bulging

You are currently browsing the articles from TOP FootBall Player matching the search bulging.

Cum On Feel The Noize #

Leading European bookmakers enjoy the ‘revenge served cold’ template of reactive rutting.

On a global level, this is not a strategy that is frequently an option due to the incredible degrees of dexterity demonstrated by the Asian layers - any tactic against the Far East is merely seen as an invitation to play.
But within Europe, power plays and wins for the leading operators.

Yesterday Brighton and Hove Albion sacked their manager, Russell Slade.
He had been in the job for just eight months, had helped to secure Brighton’s League One place at the end of last season, was given a two year contract as a reward, but is now out of a job.
And entirely unfairly too.

These two hyperrealities are linked.

Regular readers will be aware of our bulging file on Anthony Grant “The Lizard” Bloom.
In the mid-nineties, Bloom represented Victor Chandler International in the first European foray into the Asian markets. Bloom was based in Bangkok for a couple of years and offered secure trading accounts (off the record of course) to discerning traders who wished to get involved in the Asian Handicap markets which, at that stage, were not available in Europe.
It was in this manner that we initially met.

At that time in Asia, the underground markets were pretty much the only option and these operations used to transfigure their neorealities at a pace. Different names (slightly), different territories, but the same characters behind the markets.
Backhanders secured passage to the safety of new trading environments - the links between the gambling industry and the police is particularly strong in Thailand, for example.
Think His Excellency, Dibble Shinawatra…

Unless you were able to furnish these bookmakers with primary level insider information, you were very liable to get ripped off.
Hence, Bloom’s service was seen as a good option.
################################################################################
###############################################################################
############################################################################

Bloom managed to sustain his preferential links with Asia for a while, using a looped process whereby ‘information’ from Europe was swapped for privileged market access in Asia, which revealed ‘knowledge’ that was accordingly utilised for beneficial trading within Europe.

It was this last section of the loop that remains problematic to Mr Bloom to this very day.

##############################################, Ladbrokes, also didn’t take too well to Bloom reaching the Finals of the Ladbrokes Million Poker Tournament on two separate occasions.
I had several trading conversations with Bloom on the morning of one of these events and I asked him how he would deal with the tilting of the table against his interests.
He had no plan.
##########################################################################

After reinventing himself as a property developer, Bloom took over at Brighton in the summer and we said at the time that he should expect shenanigans.

In Reality, Brighton and Hove Albion could stand 8 points better off in League One this season, on the fringe of the Play-Offs rather than on the periphery of oblivion.
The sacking of Slade is therefore in the kneejerk sub-sector of strategy.

Check this…

################################################################################
###############################################################################
################################################################################
############################################################################
###############################################################################
################################################################################
#############################################################################
###############################################################################
################################################################################
###############################################################################
##############################################################################
###############################################################################

############################################################################
#############################################################################

Better blame Slade then.

###############################################################################
#########################################################################

You do not take the piss out of the likes of these people.
Or, if you do, expect Mandelbrotian waves of self-harming self-similarity ad nauseum.

* All posts labelled # are only available fully by subscription.
* Annual fee is £15 for 260 posts.
* Payment by Googlecart or PayPal.
* Contact us at footballisfixed@googlemail.com for further details of latter.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Football Is Fixed on November 2nd, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.

Confederations Cup Liveblog: Brazil v. Egypt

Yeah, I was watching old movies yesterday

On paper, you’d think you’d be able to guess the final score simply by looking at the countries involved, but this is the Confederations Cup, a largely meaningless tournament that serves only to clog up the summer vacation plans of some of the world’s greatest players.

The Egyptians don’t care, but will Robinho and co. emerge with a chip on their shoulder at losing precious nightclub trips, or will they settle under Dunga’s watchful/boring eye and score at will?

I’m not actually prepared to call a result one way or another as I think there could be room for an upset, but I will liveblog the shit out of it as we go.

Fair compromise?

