First and unbeaten

First and unbeaten 

    Full time: Chelsea 2 Arsenal 0

   As Chelsea kept their third clean sheet in a row, it was a feisty affair at Stamford Bridge. A game of few chances, Chelsea took them all. Firstly, Eden Hazard, dancing away from three challenges before being brought down by Laurent Koscienly in the penalty area. The Belgian dispatched his penalty with ease, sending Wojciech Szczesny the wrong way. After that, Chelsea were composed, confident and calm in their play, allowing Arsenal to have the ball yet limiting them to few chances.

   In the second half, it was of a similar story, Chelsea sat out the game, allowed pressure to come onto them and hit Arsenal with a long ball by Cesc Fabregas (a former Gunner) which was taken brilliantly by goal-machine Diego  Costa, who dispatched beautifully over the Arsenal goalkeeper. Game over.

   The final whistle blew, the game was won by The Blues 2-0 which seemed very comfortable however, as a Blue supporter, I had moments where I thought Chelsea could be in trouble, with Arsenal creating a couple of good chances. The game ended with Chelsea having only 3 shots on target with 5 in total yet, Arsenal, who had 10 shots, could not fire a single shot on target. The pace of Sanchez, Welbeck and later Chamberlain,which could have really worried Chelsea, was nulled by the  defence, Matic and Fabregas. There was simply no room to breath.

 
   Although Cesc Fabregas was awarded Man Of The Match, I believe Oscar had an exceptional game, tracking back, helping the defence, working as a unit and showing attacking threat at the other end too. A lot of praise has to go to the man who hardly gets mentioned and that is, Nemanja Matic. In my previous blogs, I have always produced positive admiration for the Serbian and he was on form again today! He produced a powerful display, clearing up ahead of the back while attempting to move the team forward. He possesses great physicality, good vision and a strong work ethic, and that will be key in the Champions League and the Premier League this season.


   To sum up, Chelsea produced a great win to maintain a 5 point gap at the top of the table and a 9 point lead ahead of Arsenal, who plummet all the way to 8th!  

  

The difference

The difference

   After a lackadaisical start by The Blues, conceding a goal early in the first half, seemed to breach life into Chelsea FC. The comparison can only be made from last season where a standard 2-0 win against Hull City was the start to a trophy-less campaign. A Jose Mourinho-esque win, won comfortably, no goals conceded and a solid yet lacklustre display last year was the typical style of Chelsea Football Club. However, this time around, after seeing big heads depart and bringing in world class players in addition to the maturity of Andre Schurrle, Chelsea won the opening game 3-1 against Burnley. There was an evident hunger in the side. Strong, powerful and physical, Chelsea FC are on top of the pile after one game. This of course, means nothing.
   Jose Mourinho referred back to Cesar Azpilicueta at LB, something that was only seen last season which was very effective, as Chelsea went on to only concede 27 goals in the Barclays Premier League. Burnley, were a team who showed fight and spirit, scoring first with a superb strike from Scott Arfield. Thibaut Courtois (who was making his debut for Chelsea) couldn't prevent it from reaching the back of the net. This seemed to be a wake up call for Chelsea as alarm clocks rang inside their heads. A mere three minutes it took for Chelsea to equalise through another new deubutant Diego Costa. Branislav Ivanovic causing problems, the ball hits the post and kindly deflects to Diego Costa who smashes it home. Diego Costa could have added another if he wasn't controversially taken down and then booked by the referee, Michael Oliver for an apparent dive. Video replays further show that he in fact, was taken down and Chelsea should have been awarded a penalty. The game was 1-1 at the time.
   However, the following goal was pure artistry. 25 passes were played through the move to lead to a fantastic goal by Andre Schurrle, a man who has leaped strides over the past twelve months. A beautiful mazy run by Eden Hazard, who found Branislav Ivanovic and he found yet another new recruit in Cesc Fabregas, who played an exquisite pass to Andre Schurrle to overturn a 1-0 deficit in seven minutes, breathtaking to watch. A friend of mine has ALREADY described it as a contender for goal of the season. A third came twelve minutes before half time from the foot of Branislav Ivanovic, who had a superb game at right back. A great delivery from Cesc Fabregas again, this time from a corner and it found Ivanovic in space, which he really shouldn't have had, to break down a spirited Burnley side.  The second half, Chelsea took the foot off the gas and nulled Burnley to limited chances while creating far less of their own. The game finishing 3-1 to away side (Chelsea) who play another promoted side Leicester City on Saturday 23rd August at Stamford Bridge at 3 pm.
   On a side note, I still believe Chelsea are lacking a back-up striker to Diego Costa. This is the only issue that worries me currently within the squad. There are a vast number of strikers who are available and would cost a reasonable sum. A few names touted around are Loic Remy, Mattia Destro and Wilfred Bony. Personally, Loic Remy will be the cheapest of the three and has had experience at two different Premier League sides. For under £10 million, I would gamble on Loic Remy who has failed a medical at Liverpool. Apart from this little scare, I am optimistic of this new season.

