Did you expect this? At the end of our Asia tour, we have won 5 out of 5 with 12 goals scored and none conceded. I didn’t expect this. I thought we might lose a couple of matches. I thought we would concede some funny goals. This was because I did expect Boas to experiment with his squad and also with his tactics. He did all this and still won all the matches and conceded no goals.

What started as a dour campaign has really taken some momentum and does show some promise for the start of the season. The improvement has been very gradual and it still doesn’t look like the end product. These are still early days for Boas. It’s too early to judge him – positively or negatively. Some think he will be hit and others think he will be a flop. I think he will be a surefire hit. I want him to be. When Boas took the job, he talked about the playing style and he also kept confirming that if he doesn’t win, he has no job here. He also admitted that he’s not going to get a lot of time to settle down. The nature of the Chelsea job is that you start winning and continue winning.

In this pre-season, I think he’s managed to do just that. I don’t think he’s compromised on the result. He’s given opportunities to the whole squad. He’s tried a couple of formations. He’s tried our player in different roles and combinations. Our playing style has improved between the first and last of these five matches but we are winning and we are not conceding.

I think this pre-season results are important in a certain way. We haven’t still made any serious business in the market. And Boas seems very involved in our transfer business. The Chelsea administration thinks it’s very important to wait for the manager to complete his analysis and consult him so the purchases are aligned with the manager’s thoughts and expectations.

I’m not trying to say that the pre-season results might have changed this too much but just imagine the situation if we had drawn two, lost two and won one. In a way, it would have given him more evidence to go to the market. But with 5 wins out of 5 with 12 goals and none conceded with all the experimentations, he’s saying it loud and clear that he means business. That, in my opinion, also could imrpove his confidence with the Chelsea administration while discussing transfers.

Some managers don’t use their purchasing power well. In the last transfer window, we had just won the double but we bought, if I’m right, only Ramires and Benayoun. Having just won the double, Carlo could have really pushed Roman & Gourlay to buy some top players / young talent. He didn’t. He was a different type of manager, or just coach as some have now identified. I don’t think Boas is of that type.

I think our interest in Modric is straight from Boas. I was quite excited when we bid for Modric. Our bids kept failing. We need a playmaker on the pitch. Spurs need a gentleman in their boardroom. Since this is asking for too much we had to look at Pastore. Palermo and this Argentine have chosen PSG over Chelsea. Guess Palermo has gained a lot. Pastore would soon know how much has he lost. Arsenal is after Mata. I don’t know why we’re not. Now we’re back to Modric. An improved bid I hear.

I think Modric would join us sooner or later. He’s handed in a transfer request. They know that they have an unhappy player who told the whole world that their chairman failed on his promise. They’re getting good money from Chelsea. If Chelsea were to come out and announce that we’re no longer interested in Modric and that we would look elsewhere, Spurs must be worried. No £30m in the bank and they have an unhappy player. I don’t think we need to be held at a ransom by Spurs.

Staying on with the topic of playmakers, Chelsea’s own playmaker Josh McE run the show on Saturday against Aston Villa and even found the net. The goal was an opportunistic one. Like they say for every goal, he was in the right place. And for the minute of the match, he was sharp enough to flick it into the goal. By no means, it was an easy goal. There were two defenders and a stretching goalie between Josh and the goal. He did well there.

Boas had said that Josh would play in an attacking role and that he would organise the game for us. That’s a big privilege for the young man. This was the line up that had legends like Lampard. This was the team he was ‘organising’. He was in the action zone all the time. He probably took more touches than many. He exchanged several passes with players from all around him. Made some very interesting passes and moves, including the one to Anelka which he should have scored. Only goes on to confirm what I’ve been shouting loud and clear – Josh is ready for the premier league. Oh well, I thought he was ready last season itself.

And it wasn’t a surprise that Fernando Torres scored. With every match where he doesn’t score, I’m surprised why a top player like Torres is not finding the net. So when he scores, I’m not surprised :) It should be noted that probably Barclays Asia Champions Trophy is the first trophy that Torres has laid his hands in top flight football! Go Nando!

