Latest News
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Blues boss Luiz Scolari is considering offloading one Brazilian defender to Milan, to buy another from Santos…
Chelsea are ready to sell Brazilian centre-back Alex to Italian club AC Milan this January, according to a report in the British tabloid the Sun.
It is thought that the Rossoneri are keen to add a defender to their squad in the transfer window and while they have been eyeing Arsenal’s William Gallas, Alex is a more attractive option as he is 5 years younger at 26.
The Blues are apprently willing to let the former PSV star leave Stamford Bridge for a fee in the region of €10.5 million as they already have a replacement lined up.
28-year-old Brazilian defender Kleber, who is most typically a left-back, is wanted by Luiz Felipe Scolari who is a keen admirer of his qualities and was responsible for rewarding him with his first international cap for Brazil.
It is believed that the London-based outfit could land their man from Santos with a bid of €2 million but although he is interested in returning to European football, Manchester City might yet steal his signature.
“I had a year in Europe with Hannover and the experience was great,” said Kleber.
“Robinho told me he was going to suggest me to the Man City board. If he gets me to play in Manchester, I will be thankful for the rest of my life.
“It would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’d say ‘yes’ straight away.”
Written by Darkvader on January 2nd, 2009 with no comments.
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With one left-sided player all but out the door, the Blues have turned their gaze to Russia as they seek an immediate replacement…
UK tabloid The Daily Mail reports that Chelsea will move for CSKA Moscow winger Yuri Zhirkov once Wayne Bridge’s transfer to Manchester City is completed.
Zhirkov has long been regarded as one of Russia’s top talents, a pacey left-footer with incredible dribbling skills, immaculate touch and the stamina to patrol his flank all day long. Until recently, however, the 25-year-old was largely unheard of outside his homeland.
EURO 2008 changed all that. Along with his compatriot Andrei Arshavin, the Tambov native lit up the tournament as Guus Hiddink’s men reached the semi-finals, where they lost to eventual champions Spain.
Despite playing most often as an attacking midfielder for CSKA, Zhirkov lined up as an outright left-back in Austria and Switzerland. He earned rave reviews for his late, forward runs and dangerous crossing, so much so that he was named in the EURO 2008 Team of the Tournament.
A number of clubs across Europe are thought to be coveting the man dubbed ‘the Russian Ronaldinho’, with Barcelona and Juventus thought to be leading the chase. But the player’s agent confirmed recently that three Premier League outfits were also keen on his client, it seems Roman Abramovich’s Pensioners are one of them.
All the press surrounding Stamford Bridge of late has suggested that there would be no arrivals during the winter trading period, even though manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has repeatedly expressed his desire to sign some new attackers.
But with Bridge expected at Eastlands later today to hammer out personal terms, Chelsea are set for a £12 million windfall once the England left-back puts pen to paper with the Citizens - and that money could go straight into a bid for Zhirkov.
Newspaper reports have never been foolproof, however, and the details in this particular story are a little sketchy. Furthermore, Scolari most urgently wishes to sign a striker, not a wide-man. But with Bridge going, perhaps the Brazilian’s priorities have changed.
Written by Darkvader on January 2nd, 2009 with no comments.
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The Brazilian tactician is desperate to add to his forward line in the new year, and has drawn up a list of potential targets…
Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari is keen to meet with owner Roman Abramovich to discuss the club’s plans for the transfer window.
It is claimed in various British tabloids that although the Russian has made it clear there will be limited, if any, funds available in January, the Brazilian is adamant he needs to make some signings after missing out on Robinho in the summer.
Apparently, Abramovich has seen his fortune dwindle from £16.2 billion to £2.2 billion, and has therefore insisted there must be departures before arrivals.
British tabloid the Daily Express claims that ‘Big Phil’ is ready to sell French winger Florent Malouda and Ivory Coast international Salomon Kalou to raise funds.
Luis Fabiano of Sevilla is being linked with the Blues, but while Sevilla have sold a host of players in recent years, none of their stars have left on the cheap and they could ask for as much as €20.5 m (£20 m) for the Brazilian international.
The Daily Mirror claims that Marseille’s French international winger Hatem Ben Arfa is a top target, and CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love, another Brazilian international, is also a possibility.
The Daily Express adds 25-year-old Brazilian forward Kleber, who is as yet uncapped and currently on loan at Palmeiras from Dinamo Kiev, to the list as well as 27-year-old Argentinian international Andres D’Alessandro, who spent part of 2006 on loan at Portsmouth.
Written by Darkvader on January 1st, 2009 with no comments.
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The Drog’s footing at the Bridge has become even more precarious after he was sanctioned for his recent outburst…
According to The Sun, Chelsea have fined their unsettled striker, Didier Drogba, £100,000 over his controversial comments in the press earlier this week.
The Ivory Coast star had revealed that he felt lonely and unmotivated after the death of his grandmother in the summer, and he blamed the club for offering no support during that difficult time.
