Newcastle vs Chelsea | 05-May-08 @ 16:00 UK | Blue Champions

Newcastle vs Chelsea | 05-May-08 @ 16:00 UK - [BlueChampion]

Sun, May 4, 2008

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This match at St.James Park is as significant as the first leg of the semi final against Liverpool. Man Utd has already shown that they are up for the challenge with a 4-1 result. I know Man Utd has the goal difference advantage but if we are level points by Monday night, anything could happen on the last day of the league.

Suppose Chelsea beat Newcastle. Imagine this situation. Both Man Utd and Chelsea would kick off their last match of the domestic season at 15:00 UK. When they kick off they know that the next 90 odd minutes would determine the champions. What if one team is drawing at half time and other is leading. The pressure would be too much to handle. Anything could happen. That’s why beating Newcastle tomorrow is very significant.

Once again we have a fully fit complete squad to choose our eleven. I’d play the same eleven that beat Liverpool except that I’d have Essien play in midfield and bring in Belletti for Makelele. At this stage, even one defensive error could have serious consequences. Newcastle have been flying high at home, by their own standards this season. They have not lost a home game since their defeat to Liverpool in March. Michael Owen is on form and has just got his tall into double figures. In terms of motivation, Newcastle can afford to lose this match. The result of this match would have no bearing on their season.

Before we close, some interesting transfer news. There is a widespread rumour that Chelsea is bidding for Messi. And the price is around 80 million pounds. I wish this does not happen. This is outrageous! No players is worth 80 million pounds and I’d even say that this is an insult to the rest of the players. How would we explain the other players that we need a 80 million player?

I like and respect Messi but I believe that his type of game is not sustainable as he grows older. I don’t see Messi as a creative player, he is a incredibly skilled player but not a creative player in the mould of Ronaldinho, Riquelme, Kaka etc. It is believed that Messi’s physical growth is power boosted with some specific medical support. He is also injury prone and with the kind of physical contact in the premier league, there’s no guarantee that he would play a full season. For all this, 80 million pounds? No way. I know it is Roman’s money and he is willing to spend it. But we will only add tons of expectations on ourselves and the player, with such a price tag.

Some good news too. Some websites report that Frank Lampard is all set to sign a new 3-year contract. I hope this is true. With more and more news about the summer exodus at Chelsea, I’m more and more worried. We should be able to retain players like Drogba, Lampard, Terry, Essien, Cech etc who are very key to the Chelsea spirit. It’s important to get the contract signed by Lampard before JM gets himself a job.

In fact, before JM gets a job, the club should conclude on the future of his admirers in the Chelsea team. There is already news that the Barca job was offered to JM but he rejected it because he was not allowed to choose the assistant he wants. We should wrap up the contract stuff soon. Time is running out.

Let’s get back to the match. Surprisingly, Chelsea has not won at St. James Park since 2001. I’m sure it’s going to change tomorrow. My prediction is 2-1 in favour of Chelsea.

Written By BlueChampion

27 Responses For This Post. Add Your Comments Here!

Messi for 80m will be a huge mistake…first, his style needs 2-3 more similar players in attacking line up which we don’t have..secondly,given PL style of play there will be a big concern regarding his fitness and power…
we rather need to reinforce for a RB,2 wingers, a striker and a creative MF….all world class ofcourse….
I prefer Ribery/that Napoli winger(Hamsik if I ma correct),Lahm/Bosingwa/Alves/that PSV RB(can’t recall name),Villa,not sure which MF….

my name is sabrine and i like playre andriy shevchenko

I feel buying Messi for 80 MM would be a mistake.Right from day one, there would be too much expectation created round him .It might be pretty much a Andry Shevchenko story in writing.

Messi is talented,one of the best in the game. But his style and the way he plays does not suit the Chelsea type of game and it is a doubt that he can succeed in the PL.Wish the club expressed a desire to bring Ronaldinho or Kaka instead of spending too much on Messi.I know the Messi transfer is just rumour.But Ronaldinho and Kaka are long time admirer of the PL.Only two or three clubs can buy one of those 2 class players.Most likely Chelsea. But Chelsea has not offered seruois things to Barca.AC Milan has been chasing Roni for a long time.They can have him.But they dont want to pay that Barca want for Roni.Barca has set his price around 40 million.It is not too expensive for Chelsea to buy someone like Ronaldinho.We could pay for him more than that.The only problem may be the player does not want to go to the PL at this time. Also,we have very good players in his position(Messi).I can’t see Messi playing in Chelsea.Pray it will end just the rumour.Looks like SH.W.Phillips is not happy at the club because lack of first team opportunities.He might be going end of the season.It is shame that he is not playing regular football.I always think he has the potential to play good football at good club on regular.

Malouda has not reached the expectations this season. I just want him showing us what he did at Lyon.if he still be the same Malouda next season it will be big mistake that Jose brought him for the cost of Robben.

Also one good news is that Ballack told he wanted to end his career at Chelsea.He has been the best player of Chelsea since he was back in the business in January.The club need his class service.