  

One striker bought, one job saved

One striker bought, one job saved

   With the Premier League season fast approaching, I still believe there are one or two signings to be made. Only the end of July, I had thought Chelsea's team was complete. A minimum of two players above average in every position - Thibaut Courtois and Petr Cech, Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta, Eden Hazard and Andre Schurrle etc etc etc. I was feeling very optimistic about the season ahead. 

  

   Now, only a week after, I'm again having a few doubts. Chelsea have sold Romelu Lukaku for £28 million and loaned Ryan Bertrand to Southampton in recent weeks. The LB position needed strengthening this summer with Ashley Cole and Patrick Van Aanholt leaving the club and evidently, Ryan Bertrand not being able to fill the void. Filipe Luis was brought in to solidify and enhance the LB position having played Cesar Azpilicueta, the right back, in unfamiliar territory last term. This time round, I believe Filipe Luis and Nathan Ake will be enough to hold the position with again, Cesar Azpilicueta able to slot in at left back if needs must.


   My doubts come from the striker department - a familiar song sung by the Chelsea faithful. Of the three strikers Chelsea had at the Bridge last term, only one has survived the axe. Demba Ba waved goodbye to England as he headed towards Turkey, in the shape of Besiktas and Samuel Eto'o has been released of his duties. Fernando Torres is the only man standing from striking options of last term. Diego Costa has come in to be the main man at the Bridge this season with the returning hero of Didier Drogba! Now I'm one to be optimistic in situations, but in the unlikely event of Diego Costa being suspended, due to his short fuse or even worse, getting injured, and Didier Drogba in the African Cup of Nations, are Chelsea going to rely on the hardworking but goal shy Fernando Torres? I'm not too impressed.

   I have always been one to give Patrick Bamford the fourth slot as striker in order for him to learn from experienced heads such as Didier Drogba but I can't deny, I'm screaming for one more striking option. Mario Balotelli? Radamel Falcao? Edinson Cavani? Maybe a cheaper option in Loic Remy? Or perhaps the physicality of Wilfred Bony?

   Well in truth, I would prefer a physical player who is used to the Premier League and that only comes from Mario Balotelli or Wilfred Bony although wouldn't disagree with any mentioned above. Even though he failed his Liverpool medical, Loic Remy knows the Premier League, how to score goals and supposedly a small buy-out clause for Top 4 teams, below £10 million if I remember rightly.

   I highly believe that if Chelsea are left with Fernando Torres for a long period of time, Chelsea again finish the season trophyless, Jose Mourinho's name will be a mere memory among Stamford Bridge.

Let's hope Chelsea are ready when they arrive at Turf Moor.



  

Chelsea review

Chelsea review

  As the season draws to a close, the majority of Chelsea fans believed a trophy would be on the cards come May, with The Special One back at the helm. It was not to be a fairy tale ending in his first season back. Knocked out in the penultimate hurdle of the Champions League (semi-final) to Atletico Madrid, ran the Premier League to the wire with a some very questionable results and suffered terrible defeats to Man City in the FA Cup and Sunderland in Capital One Cup.

On a more positive note, Chelsea named their player of the year earlier this week and the candidates are:
- Eden Hazard
- John Terry
- Gary Cahill
- Cesar Azpilicueta

