Leboeuf: AVB still seeking perfect blend

September 16, 2011

By Mark Lomas

Four games into the new season, Premier League champions Manchester United have four wins on the board, sit top of the table and boast an imposing +15 goal difference. The praise has come thick and fast, with words like 'unstoppable' and 'juggernaut' regularly cropping up in discourse about Sir Alex Ferguson's side, and it is surely only a matter of the time before the betting gimmicks begin and the bookmakers pay out on United reclaiming their title.


But Sir Alex Ferguson's class of 2011-12 would do well to remember that just 12 months ago it was Chelsea who ruled the Premier League playground, bullying the likes of West Brom and Wigan into submission. Starting the 2010-11 campaign with five straight victories, 21 goals scored and just one conceded, the Blues were comfortably top of the class and cruising towards being crowned valedictorians for a second successive season.

But the Stamford Bridge steamroller began to stutter and splutter, eventually grinding to a halt in November as Carlo Ancelotti's out-of-sorts side went six matches without a win - an undistinguished streak that allowed United to ghost in and claim one of the most unconvincing of their record-breaking 19 title triumphs.

On Sunday, Chelsea visit United with their hosts looking to avoid the sort of slip up that could potentially lead to a Blues-style fall from grace, and bookmakers across the county to rue their premature publicity stunts. For Andre Villas-Boas' players, it is an opportunity to make a statement of intent and improve on the club's already-exemplary record at Old Trafford. Indeed, Sir Alex has tasted home defeat to Chelsea more often than any other side during his tenure, with the West Londoners winning six and drawing nine of their 23 league games in the Ferguson era.

One of those victories came in November 1996, when goals from Michael Duberry and Gianluca Vialli fired the Blues to a 2-1 win. The match was France international Frank Leboeuf's first appearance at Old Trafford after he arrived at Stamford Bridge from Strasbourg and the centre-back went on to experience only two league defeats against United in five years at Chelsea. Leboeuf has continued to follow the fortunes of his former club and he believes that Villas-Boas is building a side capable of competing with Ferguson's rampant United.

"I don't think the gap has widened between Manchester United and Chelsea as much as people are suggesting," Leboeuf told ESPNsoccernet. "It is true that United are really flying right now, whereas Chelsea are fighting to get results. But they have got those results through hard work and are still unbeaten this season. There's only two points between the two teams, which is fine at this stage.

"I really don't think United will be able to continue this momentum for the entire season and it could be a reverse of last year when Chelsea started well but faded. Chelsea's squad is getting much stronger and I think John Terry and Daniel Sturridge scoring against Sunderland last weekend symbolises the blend of experience and youth that Chelsea are striving towards. Sturridge is showing he can fight with Torres, Anelka, Drogba, Malouda and Kalou for a place in the first XI and there is great competition up front, which is good for the squad.

"I really think Chelsea are better equipped than last year. The competition wasn't there last season and many of the players seemed sure of their places all the time. But now it is open. You look at someone like Frank Lampard who, despite recent criticism, I believe is still in excellent shape, and his place isn't as secure as it has been in the past. That's the same with everybody."


Even if Lampard and fellow old head Didier Drogba are no longer guaranteed starters for Chelsea, Leboeuf believes that he and the other more experienced players at the club will play a vital role in balancing out the youthful exuberance of new singings Oriol Romeu, Romelu Lukaku, Thibaut Courtois and Juan Mata.

"John Terry and Frank Lampard's experience remains huge. Along with Petr Cech and Didier Drogba they remain Chelsea's nucleus, then you can have the young players fitting in around them and try to make the perfect squad,'' he said. ''Having only young players doesn't work, as Arsenal have shown. You need the Terrys and Lampards of this world because, even if they are over 30, they are still fantastic players and they provide the youngsters with advice.

