Chelsea FC - Supporters' Rally

[no_faith]

Milan still hope for Sheva
Milan president Silvio Berlusconi is refusing to give up on his dream of re-signing Andrei Shevchenko.

The Ukraine striker left Milan for Chelsea last summer and struggled to make an impact during his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge.

He has been linked with a return to San Siro and Berlusconi confirmed he still wants to bring Shevchenko back to the club.

"We expressed our liking for his possible return, but the problem is Chelsea," said Berlusconi at a press conference.

"We are waiting for something that could move."

.....


no.....no move for Sheva.

[Theme1]

Time brings on the mellowing of Mourinho: The Special One tells Dominic Fifield that he is intent on managing his image as well as Chelsea
The Guardian

Jose Mourinho will not be putting his feet up but promises a cooler, calmer personal approach to leading Chelsea this season Owen Humpreys/PA

Jose Mourinho cracked into a knowing grin, as if anticipating the incredulity to come, before offering up his reinvention. "This year I will be more mellow, yes, mellow," he said, the second mention delivered in his best mock Caribbean lilt. "I've thought about it and it's something I want to do. I am what I am, but people use my personality to create something that is not true. If I'm emotional or react to something I think isn't fair, it's normal. But, over the last couple of years, people have created an image that is not correct. I shouldn't feed it. Instead, I'll be mellow."

Seated in the air-conditioned chill of the Rodeo West ballroom of the plush Beverly Hills hotel, a venue about as far removed from a Premier League dug-out as is possible, it would have been easy to dismiss the concept of Mourinho the Mellow as implausible. Some might argue that this, after all, is a manager whose touchline antics and public rants have often been considerably more entertaining than his team's football in recent times. Yet the Special One is entering uncharted territory this season. The time is ripe for a rethink.

This will be the 44-year-old's fourth campaign with Chelsea and, after previous employment at Benfica, Leiria and Porto, that is the longest he has remained as manager of a club. At times last season, when his relationship with Roman Abramovich had fractured, it seemed that this would be a summer of divorce and upheaval. Instead, it has been one spent regrouping and shrewdly strengthening. Manchester United and Liverpool may have spent lavishly but Chelsea's squad boasts ominous depth, with the Portuguese at the helm reinvigorated and relishing his new-found sense of perspective.

"I regret nothing in my life," he said. "Even with the mistakes I've made, my life and my career are fantastic. I just feel this is a different moment for me. Four years in the same club makes things different. At the beginning of my career I was always ready for a change. But I'm happy here, so why should I change? A player's career is very short and they have to do everything in the same day because, bang, their career could be over like that. My career is still young and I have many, many years in front of me. I don't have to be in a hurry. I have to be calm, cool and relaxed.

"I won't hug Arsene Wenger because he's not a close friend, but he can say what he wants about us. He can complain about a lot of things as he did in the past. I'm not ready to react. I just want to concentrate on my work. I look at our opponents because I need to know the way they play, but I'm not interested in what they say. My relationships with other people will not change. My bottle of wine with [Sir Alex] Ferguson will still be a bottle of wine, my handshake with Wenger will still be a handshake. No problem.

"It's the first time I have started a fourth season with a club, but it was always the intention to keep going. At my first meeting with [the chief executive] Peter Kenyon, Roman and [the club director] Eugene Tenenbaum three years ago we spoke about targets for 2015 and 2016. We are still going in that direction. I did a good job at Chelsea for three years and I want to do more. Things between me and the club are good, very good, and everything is completely clear. We understand each other and we have a common project."

That centres upon regaining the Premier League title, and after the ructions of last season the new-found spirit of unity is refreshing. Mourinho was noticeably upbeat throughout the club's pre-season tour of California. His players noted his laughing and joking with Abramovich. The media were treated to his cheery mood during a Press XI versus Chelsea management and backroom staff match at UCLA last week in which the Portuguese excelled in goal, feigning disbelief at the dismissal of his fitness coach, Rui Faria, and then suspiciously damaging a hamstring with penalties looming. He was duly replaced by the goalkeeping coach, Silvino Louro, capped 22 times for Portugal, for the shoot-out. The competitive instinct is still intact.

His rift with Abramovich now seemingly repaired, it is easy to see why Mourinho is so settled. "London is a top city - nobody disturbs me - and my life is a simple life. I don't go out to stupid places and events all the time. My kids are like any other, and their mother [Tami] is a top mother, always very protective.