   With every match considered, I would personally like to mention Willian as a contender, who began the season a little rusty but with every match, began to cement his place in the Chelsea starting eleven. His engine is second to none and his passing is also very precise. His amazing off-the-ball work is what has prompted Jose Mourinho to start Willian in most games this season. He is a battery-power bunny. A solid debut season for the Brazilian. An improvement would be for him to work on his dead ball situations. Time and time again, they would be poor deliveries from a corner or a free-kick.
 Another player to consider is Nemanja Matic. Granted, he only arrived back in Jan 2014 for £21 million from Benfica, his contribution has helped a lot in the Premier League and it was evident at times that his powerful, defensive work rate with some key assists and dribbles were missed in the Champions League this campaign. Reminding me of the Road Runner (the cartoon) for some strange reason, his tireless work ethic and steel is exactly what Chelsea needed to solidify the defensive position.
   Having mentioned this, I would pick a top three with ultimately Gary Cahill as the winner, Cesar Azpilicueta in second and Willian in third place.
  Improvements must be made for next season if we are to WIN the Premier League and WIN the Champions League having been eliminated from both at the last hurdle. Firstly, I think John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard should all be given new one-year deals but it doesn't look likely. If they are to be rejected of new deals, I wish them all the best in the latter stages of their careers and hopefully, they'll come back one day.
    A striker is crucial. Romelu Lukaku coming back is very handy and will indeed mean we have a physical target who is hungry for goals however, Chelsea need one or perhaps two more deadly strikers. Diego Costa or at least someone of his calibre is a must and an impact striker in the shape of Javier Hernandez, would benefit the forward line immensely. I think with Ramires going missing in a lot of games this season, someone in the form of Ivan Rakitic wouldn't be a miss to compete for a starting spot next to Nemanja Matic. A left back would be ideal with the thoughts that Ashley Cole has played his last game, Ryan Bertrand out of favour and Cesar Azpilicueta naturally, a right back. Luke Shaw? Alberto Moreno? Felipe Luis? Your guess is as good as mine on this one however, I'd ideally like Luke Shaw who is the youngest, has experience in the Premier League and is also English. Thibaut Courtois and Kurt Zouma should also return to the Chelsea squad.
   Bearing this in mind, the World Cup is next so all these transfers could be scuppered with injuries, sky-high prices and other external factors.
   A solid season for the Blues of London but we need to improve next season if we are to end the season with trophies in the cabinet!

On a small side note:
My friends and I predicted who would win the Champions League in August. Without any hesitation, I immediately said Chelsea, two of my friends had said Bayern Munich which nobody disagreed with and a third friend had said Napoli as an outside bet to win the Champions League. Eliminated in the last sixteen of the Europa League to FC Porto having come third in their Champions League group.

Make or break

Make or break

   Our game against Aston Villa was heart breaking. I think on the whole, a draw was deserved. It was a huge blow and it didn't help that the referee got a fair few decisions wrong.
 
   Having watched the game live on the television and then again on Match Of The Day (football highlights show) I am adamant that Nemanja Matic's goal was wrongly disallowed. There are a few rumours why it was disallowed - for handball or he was offside, neither seem to be the case. It simply wasn't to be.

   The second incident (there are a lot of these in this game) came shortly after. Joe Bennett slides through Ramires as the Chelsea midfielder charges at the goal - for me it was a straight red card. He gets a lot of Ramires, if he doesn't do this, Ramires does have a goal scoring opportunity, I can't see why it wasn't a red card.

   The third controversial decision is Willian's 2nd yellow. Having watched this over and over again, Willian's arm is on Fabian Delph and the Villa man goes down. I don't think he was right to go down, it's not enough for him to fall over, let alone get a 2nd yellow for Willian. Softest yellow card I have seen given to a Chelsea player recently.

  A fourth strange decision soon followed. Ivanovic fouled leading up to what I will describe as an outstanding piece of imagination by Fabian Delph. Why didn't the ref stop the game and dish his yellow to Mr Delph?

   Then a lot of astonishing decisions soon resulted one after the other, in a short space of time. Ramires red card was right - I have to agree, this is an awful challenge and unfortunately, Ramires had to go and will miss a crucial game against Arsenal next Saturday at Stamford Bridge. Shortly after, Mourinho, his backroom staff, Lambert and his backroom staff as well as Gabriel Agbonlahor charge onto the pitch. Jose Mourinho politely (from what I've seen) asks to speak to the ref for 5 seconds. The result is a sending off into the stands. Why? Why only Jose Mourinho? Why not Mr Lambert too? Jose Mourinho also witnessed Gabriel Agbonlahor's arm on Ramires' neck. Where is his red card?

   I wasn't impressed by Mr Foy's management of the game. I also believe football should allow a manager to have one decision which he can challenge in each half and three experts, perhaps two referees and a former player, all have to agree in order for this decision to be overturned.