"Theirs is an important role - I remember talking to John a lot when he was just breaking into the first team and I have seen on the pitch that he didn't forget what I told him! Sometimes when I've been to Chelsea he has thanked me and Marcel [Desailly] for advising him and helping him improve his game. If you have younger players who want to listen and learn, advising them is one of the best gifts you can give. Your time has gone and you are making room for younger players - it is only fair after football has given you a chance, you should pay it back."

Arguably the biggest challenge for Villas-Boas at Chelsea is to put his own stamp on a club that still has Jose Mourinho's fingerprints all over it, and Leboeuf believes that as long as he is given time, the younger Portuguese manager can step out of the Mourinho-sized shadow that still looms over Stamford Bridge even after Carlo Ancelotti's best efforts to cast it aside.

"I think everybody sees Villas-Boas as a younger copy of Mourinho but I think maybe he is cooler than the Special One," Leboeuf explained. "He has brought a great atmosphere to the squad and the Chelsea training ground appears to be a good place to be, while he has also inspired a dramatic improvement in some of the players. Jose Bosingwa has had a disappointing couple of years but he has come back in good shape and is having a very good season.

"It's refreshing for Chelsea to have a young coach. I played under Ruud Gullit and Gianluca Vialli, who were both young coaches and they both created a good dressing-room atmosphere - the discussions were simpler because they were the same generation. I just hope Villas-Boas will stay more than two years! I don't think him not being an ex-professional will be a problem. He has already been welcomed by the players, he is always smiling in interviews and he is very smart; he knows that he has a big pressure but he thrives on it."

One of the first major tests of Villas-Boas' leadership arrived earlier this week when misfiring striker Fernando Torres was quoted as criticising Chelsea's "older" players as "very slow". While the Blues boss handled it impressively, acting to quickly diffuse the situation, Leboeuf insists there should not have been any controversy in the first place. The 1998 World Cup winner says he empathises with Torres, both in terms of what he was trying to say and also the risk he faces as a foreign player giving an interview.


"I have seen what people were trying to say and I think what he actually said was in fact true," Leboeuf said. "He was talking about Mata and saying that he would bring pace to a slow team and I have to agree with him. I don't think it was meant a criticism, I think it is just a fact. Many of the players at Chelsea are strong and physically imposing - pace is not their biggest strength. It is why they have bought Mata and it was a fair comment, no controversy at all.

"Giving interviews in another language is difficult because you are worried that you will be tricked into saying something, or that the translation will come across badly or find a weakness. The language barrier always makes thing hard and sometimes you just try to avoid the press altogether because you are afraid of being misinterpreted. I feel sorry for Fernando and others."

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story/_/id/956538/frank-leboeuf:-andre-villas-boas-still-searching-for-perfect-blend?cc=3436

Hey Joffa,

How you doin'? :cool:

I've had better days, you?

Thought we were a bit unlucky tbh. United scores an offisde goal, a lucky deflection to Rooney and a wondergoal while our finishing was dross. At least Torres looked good, bloody good IMO

Big spending Russians chase Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard
Friday, September 30, 2011
9:07 AM



Anzhi Makhachkala keen to add England international to their squad

Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala have confirmed an interest in Frank Lampard.

The Dagestan-based club are bankrolled by billionaire Sulieman Kerimov who has already brought Samuel Eto’o and Yury Zhirkov to the club and are keen to add further high profile signings.

“We will talk about names like (Frank) Lampard, (Steven) Gerrard and (Robert) Pires,” Kerimov said.

The club are currently managed by Roberto Carlos after Gadzhi Gadzhiev was sacked and the Brazilian was quite happy to name the club’s managerial targets, two of which have managed Chelsea in the past.

“I am having dinner with the president and we’ll speak about signings and coaches for next season,” he told the Daily Mail.

