BlueChampions - The Blog of the Champions of England!

Back in blue outfit in the premier league mid-week match after a couple of away cup fixtures as Chelsea host Reading in the evening kick off at Stamford Bridge.

Though I like the electric yellow jersey, I have to admit that I feel comfortable to see the Chelsea players in blue. Quite natural, I guess. AG has confirmed that he’s done with the January business with the signings of Anelka, Ivanovic and Franco.

You don’t have to be browsing every news website and refreshing every minute as we get close to the closure of this transfer window. Chelsea are done with the shopping.

I am happy from the squad and we will continue to look but I don’t think we need to rush about these things. We didn’t rush even when we had big, big problems. I never stop looking, even if you have the best team you can always be improved, but I will not stop looking. It’s not easy, because we are looking for the best quality, the best personality, the best attitude and character, so I think it’s difficult with a lot of pressure now, with the money and the media. There is pressure to win, especially at the big clubs, so you need positive personalities. You cannot win always, and to find this combination in one person is not easy. This is the reason I wanted two more players but I didn’t find them for the moment. Di Santo and Ivanovic can help us in the future and a club like us needs to think not about now but also the future.

So Grant still wants two more players to come in but unable to get the right ones. But he can relax. With these three players coming in, I guess we may not need any players anywhere. We have top class players and backups for every role on the pitch.

Talking about the African Cup players from Chelsea, he said:

I am very proud of them, our players. We want them to be with us, but all four players have performed well. Didier was good, Kalou scored an important goal, Essien was the best player on the pitch yesterday and Mikel has played well, so I am proud of this. We want them as soon as possible but they represent their country, they are proud of this, so we understand it will be longer. Again it is a fact, we cannot change it so they are there for the moment and we want them here as soon as possible.

It’s good to see that Grant is positive about the African contingent in Chelsea. I hope this quartet of Drogba, Essien, Mikel and Kalou stay with us for at least another season. That said, Drogba is his own undoing. The next time he says anything about joining Milan or Barca (unless it is a misinterpretation or something) he should be given the boot. Anyone who does not have the passion (anymore) to be with Chelsea should be shown the door.

Did you think Mikel would be back as Nigeria was in the verge of elimination? Wait up, Mikel just scored and set up another for a win that put them through to the next round by goal difference ahead of Mali. Now Mikel would face Essien in the next round. Should be interesting! All Chelsea guys have come up with some scintillating performances so far. Take a quick look at the status of the African Cup.

Just when Franco thought he was dreaming, his dream just got whackier for him. What better can happen for a 18-year old Argentine player, than Diego Maradona shaking hands with him and having a few words with him? He was on the same pitch at the same time as Maradona. I’m sure he won’t forget that day!

Ah! This match against Reading. I nearly forgot where I started. Chelsea have won the last 4 matches and Reading have lost the last 4 matches. After four straight defeats, Reading needs to play at Stamford Bridge. Make it 5, Steve Coppell!

Like Chelsea, Reading are missing some of their players to injury and also some to the African Cup. They are the second poorest defending side in the premier league, conceding 49 goals in 23 matches, that shipping 2 goals per match on an average. If you add the facts that they are playing Chelsea and playing at Stamford Bridge, it could very well be 3-0 or 4-0 for Blues.

Hahnemann is a good keeper. I could see him frustrate us with his incredible saves as he normally wears his turbo boots when he plays Chelsea. Lita is a dangerous striker. He si very powerful young man, who can be even more dangerous in set pieces. Sidwell should get a game not just because he would play against his former club. He had a very good game against Wigan, probably his best for Chelsea. I hope he’s given another chance.

One thing I don’t want to see in this match, is sitting back and hitting them on counterattack. We’re playing at fortress Stamford Bridge and we should play them off the park. I would even take a 1-0, but I want Chelsea to dominate them in the midfield not just in the defence.

My prediction is a high-scoring-clean-sheeter. 3-0 or 4-0.

P.S: How about this for a finish!