   After what is likely to be an emotional return in midweek for former Chelsea legend, Didier Drogba, I'm going to look ahead to our London derby with hopefully a Champions League quarter final secured this season. Having narrowly beaten Spurs, Arsenal (Chelsea's next Premier League opponents) now trail The Blues by four points and also have a game in hand. I imagine if Chelsea win against Arsenal, it will derail Arsenal's title credentials for at least a season.

The starting eleven I would choose would be;

Petr Cech - consistent performer, Chelsea's number 1 in recent years and possibly the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

Branislav Ivanovic - always gives his all for Chelsea, on the whole, shows consistency in performance and a solid right back.

John Terry - captain, leader, legend.

Gary Cahill - has been a defensive rock under Jose Mourinho and his partnership with England counterpart, John Terry, hasn't gone unnoticed.

Cesar Azpilicueta  - an amazing season this right back, converted left back is having! Defends and attacks and hopefully, for many more years.

David Luiz (if recovers from injury) - although a liability in defence as he is the last man back, I think he functions effectively in midfield, especially if he has someone like Nemanja Matic alongside him. 

Nemanja Matic - an exceptional purchase in January and extremely pleased to have him back.

Andre Schurrle - very unpredictable. Evidently, can handle the Premier League as shown by his hat trick against Fulham yet lacks a lot of consistency.

Oscar Emboaboa - having gone off the mark recently, he is still an extremely valuable asset in the team.

Eden Hazard - should be given young Player of the Year award. His performances have been unstoppable at times.

Samuel Eto'o - although an ''old granddad'' Samuel Eto'o is showing he still knows where the back of the net is and will be crucial, if Chelsea are to beat Arsenal.

Subs: Schwarzer, Kalas, Mikel, Lampard, Salah, Ba, Torres.

Venue: Chelsea FC v Arsenal FC
           Saturday 22nd March 2014
           12:45pm KO

Attack v defence

Attack v defence

   Manchester City v Chelsea
   Monday 3rd February 2014
   Etihad Stadium
    

   This game is absolutely huge. The team with the best attack scoring 68 Premier League goals against the team with the best defence only conceding 20 Premier League goals. As many of us think, Mourinho will deploy defensive tactics to get a draw, I however see it a little differently. I think City's weakest link is at central defence. Kompany is a world class player but he has no partner on par. I think Mourinho will concentrate on this and I think he will play a defensive tactic at the start but when it gets to the 60th minute, he will send on Salah, who contains a world of pace to threaten to City and perhaps nick a goal, which could give us a vital 3 points to stay within touching distance from top spot.

   Man City have lost Aguero due to injury and he absolutely vital to their team. Dzeko is a fantastic player but he is not Aguero, who adds to City's pace up front. Most people don't have enough positive comments to describe Yaya Toure but what is his primary job as a central defensive midfielder? To defend, cut out attacks, destroy the opponents danger. I don't think he does that well. He is lost up field a lot of times and albeit, he is world class moving forward, like a train steaming to the station, he is not a CDM. His defensive qualities falter and if Manuel Pellegrini plays Fernandinho next to him, Jose Mourinho will know to exploit that area. Fernandinho is almost a carbon copy of Yaya Toure. Attacks very well and his defending is a little better but not credit worthy of being called a CDM. I can however, see why City play both of them in those positions. Where else would they play?

   Furthermore, I believe Manuel Pellegrini will have one eye on the Barcelona game around the corner, which could benefit Chelsea. I also believe that it is unlikely Manchester City will be as ruthless at home as they have been on many occasions this season as Chelsea have a mastermind tactician at the helm - the self proclaimed 'special one' who focuses his teams upon defending well, not pushing the full backs on and making sure his team hold its shape and contain strong organisation.

  I predict this to be Chelsea's line up vs Manchester City;
  4-2-3-1
                   Cech
Ivanovic Cahill Terry Azpilicueta
           Ramires Matic
Hazard      Oscar      Willian
                 Eto'o

Subs: Schwarzer, Cole, Luiz, Mikel, Lampard, Salah, Ba.

   Schurrle to miss out in my opinion as he doesn't contain enough pace to threaten City on the counter attack. On the contrary, he could be on the subs bench and Lampard will miss out but I don't think that looks likely, as Lampard has enough defensive qualities to come on and replace Matic or Ramires and enough attacking traits to come on and pinch a goal. Salah will almost definitely come on to make his debut. Mikel and/or Lampard could also come on.


