Chelsea F.C [2008-2009]

[pede54]

When we bought Sheva he was carrying an injury left over from the Ukrainian teams World Cup campaign. I don't think he ever recovered from that injury, and I don't think he ever will, as it becomes aggravated with every game that he plays. It will be interesting to see if he passes the medical with Milan.

During his time at Chelsea he has never been fit, and that is the sole reason why his 2 years with us was a wasted 2 years. He had no problem with the type of game played in the EPL. Sheva's a tough enough bloke and wouldn't have been bothered by that at all.

You also don't turn from one of the World's most feared strikers into a "flop" overnight either. His confidence was always being hacked away by the media, calling him a flop and a failure but never mentioning the fact that he was perpetually carrying an injury. I don't think Jose did him any favours either during Sheva's struggle to attain fitness.

So, we took a 30 million quid gamble and it never paid off. It's not a big deal. Its only money, and it would have been awesome if the Sheva signing would have worked out for everyone, but it didn't. We as Chelsea fans should still be proud of the fact that a Legend like Sheva came to us in the first place. It would amaze people how highly he is regarded at Chelsea, by the club and by the fans. Some of that is due to the immense respect that he has earned as a player. Some is simply because he is a nice guy who tried his hardest to become a success at Chelsea. Nobody at Chelsea has anything negative to say about the guy, and I'm happy about that.

It looks like we are a little thin on the ground for strikers, but I think we will cope well enough considering that we have goals coming in from all over the pitch. Our midfield will definately be banging them in all season, and as Niko gets more and more confident he will be doing his bit regularly. We have Drog to return and we have De Santo and Paim. That will do fine.

Scolari has said that getting Robbinho will not guarrantee the EPL title coming to Chelsea. He added that the failure to sign Robbinho will not stop us winning it either. That'll do for me.

Wigan away today. It'll be physical, but they owe us for that last minute Heskey equaliser that cost us 2 points last season. Brucie reckons that Chelsea have forgotton that. We haven't.

Essien and Ballack are back. 3 beautiful points for us please lads.

 

[Jaboldinho]

Deco seems to fit in Chelsea perfectly. 2nd match and already 2 goals.

 

[Mandieta6]

I'm hoping this was a minor wake-up call to those players who thought we'd be facing Portsmouth every match. Still, good to see us taking the 3 points, hope to seem us do better next time.

Btw, could anyone answer my earlier question? How much would a ticket cost for the Arse derby at the end of November, will there be tickets available, can you preorder, etc?

 

[Deni_Rossonero]

Sheva and Pizarro out on loans

It's not a loan, Sheva's move is permanent. (Galliani said something somewhere that he'll sing a 3 or 4 year contract i think)

P.s. Deco is a brilliant player i knew he'd be great for you guys, i'm glad it's working for you guys, and by the way have Essien, Deco, Ballack and Lamps played all together yet? If yes in which formation? If not how do you guys think Gene Heckman will play them?

 

[Filipower]

I hate it that he's doing well for you guys. I hate it that he did well for Barça. I hate it that the Portuguese league is too small for players like him. ****.

 

[Zakov]

Well, I'm not suprised if the whole press jumps all over us after the Wigan result. They are all a bunch of faceless faggots anyway.

Credit to Wigan, I can't remember seeing a team so full of strongly built players, Palacios was a monster in midfield.

As far the pitch, I won't complain since we should know what to expect since they do their rugby games there a few nights before a EPL clash.

Still, if people expect us to play flair football week in week out they're in dreamland, against sides like these u need to grind out results, heck, thats what Liverpool have been doing in the past two matches yet I don't see any journalist with the balls to withstand the wrath of the scousers.

Deni, yer spot on there, he does look like Gene Hackman!! lol

 

[pede54]

Fu<k the press.

6 points from 2 games is all that matters at this stage. Just ask the Man U or Arsenal fans.

Wigan as anticipated, were fit, well coached and up for it. In yer face football once again from Wigan, and it does make it all the more difficult for any team to put a in a fluid performance.

It was still a very solid team performance though, and it was essential to know how Scolari was gonna deal with a team like Wigan. We got the early goal, dropped off a bit and looked for the chances to counter attack, and more importantly to keep a clean sheet and to take all 3 points, and we did that. Not pretty, but solid and effective.

