Chelsea FC - Supporters' Rally

[joew2005]

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Chelsea end City's unbeaten run

ManC pressed the self-destruct button as Chelsea ended their unbeaten start 2 the Barclays Premier League season & hauled themselves right back into the title race with a 2-1 victory.

City were in cruise control midway thru the 1st half @ wet & windy Stamford Bridge, looking every inch champions elect as they tormented their opponents.

Mario Balotelli scored inside 2 mins & they shld hv been 2-0 up - seeing a decent penalty appeal turned down in the process - b4 simply losing their way.

Tat allowed Raul Meireles 2 equalise b4 half-time aft which City simply lost the plot, Gael Clichy picking up 2 yellow cards in 11 mins & Joleon Lescott handling in his own box 2 gift Chelsea their winner.

Frank Lampard was the scorer, coming off the bench 2 smash home a penalty which ended new manager Andre Villas-Boas' run of defeats against other big teams & propelling his side to 3rd place, 7 points behind their opponents.

Victory capped a week 2 remember 4 Chelsea - who beat Valencia on Tuesday 2 seal their place in the Champions League last 16 - while defeat sealed a week 2 4get 4 City, who crashed out of the same competition on Wednesday.

They remain favourites 2 win their 1st title for 44 years but will hv 2 cut out the indiscipline which has seen them pick up 3 red cards in their last 6 Premier League games.

There was no recall 4 Lampard 4 wat was another potential do-or-die night 4 Chelsea & Balotelli must hv been fearing the same fate aft breaking a pre-match curfew.

But the Italian's latest antics failed 2 deter Roberto Mancini fr picking a man who had scored on his previous 4 Premier League starts tis season & took just 2 mins 2 do so again.

The goal owed everything 2 the brilliance of Sergio Aguero & a slip fr Branislav Ivanovic.

Aguero received the ball on the right with his back 2 goal, carried it inside fr the right & played in Balotelli, who shrugged off the wrong-footed Ivanovic, rounded Petr Cech & nonchalantly stroked the ball home.

City were tearing in2 Chelsea, forcing errors in their opponents' half, & although the hosts looked 2 hv got a grip when Meireles' drive was deflected over in the 10th minute, they should immediately hv been 2-0 down.

Ashley Cole gave the ball away, allowing Aguero 2 race goalward & leave the recalled Jose Bosingwa in a heap b4 drilling wide.

Bosingwa got away with dangling his leg in the box, prompting David Silva 2 go down, with referee Mark Clattenburg waving away the appeals.

Clattenburg also failed 2 spot an altercation betw Yaya Toure & Juan Mata which might hv seen either player carded, b4 Didier Drogba forced the 1st save of note fr Joe Hart in the 25th minute.

City's workrate had dipped & they paid the price when former academy graduate Daniel Sturridge brilliantly laid on Chelsea's equaliser.

The ball was sprayed 2 the 4ward out on the right & he tricked his way past Clichy & crossed 4 the arriving Meireles 2 crash in2 the net on the volley.

No-1 ran 2 the bench 2 celebrate, putting paid 2 suggestions Chelsea's players had been asked 2.

Clattenburg's yellow card was soon out, with Meireles & Vincent Kompany both booked b4 half-time & Clichy just aft 4 hauling back Sturridge.

The left-back then tripped the onrushing Ramires 2 mins b4 the hour mark 2 earn a deserved 2nd booking & leave City down to 10 men.

Chelsea poured 4ward but Oriol Romeu - who had become increasingly influential - was carded 4 felling Balotelli b4 Kolo Toure was sent on 4 Aguero.

Chelsea introduced Lampard 4 Meireles in the 73rd minute shortly b4 Ramires became the latest player 2 see yellow 4 an ugly tackle on Balotelli.

Silva was then replaced by Nigel de Jong & Drogba was booked 4 going thru the back of Pablo Zabaleta.

Chelsea eventually made the breakthrough 7 mins fr time, aft Lescott handballed. Lampard smashed the penalty straight down the middle & sent Stamford Bridge in2 ecstasy.

Florent Malouda replaced Mata, Edin Dzeko came on 4 Lescott & Sturridge was withdrawn 4 John Obi Mikel - but the game was already up 4 City.

[joew2005]

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AVB: Torres not for sale at any price
December 15, 2011

Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas has rejected reports tat Fernando Torres will be offloaded by the club, insisting his striker is "not 4 sale @ any price, now or in the summer".

Torres, 27, has scored just 5 goals in 35 games since arriving @ Stamford Bridge fr Liverpool 4 a British record fee of £50 million in January & has not started a Premier League game 4 the Blues since their 5-3 home defeat 2 Arsenal in October.

With Didier Drogba emerging as Villas-Boas' favoured striker in recent weeks, speculation had been mounting tat Chelsea were considering selling Torres on for £20 million.

However, the Portuguese manager has rubbished such suggestions, claiming ahead of his side's trip 2 Wigan: "Fernando Torres is not 4 sale @ any price, now or in the summer".

Villas-Boas also let his backing to midfielder Frank Lampard, who like Torres has found himself regularly used as a substitute of late.

The England international has been linked with the likes of LA Galaxy & Real Madrid aft falling behind Raul Meireles & Oriol Romeu in the midfield pecking order, but Villas-Boas said: "Frank Lampard is a player of massive magnitude 2 tis club".


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Porto missing their prince
December 15, 2011

4 an especially urbane, polite & well-raised gentleman, André Villas-Boas has upset alot of people in the last 7 months. 1st he left Porto, aft consistently denying he would countenance a departure fr his hometown club aft just 1 season. Now, the initial charm offensive of his early weeks @ Stamford Bridge has morphed in2 a struggle of attrition with a sceptical media & the overarching influence of entrenched senior players.