Hope Lampard will do same as Ballack and extend the contract.I think he already said he wanted to stay and just wanna focus on his football at the time.But will discuss about the contract after the season.

Also who will be the next manager decide lots of things and who is coming or leaving. If Grant continue ,we will buy 3-4 very expensive players and also 3-4 leaving.If someone (Hiddink or Scolari)become the manager,we will see very different Chelsea next season with many new faces.

Anyway, we can beat Newcastle. I just want Grant starts with both Drogba and Ballack.He might want to rest Ashley,Ballack,Makelele or Drogba.But it could cost us.At this stage of competition we have to play with strongest 11 as possbile.

My starting 11 will be:

—————-Cech—————–

–Ferriera–Carvalho–Terry–A.Cole–

—————Mikel—————–

—–Ballack————–Lampard—-

Joe Cole——————–Malouda–

—————Drogba—————-

Bench:Hilario,Alex,Makelele,Essien,Kalou,Shevchenko,Anelka

for the newcastle game, we should try and rst key players like ballack, essien and drogba, our squad is capable of winning 1-0 without them and we need our best, risk free to see off man utd in moscow

as for end of season, an 80m move for messi would see me burn my jersey, not even christiano ronaldo is worth more than 40mil
messi is good, no doubt
but he would not cope in the premier league, he wouldn’t fit into our style of play. he dosn’t do anything differently, just the same old run down he right, skill then cross or shot, he needs to stay in barca ideally, i think he will dip in form given five years, plus he doesn’t speak english

if we want a good dal this summer, we need to avoid big name superstars, i idolise ronaldinho but he would only work for us playing on the wings, we need to shift bridge, pizzaro, schevchenko and ben haim to bring in two wing backs, a left winger, young striker and another young defensive midfielder

we shouldn’t attempt to get all of them but my shopping list would be

phillip lahm (he is leaving germany undoubtedly this summer, good shot, quick, good feet, good buy)

marcelo (real madrid has a lb 17 year old prodigy aside oyston drenthe, get him!)

micah richards(with the purchase of alex and carvahlo starting to become abit more adventurous, we need to put a solid, quick defender in at rb to help out the defensive midfield. micah is solid accross defence, heads well, runs well and is a threat on set pieces)

david silva (valencia’s rising star is only 22, left footed playmaker, tackles, likes central midfield, quick, perfect, should hopefully fill the arjen robben gap malouda and kalou can’t fill.

joao moutinho (sporting lisbons playmaker does it all, young and unknown, get him before man utd)

Moussa Dembele (belgian striker,young, tall, strong, good with his head as well as left footed)

blaise matuidi (young, versatile, strong, good in the air, similar to essien. will blatantly leave france, probably see him at arsenal next season)

then offload pizzaro, scheva, bridge, anelka and ben haim

Joe Cole is suffering a dip in form. His place should be taken up by Essien. The line up tomorrow and the finals should be a 4-4-1-1 formation or 4-4-2 depending on what is needed.

——————-Cech————-

–Paulo/Belleti–Riccy—-Terry—Cole

—————-Maka/Mikel———

–Essien——–Ballack——Lamps—

—————Kalou/Anelka——-

——————-Drogs—————-

Why can’t Grant give Ivanovich even a look in this season? why spend millions on a mature player and leave him in the reserve team? What a man?

Trueplatinum,you have some very good names and young players.

If i am chelsea manager, i will go for this summer’s transfer market with a goal to buy some young talented and class players. List will be like:

1. Diego(Werder): I really really like this guy. He is a fantastic player. He can definetley be the one who can fit for Lamps.(If Lamps leaves)

2. Klaas Huntelaar(Ajax): I am not sure he can be here as successful as he plays in Ajax. But he will score goals. Might be good replacement for Drogba.

3. Van Der Vaart(HSV):Amazing,creative,skillful

4.Mario Gomez(Stutgart): Chelsea interests in him.Our scouts watched him recently.

5. D.Alves(Sevilla):the best right back in the world,attacking minded,class

6.D.Villa(Valencia):no comment

7.Ronaldinho(Barca):I strongly beleive that he would be the best transfer for us this summer.He is the champion.A very good and intresting news just a few minutes ago: “AC Milan president Berlusconi said that the club do not need him anymore. He also said the price Barca want for him is tooo high.We will sign Flamini on Monday.” It means Roni open for any club including Chelsea,Liverpool,Manchester City,or Inter Milan.
Chelsea, Man City and Inter will fight for him. Most likely Chelsea….

Messi for 80mil?
If you believe that ,you’ll believe anything!

@ 7. MourofEssien im asking the same question!! when are we not using Ivanovic i heard he can play anywhere across the back line!!
Ins we should think about.
- LB - Taye Taiwo : very stronge and quick and he takes great free kicks
- Van Der Vaart(HSV): Amazing,creative,skillful
- Mario Gomez(Stuttgart): Chelsea interested in him.Our scouts watched him recently.
- Joao moutinho sporting lisbon’s playmaker looks very interesting
- David silva :this guy can score goals like its nobodies business
- Diego: can be just as good as Roni plus he is younger
- Beloteli: Inter striker, very stonge and quick,
- Ibra: can score goals like its nobodies business
- Rssian players: they are very quick, obedient, physical and great in the air as well as on the ground.
possible Outs:
Pizarro, Sheva, SWP, Maka, Ben Haim, Bridge??, Belleti??, Ferirra?? Carlo

Call me crazy, I don’t think we need much of anyone this offseason.