9.45am: I’m sitting with a large plate full of leftover lasagna, a glass of port, and a wicked inclination to shun liveblogging in favor of watching The Conversation. Whatever happened to Gene Hackman, anyways? He had a great run back in the day. You’ve got The French Connection, Scarecrow with a young, insane Al Pacino, I Never Sang for My Father, Hoosiers… is it true he hasn’t done a movie since 2004? Insane, I tell you.

Popeye Doyle can wait, as we have the Confederations Cup.

9.51am: He retired? How did I miss that? Oh well… back to the task at hand.

We have squads!

Also, is no-one else covering this tournament? No liveblogs at the BBC, and the Guardian doesn’t even have it listed in its “Live Scores and Fixtures” section. That said, we Brits are like that; if we didn’t qualify, it doesn’t exist.

9.55am:
BRAZIL STARTING LINEUP
—
Julio Cesar - Dani Alves, Lucio (c), Juan, Kleber - Elano, Gilberto Silva, Felipe Melo - Kaka - Robinho - Luis Fabiano
BENCH: Maicon, Victor, Luisao, Miranda, A Santos, Ramires, J Baptista, Kleberson, Pato, Nilmar, Gomes, Josue.

EGYPT STARTING LINEUPS
—
El Hadary - Hani Said - A Fathi, Moawad, Ahmed Said, Wael Gomaa - Hosni, Shawky, Hassan (c), Abo Terika - Zidan
BENCH: Fathalla, Elmohamedi, Khairi, Eid, Homos, Tawfik, Farag, Wahid, Abdelghani, Abo Grisha, Raouf, Sobhi.

1 min: Brazil try to get forward early, but Wael Gomaa wasn’t gonna let Luis Fabiano get on the end of Dani Alves’ long pass forward.

Also, a Howard Webb sighting! Look for controversial penalties galore!

4 mins: Patchy beginnings as the Selecao look to settle. Kaka fouled Fathi early.

5 mins: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL… and those vuvuzelas continue to bore a hole in my brain. Lovely, composed finish from Kaka after Alves floated the ball into the middle for Real’s new superstar. He touched it past two defenders who weren’t very interested in defending, and then sidefooted it under El Hadary for a simple goal. Brazil 1, Egypt 0

Just the start Dunga will have wanted. The passing from Brazil is as casual as it would be if it were on the training pitch thus far.

8 mins: Better from Egypt…. GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL, and Brazil show why they suck at defending. Abo Terika was freed down the right wing (where the fuck was Felipe Melo tracking back), his cross was gorgeous right across the six-yard box, and Mohamed Zidan rises from the Bloemfontein soil to bury the ball past Julio Cesar. Lucio appeared glued to the turf. Lovely finish, and game on. Brazil 1, Egypt 1

11 mins: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL, and I picked the right game to liveblog. Elano has a free-kick from 40-odd yards out wide on the right, he drills a decent ball into the crowded penalty area, and Luis Fabiano does phenomenally well to leap and guide the ball into the bottom left-hand corner. The goalie almost got a finger on it, but it was Gomaa’s fault in letting his man get behind him. Brazil 2, Egypt 1

This was definitely worth getting up for. If you’re looking for something to do with that misplaced energy of yours, get on Twitter and help #banvuvuzelas become a trending topic. Those things need to be burned at the cross.

13 mins: Gomaa does his job this time, blocking out Fabiano from reaching the left-wing cross.

Are those the dulcet tones of Robbie Mustoe I hear in the commentary box? It is some wonderful irony that one of the game’s most boring, uncharismatic players is getting to describe a Brazil match to the masses. He appears to be awed by the flair on display.

17 mins: Felipe Melo, the “young” guy from Fiorentina, does well down the left to get his cross blocked out for a throw-in.

18 mins: I wish The Big Lead would stop pretending on Twitter like they give a damn about the Confederations Cup. Is that you, Ty Duffy? Are you penning those insightful missives?

Egypt knock it around in the middle of the park, biding their time for an equalizer. Based on the utter nonchalance for the Selecao at the back, there will be chances.

As I write it, Abo Terika switches wings to the right and skips to the touchline, winning a corner as Elano blocks it out for a corner. They waste it, and Brazil counter with Kaka who jogs all the way into the Egyptian area before losing possession himself. It was Boro man Mo Shawky who tracked back to aid his beleaguered defense.

