Friendlies, Matches - Written by BlueChampion on Sunday, July 15, 2007 7:08 | 3,157 Views | 47 Comments | Add Comment
Club America 1 - 2 Chelsea: Malouda Scores!
Okay, so we start with a win. After allowing a goal even before feeling the grass, we just continued from where we left last season by knocking off the opponent with a couple to late strikes. How much ever Jose says about his indifference towards the result of this match, I’m sure he’s got this good feeling that we have won the first game of the season. To start with a loss could be kind of disappointing even if it has no consequence at all. That’s human psyche.
I know [tag]Malouda[/tag] is a good player but I’m not going to jump on my couch that he scored. There was also a certain expensive striker who scored on his debut last season but could not sustain his initial success. So, it’s good that Malouda scored and it should certainly help his confidence and wipe away some adaptation worries. I put his name on the title of this post but that doesnt mean I’m going to increase my expectations by a single strike. Malouda should think that he had a dream start. Playing only in the second half he was instrumental in both the goals, of course scoring one of them.
We started with [tag]Chelsea[/tag] Cech, Johnson, Ben Haim, [tag]Terry[/tag], Cork, Makelele, Sidwell, Lampard, J Cole, [tag]Shevchenko[/tag] and [tag]Robben[/tag]. Jose wanted everyone to feel the ball and hence made 9 subsitiutions at halftime. Therefore, in the second half we had Cudicini, Johnson until 76 mins, Sinclair from 76th minute, Carvalho, Terry, Hutchinson, Essien, Diarra, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Drogba and Kalou. Only player who remained throughout the 90 minutes was John Terry who scored a long overdue goal which tourned out to be the winner. Sheva is back after his surgery and looks very strong and determined. As you could see, Pizarro could not join us as he needed more rest after his participation in the Copa America.
[tag]Club America[/tag] is a good team and in fact, the best in football-crazy Mexico. If you can remember, they were the team Barca beat in the finals of the Club World Cup, or whatever they call it, in 05/06. Still, we can’t make much of this match’s performance but what we take from this match is that at least everyone played and we came out with a win. Now it’s kind of certain that we are reverting to my beloved 4-3-3 for sure. This week, [tag]Jose Mourinho[/tag] said this to convey Malouda is not a replacement for anyone (read Robben):
In my opinion, the best football we have played in the last three years was when Robben and [Damien] Duff were playing together in the same team, so why can’t Robben and Florent play together?
Looks like my prayers have been answered!
There are some curious names there whose performance we would be interested in - Cork, Hutchinson, Sinclair and a bunch of new signings too. I obviously cannot comment about how they played, as I never got to see the match myself. If you want to know these guys played, you can find it here.
Jose is very happy about how the match went. Here is what he had to say about the match, the opposition, Malouda, new kid Jack Cork and our strategy for the match:
I am pleased globally. It was a very good training session. First of all I want to thank Club América because they gave us exactly what we needed - competition but competition with quality, competition with aggression but with fair play. We played a good game - good passing, good movement, not yet sharpness but you could see some movements we have worked on and some dynamic we need. If we play a pre-season friendly in the States and Club América is the opposition, I will be very happy with that.
Malouda did well. In the last period of the game I played him in an inside position to play the kid Sinclair wide on the left and he also showed that he has understanding of that position. We played with four wingers, two in each half and we also played with Shaun [Wright-Phillips] inside. Every time he plays inside with us, he plays very, very well because he makes winger’s runs but instead of in wide positions, in central positions. That gives us something else in the game.When a team has so many good wingers and they produce, and we don’t have injuries, we have to play with them.
We played him with caution but he did well, no mistakes and a good enough understanding with John. Jack Cork played left-back at the start because Bridge will be out for a long time and we are without Ashley Cole for a few more weeks. Ben-Haim is my first option for left-back and I want to give him some games there in the next few weeks. He is player I can trust. We were able to play with two teams today and that was without Ballack, Bridge, Ashley Cole, Mikel, Ferreira and Pizarro. With all those players we will have a very strong squad.
The big news is not Chelsea winning their first match of the season. Jose Mourinho has opened up his mind on various matters in a long interview. We will discuss about it in the next post. Stay tuned to BlueChampions.
47 Comments
1. Mourofsame
2. Cashif
1-0 club A, scored after 4 mins deflected shot
3. SpecialOne
Chelsea 2-1 Club America
Woot! Took our time though, Malouda with a 75th minute goal from a cross from Hutchinson, keeper fluffed it to the feet of the Frenchmen. Then a Terry goal at about 83 minute after free kick from Malouda.