While there was great anger in northern Portugal @ the timing & the manner of his exit, tat has now largely subsided, & he is missed. Villas-Boas returned in October 2 attend his former club's annual awards ceremony @ the grand Coliseu do Porto, where he was honoured with the 'Dragão do Ouro' (Golden Dragon) award 4 the most influential clubman of the year. The erstwhile Porto head coach & his wife Joana sat in the front row, a few seats along fr club president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa in the front row - in front of his replacement, & former assistant, Vítor Pereira. The symbolism was lost on nobody.

Ensconced in his shot @ the big time, former Santa Clara coach Pereira should be loving life, with Porto now unbeaten in 51 Liga games - 5 short of Benfica's all-time record of 56, which ran fr October 1976 to August 1978. A yawning 656 days hv passed since they lost 3-0 to Sporting @ the José Alvalade, on February 28 last year, during Jesualdo Ferreira's tenure. Yet instead there is an augmenting swell of doubt tat Pereira can cut it @ the top, with the curious possibility tat he could even be fired without losing a Liga match.

It isn't beyond the boundaries of possibility. Tis, of course, is Portugal, where Sporting fired the late Sir Bobby Robson in late 1993, with the Lisbon club on top of the league. Sporting's then-president, beer magnate José de Souza Cintra, later described the decision 2 sack the Englishman as the "worst mistake of my life" as Sir Bobby went on 2 enjoy huge success @ northern rivals Porto.

Still, poor old Pereira is no Sir Bobby, & looks unlikely 2 lead the Dragons 2 similar success. Pinto da Costa's reasoning in appointing him - less than 24 hours aft Villas-Boas' exit was officialised - was sound. The idea was 2 retain as much of the coaching staff as possible 2 keep the magic alive, & only fitness trainer José Mario Rocha followed Villas-Boas 2 Stamford Bridge. Pereira's appointment also aimed 2 avoid the catalogue of blunders tat followed José Mourinho's far more telegraphed departure in 2004, when Luigi Del Neri was fired without bossing an official game & stop-gap Víctor Fernández was appointed. José Couceiro became Porto's 4th coach in under a year when the Spaniard was given the push in January 2005.

Promoting Pereira was a banker in @ least 1 sense. The players liked him, unlike when the Champions League-winning squad had taken an instant distaste 2 Del Neri. Yet as Portugal's most famous number 2 Carlos Queiroz has consistently proved, there is a world of difference betw a top coach & a top head coach. So far, Pereira is falling way short in his new role.

Quite simply, he lacks authority. Villas-Boas was no dictator @ the Dragão, with Helton, his erstwhile captain @ Porto, describing him as "our friend" in the aftermath of the Europa League final win in May. Yet his word was unquestioned, even in the context of his dressing-room democracy. Brazilian striker Walter told ESPNsoccernet back in April how Villas-Boas had chided him 4 being out of shape in front of the rest of the squad & challenged him 2 find fitness & form, which he did in the closing weeks of the season.

Villas-Boas' Porto team moved in the image of their coach. They were snappy, confident & clear. Although the loss of Europa League record scorer Radamel Falcao was a blow, Pereira arguably has a better squad @ his disposal. Porto spent €43 million in the summer, a transfer window record in Portugal. The likes of Steven Defour & Eliaquim Mangala provide competition 4 the established players, like João Moutinho, Fredy Guarín & Rolando.

Yet if Porto hv been able 2 bluff their way thru most of the Portuguese domestic season so far - dropping just 6 points in the 1st 12 matches - they hv blown their chance of a meaty Champions League comeback. They failed 2 negotiate a group where the waning Shakhtar Donetsk & a jittery Zenit St Petersburg were also stymied by surprise packages APOEL.

A team tat looked so certain last season & is virtually unchanged looked bereft of ideas 2 crack APOEL, which should hv been the least of Porto's problems with the alternatives @ Pereira's disposal. Worse was the lack of heart & discipline 2 come back against Zenit in the 2nd match @ the Petrovskiy.

The questioning of the coach started quickly, with the folly of leaving Walter out of the 25-strong Champions League squad quickly becoming clear. The inexperienced Kléber started well, netting the winner against Shakhtar, but ran aground afterwards, & Porto had no back-up. Walter's guile & knowhow has been missed.

Pereira was lambasted by the Portuguese media 4 claiming tat there was little betw his club & APOEL, & the usually cagey Moutinho also laid bare the doubt in the camp aft the Dragão draw with the Cypriot side. "We're not managing 2 be a team," the Portugal international said. "We can't be so individual. I'm not @ my best, & nor is the team." Such utterances would hv been unimaginable in the ultra-confident Villas-Boas era.

If anything offers Pereira a glimmer of hope it is - paradoxically - the performance in the final Champions League group match, in which his team failed 2 break down Zenit. "It was our best match of the season, collectively," Hulk said aft the game. It showed Porto still hv it in them - but also highlighted Pereira's inability 2 coax it out of them often enough. With Benfica & Sporting resurgent, there will be no hiding place.

[joew2005]

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Villas-Boas open to January sales
December 30, 2011

Manager AVB has refused 2 rule out further January sales @ Chelsea amid reports linking a host of his stars with moves away.

Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda, Salomon Kalou & even Frank Lampard hv been tipped 2 follow Nicolas Anelka - & probably Alex -- out of Stamford Bridge when the transfer window reopens.

And while manager Villas-Boas insisted Chelsea had "no interest'' in selling any1 else next month, he admitted it was possible some1 could leave.

"If any club comes with an interesting offer, we'll hv 2 consider it,'' he said. "But we r proposing 2 take on the challenge of the 6 months ahead with these players.''

Both Malouda & Kalou hv been linked with PSG, who on Friday confirmed former Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti as their new manager.