"Sometimes they don't like it when I'm with them - like on the beach in Portugal building a sandcastle - and people come over and talk to me. The first time I went to Euro Disney with them, they told me afterwards that they didn't want to come with me again. I do take the job home, but my wife has been with me for over 20 years and she knows me. She can smell when I need my space.

"I do lose my temper with my players. Sometimes I am angry because I am angry, and other times I am angry because I want myself to be angry. Playing with the emotions is good because 20 years ago this job was just about tactics but, year after year, people have realised that it's much more than that. It is about leadership and control of the group. I have learnt. English football has had an impact on me and my way of life. That is why, this season, I will be more mellow."

The change in personal outlook will be matched by a switch in his team's philosophy. Chelsea's three-game tour of the United States witnessed a more adventurous approach, albeit in games against comparatively weak opponents, with Mourinho reverting to the pace and thrust offered by wingers down either flank.

One of Abramovich's complaints last season - despite the silverware won - was that the team upon whom he had lavished millions of pounds would invariably grind their way to victory. That, apparently, is to change. "Against a big team like us, the tendency is for our opponents to close us down, so we must open things up," said the manager. "Width is important in a team like ours, and with the quality of our wingers we have to use them, unless something dramatic happens again and we have none to play. Last season we had no options, no wingers to play and no players to change, and it was just about survival. Now I want better results and to be more entertaining.

"I don't agree when people say: 'This team played fantastic and didn't win.' For me that's the speech of the loser. Or when people argue: 'This team played poorly and won.' Winning because you are lucky happens once in a lifetime. Normally, results are balanced. Beauty is a controversial concept in football but, for me, it is about control through possession and allowing the creative players to play. Our wingers can bring that. Last season we played very well as a team with the resources available, but not with the same flair and the same dynamism of previous years. This season we have to go for it."

Regular use of a 4-3-3 formation will leave Andriy Shevchenko competing with Didier Drogba up front. The 4-4-2 used at times in the United States offers Florent Malouda, Arjen Robben or Shaun Wright-Phillips an opportunity to hug the touchlines. The diamond, with its specific roles for the more experienced Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele, can be stored away for emergencies.

"It's one of the good things about four consecutive seasons with not many changes in the group," added Mourinho. "Year after year, experience after experience, the players are ready for it." It remains to be seen whether the Premier League is ready for Mourinho the Mellow.

[Glen2712]

JOSE ON THE OPPOSITION

José Mourinho has been speaking further on the season ahead, and how he sees our opponents for the title measuring up.


Here is a full transcript of the interview.


On Manchester United spending money, he said:


'Man United keep the same team basically - they play one game in Asia, I think it


was exactly the same team that played against us at Wembley. So their team is "there" - I think they have two good talents in Nani and Anderson, gives them more options.


'If Tevez goes there, he is one more good player for them to face the season. I think sometimes last season, when Henrik Larsson was gone, when Louis Saha was injured, they were also in a situation where they were always playing with a lone striker. So I think they did their work well.


'They have money to spend, they spend their money. I know when Chelsea were spending lots of money everybody was jumping - I don't jump because other people spend, they can do what they want with their money. They are contenders for the title of course.'


On Liverpool:


'Four seasons with Benitez, they want the Premiership. They don't hide. Benitez, the players, they all speak about getting the Premiership. I think last season was frustrating for them - they win nothing. But they always have a good group, good players, so I think they'll be better.'


On the North London clubs:


'No Thierry, but last season almost no Thierry too. And they have very, very good young players - last season in the Carling Cup with young players was very good.


'Mixed with some important players... William [Gallas], Gilberto, van Persie, Adebayor. I think they bought a couple of good players, so they are there, without pressure, not many people expect them to do it. This can be in favour. They will see what happens but I think in their minds, they think...


'And it's just a personal opinion, but Tottenham. Because they have more players in the England national team than anybody else - all of them belong, I'm not saying to the eleven, but to the first 25, 30 England players. Robinson, King, Dawson, Lennon, Defoe, Bent - a very good group of players.


'They spend money, they kept all the important players they have - even Berbatov, everyone thinking he was going to leave, so Berbatov staying, I think it shows clearly what they want.


'And again, without pressure, I think Tottenham should be there, creating a difficult situation for us.'