“In terms of coaches, there are several names, such as Capello, Hiddink, (Wanderley) Luxemburgo and (Luis Felipe) Scolari.”

http://www.london24.com/sport/chelsea/big_spending_russians_chase_chelsea_midfielder_frank_lampard_1_1075617

Chelsea plot alternatives to Stamford Bridge

October 4, 2011 - 10:59AM

Chelsea are paving the way for a possible move from Stamford Bridge by proposing to buy back the pitch and stands which are owned by a supporter-led group. Although the club insist that there is nothing "active" in terms of leaving the Bridge, chairman Bruce Buck said yesterday: "We have to be prepared for a move if something right comes along for Chelsea."

Three areas have been identified as possible sites - Earls Court, White City and, probably the most likely candidate, Nine Elms on the banks of the river Thames - although there are no discussions at present.

A fourth site, at Imperial Wharf, has already been dismissed as too small - Chelsea would need around 20 acres of land for a 60,000-capacity stadium - while developers have mentioned areas to the north at Wormwood Scrubs and Old Oak Common.

If Chelsea did move they would like then to redevelop the Stamford Bridge site for a mix of residential and commercial use to help pay for the switch, with the rest of the costs being met by bank finance and probably a contribution from owner Roman Abramovich.

Buck stressed that there were no plans to leave the Bridge, Chelsea's home since 1905, and added that reacquiring the pitch and stands was "housekeeping". He explained: "We are here at Stamford Bridge, have no plans to move but, like any good business looking at the future, we are looking at everything that comes along and might make sense."

He added: "This is something we should have done maybe five years ago when we were cleaning up housekeeping matters and other financing we had that wasn't appropriate for a club that was solely owned by Mr Roman Abramovich."

Chelsea are calling an extraordinary meeting of the Chelsea Pitch Owners association for Oct 27 when they will need 50 per cent approval from shareholders in attendance. There are 15,000 shares, sold at pounds 100 each, and 12,000 shareholders although only a few hundred are expected at the meeting.

The CPO was established in the 1990s when, as Buck put it, "there was a concern that we might be taken over by developers who would put the club out of business or require the club to move". The CPO granted Chelsea a 199-year lease. The idea behind the scheme was to put freehold ownership of the site into the hands of supporters and out of the reach of property developers. It cost £10 million, with Chelsea loaning the money to the shareholders who paid back £1.5 million through cash they raised.

Chelsea are now proposing to pay that £10 million, writing off the £8.5 million they are owed and the £1.5 million, back to the shareholders. Fans will not make any profit out of the deal but as Buck pointed out: " No one bought these shares as a financial investment. Everyone bought them as a way of helping the club."

If they approve the buy-back, shareholders will be given preference in buying season tickets and will have their names in a walkway or on a roll of honour at any new stadium. Chelsea will guarantee that if they move before 2020 it will be to a ground within three miles of the Bridge with 10 per cent of seats made available to children and under-21s.

Buck has ruled out a ground-share with either Queens Park Rangers, who are looking to build a new stadium, or Fulham. The club have spent around £700,000 exhausting every possibility to expand or rebuild Stamford Bridge to increase its 41,800-capacity, including flattening the stadium and rotating the pitch, deciding that neither of these options is cost efficient.

"I wouldn't say we've given up but after five or six years of looking at it we are doubtful that we can do something at reasonable cost that will give us a reasonable return financially and for the fans," Buck admitted.

"At the moment we have no discussions going on with any developer and we still have not made a decision that 'yes, Chelsea want to move'," Buck said. "More significantly, we are wondering whether long-term our stadium might be the right size."

The Daily Telegraph, London


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/chelsea-plot-alternatives-to-stamford-bridge-20111004-1l5zs.html#ixzz1ZniIGlRY

Fans asked to back Chelsea stadium move

October 13, 2011 - 10:00AM

Chelsea captain John Terry has called for fans to back the club's bid to re-purchase the freehold of Stamford Bridge, paving the way for the Blues to move to a new 60,000-seat stadium.

Terry told the club's official website, www.chelseafc.com: "Obviously, I have great memories of Stamford Bridge.