Drogba, who is also a free agent @ the end of the season, has already rejected a 1-year extension 2 his Blues deal, he & Kalou r less than 2 days away fr being able 2 pen a pre-contract agreement with a rival club. Drogba, who was holding out 4 an additional 2 years, had declared he would not seek a January move.

But his position has reportedly shifted, with the Ivorian having already been made 1 lucrative offer 2 move 2 China, where 3 clubs appear 2 be vying 4 his signature.

Asked if he was 100% sure Drogba would be @ Stamford Bridge when the transfer window closed, Villas-Boas said: "u never know in these cases, becos it gets excited in the market, but I would say yes.''

He added: "January arrives & the player is free 2 start speaking 2 other ppl. It's fair 2 say tat he has tis advantage on his hands, but his integrity & values will not be questioned if he is picked 4 the club.''

Villas-Boas claimed none of his players had asked 2 be allowed 2 leave in January other than Anelka & Alex, who both had transfer requests accepted.



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AVB: Cahill terms yet to be agreed
December 30, 2011

Chelsea boss AVB has suggested the club's move 4 Bolton's Gary Cahill could still hit a stumbling block, with the parties "miles apart" over the player's personal terms aft the 2 clubs agreed a fee believed 2 be in the region of £7 million.

"We're still miles apart regarding agreement with the player," he said, warning the Blues had alternative targets. "We'll continue 2 monitor tis situation as we continue 2 monitor others."

Villas-Boas was confident, however, an agreement would eventually be reached & hailed the qualities Cahill would bring 2 Stamford Bridge.

"Gary has been tis season involved in a fighting struggle with Bolton & a fight 4 position in the league," he said. "I think his technical attributes r immense. His pace is fantastic as well. There r weaknesses & they r also related 2 the collective weaknesses of Bolton.

"He's a player tat @ international level has been playing well. He can add 2 tis squad or any squad in the Premier League."

Villas-Boas revealed midfielder Josh McEachran would not be joining Bolton on loan but could move 2 another club.

Earlier, Bolton manager Owen Coyle had confirmed the club hv agreed a fee with Chelsea 4 Wanderers defender Gary Cahill.

"There has been a fee agreed betw the clubs & we hv now given Gary's representatives permission 2 speak 2 Chelsea," said Coyle, speaking ahead of Bolton's New Year's Eve home clash with Wolves.

"Tat is where we r with it. We obviously hv a game 2morrow & I hv said 2 Gary tat he has 2 be focused on giving everything 4 Bolton Wanderers, becos he knows Bolton Wanderers has been terrific 4 him just as much as Gary has been 4 us.

"Tat is why they hv representatives - 2 sort tat out - & whatever January 1 brings, it will bring."

Cahill is poised 2 replace Alex @ Chelsea, who has set his sights on a move back 2 Brazilian football.

Alex is prepared 2 take a pay cut 2 return home 2 Brazil if a big-$ move 2 the continent fails 2 materialise. Alex, 29, has had a transfer request accepted by the Blues aft failing 2 hold down a regular place in AVB's starting XI.

Along with striker Nicolas Anelka, who is joining Chinese side Shanghai Shenhua in January, Alex has been training separately fr the Chelsea squad, & admits tat barring any surprise bids fr Europe, he expects 2 return 2 his native Brazil, where he started his career with Santos.

"I knew when I asked 4 a transfer I wouldn't get the same salary in Brazil as I get @ Chelsea," Alex was quoted as saying in the Sun. "It will be hard 2 even come close. The Brazilian league is very good. Unless something special comes along I'll go home."

[joew2005]

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Villas-Boas: I fear Chelsea axe
February 28, 2012

Andre Villas-Boas has admitted 4 the 1st time tat he does not know if he has the backing of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.

Throughout wat has been a turbulent 1st season @ the helm, Villas-Boas has maintained he has the full backing of billionaire owner Abramovich but has now confessed tat may not be the case.

Saturday's 3-0 defeat of Bolton ended a miserable run of 5 games without a win but with their Champions League position hanging in the balance following the 1st-leg defeat 2 Napoli & the Premier League title long gone, the pressure remains on the shoulders of the Portuguese who fears he could go the same way as Carlo Ancelotti.

"We r now in the exact same moment as last year," Villas-Boas told Lisbon-based radio station TSF. "It is an exact copy but with a less experienced coach [in charge].

"I know tat, in the Abramovich era, we hv the worst results but I think I hv felt the confidence fr the owner. Let's see if he 1s a change in the club or not. The pattern of behaviour of the owner has led 2 a downfall [of managers] in similar situations, or even 'better' situations.

"Wat will be his reaction? It will be 1 of 2: either a continuation of the project & full support fr abv; or a continuation of the cultural pattern tat has happened b4. We don't know. We don't know if it'll be 2morrow or in 2 years fr now. It'll depend on wat is the understanding of wat is happening @ the moment."

In a move tat is unlikely 2 endear Villas-Boas 2 Chelsea's notoriously trigger happy owner, the Portuguese also compared Fernando Torres 2 former Blues flops Andriy Shevchenko & Mateja Kezman, who like the Spain striker both arrived @ the club with excellent scoring records b4 seeing their goals dry up @ Stamford Bridge.

"We hv been thru the Torres situation b4 with Shevchenko & Kezman," Villas-Boas said. "But Torres' problems may hv also come fr a change of philosophy @ the club."

[joew2005]

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‘Chelsea must get rid of deadwood in playing staff’

The youngest manager in the Premier League era, Andre Villas-Boas has been given the boot, reportedly with a £9 million (S$17 million) compensation package 2 cushion the blow, aft lasting only 8 months in the Chelsea managerial hotseat.

