchester City is being marketed today. Chelsea beat Spurs 3-0.

Over the next few weeks Chelsea beat Blackburn 5-0, Bolton 4-0, Wolves 4-0 and Arsenal 3-0. After Christmas they put seven past Sunderland, then Aston Villa and Stoke. On the season’s final day Chelsea beat Wigan 8-0. In total they scored 103 goals. How quickly we forget.

There must be a reason for that and the reason is surely Mourinho. Ask a member of the general public to select one Chelsea result from last season and a fair percentage will say Chelsea 0 Internazionale 1 in the Champions League.

It could even be the one Abramovich nominates.

Being eliminated by the competition’s winners, and a former manager, once again raised the stake that Abramovich, Ancelotti and Chelsea are playing for. It is the European Cup.

Going out of the League Cup to Newcastle on Wednesday was a blow to the club, just as a loss today at Eastlands would be – and Chelsea lost twice to City last season.

But if this time next year we are reviewing Chelsea’s triumph in the Champions League – the first London club to win it and at, of all places, Wembley – then these will be considered irritations, if they are considered at all.

That knowledge of Chelsea’s European emphasis is also part of why the total of 103 goals last season is not heralded in the way it would have been had Arsenal or United managed it – Ancelotti and Scolari could have a discussion about memory at Chelsea.

It is why, for the all the intrigue at City this lunchtime – Ancelotti meeting an old colleague in Roberto Mancini – the game that looms large for Chelsea is Marseilles at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday. Last year’s French champions, by six points, Marseilles will have more substance than Blackpool displayed last Sunday. Ancelotti can lose at City and be relatively relaxed. Lose to Marseilles and he might not be allowed to forget.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/0925/1224279658105.html

feeling a bit lonely in here joff? :p

mind you, i'm surprised at how few chelsea fans are on here

Chelsea will win title - Mancini

Friday September 24 2010

Roberto Mancini has already conceded the Premier League title to Chelsea.

After spending more than £100m on new players this summer, it was felt Manchester City would be able to provide some sort of challenge for the championship, even if they eventually fell short.


Yet, after seeing his team fall seven points adrift of Carlo Ancelotti's men, and then have his squad decimated by injury, Mancini has apparently thrown in the towel, not just for his own club, but the rest of the league as well.


"Chelsea are probably going to win the Premier League title easily," he said.


"They are the best team in the Premier League at the moment.


"They are a strong team, who have been playing together for many years, with a fantastic manager.


"They have worked to reach this situation."


It is quite possible Mancini did not quite mean his words to come out the way he did.


Nevertheless, it is quite baffling just five matches in to the season and on the eve of Chelsea's visit to Eastlands to defend their 100pc record.


Yet it seems Mancini does feel City are years behind Chelsea at present, even if they are making ground up fast.


"We must work hard to be their equals," he said.


"We can be a strong club in one or two years. But we must improve, month after month, year after year."


The City faithful might not be impressed by such talk. In midweek the Blues crashed out of the Carling Cup, a competition that many felt was the easiest way of ending a trophy drought that dates back to 1976.


"With the problems at this moment we couldn't play in four competitions," said Mancini.


Given the squad building they have undergone in the last couple of years, few will shed any tears at Mancini's complaints at being short of so many players.


Yet when he was assiduously piecing together his squad this summer, he did so on the basis he was buying for the future, as well as the present, believing the day would come when City could hold their heads up alongside Chelsea as one of the Premier League's top dogs.


"We have got strong players but we have also got young players," he said.


"We have one of the youngest squads in the Premier League.


"David Silva and Yaya Toure played in the Champions League for many years, Mario Balotelli won it with Inter, Aleksandar Kolarov and Jerome Boateng are international players.


"We have bought strong players. When they play together we can change everything."


However, Kolarov and Balotelli are out with long-term injuries after playing just one match. Boateng has not even managed that yet after aggravating a knee injury in a collision with an in-flight trolley.


Boateng has finally managed to get a full week's training under his belt but is badly lacking match practice.


Yet such is Mancini's desperate need for defenders, down to just three fit ones at the last count, he is among the options to fill the left-back role, along with the equally rusty Joleon Lescott, youngster Dedryck Boyata, James Milner and Gareth Barry.


"Joleon has worked with us for one day. He is not ready to play 90 minutes," said Mancini.


"Jerome has been working with us for one week. He is not ready to play 100pc.


"I do not know what I am going to do just yet. I will speak with Joleon and Jerome, but if they are not available I am not sure. Maybe Boyata, but I am not sure."