On the pressure for Liverpool having spent money:


'I think everybody wants that pressure, because when you have it you have real chances of doing it. You can say the pressure is a bit higher, because in this moment they cannot point at other people, where in other years they could say, "oh, these guys, they spend a lot of money, they have to win".


'This season they have to be with a different speech. They have high responsibilities and high expectations. In the last three years only Chelsea and Man United, so I think


Liverpool... it's a long time they don't win Premiership, so they want [it].


'I heard something in the summer... Gerrard, Carragher, Riise, saying it has to be this season. I think that's normal, positive, I cannot complain with that. Everybody wants - we want too, no problem.


'I can say the pressure is a bit higher because at this moment they cannot point at other clubs spending money whereas years before they could say: "Look at those guys - they spend loads of money. These guys have to win because they spent lots of money".'


'This season they go onto the pitch with a different outlook. They have high responsibilities and high expectations whereas in the last three years only Chelsea and Manchester United have won the title between us.'


On the possibility of a quadruple:


'I keep saying that I don't believe anyone can do it, even when Chelsea was in a position to do it last season, I still didn't think we could do it.


'Manchester United were out of the Carling Cup so even when they were doing well in the Champions League, Premiership and FA Cup they couldn't do it.


'One day it may happen again like it did with Manchester United winning the Treble eight years ago or with Porto four years ago, maybe with other teams in Europe but I don't think it's possible now.'


On who he would bet on for the title:


'You already know my answer. I believe Chelsea has the best players in the world and that's the way I work. I believe to win is to be the best and I will always believe in my players. Who should win the Golden Boot this season? Drogba.


'There will be other players in the frame like Kaka, Ronaldo or Messi, but for me it's Drogba. My players will always be the best players in the world. Who are the candidates to be the best team in the world? Chelsea, always Chelsea. That is my philosophy.


'Everyone has to improve, the club, Jose Mourinho, the players.'

[JWNY]

Keep up the good work on the thread bros...i will continue to be the spokesperson for Chelsea issues at TCSS

JWNY

[Glen2712]

Originally Posted by JWNY

Keep up the good work on the thread bros...i will continue to be the spokesperson for Chelsea issues at TCSS

JWNY

Yes Sir JWNY!

[Glen2712]

Robben saga takes new twist


Arjen Robben's proposed move to Real Madrid took a further twist last night when Chelsea revealed the Dutch winger was omitted from the squad which drew 1-1 with Feyenoord because of a knee injury.


Just hours after Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon claimed the deal hinged on the London club's willingness to do business, Robben was left at home by the Blues as Frank Lampard's leveller enabled Chelsea to keep their unbeaten pre-season record intact.


The Premier League club, winners of the FA and Carling Cups last season, have shrugged off all previous attempts by Madrid to land the Holland international.


Now any proposed deal could be scuppered by the fitness of the 23-year-old winger.


Chelsea assistant boss Steve Clarke confirmed: 'He's got a small problem with his knee. He stayed behind for treatment. It's not major - we've decided to rest him for a week to 10 days, and he'll be fine after that. He's still a Chelsea player.'


Madrid have been closely linked with Robben throughout the summer but have failed to persuade Chelsea to part with the player - even after the Londoners added Lyon winger Florent Malouda to their squad.


Madrid now want to strengthen their own squad still further and have again identified Robben as their key acquisition.


Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich recently insisted Robben would not be sold at any price, but negotiations over a new long-term deal with the player appear to have broken down.


The 23-year-old was in the process of negotiating a new four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, but there are increasingly ominous signs that it is now only a matter of time before Madrid finally get their man.


Calderon said: 'We are advancing in the negotiations. Those responsible are doing it very well, and I hope that it comes to fruition. But until the agreement is closed, we cannot say anything.


'It has to be the selling club who first decides - and once that has happened, I don't suppose there will be any problems resolving the player's contract.'


Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho wants Robben to stay and sign a new deal. But the Dutchman, whose personal affairs are conducted by his father Hans, will move on if the Blues decide it would be better to cut their losses.


Robben has two years remaining on his current deal with Chelsea, but their reluctance to increase his wages on a par with the likes of other stars at Stamford Bridge has frustrated him.


Chelsea remained unbeaten last night following their successful American tour, thanks to a late equaliser against Feyenoord and a penalty save from substitute goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini.


The Dutch side took the lead just before half-time with a header from defender Kevin Hofland - and after Lampard's leveller, Cudicini capped a fine second-half performance with a penalty save from Roy Makaay.