In truth, Villas-Boas never stood a chance. Not in a dressing room dominated by players who r losing their legs (but not their egos), & who seem reluctant or unable 2 carry out their young Portuguese manager's instructions on the field.

Still, the crucial blow 2 Villas-Boas' brief but eventful Chelsea tenure came in his determination 2 reboot & restructure a playing squad tat was creaking & in dire, if not desperate, need of a transformation.

But 4 awhile, it seems as if owner Roman Abramovich was, 4 the 1st time since buying the club in 2003, willing 2 put long-term rebuilding over short-sighted trophy quest, when he steadfastly refused 2 wield the axe. Even when Chelsea's season was disintegrating b4 his own eyes.

But aft backing Villas-Boas - including his decision 2 drop big-name players Michael Essien, Frank Lampard & Ashley Cole in recent matches - & still not seeing results come their way, the Russian billionaire has now been forced 2 act.

His last game was last weekend's embarrassing 1-0 loss 2 West Bromwich Albion tat left Chelsea 3 points behind Arsenal in 5th place.

A statement fr Chelsea read tat Villas-Boas' sacking was due 2 "results & performances of the team" not being good enough.

Most crucially, the statement added tat the results & performances of the players "were showing no signs of improving @ a key time in the season".

But if u read betw the lines, it meant Villas-Boas had lost the support of the dressing room.

But if there is any consolation, it is Villas-Boas is not the only victim of Abramovich's hire-&-fire policy.

If more experienced managers like Jose Mourinho & Luiz Felipe Scolari hv also been sacked by the ruthless Russian, then wat chance has Villas-Boas, a 34-year-old newbie in the managerial game, got?

Now, despite the clamour 4 the likes of Mourinho, Pep Guardiola & even Rafa Benitez 2 be named the new Chelsea manager, wat is more important now 4 the club is 4 Abramovich & his team of generously-paid directors 2 drain out the deadwood among the playing staff.

Tis means if Lampard cannot do a Ryan Giggs & accept he is NOT going 2 start every game, he may be better off elsewhere. Likewise 4 Cole, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba & any other big-headed Chelsea player eager 2 put self b4 club.

Tis is crucial becos it is only with a harmonious & united dressing room can any manager come in & start a proper rebuilding job.

Fail 2 do tat & Chelsea will 4ever remain a club in perpetual chaos.

[joew2005]

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Scolari: Chelsea job will be 'hell'
March 5, 2012

4mer Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari claims the successor 2 sacked Andre Villas-Boas will face "hell" @ Stamford Bridge.

Villas-Boas was axed by Roman Abramovich less than a year in2 his tenure, but he is not alone in being unceremoniously dumped by the Blues' Russian owner.

Scolari went the same way in 2009, while the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant & Carlo Ancelotti were all shown the door by Abramovich.

Roberto Di Matteo has been placed in control of team affairs until the summer, but the search 4 a new boss is already underway - with Josep Guardiola, Rafa Benitez & Mourinho in the frame. And whoever is appointed has been warned of the perils they will face under Abramovich.

"England has clubs like Arsenal, where Arsene Wenger has been 4 several years, yet has won only 2 or 3 championships," Scolari, now in charge of Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, said. "Chelsea's culture is different, but tis move is strange - although it's not so strange 2 me becos of wat I went thru there.

"Some things r known, like the relations with the chairman, who has the relationship with some players b4 the coach.

"Villas-Boas was a champion & he will continue 2 be. He needed 2 replace @ least 7 or 8 players, even since I was there, but he failed.

"It will be hell 4 whoever succeeds him."

However, Ray Wilkins, who was controversially fired as Carlo Ancelotti's assistant @ Chelsea in November 2010, has leapt 2 the defence of the players & the possible role they hv played in the sacking of managers.

"I found the players an absolute delight 2 work with," Wilkins told talkSPORT. "They r a very nice bunch of guys, they r a hard-working bunch &, coupled with tat, they r an extremely talented bunch. We didn't hv a problem.

"I don't think the players swayed the owner. It appears they r looking 4 change @ Chelsea & I just feel they went abt it 2 quickly with AVB.

"2 change wat has been such a force - not only in the Premier League but in European football - overnight, u just can't do tat.

"It takes a gradual adjustment. Chelsea hv gone hammer & tongs @ it & they should hv taken their time in switching over.''

[joew2005]

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Next manager has it easy - Grant
March 6, 2012

Avram Grant says it will be "easy" 4 the man tasked with replacing the axed Andre Villas-Boas @ Chelsea, while the former Blues boss called owner Roman Abramovich "a manager's dream".

Roberto Di Matteo has been appointed interim manager until the end of the season aft Villas-Boas was ousted aft only 8 months in charge on Sunday.

Poor results & a reported fractious relationship with some of Chelsea's senior players lead 2 Villas-Boas' downfall, with the Portuguese becoming the 7th manager of the Abramovich era 2 hv been shown the door @ Stamford Bridge.

Despite the fact Chelsea r looking 4 their 8th manager in 8 years, Grant, who lead the Blues fr September 2007 to May 2008, believes the person given the reins on a permanent basis has nothing 2 fear, insisting it will not be difficult 2 do a better job than the sacked Villas-Boas.

"Whoever takes over fr Alex Ferguson @ ManU, now tat will be a tough job, almost impossible," Grant said in the Sun. "But it will be much easier 2 take over Chelsea now than when I did.

"I had 2 replace Jose Mourinho. He was & still is a massive name @ Chelsea - tat was tough. The writing was on the wall 4 Villas-Boas. Football is a game of results & I like 2 see managers given @ least a year. But even aft 3 or 4 months u can sense the direction in which the team is going.

"When u sign a coach you sign a philosophy. Under Mourinho the team got results. Tis time results were not good neither was the football & when they happen like tat 2gether there is only 1 outcome."