Emmanuel Adebayor should be fit enough to make the bench after a recent spell on the sidelines with a dead leg.


However, with Shaun Wright-Phillips joining Aleksandar Kolarov and Mario Balotelli on the sidelines with a knee injury, Mancini cannot believe his squad has so rapidly been torn apart.


"I am disappointed we have all these injuries at the moment," he said.


"I only have 11 players who are 100pc fit."

Press Association

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/chelsea-will-win-title-mancini-2352196.html

Lampard return delayed again

---

24 September 2010, 16:31

Frank Lampard has still not returned to full fitness following a hernia operation and will miss Chelsea's trip to Manchester City on Saturday, the English league leaders announced on Friday.

The England international midfielder underwent surgery at the end of August but is not yet ready to resume competitive football.
"Frank is not 100 percent so we don't want to take a risk. We need to have more time to be fit," said Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Blues have made a perfect start to the defence of their Premier League title, winning their first five games and scoring 21 goals in the process to establish a four-point lead at the top of the table.

They were knocked out of the League Cup after losing 4-3 at home to Newcastle on Wednesday, however, and lost both Salomon Kalou (thigh) and Yossi Benayoun (calf) to injury during the game.

Ivorian forward Kalou is likely to be out for around three weeks, with Israeli midfield schemer Benayoun predicted to spend a similar time on the sidelines.

Both players will therefore miss Chelsea's Champions League game at home to Marseille on Tuesday, as well as the trip to City.

"Yossi and Salomon had a check yesterday, I think they will be able to come back after the internationals, maybe three weeks," said Ancelotti.

"With muscle injuries it's always three weeks."

http://www.supersport.com/football/barclays-premier-league/news/100924/Lampard_return_delayed_again

Chelsea legend sends warning to Terry and Lampard

Author: Nigel Brown
Posted on:24 September 2010 - 11:22


Former Chelsea legend Graeme Le Saux has warned Frank Lampard and captain John Terry that their status in the football world does not guarantee them first team football at Chelsea advising them that Carlo Ancelotti will pick in-form players not players with big reputations.

Le Saux had two spells at Stamford Bridge, the first between 1987 and 1993 and the second between 1997 and 2003, performing at both left-back and left midfield for the club establishing himself firmly in the hearts of the blues followers.

Despite admitting how important Terry and Lampard are for Chelsea Le Saux has admitted the duo must prove their fitness and form to stake a claim for a first team spot at Stamford Bridge.

Le Saux told Goal.com: “John and Frank are the cornerstones of that side, so they’re hugely valuable players for that team,” Le Saux said.

“But we all know as players that you have to be fit. If you’re not fit and it gives someone else an opportunity, then it’s up to the manager. If he sticks with a player because he is playing well, then you have got to sit and wait it out.

“It depends how they train. If Frank Lampard is training well and looks like he has completely recovered from the hernia, then Ancelotti will pick him because he is a very special player in terms of his goalscoring and his contribution.

"But if him or John is not 100 per cent fit and he can justify not playing them, then I don’t think he would have a doubt about not playing them for that game or the short-term.

“Any good team is built on a squad and the more confident a squad is, the more the fringe players feel part of it, the more likelihood that when one of the big names comes out there is a seamless transition.

"Do you leave someone out because they’re not playing too well or do you put someone in because they’re a big name? It’s an interesting conundrum. I’m sure Carlo Ancelotti will be pleased to have the competition but it’s going to give him a headache.”


http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/44178/Chelsea_legend_sends_warning_to_Terry_and_Lampard.aspx

Sky Sports pundit lauds "unplayable" Chelsea star

Author: Ben Moss
Posted on:24 September 2010 - 11:11



Paul Merson has picked out Didier Drogba as the man to watch in tomorrow’s lunchtime Premier League encounter between Chelsea and Manchester City, suggesting the Ivorian is unplayable on current form.

The defending champions have begun the season in imperious fashion albeit having had a favourable start to the season, but Carlo Ancelotti’s side face a stern test of the title credentials at Eastlands tomorrow, and Merson believes the aforementioned striker is the man to look out for.

Drogba has already netted five goals to help Chelsea open up a four point lead at the top of the table, and Merson suggests the striker has merely continued his superb form from last year.

The former Arsenal star told Skysports.com: “I don't know how City are going to stop Drogba, who is almost unplayable at the moment.

“Kolo Toure always struggled with him at Arsenal and I don't see how he's going to do any better now he's at City.

“Drogba looks like scoring every time he goes onto the pitch.”


http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football/44171/Sky_Sports_pundit_lauds_unplayable_Chelsea_star.aspx