Is Falcao on his way to Chelsea?

The Spanish TV show Punto Pelota has claimed that Falcao will join Chelsea this summer with a suspected fee of 40 million. The exact phrase used by Spanish press is “now negotiating with Chelsea” which should lift supporters spirits amidst this season’s quagmire. The arrival of “The Tiger” will naturally end Torres’ career, who has blatantly become an embarrassment to club and supporter alike. Forgive me for being sentimental but I think all we need now is “The Special One”.

The Brentford assignment was a success – we need more!

The old guard, Frank Lampard and John Terry, as holders dispatched of a resilient Brentford in FA cup replay at the Bridge. After an opener from the talented Mata he provided Lampard’s 199th goal before Terry headed in an 81st minute fourth goal to conjure some cheerless euphoria for the home crowd. With three wins in ten games Benitez has yet to silence the doubtful Chelsea supporters. Benitez will have to improve this ratio in order to fully banish the tag of ‘interim’ manager. This will surely be an insurmountable project with the brooding Chelsea support and the seemingly “toxic” environment at the Bridge left by a smoking gun. The exchanges of the twitter universe suggests an equal, or thereabouts, support for the beleaguered manager but what we need is a total Phoenix resurrection to restore us after the distressing Champions League exit.

Keep The Blue Flag Flying High!

The history of Chelsea FC is indeed the richest and most colourful in the league. The club has turned heads ever since its debut season in 1905 – 06. A northern newspaper placed an excited note in its stop press section: “The Chelsea team are now enjoying a luncheon of roast mutton and dry toast”. Since then the cuisine has become appreciably sophisticated and abundant as well as the additional silverware. It is a tale of glory, highs and lows, the heroes and zeroes, on the pitch and off the terraces:
“They don’t need to be helped, they settled in quite well. Their English is getting very good. I’ve taught Luca a few phrases – they’re all fluent cockneys now, which is good.”
Skipper Dennis Wise on the continental influx (1996)
“I gave Chelsea Fans what they wanted, a dream. And they gave me what I was dreaming of, too. It was a complete relationship, where I was giving and I was receiving. And I think for them it was the same. It was like the best marriage you can have.”
Gianfranco Zola (2003)
“I was in America on holiday, in LA, in a shoe shop. My dad rang me and told me. It’s funny, I remember, it exactly: it was a big thing, a billionaire taking over. But you didn’t know how free-spending he would turn out. I just remember being in a cab with my missus after, and discussing it, a mixture of amazement, happiness and a bit of worry.”
Frank Lampard on the moment Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea (2005)
“I think Chelsea in the last two years have proved that history is to changed, and because of the second title, we are not a Blackburn that was champion once, isolated, and after that is miles and miles away from it. Chelsea is not any more an isolated situation. It’s back to back. And if, in the next five years, we can be a total of three or four times champions, definitely it’s an era where Chelsea becomes powerful.”
Jose Mourinho (2006)

New policy allows Cole to sign new contract

The talented defender is pleased to extend his contract and hopes to win more trophies over the next eighteen months. Abramovich has made it club policy that any players over the age of 30 will be offered one year extensions to their contracts.
Cole, a distant relative of American singer Mariah Carey, is considered by critics and fellow professional players as one of the best of his generation.
“I am pleased I will be starting my eighth season at Chelsea,” Cole said. “I have great memories here and I enjoy coming to training everyday. The staff are amazing and I enjoy training with the lads.”

Could “The Special One” return to the Bridge?

Jose Mourinho has sent regular messages to Roman Abramovich which could possibly hint at a euphoric return to Stamform Bridge. Relations have been restored with the owner and Mourinho has been apparently used as an unofficial consultant regarding tactical matters.
After huge fall outs with Real Madrid’s hierarchy and key players Mourinho is a favourite to replace Benitez after Pep Guardiola joined Bayern Munich. Daily Express revealed that Mourinho’s been in contact with owner Abramovich, senior players and staff “dropping hints” that he wants his job back at the Premier League outfit. It would be of huge interest to any Blues fan if this truly pans out. However, until then supporters have the harrowing chore of deciphering Benitez’s strategy to build momentum.