"But what excites me is the thought of my kids, who are Chelsea through and through, being able to grow up watching the team play in a big stadium.

"We're talking about the next generation of kids beyond that as well. It excites me because I know for sure that we can grow."

He added: "For us to go further, we might need to move and we have to trust our owner (Roman Abramovich).

"He has been amazing since he bought the club, along with our fans as well. No one is saying it is going to be an immediate change but we need to be looking.

"We have to remember that London is a hotspot, west London especially, and big development companies can build substantial flats and penthouses here and, if we're not putting our name in the hat for these sites, then without a doubt they'll be snapped up by developers."

Several supporters' groups have united to try to convince shareholders of Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) - who have been in possession of the land beneath Stamford Bridge since the 1990s - to vote against the club's proposal.

Terry is the CPO president.

The 'Say No CPO' campaign plans to distribute 10,000 leaflets before this weekend's Premier League match against Everton.

AFP


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/football/fans-asked-to-back-chelsea-stadium-move-20111013-1llvw.html#ixzz1aepblREo

Revealed: Chelsea's desperate tactics in battle of the bridge

Sam Wallace's exclusive investigation into the struggle for Stamford Bridge


Wednesday, 26 October 2011

The desperate lengths that Chelsea have gone to in order to win a crucial vote tomorrow, which will ultimately decide whether they can sell Stamford Bridge and move to a new stadium in west London, can be revealed today by The Independent.


In voicemails left by the Chelsea chairman, Bruce Buck, and heard by The Independent, Buck asks for help from a waste disposal contractor at the club to put a shareholder in Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) who had asked awkward questions "on the sidelines". Since Buck announced the club's intention on 3 October to buy back the freehold of Stamford Bridge from CPO so they can sell the ground and move on, the club has faced concerted opposition from fans' groups.

The Independent has also learnt that an extraordinary volume of shares has been sold in an open sale that closed on Thursday ahead of tomorrow's vote, in which the club needs 75 per cent of CPO shareholders to vote "Yes" to their proposal in order that they can buy back the freehold – which they say is crucial to any future stadium move.

In the last week before sales of CPO shares were suspended, more than £200,000 was spent on shares which cost £100 each and are limited to 100 per person. In all, more shares were sold in that period than in the previous seven years, representing more than 10 per cent of all the shares in issue. The fans' groups lobbying for a "No" vote fear that some have been bought by individuals with loyalties to the club.

Tomorrow's vote, which follows a CPO meeting at Stamford Bridge, will be defining for Chelsea's future. The club say any potential move to a new stadium on sites such as Battersea Nine Elms or Earls Court will be dependent upon them buying the freehold for Stamford Bridge so they can redevelop the potentially lucrative site to fund the move.

The dissenting supporters, chiefly the "Say No CPO" (SNCPO) group, are concerned about the consequences of CPO shareholders losing the freehold. CPO was launched in 1993 as a not-for-profit initiative which encouraged Chelsea supporters to invest as little as £100. It was devised as a block against developers ever being able to buy the prime, 13-acre Stamford Bridge site on the Fulham Road which has been Chelsea's home since their birth in 1905.

In the case of the voicemails left by Buck, his specific concern was a Chelsea fan and CPO shareholder Paul Todd, whom the Chelsea chairman had identified as a particularly vocal opponent of the club's bid to buy back the freehold. The voicemails were left with Mick Crossan, a friend of Todd. He played the five voicemails to Todd, who has passed them on to The Independent.

In the second voicemail, Buck says to Crossan: "Just to let you know that at about 10.30 last night Paul Todd wrote quite an aggressive email to Chelsea Pitch Owners and he is obviously organising something and really we don't like that and we really want him on the sidelines and we are relying on you to take care of that and I would appreciate it very much if you could." In the third voicemail, Buck says: "I think reports are coming back to me that Paul Todd is totally out of control and we are relying on you to get him under control."

