Here comes another short post. So we come to the final league match of the season. I never thought we’d have to play two inconsequential league matches. Well, there is some kind of motivation in the form of unbeaten home league record of 3 years for Chelsea and 5 years for José Mourinho. I’ll be happier if we pull this off, as we’ll be overwriting Liverpool’s record.
Skysports says that Steve Sidwell will undergo his medicals at Chelsea on Monday. While we are not dying to get an attacking midfielder, I’ll be happy if we rope in Sidwell. He’s 25, he’s fast and creative, he has had a great season in England and he can complement players like Joe Cole, Robben, Drogba and Mikel. I’m sure he’ll be a sure success for us next season.
At the risk of losing a record, José has confirmed that he would play Sahar, Hutchinson and Sawyer. I feel sorry for Sinclair that his fifth metatarsal was broken (by wes @#*& brown). After all, we have this Chelsea injury jinx this season. Trivia: Which Chelsea players never got injured this season (so far!)? Not sure if Woods or Mancienne would get some minutes. Drogba and Lampard would be back from rest.
Everton would be missing Johnson, which is good news. Let’s keep this Anichebe guy in check unlike last time. Everton would not have forgotten Drogba’s 87th minute stunner at Goodison Park. I’m planning to come up with a ‘goal of the season’ post later on, where this one too will be a contender.
For all that happened to us in the league this season, we should end this on a positive note. A win will also boost our morale ahead of FA Cup final next weekend (by which time my modem should be back from injury). Tomorrow, a 2-1 is quite probable.
Yeah I think we’ll clinch it quite easily, without too much effort. All my hope is going to keeping West Ham up though, I never thought I’d say that but I’m being a sucker for tevez’s final stand.
Guys is it true that Sidwell is almost certain to join Chelsea….
BTW yesterday I got to watch Barca vs Betis….it was really a treat to watch the midfield display by Barca….I hope Chelsea will also play in same manner this season….
Barca looking for Ronnie’s exit…they are also targeting Lampard…is a swap possible….
i hope Sidwell joins Chelsea. also bring in tevez…ehehehe
Sidwell , hey guys, does anybody have a clip from Sidwell’s performance?, I ‘d like to watch one of his games. I have no idea about him.
Good to hear we are not spending so much this season becos i think this squad is strong and will be much better if kept together. As for sidwell i’ve seen him play and he has a bit of lamps in him, hes an athlete and he’s creative. Hope he fits if he comes though. By the way who do u guys think should be player of the year and young player of the year?
Player of the year–Essien.
Young player of the year–Mikel.
player of the year = Drogba ( for sure )
young = Mikel
Sidwell For chelsea ,,Do you seriously think that he’s gonna get a premiership start with chelsea(with all the “untouchables”).?
Yes I actually think he’ll get atleast a few, i have this feeling that with the in depth quality of the midfield morinho might be more comfortable to rotate and give the big boys rests especially after champions league games to freshen things up. In addition the african cup of nation will give him some time to stake a claim
For player of the year i’ll go for – Essien
Young player of the year John obi Mikel
Player of the year. Either Drogba or Essien will get it. Heck, I’d cut the darn prize in half and let them share it. Obi Mikel will get the young player award. But, how about a few awards that won’t be given (but should be).
Dagger-in-opponent’s heart award= Robben vs. Wigan
Dagger-in-our heart award= A. Cole vs. Reading
As for new players, I can’t say I’ve seen Sidwell. But, Chelsea could use him when we miss Essien and Mikel for a while. I’m more concerned about keeping Robben and keeping him healthy for at least most of next season.
To Cancorus,
/////..i have this feeling that with the in depth quality of the midfield..////
in depth quality in Chelsea midfield!!!!…r u kidding Cancorus….it is our midefield which let us down this season……we are no where close to ManU,Barca or even Arsenal midfield….barring Essien no Chelsea midfield player will get into these teams.
any more news of chelsea bringing in other quality players?
Jose said there won’t be any big spending this summer…so I don’t see any major signings…may be some middle rung players for injury replacements…but no big stars like Villa,Alves,Quaresma,M Richards etc…Sidwell is almost sure, Alex also seems to be a high probability…
Guys, just read somewhere that Drogba has hinted of leaving Chelsea this summer…
hey manish i dont think you are being fair on our midfield comparing them to other teams and claiming most of them cant enter this team or that, the fact that you dont see them in the man u arsenal or barca style of play does not mean they cannot play if they are asked to do so. Chelsea has a style i must admit is not the most attractive but more technical which is harder than bringing out flair and different skills which they have. I still stand on my word chelsea’s midfield is as good as the the best in the world and our midfielders; makalele, mikel, lamps, ballack can play in any team.
Cancorus,Chelsea have a style I know but this style has drawbacks….it can easily get unstuck if opposition is determined for a draw….regarding individual players, Mikel is still a newcomer so one can’t be so sure though he is improving….Maka is not a proper midfield, he is more of a barrier to opposition’s moves….Ballack with his current playing style in no way can enter any of the teams I mentioned….Lampard is too predictable and straight, atleast for me, he can never provide deadly passes like the ones created by Ronaldinho or Messi…..
Alex & Sidwell should come. Glen Johnson will come back from Portsmouth.
We should get Ben Haim too since he is free xfer and has played in EPL.
One Non African striker is must – McCarthy, Crespo.
I read somewhere Inter are planning to send Adriano on loan for Crespo.
McCarthy + Adriano will be a big bonus. Lets see what happens.
McCarthy is South African to the best of my knowledge….
I would rather say bring in Ronaldinho and Deco from Barca….one excellent RB…once decent CB for injury replacement…ship out Boularouhz,Ballack,Lampard, Sheva too if one of Eto/Villa/Torres arrives….play wide and attacking….next season is ours.
Well manish, i agree with u to an extent about lamps, but I think looking technically he is not played to give the killer passes i think he is played for his goals. This brings the case of technicality, Jose plays mikel for he’s passing and quick thinking on the ball to start an attack from defence, so does makelele in addition to hes experience and positioning for interception which is distinct to both of them that non of the other teams really have. I agree the chelsea team does not have build up play as such but with ballack our style suits him with himself and didi’s area ability. By the way im confident we will see a better ballack showing hes killer passes, and an even better mikel with his range of ball distribution. Please give them time and you’ll their indepth quality.