Big news! Alex gets his work permit. The Chelsea website has also confirmed that he is yet to agree on personal terms and pass a medical at Stamford Bridge. Fair enough. In normal trade parlance, he has effectively joined Chelsea. I don’t see him having any issues at Chelsea over his salary which would surely be better than what he was getting on loan. Also, passing a medical is also more of a formality as he has been playing for Copa America until a month back.

The capture of 25-year old Alex Rodrigo Dias da Costa is a major plus for Chelsea this season. Alex, not Ben Haim, would be the back up for Terry and Carvalho. Ben Haim is a central defender who can also play as right back. Alex does not have this versatility in his game and Ben Haim’s flexibility would find himself playing in right back more often than in Centre back.

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Alex ‘The Tank’, is a very strong and powerful centre back who with his formidable shape and size can give a very uncomfortable feeling for the forwards. He can certainly be a nightmare for those featherweight players, with his ‘Tank’ like presence. As has been realised by many people now, Alex is very good in the air and one of the reasons why started liking him was that header he scored at Emigrants Stadium, right in front of William Galloss’ eyes, which eliminated Arsenil from Champions League last season.

See this video of Rodrigo Alex. The nickname Tank suits him perfectly well. But I’m kind of scared going by such reputations now. We knew what happened to the Cannibal and the Beast in the Premiership. So, for now, I’ll call him only Alex.

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYbtiohVHrQ[/video]

Unless Jose is convinced on the performance and potential of Glen and Paulo, the final piece of the puzzle is still missing. With Daniel Alves making it clear that he wants to leave Sevilla, Chelsea is still in time for a scoop that could upset Fergie. This is the time where we can afford to play more attacking football, with little to worry about the back four and the keeper. Petr Cech on goal is like playing with one extra defender. So, even if we have an attacking full back like Dani Alves and we also allow Ashley Cole to unleash, Cech in goal and Essien as holding midfielder, we are very well protected. Dani Alves could be a very effective proposition.

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In other news, Skysports reports that Lampard would miss the Community Shield match and the first premiership match against Birmingham due to his broken toe. There’s been so much unfortunate hatred towards Lampard after all that he has done so far. I know he’s not been at his best of late (still produced that super pass for the FA Cup final goal). Sometimes, in management of people, you will not drop someone like Lampard just because he did not play up to his normal standards for a few weeks. He’s scored goals, made lots of goals, played as many matches as he could and has been very committed to the club despite interest from Barca. If he cuts our his own shooting frequency, he’d be alright. I personally feel sad that if he does not start the season, but that’s okay, things move on, Mikel gets in. And as I finish this post, there is a denial from Chelsea.

While Peter Kenyon was talking about blooding youth at Chelsea, he let this slip:

What we are doing here is putting in the facilities that will attract the very best footballers – whether it is a Kaka, so that he would be blown away by the facilities – or equally a 12-year-old or a 16-year-old with his parents who know that he is going to be looked after

Kaka? I’m trying to start a rumour to see this end up in the back page of The Sun. But, it is very normal for a CEO to use a big name so loosely? He could have very well stopped at ‘very best footballers’ and moved on. Why should he name Kaka? Strange. At the insane price tag around Kaka’s neck, I would not buy him in a million years (I wouldn’t have bought Sheva too, for that matter!). Ah yes, if you didn’t know already, Real Madrid is rumoured to be preparing for a 90 million euro bid.

And here is a random video for you. You can see Rio Ferdinand playing a prank on Shaun Wright-Phillips. This is really funny. I felt sorry for SWP, seems to be such a nice, naive guy!

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-dRnjDkFjE[/video]

Just like everyone of you, I can’t wait for the game on Sunday. And there is a very high chance that I’d repeat this sentence, until the match actually starts. With available players, I’ve already started to work out on the starting eleven and the formation and all that stuff. Guess who are the favourites to win the Community Shield . . .

[tags]Chelsea, Alex, PSV, Arsenal, Lampard, Kaka, Jose Mourinho, Peter Kenyon, Community Shield, Mikel, Daniel Alves, Sevilla[/tags]