If Drogba goes, I’d advocate getting a young, strong, reliable striker. But I don’t even know if we need that.

I suggest we offload the excess fat, get some depth and youth. Our starters are pretty fantastic right now. I say Kalou, JCole, Drogba, Ballack, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Ricky, Terry, Cech are all perfect. We could use some youth at LB/RB, and depth at positions that we lose. We have some youth players and reserves we could call up as well.

Why does everyone want huge name players if you’re going to have to kick out one of the above?

My only complaint with Chelsea is that I feel we do not give players enough time to settle in.

@11. MATT good idea……name such as sinclair, Ben Sahar, Dos santo, Gaël Kakuta, Miroslav Stoch….

how about stoch and kakuta in the left wing next season??????????
both are fantasticos and are almost ready 2 b in the first team

Mates,i would like to ask you a question

Will we wear our new home kit tonight considering the fact that Liverpool wore their’s last night?

Derek keane, kits are usually unveiled during home matches..our next home match is next week against bolton and we’ll be wearing it then..

This is my team:

—————–Cech————-
—Essien—Alex—Terry—Bridge–
————–Mikel—————-
——–SWP———-Ballack——-
—J.Cole——————Malouda–
————-Pizzarro—————

Hey guys..Sorry for you, But ManU is going to hit a double this season..
He he..

with ur money u may be able to build a team of stars…..but not a star team like Man UTD..

My team against the Magpies on Bank Holiday Monday:

CECH
BELLETTI-JT(c)-RICCY-ASHLEY
OBI
ESSI-LAMPS-BALLACK
JOEY-DROGS-KALOU

2nd half subs: NICO (DROGS), SHEVA (JOEY). If we are winning: MAKA (BALLACK), If we are losing/level: SWP (BELLETTI) and move Essi at RB.

This is a big match, but our realistic aim should be to do whatever necessary to win the Champions League - as I don’t expect ManU to get beat by a Wigan side who have already survived relegation and is managed by Steve Bruce (although my first preference is undoubtedly the Premiership, as one famous manager said “The League Table never Lies”). Drogs and Joey should not play the entire 90 mins and if possible Ballack as well.

Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Chelsea OR
Newcastle 1-1 Chelsea
[Owen, Essi, Lamps]

Jose Holiday

hope you are fine after storm in myanmar. Havnt heard from you off late?

Messi for 80mil pounds is a joke. We all know that and thats a non-issue. Though he is a one of the best players at what he does on the pitch.

My lineup and prediction

Cech

Belleti
Alex
Terry
Bridge

Mikel
Essien
Lampard

Malouda
JoeCole
Drogba

Subs: Hilario, Anelka, Shevy, Makalele,Ballack and SWP

It is most likely to be a scored draw.
1-1

@BC thanks for putting the transfer question up there…
i think we need a decent winger like quaresma or barry, or sinclair cause i see swp, maluda leaving.
a playmaker would also be nice and i love messi, but not 4x the price of essien!

for newcastle–

Ferriera–Alex-Ric.C–Belleti
———Mikel—–
—-Lampard—-Essien—
———-Joe Cole—–
——Kalou—-Anelka

squeaky bum time!!–

A surprise by Avram Grant.
From chelseafc official website.

Chelsea will line-up in a 4-3-3 formation as follows:

1 Petr Cech
20 Paulo Ferreira
6 Ricardo Carvalho
26 John Terry (c)
18 Wayne Bridge
5 Michael Essien
12 John Mikel Obi
8 Michael Ballack
39 Nicolas Anelka
11 Didier Drogba
15 Florent Malouda

Substitutes: 23 Carlo Cudicini, 33 Alex, 8 Frank Lampard, 10 Joe Cole, 7 Andriy Shevchenko.

Newcastle are expected to line-up in the following 4-3-1-2 formation:

Harper; Beye, Taylor, Faye, José Enrique; Gérémi, Butt, Barton; Owen (c); Viduka, Martins.

Subs: Forster, N’Zogbia, Cacapa, Duff, Smith.

The referee is Steve Bennett.

i dont understand, if Ag wants to play anelka and drogba together, why not stick to a 4-4-2 formation, as we have seen in past matches , a 443 formation with anelka as a winger hasnt really worked,
bad decision for me …

nik, they cannot play together because,anelka & drogba cannot sprint.Anelka is more like playmaker.My prediction,
chelsea 3:1 newcastle
(drogba,lamp,sheva-owen)

yes,we’re win with 2-0.CHELSEAAAAAAAAAAAA

Blue Champions - Chelsea Fan Blog

Newcastle vs Chelsea | 05-May-08 @ 16:00 UK - [BlueChampion]

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