Russian billionaire owner Abramovich has been heavily criticised 4 pulling the trigger 2 readily on his managers, but Grant has defended his previous employer.

"Abramovich is a manager's dream," he said. "When he takes u on he gives u everything u 1. He will spend whatever it takes on the facilities u require, he will sign whatever players he can 4 u.

"We went aft Kaka when I was manager but it was impossible. The price was £80 million. He does not say it in words but when u work 4 him he will do everything 4 u. Every1 was surprised when Villas-Boas got the job. I like him & worked with him when he was a scout @ Chelsea with good ideas & methods.

"Chelsea it is not abt training & playing games & then going home, it is abt so much more than tat. Abramovich does not like sacking managers. But he is passionate abt football & as much as he 1s stability, if he can see the club is not going in the direction he 1s he will act. Even though Arsenal r not getting the best results the club is going in the right direction under Arsene Wenger. Game aft game it was not good @ Chelsea.

"But is Chelsea so much different 2 any other club? Look @ Mick McCarthy @ Wolves. He had proved himself there but still got sacked. All the other Chelsea managers hv been sacked when results r on the way down. I was the only 1 who got sacked when results were improving & tat made me very angry with Abramovich.

"But u could not ask 4 more support when u r the Chelsea manager. He is a positive person. I don't know wat he will be deciding now. But every big name in football is possible 2 manage Chelsea - even Mourinho again."

Grant, now coach @ Partizan Belgrade, also revealed tat a couple of players had a hand in his Stamford Bridge exit, & warned Abramovich not 2 undermine the manager's relationship with his players.

He added: "It is dangerous 4 the owners 2 listen 2 the players. They talk when they r angry & there r always a couple of players who r not happy with the coach. At a club like Chelsea with 27 full internationals how do u keep every1 happy? I know of 2 players who criticised me, not becos they were right but becos they were angry with me. The owners should not listen 2 them.

"You hv 2 respect the players but also know how 2 manage them - it's the same with my wife. It's not wat u ask her but when u ask her tat's important."

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/birm...0499--spt.html

Birmingham City - Chelsea preview: Di Matteo looks 2 avoid FA Cup shock as he takes charge 4 the 1st time

Chelsea begin life without Andre Villas-Boas as they meet Birmingham & Roberto Di Matteo will surely be hoping 2 impress with nothing less than a comprehensive victory over the Championship outfit.
The Italian has jz 2 injuries 2 deal with ahead of the tie @ St Andrew's, with John Terry still recovering fr his knee surgery & Jose Bosingwa out with a hamstring problem.

With jz 3 days since their last fixtures, both sides will no doubt chop & change their teams abt, especially the visitors who r likely 2 allow Michael Essien, Daniel Sturridge, Juan Mata & Ashley Cole a rest in order 2 blood some younger talent. Fernando Torres should also expect 2 start as the Spaniard continues 2 search 4 much-needed confidence.

Keith Fahey faces a late fitness test 4 Chris Hughton’s side, whilst Stephen Carr looks set 2 miss the clash. Wade Elliott, Morgaro Gomis & Nikola Zigic shld start aft spending little or no time on the pitch in the 2-2 draw with Derby County on Saturday.

Birmingham City hv reached the final of the FA Cup twice, in 1931 & 1956, finishing runners-up both times.
Chelsea hv lost 3 of their last 6 games in all competitions, whilst their hosts on Tuesday night hv lost just 1s in the same run.
The winner of tis tie will be awarded £180,000 by the FA & will face Leicester City @ home in a quarter-final tie.
Just 15 clubs took part in the inaugural FA Cup, compared 2 tis season’s 700.
The Premier League outfit hv won 3 of the last 6 against Birmingham, with the Championship side winning just the 1s.
Didier Drogba (pictured right) scored the only goal in the 2007 final against ManU, the last time Chelsea claimed the cup.
The original trophy, which had a value of £20, was stolen following Aston Villa’s victory in the final in 1895 & never recovered.

[joew2005]

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Alex: AVB lacked communication skills
March 7, 2012

4mer Chelsea defender Alex feels Andre Villas-Boas is a coach of "great quality" but tat his poor communication skills led him 2 show Frank Lampard a lack of respect.

Alex, who left Stamford Bridge 2 join Paris Saint Germain in the January transfer window, believes Villas-Boas' personality counted against him in 1 of the most high-pressure jobs in football.

Villas-Boas was sacked by Chelsea on Sunday following a 1-0 defeat by West Bromwich Albion @ the weekend, with the Blues outside the top 4 in the Premier League & on the verge of a Champions League exit aft losing the 1st leg of their last-16 tie 3-1 against Napoli.

And while Alex cannot fault the level of commitment Villas-Boas showed during his time in charge @ Chelsea, the Portuguese was always in trouble when the defeats started racking up.

"It is always like tis: when the results do not show up, the 1 who pays is the coach," Alex told O Jogo. "But Andre is a coach with great quality, as I saw day 2 day in how he worked on every single detail.

"At Chelsea it had already happened several times - the exit of a manager in the middle of the season. It is a big club, where there is enormous pressure 2 win the Champions League. You cannot say tat tis pressure affects the players every day, but perhaps it affects the work of coaches, & don't 4get tat it is a competition tat is difficult 2 win."

However, while he acknowledges the tough nature of the job, Alex believes Villas-Boas did not help himself as he failed 2 communicate effectively with his players.

"Tis situation was being talked abt 4 a while, & in part tat was becos of Andre's behaviour. He is not the kind of person who talks alot - he's a bit closed. Tat's just the way he is."

Alex, who was sent 2 train with the reserves aft handing in a transfer request 2 the club in December along with Nicolas Anelka, feels Villas-Boas tat approach meant Lampard was not shown sufficient respect.