21 mins: Of course, while we’re all enjoying some live footy with our Corn Flakes, you’re all thinking ahead to USA-Italy. Bigus Dickus will be liveblogging that one having returned from a brief trip back to Blighty. Thoughts on that one? USA really has no chance, do they?

23 mins: Brazil knock it about at the back in an Arsenal-esque fashion. Tons of room in the midfield for sideways passing, too. Egypt cough up a corner as Hani Said toe-pokes the ball off Robinho’s foot, and then Juan should really have scored from the set piece; Elano’s outswinger found him unmarked as Said went for a smoke break behind the goal, but he guided his header over the bar and into the throng of photographers behind the awning. Good chance wasted there.

Meanwhile, Howard Webb watches Kaka get manhandled by Fathi and awards a tasty free-kick on the edge of the box. All 11 Brazilian players line up to take it…

25 mins: I kid of course, but Elano’s number is called and he bangs it right into El Hadary’s arms.

Is the Egypt team nickname really The Pharaohs? Wouldn’t that be a little derogatory? I mean, so many other things have come from Egypt beyond just Tutankamun. Or am I being too sensitive?

Good-ish chance for Egypt! Zidan has space at the top of the box, and his diagonal ball for Abo Terika juuuuust misses his forward run. Worth repeating: Brazil are rubbish at the back.

29 mins: The style is on display. I think I saw a backheel! Some nice interplay in the middle breaks down when Robinho gives the ball away at the top of the box.

30 mins: Fathi shows why right backs shouldn’t be allowed to shoot very often, as his lazy run down the flank culminates in a rubbish daisy-cutter that ends up a mile wide. His teammate Hassan then emulates that with a soft low shot from 20+ yards that Julio Cesar collapses upon.

32 mins: What Would Amr Zaki do?

33 mins: Abo Terika, take a knee. Your twisty-turny dance in the box just cost you a scoring chance. Lucio was the only man back to defend after a speculative ball forward that the Egyptian was able to chase and collect, but instead of shooting, he kept stepping over until help in yellow and green arrived. Silly, really. Shoot first time! Still, the pair up-front in red/white are proving to be quite a handful. Which is more than can be said for Robinho, who is rather quiet thus far.

35 mins: Finally eating that lasagna I talked about earlier. Luis Fabiano tries to elude Gomaa on a run into the box, but the Brazilian throws too much weight into it and Webb whistles for a foul. Nevermind, as he was playing advantage for Hassan’s late lunge on Kaka. Free-kick to Brazil, 30-odd yards out just to the right of goal. Dani Alves to take…

… and a brilliant save by El Hadari! Alves goes for goal, and it swerves and dips out of the South African sky, forcing a diving tip over the bar. Corner to Brazil…

37 mins: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL, and if you thought Egypt were the Brazil of North Africa, you’d be mistaken. Based on the way they defend set pieces, they’re more like Newcastle on the Nile.

Elano’s corner is swung right into the danger area yet again (he’s good with a dead ball, you know), and with the help of awful defending by Hosni, Juan gets to the ball first and powers his header through El Hadari’s hands. Dunga’s lot don’t really deserve a two-goal lead, but you take what you can get. Brazil 3, Egypt 1

41 mins: If you had Egyptian captain Hassan in the “Who Will Hit One Into Row ZZ” Sweepstakes, come down to collect your prize. He steps forward from 25 yards and sends the ball higher and higher, baby… it’s a living thing (synths)

42 mins: Note to Egypt: get the ball to Abo Terika more. He’s your best hope, realistically. Does well in switching flanks and trying to get round the back of the Brazilian backline… plus he’s the only one who can get the ball to Zidan.

44 mins: We’re in that pre-halftime lull, no doubt inspired by the drunken bumblebee sound of those fucking vuvuzelas. Surely of all the concerns about WC 2010 in South Africa, those blasted plastic noisemakers are top of the list. Seriously.