Moyes as new Chelsea Boss?

Chelsea could possibly appoint Moyes as their next manager after missing out on Pep Guardiola, who was probably deterred by the series of indiscriminate sackings. Moyes has been considered as the next manager as he has yet to commit his future to Everton. His rolling contract expires at the end of the season and he has yet to sign a new one. He had been previously linked with the Tottenham manager’s job and as a possible successor to fellow Scot Sir Alex Ferguson. Benitez’s short term contract could be extended, of course, while former manager Jose Mourinho has been linked with a return to the Bridge with his future at Real Madrid unclear.
David William Moyes was the 2003, 2005 and 2009 League Managers Association Manager of the Year serves on that Committee in an executive capacity as well. When reaching his tenth anniversary at Everton Moyes received praise from many fellow managers including Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger and Kenny Dalglish for his achievements despite operating with a limited budget.
Abramovich has yet to appoint a British manager and most Chelsea fans would warmly embrace Moyes as their new manager if he accepts the offer to overturn this trend of reverse xenophobia. Moyes is current paid 4 million annually according to Everton’s latest accounts making him one of the few Premiere League managers to earn more than the players. The chances of lifting trophies is plainly higher at Stamford Bridge as well as the chances of being sacked.
Abramovich is considered to be contented with Benitez and would probably retain him after the end of the campaign, but accepts that the hostility of the club’s supporters could pose as a serious barrier. Moyes is waiting to see whether Everton are able to hold onto their key players, Marouane Fellaini and Leighton Baines, both of whom have interested Chelsea. The longer Moyes takes to make a decision the more the possibility grows that he could be approached by Chelsea where he could showcase his disciplined stance.

Benitez wants to win every game!

Chelsea has yet to win at home at 2013 and Pep Guardiola’s move to Bayern Munich has obviously left Benitez’s position under serious review. Could Benitez ultimately inspire a total revival within this weary squad? Or could Mourinho be the favourite next season as the next manager on this ridiculous personnel carousel?
Benitez is still confident though that Chelsea could win trophies although they face Arsenal today and will need to overturn a two goal deficit to Swansea in the Capital One Cup on Wednesday. He remains very clear in terms of his aspirations of winning every game and every available trophy.

Is Benitez too stubborn to be adaptable?

Chelsea has only recorded one win in the last 6 matches under Benitez’s reign and were unable to defeat a pugnacious Southampton after a dismal performance in the second half. Dubbed as the “worst Champions League winners ever’ Chelsea also lost to the lowly QPR in a shock result of the year.
The chair of a Chelsea supporters club blamed the poor home results on a lack of confidence due to a “toxic” environment but Benitez thinks otherwise. He stated that when the Blues are away from home they have more space to play but in their home games there is a closer atmosphere meaning Chelsea has to be more precise. Why would this “closer atmosphere” affect the play on the pitch? This brazen statement obviously hints at the state of affairs resident within the management of the Club.
The home game against Arsenal will be affected by the negative impact of the supporters though. A solution does not lie with the supporters changing heart either. Benitez will simply have to deliver on the day by introducing a few creative changes.
Frank Lampard should be awarded a new contract to win over the fans and players. Benitez should experiment with the striking power he has available by playing both Ba and Torres up front. Their high collective work rate could improve our chances of scoring and would definitely invigorate an otherwise dull game. Furthermore, if supporters want to see sensible long term decisions by Abramovich, they should perhaps consider directing their fury at the owner instead of the hapless Benitez.