But his fellow Blues expressed their distaste for Drogba’s utterances in a team meeting the following day, with one accusing him of “talking b*******”.
Furthermore, the 30-year-old was reminded that the club in fact organised a private jet to take him to his homeland after his grandmother’s passing.
And now, after the players had their say, the higher-ups at Stamford Bridge - namely owner Roman Abramovich and chief executive Peter Kenyon - have demanded an explanation from Drogba and docked him a week’s wages.
The former Olympique Marseille man’s position in West London is fast becoming untenable, as several of his team-mates are thought to have requested that he be transferred in January.
This latest news will only increase speculation of Drogba’s imminent departure, although there is no official word from Chelsea yet as to whether the player has actually been sanctioned.
Written by Darkvader on January 1st, 2009 with no comments.
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Chelsea’s assistant coach Ray Wilkins has hinted the club may attempt to buy a striker in January as cover for Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.
Previously chief executive Peter Kenyon had insisted Chelsea would not be active in the transfer window.
But Wilkins said: “We have got the injury situation, haven’t we?
“If you lose both in the same game, you always need cover with injuries. You have to have a top end of your side with goalscoring ability.”
Drogba, who scored his first league goal of the season in Chelsea’s 2-0 win over West Brom on Boxing Day, has struggled with both injuries and suspension.
In the Ivorian’s absence, Anelka has led the line impressively for the Stamford Bridge side, scoring 14 times in the league - goals which Wilkins described as “top drawer”.
The Boxing Day win was the first time Drogba and Anelka had started in attack under manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
With Anelka on the left-hand side of the front three and Drogba in the central role, there were encouraging signs for Scolari’s 4-3-3 formation.
The duo are likely to start against Fulham on Sunday, even though Drogba was taken off as a precautionary measure against West Brom after sustaining a kick on his thigh.
“He has the ability to get hold of the ball when it is in difficult areas and to bring other people into the game,” said Wilkins of Drogba, who has been linked with a move to Inter Milan.
“He is the best there is at it. He can get hold of the ball on his chest and kill the game up front for us.
“It allows the likes of Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack the opportunity to get forward and into the penalty area.”
Written by Darkvader on January 1st, 2009 with no comments.
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Drogba made his come back to the first eleven in style with his 4th minute goal against WestBrom to ensure Chelsea hold its Title hops alive. Chelsea were havng alot f troubles at Stanford this season which is quite unlikely as they hold on for a period of some 4 years without any defeat in d same stadium. So as Drogba is back and very well back in form Chelsea fans can hope the things go in d same way as Scolari plans atleast from now on….As Manu climbing up the list with a win over Stock its very crusual for Chelsea to have their main Striker in gud form…. Anelka who is d top scorer till nw in dys season along with Drogba can make alot of damage for sure…. So letz hope for the Best
Written by Darkvader on December 27th, 2008 with no comments.
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Chelsea have said that they will not buy or sell any players in the January transfer window.
Chief executive Peter Kenyon has recently insisted the club’s squad is strong enough, and manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has now accepted that stance.
“Peter is my boss and if he says that this is the philosophy, it is OK, it is finished,” Scolari told BBC Sport.
Unsettled Alex has told Scolari he wants to stay while Didier Drogba is being linked with Inter Milan.
Speculation arose over the future of Brazilian Alex in newspaper reports in which the player was quoted as saying he wanted to quit.
The club have a contract with all of us and they respect the contract. The players respect the contract with the club
Luiz Felipe Scolari
But Scolari said he had held a private meeting with the defender, who had denied he wanted to leave the club and was happy to remain a key part of the squad.
“When the player comes to my room and tells me he has not said anything and ‘I am happy here, I don’t want to go,’ I believe him,” said Scolari on Saturday.
“He told me is not thinking of leaving. The club have a contract with all of us and they respect the contract. The players respect the contract with the club.”
It has been reported that alleged that Drogba met Inter sporting director Marco Branca and Jorge Mendes, agent of the club’s manager Jose Mourinho.
Drogba, who has been in out of the side this season because of injury and suspension, declined to comment on whether he attended any meeting but told Sky Sports: “I have always said I have a contract with Chelsea until 2010.”
Former Chelsea manager and current Inter boss Mourinho has also insisted he has no plans to sign the 30-year-old.
Written by Darkvader on December 21st, 2008 with no comments.
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Bolton boss Gary Megson has been named Barclay’s manager of the month for November, while Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka has picked up the player award.
Megson guided the Trotters into the top half of the Premier League with four wins in five matches during the month.
Victories over Manchester City and Hull were followed by defeat to Liverpool, before they responded with back-to-back wins over Sunderland and Middlesbrough.
Anelka was named player of the month after scoring seven league goals.
The 29-year-old has flourished in the absence of Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge and started the month in explosive fashion as he scored a hat-trick in the 5-0 win over Sunderland.
He then netted both Chelsea goals as they beat Blackburn 2-0 and followed that with another brace in the 3-0 victory at West Brom.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for Megson’s Bolton side, who were in the relegation zone at the start of month with some fans calling for the manager’s head.