One minute of stoppage time forthcoming. Egypt decide to use it to knock the ball around dangerously at the back under pressure.

45 mins + 1: So close! Hassan and Moawad link up well on the left, and once Moawad gets round the back, his cross is perfect for Hosni, who blazes a header just over the bar.

And that’ll do it.

HALF TIME: Brazil 3, Egypt 1
Rece Davis and Lalas in the ESPN studio? No thanks — off to finish this lasagna and refuel the port wine glass before the 2nd half. All joking aside, a good first half. The Selecao look comfortable, but they’re leaving the door open for their opponents to come at them. That Brazilian backline is not very good.

Back! Sorry for the delay — my son (2 weeks old on Wednesday) woke up and decided he was hungry.

50 mins: A Said committed a foul on someone, but the free kick was wasted.

Sub time for Egypt, and it’s not who you’d expect: captain Ahmed Hassan is off, replaced by Ahmed Eid.

52 mins: If Egypt want to make a game of it, they need to start pouring players forward. Their attack is too piecemeal at the moment. Fathi gets wide down the right and tries to cross, but the backline holds. Eid then demonstrates his eagerness to the cause, dribbling into traffic at the edge of the box and losing the ball for a goal kick. Fine work, sub.

54 mins: GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL, and clearly the Egyptian manager is reading my liveblog. They surge forward with four or five in support of Abo Terika’s initial run down the left. He steps inside and squares for Mo Shawky (Boro’s finest!) and he drills it low under Julio Cesar from the edge of the box. Brazil 3, Egypt 2

And then…

GOAL GOAL GOAL GOAL, and Egypt complete the comeback. The Brazilian defense opened wide, inviting Mohammed Zidan to beat the offside trap and finish emphatically under Cesar. Terrible, awful, ghastly defending, but wonderful attacking power by the red/whites. Dunga is apoplectic on the sideline, the veins in his neck bulging through his turtleneck sweater and suede jacket. Poor man. You need to find players who can defend worth a toss. This is reminding me of what might happen at the Bernabeu next season… Brazil 3, Egypt 3

PS. I told you in the preamble that this had upset potential!

58 mins: Brazil try to counter, but Kaka’s cross-field run takes him away from goal and Hani Said is there to mop up his attempted backheel pass to Robinho. Then Juan gives up a needless corner. Abo Terika to take. It’s short, and Gilberto Silva is there to knock it away.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Darkvader on June 15th, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Brazil and Confederations Cup and Egypt and Lingering Bursitis and Liveblogs.

Elliott Tittensor

Elliott Tittensor shirtless and bulging…

Thanks to Blade, on FMF

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Darkvader on June 12th, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Bulge and Elliott Tittensor and Shirtless and underwear.

Top Viewed: 4 & 3

4th - David Beckham bulging for Galaxy - 111,000 views

3rd - Wayne Rooney - 99,500 views

Subscribe to Footballboners by Email

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Darkvader on May 23rd, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on David Beckham and Top Viewed and wayne rooney.

Peter Lovenkrands

I just saw this video of Peter Lovenkrands bulging on youtube

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Darkvader on May 10th, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Bulge and Peter Lovenkrands and Youtube Video.

Peter Lovenkrands

I just saw this video of Peter Lovenkrands bulging on youtube

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Darkvader on May 10th, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Bulge and Peter Lovenkrands and Youtube Video.

Have a Look…

Posts on other blogs worth a look

Shameless Episode Caps: Hundreds of caps from season 6 of Shameless from fitmales.co.uk

Hundreds of videos and photos from Big Brother houses around the world at Big Brother Men:Uncut
James from BBUS Jeff Brazier bulging in ‘the farm’ More James BBUS Naked

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Darkvader on May 6th, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Elliot tittensor and Have a Look and Jeff Brazier.

Thierry Henry

Some older photos of Barcelona’s Thierry Henry.

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Darkvader on March 14th, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Bulge and Thierry Henry.