"I saw some comments on Lampard recently and I think he deserved more respect," Alex said. "It is true that a player knows he will sometimes have to stay on the bench, especially after reaching a certain age - that's not a problem - but with his history at the club, where he has spent more than ten years, he deserves a word or an explanation from the manager.

"Fundamentally, it was a question of respect for everything that he represents for Chelsea."

Fellow managers have expressed their sympathy for Villas-Boas in the wake of his departure from Chelsea, questioning the timing, the patience of owner Roman Abramovich and the role that player power had in his dismissal. However, Alex disputes claims that the dressing room could play a significant role in the demise of any manager.

"I think it makes little sense to say that there was a hardcore who did not want Andre to continue. If you look carefully, Terry and Ashley Cole always played; Drogba and even Fernando had lots of opportunities.

"We, the players, often have a habit when things go wrong of blaming the coach, but that's not right. Sometimes things don't go well for the team due to little details, like a lack of luck, or poor form from some of us."

Alex feels that, in his case, things worked out for the best with the move to PSG. "In the end, it was good I had a problem there because I came to a great club and city," he said.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...a-link?cc=4716

Guardiola plays down Chelsea link
March 7, 2012

Barcelona boss Pep Guardiola has laughed off speculation linking him with the manager's job @ Chelsea.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is seeking out a new boss aft dispensing with the svcs of Andre Villas-Boas @ the weekend. Given the stature of Chelsea & the money likely 2 be available, the Blues hv been linked with the cream of the managerial crop - with Guardiola high in the bookmakers' lists.

Guardiola has enjoyed incredible success during his time @ Barcelona, but his future is in doubt as he has only committed to 1-year contracts. Reports in Spain suggest the 41-year-old is considering taking a year-long sabbatical in order 2 avoid burnout @ the end of tis season.

The Spaniard was probed abt his future @ a press conference & he took the opportunity 2 hand journalists some copy.

Asked if there had been any contact, he said sarcastically: "I speak every day with Chelsea.

"Villas-Boas seems like a great coach. The time [managers get] depends on the results, not on our abilities. I'm not capable of judging the reasons 4 his dismissal."

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...helsea?cc=4716

Terry: AVB 'won't be forgotten'
March 18, 2012

John Terry says he will continue 2 stay in contact with Andre Villas-Boas following his sacking as Chelsea manager.

Terry has been in touch with the 34-year-old since he lost his job 2 weeks ago aft barely 8 months in charge. Villas-Boas' fractious relationship with some of his players was 1 of the factors behind his downfall, but Terry was reportedly not among the detractors & believes the Portuguese will be missed @ Stamford Bridge.

"I'm still in contact with him - like alot of players here - & probably will remain tat way," Terry said.

"He won't be forgotten. It's disappointing, really, becos we would hv loved things 2 go on & he had a vision,a plan, unfortunately, tat gets cut short with disappointing performances fr us.

"At the end of the day, we're the 1s out there performing & we weren't performing as well as we could do."

On Tuesday night, Terry branded claims Chelsea's senior players ran the dressing room as "complete nonsense" aft Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny suggested their influence on owner Roman Abramovich led 2 Villas-Boas' demise.

"The perception fr outside is tat there r problems in the football club, senior players run the club, it's controlled by us, we make decisions," said Terry. "It's really not the case & hasn't been since I've been @ the football club.

"Initially, when Roman came in, he spoke 2 the players & wanted advice as he was new 2 football, he took tat on board. Now he's got the right ppl involved & ppl he can rely on without the players, which he does, & they make the decisions."

Fellow veteran Frank Lampard, though, believes Villas-Boas focus on the future cost him in the short-term.

"His plan was long-term," Lampard told The Sun Sunday. "But somewhere in the middle of tat, the present didn't go so well - & that's where the problems came.

"2 be fair 2 AVB, tat was part of the remit & I get tat we need 2 move on & change. But u can't lose sight of the present."

Lampard & Ashley Cole were left out of the side 4 the 1st leg of their Champions League tie against Napoli, which they lost 3-1 in Italy.

Lampard admitted he had told Villas-Boas wat he thought of tat decision, adding: "I wasn't disrespectful. I just told him I thought I should be playing.

"I told him wat I felt & he had no problem with me saying it. I wasn't making a stand. The fact we might not hv seen eye 2 eye was irrelevant 2 me."

Lampard also revealed he had sent a text 2 Villas-Boas aft his departure & received a reply.

"He thanked me 4 being a top professional, which I appreciated,'' Lampard said. "Alot of ppl think the players didn't play 4 him or respond. We did but it just didn't work out."

Roberto Di Matteo has been installed as caretaker manager following the exit of Villas-Boas, which has paid off in spectacular fashion with a hat-trick of wins. Di Matteo insists he has not thought abt taking on the job full-time, claiming he is thinking only abt Chelsea's FA Cup quarter-final tie against Leicester.

"Tat has not crossed my mind 4 1 second," Di Matteo said. "I hv so many things 2 do u can't even imagine. I m focusing just 2 get the team ready 2 the best of my ability 4 Sunday.

"We hv set ourselves the target 4 the season & there doesn't need 2 be any other discussions."

[joew2005]

http://sg.sports.yahoo.com/news/di-m...0211--spt.html

Di Matteo: Chelsea must beat Tottenham to keep Champions League hopes alive

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has admitted his side cannot afford 2 lose Saturday’s London derby against Tottenham if they 1 2 finish in the top 4.

The Blues currently trail Harry Redknapp’s side by 4 points in the fight 4 Champions League qualification & r looking 2 bounce back fr Wednesday night’s 2-1 defeat 2 ManC.