Clarke added: 'Carlo made a couple of good saves. I think that was a bit of justice. It's always good when your goalkeepers are showing good form at this stage of the season.'

[John Terry]

John Terry reporting

[Glen2712]

Originally Posted by John Terry

John Terry reporting

Wah JT, your goal against Club America Damn Solid, Bullet Header! *PIANG*

[Glen2712]

JT SIGNS ON

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce that John Terry has signed a new five-year contract.


The Chelsea and England captain put pen to paper at the Cobham training ground earlier today (Friday, July 27).


Terry said: 'I'm really happy this has now been concluded. There has been a lot of speculation but these things take time and I never had doubts that I wanted to stay at Chelsea and that the club wanted me to stay.


'I hope the fans can see that we are all trying to build something special here, both for now and for the future, and I want to be a part of that. I have been at Chelsea all my career and have the privilege of being captain.


'Now it's time to look forward to the new season which we are all very confident about.'


Terry had just over two years to go on his previous deal, which is now superseded by the new one.


Kenyon said: 'This is an important day for Chelsea. This was the right deal for us and for John. As a club we are committed to try and keep our players together on long term deals and this was a natural progression from last season when other players also committed themselves for the long term.


'As captain, John is clearly a key player for Chelsea and also a great symbol of the club so naturally we are pleased this has been agreed.'


After coming through the youth ranks at Stamford Bridge, Terry made his Blues debut against Aston Villa in October 1998, and he succeeded Marcel Desailly as captain ahead of the 2004-05 season.


He led Jose Mourinho's side to consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 and his determined performances at the heart of the Chelsea defence prompted England manager Steve McClaren to name him skipper upon his appointment last summer.


In all, Terry, 26, has amassed 39 caps for England.

[Glen2712]

[Glen2712]

Does any bros know where to purchase the above Chelsea Training Kit? Been to Queensway and Peninsula, but no luck there. Thanks in advance.

[AmericanExpress]

is that ben sahar?

can try adidas at vivo city? biggest in sinkie if not no choice online

[no_faith]

cannot go vivocity de lah, these type of shops chop ppl head wan.
queensway, a centre of bargain.

guess gonna wait liao.
if not, really LL, go and kana chop.

[Glen2712]

Originally Posted by no_faith

cannot go vivocity de lah, these type of shops chop ppl head wan.
queensway, a centre of bargain.

guess gonna wait liao.
if not, really LL, go and kana chop.

Originally Posted by AmericanExpress

is that ben sahar?

can try adidas at vivo city? biggest in sinkie if not no choice online

Appreciate the help rendered, Many Thanks To You, Bro AmericanExpress and Bro no_faith!

[Glen2712]

Chelsea apply for work permit for Alex

Chelsea have taken a major step forward in their bid to sign Alex by applying for a work permit.


The Brazilian arrived at Heathrow Airport yesterday to discuss personal terms and was cleared to enter the country.


However, after a small delay, he opted to return home voluntarily - scotching suggestions that he had been barred from the UK.


The PSV Eindhoven defender is not yet a Chelsea player and is legally entitled to enter the country to undertake contract talks.


A statement issued by Chelsea said: 'Alex was due to arrive into England yesterday to discuss personal terms.


'Chelsea Football Club are in the process of applying for a work permit for the player in line with normal football and employment procedure.


'At airport immigration there was a request to clarify Alex's current status. All of the paperwork for his entry was in order.


'After an initial delay, he was cleared to enter the country. He chose voluntarily to fly back but will return when necessary.'


However, a Home Office spokesman, while not prepared to discuss individual cases, said: 'We have a duty to ensure that the public are aware of, and have confidence in, the security in place at the border, which is for their protection.


'Visitors to the UK also need to be aware of the presence of immigration officers and that they will be subject to checks before being granted entry to this country.'


Alex is now likely to undergo a hearing in the near future to assess whether or not he meets the criteria for a work permit.


Guidelines require that a player must have played for his country in at least 75% of their competitive `A' games in which he was available for selection, during the two years preceding the date of the application.


Alex is understood to have only played in eight of the 14 Brazilian games he was available for in the last two years and was not selected for the others.

Catch A Glimpse Of Alex Here

Awesome Freekick, Got Nice Right Foot And Attacks Well @ Corners (Just Like JT)