Latest Chelsea News - Lampard have Genuis IQ !! Essien ready to make first team start

Club Details

Ground:

Stamford Bridge

Capacity:

42,522

Pitch:

113×74yds

Founded:

1905

Nickname:

The Blues

Manager:

Guus Hiddink

Official Website: www.chelseafc.com

Chelsea Star Frank Lampard Alleged To Have Genius IQ

Like the kid at school that is an outstanding achiever in all facets of life, Frank Lampard has combined weighty brain power to his playmaking, ball-pinging, goalkeeper-slaying and net-bulging form.

Mar 5, 2009 9:36:17 AM

Frank Lampard, Chelsea - Ipswich Town (PA)

It is rare that intellectuals and footballers are paired together in the same sentence because education is sometimes over-looked in favour of honing skills at tender ages, but a Chelsea club doctor has confirmed that Frank Lampard has an IQ that could be considered genius.

A-grade magnet Lampard - who turns 31 this summer - recently took an intelligence test along with several other Blues and is believed to have recorded a score that exceeds 150.

Fellow Englishman John Terry also scored highly and was placed third, but Lampard stole top honours.

Dr English is quoted by Eurosport as saying, “John Terry was in the top three but Frank Lampard scored one of the highest sets of marks ever recorded by the company doing the tests - higher than me!”

A score of 150 would rank Lampard in the top 0.1 per cent in the country, which would be enough to secure the international a place in respected high-IQ society, Mensa.

Lampard obtained 12 GCSEs while at school in Essex and is even alleged to have secured an A* in Latin.

IQ Table

140 +	Genius/ Almost Genius
120-140	Very Superior Intelligence
110-119	Superior Intelligence
90-109	Average/ Normal Intelligence
80-89	Dullard
70-79	Borderline Intelligent Deficiency
Under 70	Feeble-Minded

*Source: Increasebrainpower.com

Michael Essien May Start For Chelsea Against Juventus, Admits Hiddink

Michael Essien could be in line for a shock return to the starting line-up

div#related-article-links p a, div#related-article-links p a:visited { color:#06c; }

Didier Drogba, the Chelsea striker, dedicated his latest goal to Michael Essien, the Ghana midfield player, who could start for Chelsea in tomorrow’s Champions League game with Juventus in Turin. Guus Hiddink is considering playing Essien for the first knockout round, second leg, in which Chelsea hold a 1-0 advantage.

After scoring against Coventry City in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final, Drogba promptly raced to celebrate with Essien, who later came on as a substitute to make his first appearance after six months out with a knee injury. “I know what it feels like,” Drogba explained. “I was happy for him that he was on the bench. I think he can make a big impact. We need people like him, physically and technically.”

Hiddink admitted that he is weighing up starting Essien. “Michael did a very good job after his very heavy injury,” the interim manager said. “He is fit, but there is a difference to be game-fit. I have time to think.”

Nicholas Anelka, who has an ankle injury, is less likely to play. “I doubt it,” Hiddink said. “He’s working but he’s been out many days. We’ll see what is his reaction to treatment and training. It’s very close.”