The one that needs to score a hattrick for us is, Ron Gourlay. He had said that he’ll get a brace but so far, he’s given them all a cleansheet. I think he was hopeful of Modric or Pastore when he said that. Now he says few key things (a) no big name sale in this window (b) to discuss with Boas this week on transfers (c) we have a strong squad. Oh yes, we have a strong squad. I won’t say no. It’s just that we need to ‘strengthen’, like Man Utd looks to do season after season. Heard they’re close to signing Sneijder. Gives me sleepless nights. Why can’t we just hijack that deal and land him here at Stamford Bridge?

Pre-season football is not over yet. We still need to play Rangers next weekend, a day before the Manchester derby determines the FA Community Shield champions. Good thing about the Rangers game is that we’re back in the British Isles. More familiar environment and weather before we kick off the premier league.

Here’s hoping we sign a couple of players before I blog again. Cheers!

It’s been pretty decent, this pre-season tour, I must say. We haven’t lost a game. We haven’t conceded a goal. We have scored some goals. We got to see some young players making good contributions. There’s always room to improve but you know what, two good things: (a) the league table hasn’t started ticking (b) we haven’t yet done any serious business the market.

There’s a theory that sooner that we buy players they can get involved from the beginning, in the training sessions and in the pre-season games. The other theory is, getting the right players is more important than which week of the transfer window we’re getting them. I’d go with the latter.

Im very happy with how we’ve progressed so far. Of course we’ve not made big strides but we are work in progress. It would be naive to expect a manager to come in make the difference in 4 weeks. Yes, that’s all the time he’s had with the squad – 4 weeks. The biggest thing he’s achieved in these four weeks is how he got the young players into prominence. Basically, I think Boas is using the pre-season tour perfectly well.

I wonder where all this negativity is from. Some of us are impatient because you don’t see the manager carrying your list. He’s not getting rid of the players that you want out. He’s not going after the players you want to buy. I think this is the reason for the negativity. Some of us had come to the conclusion that the squad needs a complete overhaul. Carlo not being able to get the best out of this squad has contributed to it. Truly, it needs only some key additions and deletions which would make it a very good squad.

Defence needs no change. We have great set of defenders and a good supply line from our reserves/youth. We have enough and more number of quality strikers. We need midfielders and wingers. In addition to who we mostly played in midfield, we now have Josh and Yossi, who are like new signings and we have Oriol Romeu. Plus, we are after Modric and Pastore and looks like we would sign Pastore.

The only problem area is the wings. Depending on what variation of 4-3-3 Boas wants to play, he may or may not need top quality wingers. So far, probably because we dont have the right players, we haven’t seen our ‘wingers’ staying close to the by line or touchline or raining crosses in. Our three forwards seem to play more narrow than the traditional 4-3-3. Keep in mind we are also playing 4-2-3-1 very often. For 4-2-3-1, we have a very good squad plus a possible Pastore.

The Pastore story is not complete yet. When it got to a duel between Chelsea and PSG for Pastore’s signature, many of us thought it will only go Chelsea’s way. We need a little reminding that PSG is now owned by Qatar Investment Agency which is an arm of the Qatar government. And this agency is set up to invest their surplus of $60m. I guess that’s all you want to hear about PSG and if they could afford to sign Pastore.

If Pastore has any ambition and loves good competition, he must choose Chelsea, even if Palermo get a better offer from PSG. I’m still hopeful that we’d sign him. As mentioned before, every time I had the opportunity to watch, he’s disappointed me but I do know that he’s a very good player and just what we need – skill and pace in the middle of the pitch.

Mikel, Lampard, Ramires, Benayoun, Josh, Oriol, Malouda, Pastore? Essien (back in winter) – to choose 5 players from this lot for our midfield is not a tough ask. But it again goes to show we are not talking about an orthodox 4-3-3. That’s the manager’s call. For an orthodox 4-3-3, we don’t have quality wingers but we have time of 4 more weeks to get them. Gourlay said we would sign two more players, so fine. If we play a 4-3-3 and expect only the wing backs to provide width, we have the players and an addition or two will make us very strong.

Does Desailly want the Chelsea job by any chance? His punditry is hurting us. I’m never a big fan of his comments about Chelsea. Yeah he was a Chelsea great but I’m not a fan of his comments. I think he’s still upset that his friend Carlo has been removed from Chelsea. All his comments about Chelsea since Carlo’s sacking have been negative or pressurising. In fact, at times they read like the comments of a Wenger or a Fergie about Chelsea. He says all negative things like Boas is under pressure, if he doesn’t win the players won’t respect him, if he doesn’t win champions league he will be sacked, all such sorts of things. For fuck sake, the new manager is yet to manage his first competitive match for Chelsea.