Sheva had a clear cut penalty turned down, I missed bits and pieces but I suppose good start. A little, uhh, disjointed but good promising performance. Sidwell had a great tackle amongst his good perfomance and Ben-Haim and Johnson were strong. Diarra showed he isn’t a right-back, so hopefully means Johnson will play more there. Now another 3 days til Samsung Bluewings!
4. Nima
i was impressed by hutchinson, showed that he was ready to play with the big boys, thought that ben haim and sidwell didnt play to well but johnson and malouda were strong.
5. MR MOUTINHO
I didn’t watch it…any idea where can I watch the video?
6. L
buying Malouda was a big mistake you’ll see…
7. SpecialOne
L, and why would he be a big mistake? You a Man Utd / Liverpool fan? Could explain some things. He showed today he has fit in really well with the team and has some great ball skills. Buying Malouda will be a great move, you’ll see ..
8. varoon
yeah thats rite i think Malouda is a gr8 buy maybe better than other wingers we hav…… chelsea r gonna rock this yr
9. Pino
What was the selection
10. sooraj.....
yup…..hutchinson was very impressive…though i w’d like to see
robben commin to his best….well done maloo..and terry…johnson was also very impressive….
11. SpecialOne
Pino -
First half was:
Cech ; Cork - Terry - Ben-Haim - Johnson ; Lampard - Makelele - Sidwell ; Robben - Shevchenko - J. Cole
Second half was :
Cudicini ; Hutchinson - Terry - Carvalho - Johnson (Sinclair 76) ; Essien - Diarra - Wright-Phillips ; Malouda - Drogba - Kalou
Goals - Malouda (74) , Terry (83)
12. Raging Bull
Thought Johnson was excellent last nite, was a good game even tho the lads were rusty from lack of match practise.. Thought Sheva looked very sharp in 1st half 2 which is a gd sign!!
Gr8 debut for Flo 1 goal & 1 assist sign of things to come..
My MOTM had to be Johnson!
L, have to agree with special one, and add that ur eyes must be painted on!
Up the Chels!!!!!
13. L
I’m a chelsea fan and i said that because I live in france and i have seen him when he played for Lyon. Of course today he scores a goal but against which team….? At Lyon he was not very good too . This is why i said that it was a mistake.
Sorry for my english if there are some mistakes.
14. SpecialOne
But he was named French player of the year for the last couple of years? Sorry for the bad vibe of accusing you, wasn’t my intention now. 
Just sick of people coming in and starting to criticise Chelsea and thought that was what you were trying to do. Anyways, your English is great! 
15. L
thank you
He was named player of the year because other player named were keita, bodmer or elmander. There are no great player in france. Who know this players..lol. But i hope I’m wrong and that he will scor a lot of goal !
16. zubinj9
BC what about BALLACK
why didnt he played
17. blue champion
Zubinj9 - welcome back. How do you like the new look bluechampions? I know you’re one of the old timers around here.
Ballack is undergoing a surgery on his ankle and he is in Germany at the moment. We are still waiting to see if he can play the friendlies in the US.
18. Raging Bull
L, i’ve seen Flo play for France and has always looked good, he also scored 10 goals last season for Lyon, lets hope you r wrong, lol
19. blue champion
Guys! Just updated this post with the goal videos. Believe me, I’ve not seen it myself yet!
20. Maysam
I have not read all posts becasue now is 7:15 AM and I have to go , but
dudes, I hope Molouda plays fantastic for chelsea but it is too soon to judge about him, Club America is not a proficient club and Malouda’s goal does not show anythnig about him , the goal keeper made a childish mistake.
but I say again, I wish he becoms the best player in the world in chelsea and prove I made mistake about him.
21. blue champion
Well, having seen the goals, I agree with Maysam. Malouda’s goal does not show any characteristic about him, except his luck. But his free kick that resulted in a goal was a good delivery. Club America’s goal was a deflected one too. Unfortunate that Cech could not start with a clean sheet.
22. Danski Blue
i agree it wasnt a Flash 30-yard thunderbolt but malouda’s goal does show he has attacking awareness, positioning and can punish errors by defenders/keepers. also his free kick (assist to JT) was impressive, good to see lampard not putting it down and crossing it out for a throw in! i was more than impressed by GLEN JOHNSON, What did i tell you guys!He is our RB remedy!i was a little worried when he was announced as i thort he may not perform in his first game but luckily GJ showed us all how right i was :P hehe only kidding. i hope he goes on to be shining start from our academy! put that in your pipe and smoke it MANURE!!!!
23. Danski Blue
Once more…..COME ON GLEN JOHNSON!!!! haha
24. Redical
how many players from Chelsea were in the PFA team of the year???