In the fifth voicemail left for Crossan, Buck says, "As of last night your friend Mr Todd was still very active, very annoying and very frustrating and we really need your help here and I would appreciate it if we could get it... and I would really like to talk to you about this situation because it's not a good one."

Todd claims his "activity" amounts to nothing more than trying to get Chelsea to be more transparent over their plans for Stamford Bridge and to respond to his emails and letters.

Crossan is chairman of Powerday, a recycling and waste management company in north-west London which has contracts with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and the club's training ground in Cobham, Surrey. He is also a season-ticket holder at the club and is understood to hold CPO shares in his family name.

A spokesman for Chelsea said that Buck had sought an "amicable" resolution of differences with Todd. The second voicemail from the Chelsea chairman was left on 4 October, just one day after the club went public with their plan to buy out CPO.

The Chelsea spokesman said: "Since the proposal to CPO was announced the chairman has had an open dialogue with many of the stakeholders in the process. Bruce and the club have said on many occasions that they encourage dialogue on the proposals, but expect that everyone behaves responsibly and stays away from personal attacks.

"In light of such attacks that Mr Todd had purportedly made against CPO directors, Bruce tried several times through a third party, to meet with him to find an amicable resolution and calm the situation, as he felt Mr Todd's behaviour was inappropriate and out of line. His voicemails reflect his frustration with the difficulty in reaching Mr Todd."

CPO is a company independent from Chelsea, but the club said that Buck had not been passed emails sent from Todd to Bob Sewell, a director of CPO, and had only learnt about their contents anecdotally. Todd denied that his behaviour had been "inappropriate". He said: "All I have done is dig my heels in and ask for answers. If we are talking about having a dialogue, what does he mean by having me 'sidelined'?"

The Independent, which also holds a share in CPO under this correspondent's name, requested an updated shareholders' register from CPO's offices in Surrey yesterday but received no response to its inquiry. A recent shareholders' register revealed that Buck had bought 100 shares himself in April. CPO shareholders with significant holdings have been invited to meetings at the club with Buck and John Terry over the last two weeks.

Pitch battle: Key players in Chelsea power play

Bruce Buck Brought in by Roman Abramovich when he took over the club in 2003. Buck is a lawyer, originally from New York, who has supported Chelsea since moving to London in 1983. With Roman Abramovich he is a shareholder in Chelsea Limited, the ultimate owner of the club.

Paul Todd A Chelsea season-ticket holder and Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) shareholder, he has been critical of the CPO board, including chairman Richard King, at CPO meetings. It was Todd whom Buck identified as a potential annoyance in his voicemail messages to Mick Crossan.

Mick Crossan A Chelsea season-ticket holder and also the founder of Powerday, a waste disposal company which has a contract with Chelsea. Buck went to Crossan for help in getting Todd onside because he knew that the two men were friends. But Crossan, who has a long-standing association with Todd, alerted his friend.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/revealed-chelseas-desperate-tactics-in-battle-of-the-bridge-2375861.html

Q&A: How a group of fans came to hold all the keys to Chelsea's future

Sam Wallace
Wednesday, 26 October 2011


Q. Why was Chelsea Pitch Owners (CPO) launched?


A. In 1993, soon after the club had won a nine-year fight to regain the freehold of Stamford Bridge from developers who wanted to knock the stadium down, the thinking was that if the freehold of the pitch and four stands was in the possession of the supporters it could never be separated and sold.

Q. How much did shares cost?

A. Shares were sold for £100 each and were limited to 100 per person in order that no one person could ever gain control of CPO.


Q. What rights does CPO hold?

A. As well as the freehold, the agreement states that if the club move away from Stamford Bridge, the rights to the name "Chelsea Football Club" revert to CPO.


Q. How much did the freehold cost?

A. It was finally acquired for around £10m in 1997 from the estate of the late Chelsea director Matthew Harding. Share sales at the time only raised approximately £1.5m so the club loaned the rest on very favourable terms. The shares will be bought back by the club for the same price, £100.