And Carlo was sacked because he couldn’t get Torres to perform? Bollocks. Which well wisher of Chelsea would like to put pressure on Villas-Boas, Torres and Lampard ahead of the new season? His comments about Lampard is enough for me to decide that Desailly speaks nonsense. His remarks are downright disruptive. Compare his comments with that of Guus. Desailly talks like a headline-grabbing pundit keen to get more assignments. Sorry if I’m beign disrespectful to a Chelsea great. I’m at how he spoke of Lampard the Chelsea legend. Forget the panic button, where is the ‘ignore’ button?

I know Boas is not of the Mourinho mould when it comes to confrontation. When Alfredo di Stefano created similar situations (they were at least reasonable) for Mourinho, he made it clear who the boss is and the issue was resolved. Now they are all pally-pally and all di Stefano now talks about is how the club is in the right direction etc. We might have to do the same thing with Desailly. Otherwise, we run the risk of Desailly being consulted and asked by every news agency on Chelsea related news because he can throw these hot headlines stuff. We have enough pundits running down and ridiculing Chelsea. The last we want is someone from our own camp.

Meanwhile, Josh McE has had the distinction of doing a media conference even before making his first start in premier league. This goes to show how much importance Boas gives to the young players and how he wants to project them. The boy talked very well indeed. He idolises Zidane which explains his style and approach (not ability) to the game. Boas too has confirmed that Josh would be ‘organising’ the play in the Saturday game. I’m mighty pleased.

We play Aston Villa today. After this we play our last pre-season game against Rangers. Probably, these two games will give us a good indication of the Boas’ preferred first choice XI and also his favoured formation. If I’m right, the next matches – against Villa and Rangers – will be played like real competitive matches and hence would be a better indication of how well prepared and ready we are for the start of the premier league.

Personally, I’d set this as the playing eleven for the next two matches:

We didn’t have very challenging opposition but I could see how we are slowly getting better as a unit. The match today would be watched closely for a few reasons. Firstly, it’s some trophy. Secondly, it’s a premier league opposition. Thirdly, this being the penultimate pre-season match, we should be fairly ready. Let’s meet at BC Shout for the live-match chat later today. Some of us will be watching the match live and can give you a live account of our last stages of the preparation for the start of the premier league. See ya!

Where is it, really? Three pre-season matches – poor shows, boring affairs, struggling to create and score, no new attacking manoeuvres, no new playing style – hardly any positives. Are you checking the pre-season progress of our rivals – Liverpool scored 7 goals in a game, Man Utd won 6-0, Ronaldo gets a hattrick in a 3-0 win and even Arsenal won 4-2. And here we are struggling score a legal goal against young Malaysian side!

Well, that’s one side of the story. Since when we started following and worrying about pre-season matches so much? Most of the pre-season affairs are just marketing gimmicks anyway. The seasons that we won the league, were there blinding performances in the pre-season or in the seasons we didn’t win anything, were we terrible in the friendlies? Do these pre-season friendlies have any correlation to the season performance at all?

The way I see it, Pre-season is all about getting some extended practice in a more competitive scenario than your seven-a-sides at Cobham. There are a couple of reasons why they are called friendlies – one, they don’t count, two, the objective is not to win. And you know what, we have won three in three and have conceded none, despite playing in multiple combinations.

I’ll list down the positives that we’ve seen so far:

• Boas seems to be the experimenting and risk-taking type
• All promising youngsters have got nice playing time
• Many, if not all, of our young players have impressed

We really don’t know what instructions were given in the background. Boas might have told them to take it easy on the pitch. We know that the training sessions have been very heavy and tiring. There’s still some work in progress. It was hot and humid at Kuala Lumpur yesterday. It was probably the wrong day to go all the guns blazing.

Plus, Boas is still using 22 players for every friendly match. At no point would you have had a team that had played together before. Basically, an experiment is going on.