Whatever happens, this will certainly be an interesting and intense football game for any football spectator.    

Adios Juan Mata

Adios Juan Mata

    

   He came, he saw, he conquered, he left. On the 24th January 2014, Jose Mourinho confirmed that 2 time Chelsea player of the year Juan Mata, will have a medical on the same day. Mr Mourinho had this to say ''the offer we've received we feel is the right offer for the quality of player.'' Jose also stated that Juan Mata was unhappy and that he did ask him if he wanted to go to which Mata replied ''I want to go.'' 

  It is a great shame we are losing such a fantastic player in Juan Mata to a great rival in Manchester United but sometimes, money speaks volumes. Selling a player who was on the bench the majority of the season for £37-£40 million is a sum too handsome to turn down. In theory, Chelsea are making a healthy profit of about £14-£17 million. As every Chelsea fan will understand, it is hard to lose such a fantastic player but Juan Manuel Mata Garcia made up his mind and wants to trade London for Manchester. He was unhappy towards the end.
 
   ''He was fantastic for Chelsea and Chelsea were fantastic for him.''

 The fact that we are selling United, one of our big rivals, a match winner who undoubtedly, has immense qualities, is horrifying. What makes this worse is that there is no Rooney coming the other way as of yet. United were reluctant to sell us Rooney yet we jump at the fact if there's a lot of cash involved, Mata is theirs.
   Juan Mata is not bigger than the club. If he doesn't want to knuckle down and earn his place, leave and we'll be better without you. 

 One potential player coming in is Mohamed Salah. The fee has been agreed with Basel for £11 million but still need to agree personal terms and needs to have a medical before he's officially a Chelsea player.  So that's two in and two out, with Kevin De Bryune already left club for Wolfsburg in Germany and Nemanja Matic brought in from Benfica. I have a feeling Essien will depart soon and perhaps one or two will come in. Rumous have it, we've been linked with these players recently;
Antoine Griezmann (Real Sociedad) 

Hulk (Zenit Saint Petersburg)
 Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
 Luke Shaw (Southampton) 

 Julian Draxler (Schalke)
 Isco (Real Madrid)
 Kurt Zouma (ST Etienne)
 Ross Barkley (Everton)

Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid) 

Back at the Bridge?

Back at the Bridge?

   Recent sources have been confirmed and a new arrival is imminent at SW6. The man in question 6ft 4 Serbian central defensive midfielder Nemanja Matic. Those of you who have read my previous blogs understand what a crucial position I believe this is. Finally a midfield enforcer who can score goals as well as break up play. If truth be told, Daniele De Rossi was my first choice but having understood, he is out of the equation, I'm more than content with the 'lanky' Nemanja Matic. 

   Interesting fact is that Matic was previously a Chelsea player however, the men in charge of the football club didn't rate him as highly as one or two of us did from the crowd and he was sent packing with £22 million in a deal which saw David Luiz (a fans favorite) head to the Bridge.

   The reported fee is £20 million which seems to be reasonable, as Benfica have crashed out of the Champions League. I believe this will be an amazing signing, just in time for Manchester United and looking further ahead, the game at the Etihad, against Manchester City. Even the most optimistic of Chelsea fans, would be very pleased with a draw and a win is a huge bonus. City have been simply unstoppable at home and Nemanja Matic, along with the rest of his new Chelsea team mates (hopefully) can stop them!
   Reports have it to believe Matic will sign as early as tomorrow (Tuesday 14th January 2014) which can ease the pressure (not that we have had any) on Frank Lampard returning.
Time to stop the red of Manchester at the Bridge and then to look ahead to the 3rd February, on our breath-taking fixture with Manchester City!
   On a slightly different note, one player who looks set to leave is Kevin De Bruyne. Having found opportunities hard to come by at the Bridge after signing from Genk in 2012, he was immediately shipped back to his former club for a 6 month loan deal and then spent the whole season at Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga last term. Having signed for £6.7 million, approximately 2 years ago, he is leaving for Wolfsburg for around the figure of £18-£20 million. Good deal.

Fact file:
Name: Nemanja Matić
Age: 25

Place of birth: Yugoslavia 

Height: 1.94 m ( 6ft 4¹⁄₂ in )

 Here is a goal by Nemanja Matic which was nominated for the FIFA Puskas award in 2013:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWpwImjHMTE