Villas Boas and His Team Selection

11 games into the new season and its already a roller coaster ride. New boss Andre Villas Boas has install a new style into our game, a very attractive and attacking one. Is it effective? This season CFC already conceded 15 goals, the same number of goal conceded for the whole of 2004/05 season under Jose Mourinho. We're currently 4th in the table and based on current form and performance, its very difficult to see us challenging for the league title if i'm being honest. Does AVB know his best starting eleven yet? Or will he keep rotating the squad for the whole length of the season. I'll certainly give the young manager time and i hope Roman will do too. KTBFFH

1) v Stoke (0-0) : first game of the season
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Alex, Bosingwa, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Malouda, Torres, Kalou)

First game of the season and AVB sticking with the tried and trusted 433 with most of the key players from Ancelloti days starting. Sturridge was on fire during preseason but was suspended for the game. It was a frustrating night for Chelsea as they were held to a goalless draw. 66% of possession and 7 shots on target compared to Stoke 1.

2) v Man Utd (1-3) : first big test
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Torres, Sturridge)

Personally for me, this is the strongest lineup (attacking wise). Both fullback bombing forward with no out and out holding midfielder. It provide us with a very entertaining game, end to end stuff and both team could have won the game. We have more shots on target compared to United but look vulnerable every time United have the ball. Unfortunately United take their chances in front of goal and won the game (controversially too).

3) v Bolton (5-1) : biggest win for the season
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Luiz, Bosingwa, Meireles, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Drogba, Sturridge)

The biggest win so far under AVB. To be honest its more of the Bolton goalkeeper being poor than us being brilliant, but you still have to make a shot at goal before hoping it goes in. We were much clinical in front of goal, slick passing and great movement going forward. The only negative from this game is we concede another soft goal from set piece. No clean sheet since the first game.

4) v Arsenal (3-5) : most goal conceded at the Bridge since 1989
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Torres, Sturridge)

Its a funny game to be honest, we could be 2 or 3 goals up in the first 15 mins but wasted a few chances in front of goal plus a dreadful performance at the back make way for our biggest defeat at Stamford Bridge in 22 years.

5) v Blackburn (1-0) : finally a clean sheet
(433 - Cech, Cole, Terry, Alex, Ivanovic, Mikel, Ramires, Lampard, Mata, Sturridge, Malouda)

A hard fough victory and finally a clean sheet. Bosingwa was dropped to the bench in favour of Ivanovic at right back. We control much of the possession without creating enough goal scoring chances but a clinical header from Lampard and brilliant goalkeeping by Cech secure us the all important 3 points after 2 straight losses.



Is it the end of Stamford Bridge?

On Tuesday 4th October 2011, Chelsea FC has offered Chelsea Pitch Owner (CPO) a buy-back for part of land sitting on Stamford Bridge that was bought by fans between 1993 - 1997, a move expect to be the first step before any plans of building or moving to a new and bigger stadium. CPO is a company founded in 1993 made up from shareholders (mostly fans) that bought shares to prevent the ground falling into the hands of property developers.

Mix reaction from fans on the move to a new stadium. Some are open for a move away and most of the local fans preferred to stay for particular reasons. Get a chance to chat with a few local fans on the matter. Ask them why not a move? Clearly beneficial, to keep up with the bigger teams considering the extra revenue we will get if this materialize. Is there other issues apart from emotional & historical reason? The freehold land was bought in 1993 to save The Bridge, CPO get little or none information on the club plans (if there's any) to move or built a new stadium, and that's why they are reluctant to sell back the shares. Not about making profit or holding the club to ransom. Its to save our stadium back then and its still the same reason now.

Personally, I'm open for a move, just to make sure we sustain as a club (post-Roman) but still think a proper and detail plans need to be known to those who are involved directly. Whatever best for the club. KTBFFH

Frank Lampard: England days set to be over?

Its been coming, Frank Lampard international / England career hanging in the balance after last weekend England Euro 2012 qualifying match against Bulgaria. For the first time since Euro 2008 FL was not included in the starting eleven when he is fit and available. The media and Lampard's critics was having a field day stating the move was right and praising England manager for his decision.

Last night England played another qualifying match which Lamps start, England won the game with a one goal margain. An unconvincing victory for England will always invite much criticism and again FL, if not all get some of the blame. To be honest, as a Chelsea fan i agree that FL performance in the national colours is not as good as his showing for CFC, and this is not new - never get going at International level. Maybe one of the mystery in football that will never be solve.

Now at 33, his Chelsea form is slowly dipping. He miss most of last season due to injury and i have to say during his absent we dropped lots of point and struggle in games that lead us to a second place finish behind Man Utd after a great start to the season. Its almost a month into the new season, Chelsea not looking convincing in their first few matches, lacking the creativity and certainly missing the old Frank Lampard. Very hard to accept that a players that contribute so much to the club in the past decade may well be in his slump.

Lampard is one of my favourite all time player, he loves football very much and a true professional like him want to play in every matches even if his body tell him otherwise. Im neither English nor an England supporter, would prefer him retiring from international scene especially after the sticks he received deservedly or not when donning his national shirt. A step that not only will benefit Chelsea but most of all himself. A great player, an amazing character with a truely splendid career for Chelsea FC and I wish it will never end.  There is only one Frank Lampard. KTBFFH

Chelsea squad too old?

A few days ago Manchester United first-team coach Rene Meulensteen had branded Chelsea's squad 'too old' to provide any real competition for the title this season.

And today Alex Ferguson rubbished the claimed and consider CFC a threat. He knows everything about that, making the same statement in 2008 before we went  on to win the double the year after. Somebody should tell coach Muelensteen (who r ya?) never to write off your rival in September.





Kick Off 2011/12 EPL Season

A bit late on the post... so the new EPL season has already started with the blue of Chelsea disappointingly failed to get all 3 points away at Stoke in their first game. Interm of management, lots have change at the Bridge since last season. Carlo Ancelloti was sacked after a trophyless 2010/11 campaign with new manager Andre Villas Boas (AVB) appointed with a few more changes for the backroom staff. Most noticeably the return of former player Roberto Di Matteo as AVB assistant. Not much change for the squad with a couple of youngsters coming in with less than 2 weeks before the transfer window close.

A new season with new hope and expectation. Ready for a ride full of joy and despair? So here goes:

League finish:
Not being pessimistic here, but based on our current squad of players and the reinforcement made by our main rivals it doesn't look good for us. I'll be happy if we finish in the top 4 with Man Utd as usual and Man City with their rich owner to claim the title. Hope I'm wrong and much can change with the transfer windows still open. A few quality signings might change everything.

Expectation:
We all know RA expectation and his high hope of winning the Champs League. To be honest the European biggest honor seems going further and further away from us. AVB has great potential and i hope he will be given a fair amount of time to build his team and maybe after that we can have a brighter chance. Top 4 with a trophy FA/Carling Cup will do for me.

Signings:
We've made 3 signing already but none of them look to improve the current squad. Looking forward for the 3 young players to improve and become a vital part of the club's future. After the draw against Stoke, its seems like we're going to sign a few more players with De Bruyne, Modric, Nasri and Juan Mata all in the mix linking with a move to CFC. I do think we need a creative midfielder and a winger. Hope more will come in, cause City and Utd do look strong this early stage.

Talisman:
Hope Fernando Torres will get back to his best after a disappointing half a season with us. Lampsy despite his age still an important player for us and we need him playing well with an injury free season. Expect to see more of young Josh McEachren, he is the future and hopefully he got more game time / experience under his belt.

Enjoy the new season and keep the blue flag flying high.

Modric - Drogba swap deal?

A few weeks before the pre season starts and still without a manager, CFC have been links with a whole lot of players.... as usual. Pastore, Neymar, Sneijder and Modric are some of the big names thrown as potential summer targets. But the one i've read this morning is something that interest me... CFC will offer Modric 130k per week, almost triple his wage at Spurs right now and Didier Drogba to become a makeweight to any deal. Most of my fellow blues will straigh away say no. Can understand that after what DD has contributed to our club.

If you really think about it, it could be a great piece of business from our side. We've just spent 50mil for Nando in the January transfer window and from what we have seen, DD and FT might not have the chemistry to make a great partnership. Yes, partnership takes time to build but time is what we dont have with DD already at 33. Maybe the club recognize FT is the main man now and want to built the squad around him. Could work with Modric supplying the telling passes and changing the way we play from the DD days that was based on physical strength and power, to suit FT style and strength.

Dont think the deal will happen though. But worth blabbing about it. Cheers! ktbffh

Season review 2010/2011

The 2010/2011 season has gone to a closed. A topsy-turvy season that takes us into a roller coaster ride that end with a casualty, the dismissal of manager Carlo Ancelloti. The man who brought us the first ever FA Cup and League double in his first season , a true gentleman, a nice guy, but was sacked after failed to win anything in his second.

The season start brilliantly for Chelsea, continuing where we left off last season by winning the first 5 games and scoring for fun. At that point, people were suggesting that Chelsea would easily retain the title and that look likely after the first 3 months into the season. Out of nowhere, early November Chelsea FC announced that asst coach Ray Wilkins contract will not be renewed and he was released by the club with immediate effect. The decision bring shocks to the managers, players and the fans, until now nobody know the real reason behind the sacking.

It was hopeful that off the pitch problem would not distract the performance on the pitch. But that wasn't the case when Chelsea recorded the worst ever run in the club history starting with a 3-0 home defeat to Sunderland (first game after Wilkins sacking). Chelsea struggle to regain the early season form and injuries to key players hinder the recovery process. It was a long and dreadful period for us, Chelsea drop to 5th place in the league standing early February and the unthinkable of dropping out of the Champs League spot is starting to creep in my mind.

In the January transfer window, Chelsea went on a spending free. A move to halt the awful run in the league, to strengthen and show sign of intent that Chelsea will go out and try to win the Champ League. Chelsea broke the British transfer record signing Fernando Torres for 50mil. The club also spend another 21mil on a centreback, David Luiz from Benfica. It wasn't a good start for Chelsea new star, in his first game against his old club, we suffered another defeat that add to the woes. The new Chelsea no 9 also struggle to gel with his new teammates and struggle to find the back of the net. Fernando Torres finally broke his goal drought against West Ham. That was the only goal he scored for Chelsea this season.

A 2-1 win against Man Utd in mid February followed by 7 wins in 8 games saw Chelsea made a late push for the title. Chelsea trailed Man Utd 3 points with 3 games to go with a visit to Old Trafford coming up on 8th May. A win for us will see us leapfrog United on goal difference with 2 games to go. A possible greatest comeback ever was on the card. It wasn't to be, we didn't turn up that day, lost the game and certainly end any hope of winning the title.

We were second best to United for the whole season. We went out of the Champs League semi final also to the Red Devils after being beaten home and away. Carlo Ancelloti manged his last game for Chelsea against Everton on the last day of the season. He was sacked two hours after the game. It wasn't the best season for Chelsea, a season that start brightly that suddenly turn sour.

Thank You for the double and all the sweet memories.
 We wish you the best in your future wherever it maybe.