Q. Who bought shares in CPO?

A. Ken Bates, the chairman at the time, rallied friends like the late Labour minister Tony Banks, who was a Chelsea fan and an original director of CPO. Celebrity Chelsea fans such as Suggs from Madness and television presenters Johnny Vaughan and Tim Lovejoy also appear on the shareholders' register. As does the former Tory MP David Mellor.


Q. Who runs CPO?

A. The chairman is Richard King. Attendance at meetings have dwindled over recent years.


Q. Why is it suddenly such a hot topic?

A. On 3 October, Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck announced that he would be writing to CPO shareholders to tell them that the club wanted to buy back the freehold.


Q. When is the decision made?

A. There is a meeting tomorrow at Stamford Bridge where the club need 75 per cent of the CPO shareholders present and proxies to vote "Yes".


Q. Why now?

A. The club believe they have to keep open the option to move in future. They say that in order to do so they need to own the freehold to the Bridge site which would be redeveloped as part of the funding for a new stadium.


Q. What are they offering in return?

A. The club have said that supporters who vote "Yes" will have first choice on season tickets at any new ground. "No" campaigners say this is a bribe.


Q. How much is Stamford Bridge worth?

A. Buck has said that the cost of land acquisition and building a new stadium would be £550-£600m within three miles of the ground and that the funds the club could raise from Stamford Bridge would be around one third of that. Supporters' groups say they want an independent land valuation.


Q. Why not just stay at the Bridge?

A. The club say they have spent up to £700,000 on architectural studies of the ground and discovered that, even if they realigned the pitch, they could not increase the capacity significantly as the site, at 12-13 acres, is too small.


Q. Can Chelsea even fill a 60,000-capacity stadium?

A. The club have promised that 10 per cent of tickets at the new stadium will be priced for families and under-21s. The club needs to be self-sufficient with Financial Fair Play rules coming in.


Q. Why are some of the supporters against a "Yes" vote?

A. The "Say No CPO" campaign is not against moving from Stamford Bridge. They will endorse the club buying the freehold if, in exchange, they give the shareholders the freehold of any potential new stadium.


Q. Why would the club not agree to swap one freehold for another?

A.Chelsea say that building a new stadium would be sufficient to demonstrate the commitment of Roman Abramovich and are not prepared to negotiate.


Q. How important is this to the club?

A. Very important. Buck has spoken individually to CPO shareholders with significant holdings. The likes of John Terry have urged a "Yes" vote.


Q. What happens if it is a "No" vote tomorrow?

A. Chelsea say that ends their interest in building a new stadium and they will have to stay at Stamford Bridge, which only has a capacity of 41,800.


Q. What happens if it is a "Yes" vote tomorrow?

A. It means Chelsea could, theoretically, start negotiating for a new site straight away.


Q. Surely that would be good news?

A. For some supporters it is enough that Abramovich is in charge. He has delivered the most successful eight years in their history and they trust him. For the objectors the fear is what lies down the line under a different owner.

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/qampa-how-a-group-of-fans-came-to-hold-all-the-keys-to-chelseas-future-2375862.html

Terry to face FA inquiry as QPR lodge racism claim

Chelsea captain keen to 'clear name' but is likely to lose England armband (again) if found guilty

Glenn Moore


Wednesday, 26 October 2011

The FA will look into an alleged incident of racist abuse in the QPR versus Chelsea match

The Football Association is to investigate the England captain, John Terry, for using racist language after receiving a complaint from QPR about alleged abuse towards Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during Chelsea's defeat at Loftus Road on Sunday.


If the complaint is upheld, and that is notoriously difficult with such allegations, Terry is almost certain to be stripped of the national captaincy for the second time, and probably dropped from the England squad to travel to Poland and Ukraine for next summer's European Championship. In an ironic twist, Ferdinand's brother, Rio, may then regain the captaincy, which was previously taken from Terry after an alleged affair with the girlfriend of his England team-mate Wayne Bridge.

Terry, who denies the accusation, and is supported by his club, immediately said he "welcomed the inquiry and looked forward to clearing his name". It is understood his defence is that he did utter the foul, racist phrase concerned, but not in the context of abusing Ferdinand.

The allegation arose after television pictures appeared to show Terry using the words. This claim spread so rapidly via social networking sites that Terry released a statement on Sunday night denying he had abused Ferdinand.

The FA had refrained from getting involved after a member of the public made a complaint to Hammersmith & Fulham police, the local force, but had little alternative once QPR confirmed they felt the matter needed looking into. In a brief statement the FA said it "will now begin to make enquiries into this matter", adding: "The FA takes seriously any allegations of discrimination and abuse of this type." It is likely its first act will be to write to all parties. The investigation may take time as Chelsea are certain to instruct lawyers to defend their captain, which means it will probably cloud England's forthcoming friendlies with Spain and Sweden.

The statement came after a day of meetings at QPR, which did not conclude until after dusk. It is believed Ferdinand was reluctant to complain personally, but was very unhappy at the incident, and the club felt they should back him. However, as a newly promoted club, whose owner, Tony Fernandes, has only been involved in football for two months, they were aware that the issue could become a media circus and have significant repercussions – the Chelsea manager, Andre Villas-Boas, admitted senior officials of his club had contacted their Rangers equivalents. Thus the length of time spent discussing the matter.

In Rangers' statement, Fernandes said: "As a club we will provide our players with our unequivocal support when alleged incidents like this occur. The club has, and will continue to support Kick it Out's One Game, One Community initiative, football's equality and inclusion campaign. However, we are keen to draw a line under this alleged incident and focus on our fixtures." Sunday's match began with statements regarding the Kick it Out campaign, whose month of action this is, being read out over the public address.

Villas-Boas appeared to be perplexed about the whole issue when he spoke earlier in the day. "How can such a small incident based on speculation arrive to a situation of such proportions with the England captain? It's something which surprises me," he said.

Of Terry he added: "He's put out this statement and we fully back John. John represents this country to the highest level internationally. He is a player with great responsibilities for the country. He is confident about it. He spoke to Anton after the game. He was present in our dressing room. I was there, passing by, when they spoke. From my view – I wasn't focusing on what they were saying – they seemed amicable.

"For us, it's end of story. It's a great misunderstanding, something blown out of proportion. John represents this country internationally and people who do that should have better and fuller support instead of stories based on speculation. I find it strange that people doubt a player who is hugely representative of his country. We have a multi-racial dressing room and we all respect each other's values. I don't understand how it came to this level."

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/terry-to-face-fa-inquiry-as-qpr-lodge-racism-claim-2375857.html

Torres thanks Chelsea fans

18 November 2011-PA Sport

Fernando Torres has thanked Chelsea fans for their patience at his lack of goals since his £50 million ($79 million) move from Liverpool.

Torres has hit the target in the Barclays Premier League just three times since his arrival at Stamford Bridge in January.

But the 27-year-old Spaniard has vowed that he will continue striving to rediscover his best form.

"I feel indebted to the Chelsea fans," he told Spanish newspaper Marca.

"They have really supported me and when I see them they encourage me.

"If I have learnt one thing in life it is never to give up. I look at myself and I know I can get back to my best."

Chelsea and Liverpool meet once again in Monday's (AEDT) showdown at Stamford Bridge and Torres knows his side can ill-afford a further setback in the Barclays Premier League.

"Against Liverpool we can't allow ourselves to drop more points. It will be special," he said.

"Liverpool are a team in transition and you can't do that overnight. You need time.

"They've made an effort economically and, like any project, it needs time to bed in."

Torres is sure to face taunts from travelling Liverpool supporters but he insists they unaware of the real reasons behind his departure.

Torres insists also heaped praise on former Reds manager Rafael Benitez, who brought him to Anfield in 2007.

"Liverpool's fans have stuck with the story the club gave and they don't know the real story," he said.

"I don't feel bitter towards them, they will always be special for me.

"I owe so much to Rafa Benítez, no one understood me like him.

"He's a great coach. His teams go out with just one thing in mind: compete.

"Even with a smaller budget his teams can compete with the best."

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1081837/Torres-thanks-Chelsea-fans

lol chelsea horrble club no woner torres cant score goals at your club lol!!!:-"

lol chelsea horrble club no woner torres cant score goals at your club lol!!!:-"

Lamps keen on new Blues deal

Published: 22 Nov 2011

FRANK LAMPARD says he wants to extend his Chelsea contract and commit his future to Stamford Bridge.

The 33-year-old has been in and out of Andre Villas-Boas' Blues team this term but is the club's top scorer with seven goals.

And despite talks of a potential move abroad, Lampard is looking to increase his Chelsea deal which is set to expire in 2013.

The England midfielder said: "As it stands I have this season and next season and I would love to extend that.

"As long as the club want me, I will be here.

"Whatever anyone says about me going anywhere else, I will be here, without a doubt."

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/3951996/Chelsea-news-Frank-Lampard-keen-on-new-contract.html

15mil to hire him
25 mil to fire him? :lol:

Soccer briefs: Blues' crisis talks

November 27, 2011

CHELSEA coach Andre Villas-Boas revealed on Friday that he had held talks with owner Roman Abramovich, as he bids to turn around a spell of form that threatens to derail the Blues' season. Chelsea has lost four of its past seven games in all competitions and is experiencing its worst start to a Premier League season since Abramovich bought the club eight years ago. The 2010 English champion has slipped out of the top four and face a battle to qualify for the last 16 in the Champions League after a last-gasp 2-1 loss at Bayer Leverkusen last week. However, at a press conference on Friday, Villas-Boas said he had been given the full support of his employer.




Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/sport/soccer/soccer-briefs-blues-crisis-talks-20111126-1o0i3.html#ixzz1epSClbWq

Drogba wants money, says agent

29 November 2011-PA Sport

Didier Drogba's agent has revealed he has snubbed Chelsea's offer of a one-year contract extension and vowed to "go where he is offered the most money" after turning down a loan move to AC Milan.

The 33-year-old Ivory Coast striker looks increasingly set to walk away from Stamford Bridge for nothing when his contract expires next northern summer.

And his agent, Thierno Seydi, is weighing up lucrative options including possible moves to America, Russia or Asia.

"Didier has had the offer of a one-year extension from Chelsea. That does not suit us," Seydi is quoted as saying by The Sun.

"We know what we want, where we want to go and what offers we have.

"AC Milan came in for Didier on loan with an option to buy but I said 'No' straight away. Their offer did not interest us.

"At Didier's age, he has nothing left to prove as a player. He will go where he is offered the most money.

"It could be the United States, Russia, Qatar or somewhere else in Asia. Once you are well into your thirties you have to go to a club where you can be certain you'll be able to pay your bills.

"LA Galaxy are a possibility among many others. He has been linked with Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia, as they pay well. But neither Didier nor I have had an offer from them."

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1083323/Drogba-wants-money,-says-agent

Anelka, Alex hand in transfer requests

4 December 2011-PA Sport

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has confirmed that the club have accepted transfer requests from Alex and Nicolas Anelka.

The pair were missing from the squad for the 3-0 Premier League victory at Newcastle amid reports that they had been ordered to train with the reserves after being told they are no long part of the manager's plans.

Villa-Boas confirmed after the final whistle that transfer requests had been received and accepted, and that Brazilian defender Alex and French striker Anelka are no longer training with the first team.

http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/1083937/Anelka-Alex-hand-in-transfer-requests