Samir Nasri’s winner condemned Di Matteo 2 his 1st defeat since taking over as caretaker following the departure of Andre Villas-Boas last month but the Italian believes his side’s experience could give them the edge over Spurs.

“The experience factor will definitely play a role becos we hv players who r used 2 playing pressure,” he said.

“The teams r fighting 4 4th spot & we all understand the importance of tat. We 1 2 take advantage of our home form & a win would give us a big lift, but even if we manage 2 just get a draw then we r still in it. If we lose it will be very difficult.”

“It was abit of a setback 4 us on Wednesday but it was a great effort. Any1 who saw the game will know we created alot of problems 4 City so we will take alot of confidence in2 2morrow’s game,” Di Matteo added.

Defender Branislav Ivanovic has groin strain & is a major doubt 2 face Spurs but midfielder Oriol Romeu & captain John Terry r both back fr injury.

And with games against Liverpool, Arsenal & Newcastle among Chelsea’s remaining fixtures, Di Matteo is thankful 2 hv Terry back in the ranks.

“He’s a very influential player 4 us & we’re happy tat he is available again. I’m very pleased,” he said.

“We hv the most difficult fixture list compared 2 the other teams but we hv a good squad & all the resources we need 2 be able 2 challenge 4 4th place.”

[JWNY]

Chelsea brothers and sisters, come to Harry @ Esplanade to watch big FA Cup game

JWNY

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=340950&cc=4716

Drogba seals cup glory, Cech the hero

Didier Drogba became the 1st man 2 score in 4 FA Cup finals as Chelsea overcame Liverpool @ Wembley thanks 2 another massive goal-line controversy.

The Blues appeared 2 be cruising when Drogba scored @ the start of the 2nd half following Ramires' early opener, but the arrival of Andy Carroll turned the game on its head.

The burly Liverpool striker smashed home a superb goal not long aft his arrival, then, with 9 mins left, rose 2 meet Luis Suarez's cross @ the far post. Carroll was convinced he had scored, with Suarez equally certain the ball had crossed the line b4 Petr Cech clawed it back on2 the crossbar.

Linesman Andrew Garratt was not so sure - & those who had the additional advantage of television replays were mostly of the same opinion.

Garratt could not signal the goal, so referee Phil Dowd did not give it.

And 1s another goalbound Carroll effort had been blocked in stoppage time, the Blues were able 2 complete their 4th FA Cup triumph in 6 seasons, & give Roberto Di Matteo his 1st piece of silverware as a manager in wat could turn out 2 be a glorious double against Bayern Munich later tis month.

There was no hint of the drama 2 follow when Ramires became the 1st Brazilian 2 score in tis most prestigious of showpiece occasions.

When he 1st arrived on these shores 2 years ago, Ramires looked 2 slight 2 make an impact in England. Clearly though, he has guts, heart, drive & selfless determination.

If Roy Keane's endeavours 4 ManU in their Champions League semi-final triumph over Juventus in 1999 hv gone down in history, then Ramires' performance in the Nou Camp 12 days ago deserves 2 go alongside it.

The yellow card he picked up means tis will be the only cup final Ramires features in tis season. And wat a mark he made as Juan Mata slipped a pass beyond Jose Enrique.

The Liverpool full-back failed 2 recover his ground, allowing Ramires 2 bear down on the Reds goal.

Jose Reina elected 2 gamble rather than save the actual shot when it was unleashed. Reina chose incorrectly, diving 2 his right, allowing the ball 2 beat him rather embarrassingly @ the near post.

Having fallen behind in both the semi-final against Everton & 2 Cardiff in the Carling Cup final earlier in the season, Liverpool had no need 2 fret.

Wat would probably hv concerned manager Kenny Dalglish rather more was the way his team were outgunned in midfield.

It was not until the half-hour, when Steven Gerrard started 2 get in advanced areas, tat the Merseyside outfit began 2 exert any influence on the game.

By tat time Drogba, Frank Lampard & Salomon Kalou had all wasted half-chances.

Branislav Ivanovic, like Ramires banned fr the Champions League final in Munich on May 19, had done well 2 block a snap-shot fr Craig Bellamy early on.

Tat was Liverpool's only opportunity though, until Suarez rose on the edge of the 6-yard box only 2 nod Jordan Henderson's knock-back wide.

Unfortunately 4 Dalglish's team, their momentum was halted by the half-time break & b4 they could get in2 their stride again, Chelsea had doubled their advantage.

Out of contract in the summer & with Chelsea apparently unwilling 2 offer the 2-year extension he has demanded, Drogba could be in the final throes of his Blues career.

If so, he will leave behind plenty of good memories.

When he found space on the left side of Liverpool's area & rattled a shot thru Martin Skrtel's legs & into the far corner, he was scoring 4 the 8th time in as many Wembley appearances.

It prompted Dalglish in2 making his move, introducing his £35million portion of the £85million worth of striking talent tat had been left on the bench, with Fernando Torres not starting 4 Chelsea.

And Carroll responded immediately, twisting John Terry around superbly inside the area b4 lashing his shot in2 the roof of Cech's goal.

The 4mer Newcastle man then used his power 2 set up the much-maligned Henderson, who drilled a half-volley narrowly wide as those ageing Chelsea legs began 2 creak.

And Liverpool were convinced Carroll had levelled 9 mins fr time when he rose @ the far post 2 power Suarez's cross goalwards.

But the celebrations were cut short as the officials ruled Cech had clawed the ball out b4 it had crossed the line.

Even aft half a dozen replays, there was no clear verdict either way, meaning the linesman, with 1 look, was in an impossible situation.

Carroll carved out 1 more chance, only 4 Terry 2 block, leaving Dalglish 2 reflect on the moment of controversy that denied him.