Filling in the Drogba void

Despite the rejuvenated efforts of Fernando Torres under the wing of Rafael Benitez, Chelsea continue to pursue the world class striker, Radamel Falcao.
The full name Radamel Falcao Garcia Zarate, the name uses Spanish naming customs, the first and paternal name is Garcia and the second and maternal family name is Zarate. He is, however, simply known as Falcao, a name given to him by his father as a tribute to the Brazilian coach Paulo Roberto Falcao, a Columbian striker, who still continues to play for Athletico Madrid in La Liga and represents the national team as well. He is at times nick named El Tigre and King of the Europa League.
Falcao’s most distinct trait aside from his ability to play well with both feet and prominent header skills despite his size would be his impressive goal ratio and astonishingly the goal by minute ratio that exceeds that of the ubiquitous Lionel Messi and Christiano Ronaldo. On 9 December 2012, he performed the amazing feat of scoring 5 goals in one game in a 6-0 drubbing against Deportivo de la Coruna.
A senior representative of Chelsea has reportedly flown to Madrid to hold further talks regarding the acquisition of Radamel Falcao or a possible Gonzalo Higuain in the January transfer window. Marina Granovskaia’s presence in Madrid has also raised speculation that Chelsea might attempt to retrieve the services of Jose Mourinho as the next manager.
Hulk has also been reported to be dissatisfied in Russia and could seek an exit route with Chelsea if interest still exists. Arsenal’s Theo Walcott’s contract will soon expire and Chelsea could possibly be his new home. This could unfortunately mean a probable end of the Sturridge era, however, he has attracted plenty of interest from Liverpool.
If everything else fails Torres will indubitably need to reach his best under Benitez’s reign, with or without any replacement.

Zola dreams of leading Chelsea!

Gianfranco Zola revealed that he is keen to return to the club where he spent seven years during his playing career. In a statement to France Football he said that, “I have been dreaming of becoming a good manager, one who can lead a team like Chelsea.”
“It is only my second coaching experience in a club after West Ham. I still have a lot to do.”
Furthermore, he is really pleased by the plans at Watford and knows how serious the Pozzo family is. It is the ideal place to develop as a coach.

More chances needed for Torres

The double by Torres had been his first goals in the Premier League for two months. Benitez told Sky Sports that, “Torres was always around but we need to create more chances for him because he will always score goals.”
Benitez will now take the European Champions to Japan where they will meet Mexicans Monterray or Ulsan Hyundai of South Korea in Thursday’s World Cup semi-finals. A challenging assignment for the new manager who needs to create a system that is consistent and achieves the agreed lofty heights of this ambitious club.

Why Mikel was banned for abusing Clattenburg

Obi Mikel had been given a three-match ban and a hefty 60 000 pounds fine after admitting a charge of using threatening or abusive language towards referee Mark Clattenburg after the forgettable home defeat by Manchester United in October.
The FA’s Independent Regulatory Commission had found Mikel guilty of the charges relating to an off-the-pitch incident in the official’s changing room. The subsequent riposte was due to the Club’s complaints immediately after the controversial defeat of Clattenburg using “inappropriate language” to two of their players, one of whom was the usually stolid Mikel.
After the FA launched their investigation regarding these allegations Clattenburg was relieved of his official duties in the interim before a decision was to be reached. In fact, Mikel’s ban would have been longer, had it not been for the player’s convictions of legitimate racial abuse suffered on the pitch.
The FA thus stated that:
“The breach of FA Rule E3 was in relation to an incident which occurred in the match official’s changing room at the end of the fixture against Manchester United on 28 October 2012”
“The Regulatory Commission’s independent chairman Christopher Quinlan emphasized that the Independent Regulatory Commission accepted, as did the FA, that at the time he threatened the referee the player genuinely believed that the referee had racially abused.
“But for that factor the suspension would have been significantly longer.”
The evidence for the accusation against Clattenburg had come from team mate Ramires.
The FA then stated that:
“The details of the allegation were that following one or the other of the red cards issued during the second half of the game, Ramires heard Mark Clattenburg say to John Obi Mikel, “shut up you monkey.” John Obi Mikel did not hear the alleged comment.
The added:
“Ramires, whose first language is not English, explained that his instinctive reaction was to seek confirmation from John Obi Mikel as to what the referee had said.”
“John Obi Mikel, who was being spoken to by the referee, was much closer to the referee than Ramires and did not hear what it is suggested was said to him.”
The club had recently issued a statement expressing regret over their inappropriate handling of the allegations. Mikel will be missing the next three games but will be participating in the Club World Cup in Japan. Was this football travesty a consequence of sour grapes perhaps?

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