If you’d seen the match, you’d know that we really weren’t caring too much about scoring or winning, though we were playing towards the opposition’s goal. It is a shame because it was a sell out crowd of more than 84,000 people and they had to sit through a boring match.

My only concern is Boas said that he would assess the players before he goes to the market. As soon as we return from Asia, we will start talking about the ins and outs. While the training sessions can be great assessment centres for Boas, the performances of players in these pre-season friendlies give you no clear indication or very premature conclusions.

Season after season Man Utd make a bad start in the premier league and goes to win the league. And here we losing sleep over the pre-season friendlies which in summary is three wins out of three with no goals conceded.

We’ve got a new manager. There is some work going on in the background. Boas is busy preparing for the first premier league game at Stoke. In fact, this whole Malaysia tour would be such a distraction for Boas and his coaching team. They might see this as an unwanted travel, commotion and interruption during a well-planned scheme of training and assessment.

This is what Boas said about bringing out the best from all players:

You free them from the limitations that they might have in a different kind of system but, in the end, you make them believe in their qualities and this is the most important thing. For you to exploit the potential of every player to the full, you have to give them a certain amount of freedom, or else they will never test it.

So we encourage them to make better decisions, give them freedom of choice a lot. Once you go towards finding that talent, you can end up with players transcending themselves and doing things they thought they could never do.

Do you think any of these is possible in a matter of few friendlies? Or do you think it would be pretty when it’s work in progress? I don’t think so. Any change in mindset is going to take time. And the early days of the transition phase is not really going to tell us how good or bad the end product will be. So, just chill.

Just two more matches in the Asia tour and our transfer business must start. Despite the lack of activity from Chelsea, I’m not overly concerned. Probably, I’m very confident that we will do the right thing. We have another 40 more days of the transfer window. That’s enough time to sign new players. Like I had said earlier, a number of top players have signed on the last hour and I don’t think we will ever ‘run out of’ good players to sign. So, I’m happy to wait.

This weekend, we have the game against Thailand All Stars and there is also the Copa America finals between the Guay teams. I’d love to see Urugual win it. I was rooting for Diego Forlan in the world cup. He’s a superb player and he deserves to win something big. Plus, with Luiz Suarez having joined Liverpool, his only chance to win a trophy is winning the Copa America. So, Go Uruguay!

Borefest. Tiring 90 minutes of uninspiring football. It’s only the pre-season friendly, I know. We were only supposed get some fitness and practice. This was also meant to be our first chance to try out certain things that were practised in the training ground. I wasn’t expecting us to get a big win or something. I just wanted to see some good football. See this was the opportunity to watch Chelsea live after a long time. I was obviously very excited to watch this match live. the match turned out to be a borefest. Anyway, I can’t be bitching too much about a pre-season friendly and that too the first of them.

Honestly, I don’t like this new kit. There’s too much white in the kit that at some angles, you see more white than blue. Also the blue is very slightly in a different shade that usual. I personally think that this was a bad design for a Chelsea kit.

We played different sets of players in each half. Boas says we played 4-3-3 throughout the match. With no proper wingers on our side, we can’t stretch 4-3-3 any further. I think we got away with this formation because our central midfield was strong. When the midfield gets weaker, lack of proper wingers is very clearly exposed, like yesterday.

The bright spots yesterday were obviously the young players – McE, Bertrand, Kalas, Chalobah, Clifford and van Aanholt. I’m quite happy that Boas gave them a decent run and also is planning to take a lot of them for the Asian tour. We also know that McE and Ryan have signed long term contracts with the club. This is very positive. I don’t know if we’ve bothered to commit young players for such a long period before. Very good sign indeed.

We couldn’t see the Boas brand on our play in this match one. Not that I was expecting a change so early. It’s just a statement of fact. The match was boring. We mostly played like we returned from the holiday only the day before. The lack of chemistry was understandable because we played two teams in each half of unusual composition. For me, the biggest plus was the time the youngsters got and kind of importance they seem to be getting now. I can see this continuing beyond the pre-season friendlies.

Boas’ post match interview was good. He talks in a way that he doesn’t give out too much but at the same touches on key areas. Here is Boas talking about the match.

There are some positive signs and negative signs but mostly positive. We can still reach better quality possession and better speed of circulation of the ball. It is important for us to keep the spaces tight between sectors but the things we do in training are getting into the players’ heads and this is a good sign. These games are about finding new ideas, new spaces and taking new chances.

It was the finding of new ideas, spaces and taking of new chances that weren’t visible. Boas did mention about the negative signs but didn’t explain what they were.

‘Better quality possession’ and ‘better speed of circulation of ball’ – That’s all we’d ever need. That’s all we need to keep working on. Now you see you Boas is going for Modric. Luka Modric is all about quality possession. The inevitable question on transfers was also answered.

It’s pretty obvious that we will go into the market at some time or other, but we won’t make any radical changes. It was important for us to give an opportunity for the fans to see the future of Chelsea with the amount of players they saw on the pitch today. We had a 16-year-old [Chalobah] on the pitch who promises a lot. He’s English, he has a future and these are all things the fans should look at with promise.

That’s one refreshing response. When asked about transfers, he could have said (a) we will go into the market or (b) we have top quality players that won us the double (c) we have a young Chelsea that needs to be used to its potential. I’m very pleased he chose the last option.

Today you saw we adapted Yossi Benayoun’s position in the middle, and also against Wycombe he was marvellous in that position. We know what the situation is with Luka Modric, it is public. We also understand the situation the club has taken, so at the moment we are scanning the markets for anything, not just certain players. But that’s one of the positions that we are looking to strengthen. But I reinforce that today you saw Yossi adapting to his position in the middle, so it’s just a question of finding a solution. If it happens, it happens.

Key messages here too. Read the ‘that’s one of the positions that we are looking to strengthen’. Also what he says is he needs a solution and that doesn’t mean just buying Modric for £30m. He says if Yossi fits in well, he’s got the solution. Basically, he’s trying to convey to Spurs that if you don’t accept the latest offer, we will look for options within.

Chelsea will leave for the Asia tour shortly. I had planned to visit Malaysia just to see this friendly match but the timing wasn’t comfortable. One day, Chelsea will visit India for their pre-season. I’m waiting for that day.

Oh yes! The blog’s gone and got itself a new hair do!

Everything’s going as per the plan. Boas never left us in any doubt. He told us what he wants to do. He’s going exactly as per his checklist. I don’t think he’s in any hurry and looks like he can’t be hurried too.

In his first weeks, he’s already done a number of things some managers take months to do and some managers are too afraid to do. He’s come in and stamped his authority so very well that his lack of experience of his young age are no longer being debated as much as they were a few weeks back. He’s come in and taken decisions and he’s delivered certain things already.

I had written a blog on the official Chelsea FC website last week on the impact Boas has created in the initial few weeks. In my opinion, these are some impressive things he’s done so far.

Sorting the backroom: He’s made it quite clear that he wants his men and the backroom staff would be his appointments. He’s got rid of a couple of them and also replaced with his men. His view seems to be ‘I have a philosophy and objective. In order to deliver my objectives through my philosophy, I need my team and hence I’d hand-pick them’. Sounds about right!

Messages to players: Boas cancelled the first friendly because he wants to meet the players before getting on to the pitch. How cool is that! He has said that there won’t be any activity in the transfer market until he meets every single player in person. He’s also conveyed through the press what he expects of his players. He even went to the extent of saying ‘John Terry will continue to be captain as long as he continues to fight for his place’. He’s given very clear messages that he’s a strong manager and also a considerate one. He’s created quite an impression before he could even shake hands with the players.

Playing to the media: Boas has been very careful with the media. He’s carefully avoided comparisons with Jose Mourinho. He has clearly stated what it takes to be a Chelsea manager and the expectations and the consequences. He’s not said anything controversial yet (apart from the ‘social role models’ which is okay). And, going by the reports so far, the media seems to like him. Of course, we all know that when he’s winning, he’s ‘a young manager’ and when he’s losing, he’s ‘an inexperienced manager’. That’s media for you.

I’m ‘the Boas’: The one thing he has done very cleverly, subtly and sometimes explicitly is displaying his authority. He’s made us believe that he has full control over his support staff, the transfer market and also who plays and how Chelsea would play. Make no mistake, he looks like a very strong manager. He knows where he wants to be. And he also knows how to get there.

Basically, he comes across as a man who knows what he wants and also has the courage to say that and the ways to get it. His display of authority has been quite impressive – getting his men, cancelling a friendly, stalling the transfer efforts and media management.

I know we’re getting a bit restless about not signing any new players or not relieving any of our players. I thought Boas made it very clear. He wants to meet the players first before he makes any decisions on players. So far he’s had only about three days with the players. He needs to talk to the players, understand what their expectations are and see if they have any desire or ability to fit his requirements.

I know most of us had written off certain players as at the end of last season – Anelka, Malouda, Bosingwa, Ferreira to name a few. Looks like we expect these to be shipped off and be replaced with new players. This is of course a presumption. In his assessment of and discussion with the players, Boas could come to a conclusion that some of these players do have a role to play for us in the next season. As soon as Boas said that he’d meet the players before we involve in the market, I’ve come to terms that anything could happen now. Anelka, Malouda etc could all play for another season, might play different roles, might play less or more frequently, might have their contract revised – anything.

We’ve seen this many times. A new manager comes in and revives some of the under-performing players. In his short managerial experience, that’s what Boas is known to have done with the Porto players. So I think he’d like to think that he can do that with some of the Chelsea players too and hence he might want to give himself a chance. Also, it’s only mid-July now. We have time. Yes Madrid have done great business so far. But Jose has managed a season there and he knows what he wants and as soon as the season got over he got going. Same with Fergie too. They must have been waiting for the season to end so they can upgrade their squad.

Whereas we are waiting for the manager’s nod. You know, this is such a positive thing and I think we should be happy. On one side, we want more power be handed over to the manager and on the other side we are in a hurry to jump into the market when the manager is not ready. I must say I’m quite happy that we are hastily concluding any deals because we get some good players in good prices. That’s now how it should be. Boas should assess the squad situation with his philosophy and the club’s ambition and come to a conclusion of who he needs.

If that takes time, I’m willing to wait. Remember, there’s a Copa America that’s going on now. Some of the finest ball players are involved in the Copa. Many talks and negotiations are pending for the Copa to finish. And we may not know if something’s happening in the background without the knowledge of the media. Of late, we have snatched some deals where the media learnt about them quite late, including the appointment of Villas-Boas. So I’m happy to wait. We now have a manager that wants to ‘manage’ than just ‘coach’. We also seem to have developed a desire to empower him and facilitate his plans. Last thing I want to see now is a signing that we debate if that’s a Boas signing or Roman signing. Summary: let’s wait.

The squad has started training with the new manager and the new support staff. And we also have the customary pictures with players and staff with smiles and laughs all around. What still nags me is that we are yet to hear from John Terry about Boas’ appointment. I don’t know why we haven’t seen anything in the club website yet. Doesn’t the club think it’s important enough to report? A new manager has come in and we definitely need to hear from the captain. It could just be the diplomatic nonsense but still let there be some nonsense which is better than silence.

In other news, Essien has injured himself again. And looks like it could be a long lay off. I feel really sorry for him. Last season he was so poor that I badly wanted him to back all guns blazing this season. Bad start. He’s just 28. For the role we might want him to play, his best could still be ahead of him, provided the injury is fully taken care of. As tweeted, I’m keen to see how Boas responds to this. Are we getting a new midfielder to temporarily replace Essien or will Josh McE get some serious playing time?

Oh and Emenalo is our new technical director! Basically, I don’t think Boas was too excited about having Emenalo in his back room. So Emenalo becomes our technical director. The man uttered probably his first words since he joined Chelsea. And I must say, he sounded quite reasonable. But the way he described his role, he kinda made it clear that he is a ‘technical director’ and not a ‘football director’. These terms are used interchangeably these days but the way I see it, football director is about strategy and vision while technical director is more micro type of role.

Copa America is on and Lionel Messi is setting the stage on fire by showing what he can do without his Barca colleagues. Meanwhile, our folks haven’t found too much joy but there’s lot more to go. I’d be supporting Brazil no doubt, which is like our second national team after England. We have a lot of Brazilian/Portuguese flavour in our team already and I have a feeling that it would only increase.

Next weekend we will play our first friendly of the pre-season. That should give us a good introduction to Boas’ style and method. I’d be watching all those matches on Chelsea TV. I’ll be here to report on Boas’ first match for Chelsea. See you!

P.S: This is my first post from my new iPad. I’m loving it!