[joew2005]

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns...e-more?cc=4716

Chelsea the history men once more
May 5, 2012

The managers may change but the story remains the same. Liverpool had hoped 2 finish the season known as the 'cup team', but a glance @ the record books will point 2 Chelsea's resumption of tat role in English football.

Chelsea's 4 FA Cups in 6 years hv come under the leadership of 4 different managers. Stability is 2 be found elsewhere in their ranks. Didier Drogba became a history man, the 1st player 2 score in 4 finals. John Terry has now lifted the famous trophy 4 times 4 the same club, another record. Ashley Cole meanwhile, outstrips them all, having won it 7 times, though 3 of those came as an Arsenal player.

It says much abt the turbulent nature of Chelsea since 2003 tat 4 other bosses hv been in charge under Roman Abramovich & failed 2 win the competition. However, another staple of the club's recent successes in the FA Cup is the latest manager 2 lift it: Roberto Di Matteo twice scored goals tat won the FA Cup 4 Chelsea & now emulates Jose Mourinho, Guus Hiddink & Carlo Ancelotti.

So Liverpool were fighting men with destiny on their side. And they left it 2 late 2 offer them a threat. Chelsea had a 2-goal lead by the time Liverpool woke up 2 the occasion. Andy Carroll almost rescued it, but was not quite enough in a defeat tat will only throw a poor Premier League position in2 sharper focus. A Carling Cup alone is not enough 2 justify a £100-million-plus transfer outlay.

Kenny Dalglish could offer tat his team had fought hard, & with some justification. But tat does not excuse a performance tat did not arrive until hands were forced by Chelsea's 2nd goal.

Dalglish accepted such a verdict. "You cannae lose a 2-goal lead, & expect 2 come back fr tat," he said.

In a season where he has hardly looked happy 2 often, Dalglish's face was a picture of particular desolation. As opposed 2 his usual defiance, an air of resignation was apparent - 2 defeat @ the very least. Questions must surely be asked abt his future @ the helm at Liverpool. Fenway Sports Group may be plucking up the courage 2 consider Dalglish's position if indeed he does not choose 2 take his own leave. A late surge may hv salvaged some pride but it was not converted in2 the silverware tat Liverpool Football Club has been centred around since the 1960s. Season 2011-12 will not be remembered 4 nearly enough positives @ Anfield.

Until the late show, Chelsea looked 2 hv kept much in reserve 4 the Champions League final in Munich. As it was, they left the field knowing they had been in a contest, with their fans anxiously willing on the clock to 95 mins. Ultimately, the cup was won by Petr Cech's clawing away of Carroll's goal-bound header onto the cross bar in the 82nd min. Liverpool players claimed the ball may hv been behind the line b4 Cech got to it, but tis was not 2 be a Martin Atkinson moment. TV pictures were so inconclusive as 2 cast doubt on the concept of video evidence itself. No conclusion means no goal could ever be given.

Dalglish was sportsmanlike abt such a key decision. "Sometimes u get it, sometimes u don't," he said. "I thought it went in but if it hasn't then give the officials wat they deserve, the credit."

Liverpool had found themselves in a deserving position 2. Chelsea's 1st arrived when Ramires burst thru a Liverpool defence tat had opened up all 2 easily. Jose Enrique was shaken off by the powerful running of the Brazilian & Pepe Reina continued wat he admits has been a season rather 2 full of mistakes by being beaten @ his near post.

As against Barcelona, Ramires had been a game-changer. It was a markedly similar run 2 tat in the Nou Camp, though tis time the finish did not hv 2 be quite so spectacular. And unlike Everton, Liverpool were not playing a team in blue with an inferiority complex on an unfamiliar stage.

Liverpool needed Steven Gerrard or Luis Suarez 2 dig them out. As it was, neither star name made enough of an impression when they were required 2 do so. Tat Jay Spearing had initially been his team's prime midfield performer said much, yet he erred when shown a clean pair of heels by Lampard in the move tat set up Didier Drogba's 52nd min goal. He was soon a sacrificial victim when Dalglish threw Andy Carroll in2 the mix.

When a Newcastle United player, Carroll was sometimes compared 2 Didier Drogba & while such a comparison would 1s hv seemed laughable, his 64th min strike could hv been fr the Ivorian's playbook. In shaking off John Terry & then crashing home in2 the roof of the net he confirmed a similar liking 4 Wembley 2 Drogba; tis strike followed a semi-final-winning goal against Everton.

But tis was not 2 be his day. It was Chelsea & Drogba's instead. They hv bigger fish 2 fry in Bavaria but could enjoy tis moment 2.

Di Matteo was soon 2 be found batting away questions abt his suitability 4 a permanent role as Chelsea manager as "irrelevant". "The boss will make the decision," he said of Abramovich. "I m fine with it. I'm a very fortunate person so it's not an issue."

Any decision on Di Matteo's fate as permanent boss is set 2 be decided by events in a fortnight's time in the Allianz Arena. Winning the FA Cup will likely not be enough. Aft all, such an achievement is not so special if u r a Chelsea manager. And tat is a signal of the tight grip tat the club has on the competition.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Branislav Ivanovic.
John Terry will be the headline figure missing in Munich but his defensive partner here may be missed just as much. A series of timely interceptions meant Liverpool were held @ bay when panic stations were being manned.

CHELSEA VERDICT:
They played on the break & sat deep throughout. It was effective when both goals were supplied by quick attacks fr deep positions. They just held on as Liverpool pushed 4 an equaliser but received reward 4 being the better team 4 the majority of the match.

LIVERPOOL VERDICT:
Their 1st half performance mirrored tat of their semi-final with Everton, & they hardly looked much improved aft the break. It took conceding a 2nd 2 produce concerted effort which was praiseworthy, but not quite enough 2 avert disappointment