Mikel Obi picking up an injury and withdrawing from the starting 11, was the cause of the change in tactics. Essien had 40 minutes training over the last 10 days, so it was not a surprise to see him struggling only 25 minutes into the first half. It was right to defend as a team to protect that weak spot.

The boys need to get fitter though, because a few of them made some errors late into the game yesterday, that were all due to fatigue. Fitness will improve though so that isn't a problem, as long as we keep winning.

Make no mistake, this is a dream start to the campaign, and everyone knows that whatever they might say.

Nice Deco free kick. What a bargain this guy is. 2 goals in 2 games will do very nicely.

 

[OrgulloVikingo]

I change my mind. After yesterdays attitude during our Super Cup win, I wont support Robinho at all. Hope he works out for you guys. Pre Madonna

 

[Mandieta6]

I think you mean Primadonna? Pre Madonna is actually a good thing to say about someone who I don't think you like very much.

 

[Deni_Rossonero]

We all got what he meant. I do agree Mardid can do just fine witout Robinho who i never liked as a player too much, and i think he's just a little above average, IMO Robben is a better player, VDV too, and Sneijder without a doubt.

 

[Zakov]

I change my mind. After yesterdays attitude during our Super Cup win, I wont support Robinho at all. Hope he works out for you guys. Pre Madonna

Who gives a toss. He hasn't even joined us yet. This could be another case of Dani Alves.

 

[solaimaa]

glad to see deco doing well for you guys! don't you guys think you'll have too many of the same type of player if robinho joins? deco, robinho, ballack, kalou, joe cole, lampard, and even essien, thats a lot of world class players for a few slots. will you be able to keep everyone happy?

 

[Zakov]

will you be able to keep everyone happy?

hmm, thats their wives' job...
seriously, Ballack and Lamps are both 31 and 30, they won't be able to perform on the top of their game week in week out for the coming years, plus I heard in an interview Ballack mentioned he wants to settle down after the World Cup 2010, but he's definitely ending his career with us no questions asked.
i think our young guns(Mikel, Kakuta) should just hang on in there and learn from them while they can, their time will come.

 

[Deisler]

I wouldn't buy into Ballacks loyalty that much though. He has proven to say one thing and do another.

 

[Gene Reginato]

IMO Robben is a better player, VDV too, and Sneijder without a doubt.

Well, while Robinho was fit, they were both in the bench. They only returned to the field because of Robinho and RvN injuries.

Robinho's stats last season, before-injury, were fantastic.

 

[Arnau]

Well, while Robinho was fit, they were both in the bench. They only returned to the field because of Robinho and RvN injuries.

Robinho's stats last season, before-injury, were fantastic.

VS murcia, Almeria or Rayo vallecano, but never play well in important matches.

 

[KingPaulV]

I think the biggest game Robihno had last year against a big team was against Panathinaikos in the Champions in Madrid....and that big two minutes against Recreativo after his injury....but really in some of the other high profile games he wasnt that great...that's just being honest, I just dont think he is cut for the EPL, but time will tell, you know historicaly Brazilian superstarts dont fare well in the EPL, mostly on supplemental roles they do rather well, but when they are the center of attention it doesnt seem to go as well

 

[Gene Reginato]

VS murcia, Almeria or Rayo vallecano, but never play well in important matches.

Who cares?

It's important for the Champions League, but not for EPL. In the leagues all game count.
Plus, in Brazil he played his best games in Finals, so one can say the problem was Real Madrid.

 

[Arnau]

Who cares?

It's important for the Champions League, but not for EPL. In the leagues all game count.
Plus, in Brazil he played his best games in Finals, so one can say the problem was Real Madrid.

yep, for this thing madrid dont pass the 1/8 sinze 2002 or 2003.


and i dont agree EPL is bad for robinho, if he puts on weight 20 kg more can be a machine.

 

[Zakov]

I wouldn't buy into Ballacks loyalty that much though. He has proven to say one thing and do another.

True but the logically he is on the tail end of his career, I think it makes perfect sense for him to settle down after 3 years or so, he got married recently I think....plus in addition to that, I don't think any other club would afford his wages, especially for a 33+ year old....