However, he appears to have turned around the club’s fortunes and has been rewarded for guiding Bolton to 10th in the league, before Saturday’s trip to Aston Villa.
Written by Darkvader on December 14th, 2008 with no comments.
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Manager Luiz Felipe Scolari insisted Nicolas Anelka was just as crucial to the Chelsea cause despite Didier Drogba scoring in their 2-1 win over FC Cluj.
Drogba’s late goal edged his side into the last 16 of the Champions League.
“Don’t forget we arrived in this position, and second in the Premier League, because our scorer is Anelka,” Scolari said at Stamford Bridge.
“Drogba is very important, one of the best in the world, but I need to think about Anelka. He is as important.”
The Frenchman is Chelsea’s leading scorer this season with 15 goals, 13 of which have come in the Premier League, where he is five clear in the scoring charts.
He and Drogba have only started two games together since Anelka arrived at Stamford Bridge from Bolton last January, and Scolari admits he is still undecided about whether to use them as a pair.
“It is my job to either put the two strikers together, or to choose which player is better for Chelsea,” Scolari added.
Drogba, for all his foibles and failings, must be kept onside and at Chelsea if they are to fulfil their ambitions
“Everyone knows that Drogba didn’t have a pre-season. After that, when he did start, he got injured. Then another start, and another injury. Then his punishment (a three-match ban for throwing a coin into the crowd against Burnley).
“Now he is starting again, it is time. What can I do?”
While Scolari refused to go overboard about Drogba’s impact, Blues captain John Terry was more than happy to lavish praise on the returning striker, whose only other goal this season was against Burnley in the Carling Cup.
“It’s a great boost to have him back and it was a great goal from him as well. He can hold the ball up but he can play as well,” said the England captain.
“Put it into his feet and he can spin a man and he can score some great goals. He’s a great dimension for our team and it’s a great boost to have him back.
“His fitness is there, he’s delighted and we’re well pleased with him.”
All of my players are important, not only one player
Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari
Chelsea go through to the last 16 as a group runner-up but Scolari was bullish about their prospects in the draw for the knockout stages, which takes place on 19 December.
The London side could face some of Europe’s biggest clubs, but Scolari insisted: “For me it is no different if we play against Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan, any team, because they are all the best.
“If we want to arrive in the final, we have to beat A, B and C.”
Yssouf Kone’s equaliser, after Salomon Kalou had given the hosts the lead, gave the hosts a few nervy moments on Tuesday but with rivals Bordeaux unable to better their result away to Roma, Chelsea were always in control of their own destiny.
“I had confidence we would win but at 1-1 it is normal that me, my players and maybe some people in the stadium are nervous,” added Scolari.
“We had more of the ball but there was not a big difference between the teams. We didn’t play very well, we played OK, but they have the spirit I want in my team.
“All of my players are important, not only one player.”
Terry had the chance to win last season’s Champions League final for Chelsea, but lost his footing and missed what would have been the tournament-winning penalty against Manchester United.
“If we want to go all the way again then we have to up our game,” he said.
“Things haven’t been clicking but let’s not get too panicky. We are second in the Premier League and in the knockout stages of the Champions League.”
Written by Darkvader on December 12th, 2008 with no comments.
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Chelsea’s Michael Essien is progressing well after knee ligament surgery as coach Luiz Felipe Scolari insists the midfielder will stay at the club.
Speculation has been mounting over his future at Chelsea, who will be aiming for a record 11th consecutive away win when they travel to Bolton on Saturday.
Ex-Portsmouth star Sulley Muntari wants fellow Ghanaian Essien to join him at Inter Milan.
Scolari said: “All clubs want Essien but he’s injured and stays at Chelsea.”
If the Blues win at Bolton they will equal the top flight record for consecutive away wins set by Tottenham Hotspur in the 1959-60 season.
Chelsea will be missing Joe Cole for the game at the Reebok Stadium, while defender Ricardo Carvalho will be out for a minimum of another 14 days after suffering a thigh injury against Hull in October.
But Scolari has more positive news on Essien and is delighted with the medical assessment on the player following his knee surgery in September.
Muntari said on Thursday that he hoped Essien would move to Inter but Scolari, who described his midfielder as a “fantastic player” said: “Sure, many clubs want Essien, but he’s Chelsea’s and I think he’s happy here.
“There is good news every day for me about Michael. He recovers more quickly than we had thought.
“But I don’t want to put pressure on him, although I think he’ll be back sooner than we expected.”
Despite homing in on Spurs’ record for away wins Scolari insisted he is only focusing on bouncing back from last week’s defeat by Arsenal.
“I don’t think about the record,” he said. “We need to recover those three points. We try to win one more game to follow the other clubs in the best position.
“The players don’t think about records. They’re thinking about finishing first or getting into finals.
“If we win 20 games away and lose 10 games at home, there’s a record away from home, but it’s all about arriving at the main objective.”
Written by Darkvader on December 6th, 2008 with no comments.
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