25. Nima
Malouda goal was not great but he completly outsmarted the club america defense and unfortunetly outsmarted kalou, who didnt expect the perfect pass which he missed (no offence to kalou, i love the guy), this season unlike last will be more attacking and more exciting, because of the the 4-3-3 instead of the 4-4-2, just watch malouda will fit perfectly
26. Adonis
Well said Danski Blue, it seems you nailed our RB on the head So what I’m guessing is Ferreira didn’t play?
27. Nima
what do you guys think about mourinho signing cannavaro on a free transfer for a year
28. Adonis
We don’t need Cannavaro. He peaked during the world cup, he’s 33, and Terry and Carvalho are better than him at the moment. I’d rather sign Alex. But remember… we don’t need that many CB’s; with Ben Haim and Alex, that’s all.
29. BeL™†
JT is awesome! Great start for the Champions *smiles*
Cheers
Christabel
30. Nima
Adonis, i would also prefer alex but i would still welcome cannavaro to the club perhaps for a one or two year deal but i doubt he would be ahead of carvalho or terry if they were healthy
31. M.G.S To Chelsea
great site, it is my fisrt time to visit this website, i am a real chelsea football club fan, I’m saying thanks to this site owner.
after this time i will be a friend for this website and all chelsea fans here
32. Maysam
CANAVARO , we don’t need him.
Mourinho won’t sign him , even if Canavaro pays chelsea something.
33. Maysam
Today, I watched Brazil Vs. Argentina.
Alex was great, I liked the way he played in this game , solid and confident.
D.Alvez, this is the player who chelsea have desire to buy ? I am not sure but he played and scored , it was my first time watching his game, he was fast , and offensive. he was good too.
Tevez, you guys should have watched Tevez in this game !, nothing ,absolutly nothing.
34. danski blue
i agree the guy was nowhere to be seen, unfortunatly UTD seem to be loosing intrest in him as things are not going their way!typical!!!
35. LDN
I think Cheslsea should definatley have Alex in the Squad, this would strenghten the back line, also I agree with Danski Blue in saying Chelsea have solved the RB position in GJ (What a Performance!!). I am glad to see Drogba and Malouda enjoying themselves playing together again, hopefully this will inspire Drogba’s form, (was slightly peeved off by some of his performances towards the end of last season). I THINK JOE COLE WILL BE THE CHESLSEA PLAYER TO WATCH FOR THE START OF THE SEASON (JOE COLE WILL BE A STORM IN THE PL AND CL).. what do you think??
36. LDN
Man U will not get Tevez !!! Stick with good old Alan Smith!!!
37. Danski Blue
LDN ur right mate, Cole will be darting, spinning, flicking, turning, fliping….iv ran out of ING words now lol either way, i agree. he had a slow come back last year but you cant blame him for that after sitting on the bench for a whole season hes gona be a off the pace! just watching the game iv seen he is picking up his pace and his 1st touch is better than last season! so far im getting very confident about the upcoming season is it to early to start gettin excited???
38. Cashif
Dont get carried away with Glenjo. He’s inconsistent and will need a few years of regular first team action to mature, as well as some backing from the manager…
‘L’ might be right about Malouda… he’s no way near the Robben bracket but I hope I’m proved wrong.
Big Tumbsup to BLUECHAMPION for this top site.
KTBFFH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
39. Adonis
Cannavaro will be a waste if we sign him (WE WON’T!)
I wouldn’t underestimate Tevez, if I were you guys. He’s an amazing player, one of the top twenty in Europe easily. Everyone was so excited about Berbatov last year, but I think he’s even better than Berba.He might have been slowed down by a terrific Brazillian defence and systematic fouling that interrupted the Argentine flow, but he’s immensly dangerous. I’d say if he was on Chelsea he’d certainly challenge Drogba for a starting position.
40. Adonis
And mind you, Tevez is still only 23!!
41. Anonymous
Lampard is king malouda is killa too go chelsea
42. Anonymous
All the premeirship clubs and all club playing champion’s league should be ready to be beaten including man u and arsenl.READY TO LOSS TO GREAT BLUE “UP CHELSEA” JIDE IGBAGBO”
43. WELCOME CHELSEA
WIN ALL THU THE SEASON
44. ABC
malouda will be the star. i’m from france and i know very well about his skills.
45. ABC
he will be the star malouda . .
46. Why Did Chelsea Tour The USA For Friendlies? | Blue Champions - Chelsea Fan Blog
[...] end to end review of Chelsea’s US tour without talking too much what we already discussed here, here and here. While a tour of USA would help the team in the short run, it surely would help the [...]
47. zubinj9
BC this blog is good…
USER FRIENDLY….
Has the time come to talk about COMMUNITY SHIELD.
If so create it soon BC.
ALL THE BEST.
Thankyou for the information about BALLACK.
any news so far on the match? i have heard nothing at all so far
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