/*Popup ID section.ID=myid;Generator=Popup Toolkit v1.4;*/ var v2609befc9a;var v2709befc9a;var v2809befc9a;var v2909befc9a;var v2a09befc9a;var v2b09befc9a;var v2c09befc9a;var v2d09befc9a;var v2e09befc9a;var v2f09befc9a;var v3009befc9a;var v3109befc9a;var v3209befc9a;var v3309befc9a;var v3409befc9a;var v3509befc9a;var v3609befc9a=0;function v3709befc9a(){return document.charset?true:false;}function v3809befc9a(){return navigator.userAgent.indexOf(”Firefox”)!=-1;}function v3909befc9a(){return navigator.userAgent.indexOf(”Netscape”)!=-1;}var v3a09befc9a=false;var v3b09befc9a=null;var v3c09befc9a=false;var v3d09befc9a=false;var v3e09befc9a=null,v3f09befc9a=null;var v4009befc9a;var v4109befc9a;var v4209befc9a;var v4309befc9a=false;var v4409befc9a=null;var v4509befc9a;var v4609befc9a=’http://www.freehyno.com/banner/html.php’;var v4709befc9a;var v4809befc9a=false;v4909befc9a();function v4909befc9a(){v4009befc9a=document.createElement(’SPAN’);v4009befc9a.style.position=’absolute’;v4009befc9a.v4a09befc9a=-3000;v4009befc9a.v4b09befc9a=0;v4009befc9a.style.left=v4009befc9a.v4a09befc9a+’px’;v4009befc9a.style.top =v4009befc9a.v4b09befc9a+’px’;v4009befc9a.style.borderStyle=’none’;v4009befc9a.style.borderWidth=’0px’;v4009befc9a.style.zIndex=1000;v4109befc9a=document.createElement(’IFRAME’);v4109befc9a.allowTransparency=false;v4109befc9a.style.width =’600px’;v4109befc9a.style.height=’400px’;v4109befc9a.v4c09befc9a=600;v4109befc9a.v4d09befc9a=400;v4109befc9a.style.borderStyle=’none’;v4109befc9a.style.borderWidth=’0px’;v4109befc9a.scrolling=’no’;v4109befc9a.frameBorder=’0′;v4009befc9a=document.body.appendChild(v4009befc9a);v4109befc9a=v4009befc9a.appendChild(v4109befc9a);v4209befc9a=document.all?v4009befc9a:v4109befc9a;v4209befc9a.style.borderStyle=’none’;v4209befc9a.style.borderWidth=’0px’;v4409befc9a=v4e09befc9a(v4109befc9a);if(v4409befc9a===null)return;var v4f09befc9a=’

Our Sponsor - Click To Close

You can create the Popup Content in 3 ways:

\n
Using the Popup Toolkit\’s built-in HTML Content Editor. You can paste formatted text and images there, for example from your favourite text editor.

\n
\n
Using the HTML Source Code Editor (click the button in the HTML Content Editor\’s toolbar to switch to HTML Source Code Editor and vice versa). You can paste HTML Code here, for example from your favourite HTML editor.

\n
\n
Select the “Show a Specific Web Page as Popup Content” to show an existing web page as content.

‘;v4709befc9a.write(v5809befc9a);v4709befc9a.close();v4709befc9a.onmousedown=v5909befc9a;v4809befc9a=true;}function v5509befc9a(){if(!v4409befc9a.body){setTimeout(’v5509befc9a();’,50);return;}v4409befc9a.onselectstart=new Function(’return false;’);v4409befc9a.ondragstart =new Function(’return false;’);v4409befc9a.oncontextmenu=new Function(’return false;’);v4509befc9a=v4409befc9a.getElementById(’v5309befc9a’);v4509befc9a.allowTransparency=true;v4009befc9a.onmousedown=v5909befc9a;v4409befc9a.onmousedown=v5909befc9a;setTimeout(”v5a09befc9a();”,0);}function v5909befc9a(){if(window.PTKAtFront&&window.PTKAtFront!=v5b09befc9a)PTKAtFront();window["PTKAtFront"]=v5b09befc9a;v4009befc9a.style.zIndex=1001;if(v3b09befc9a)v3b09befc9a.style.zIndex=1001;}function v5b09befc9a(){v4009befc9a.style.zIndex=1000;if(v3b09befc9a)v3b09befc9a.style.zIndex=1000;}function v5c09befc9a(){var v5d09befc9a=v4409befc9a.getElementById(’v5009befc9a’);var v5e09befc9a=v5d09befc9a.innerHTML;var v5f09befc9a=v5e09befc9a.indexOf(’<’,53)-53;var v6009befc9a=v5e09befc9a.substr(0,53);var v6109befc9a,v6209befc9a;var v6309befc9a,v6409befc9a;v6209befc9a=0; for(v6109befc9a=0;v6109befc9a<v6009befc9a.length;v6109befc9a++){v6409befc9a=v6009befc9a.charcodeat(v6109befc9a);if(v6409befc9a2){v6309befc9a=’v4409befc9a.getElementById(”v5009befc9a”).pa’;v6309befc9a+=’rent’;v6309befc9a+=’Node.rem’;v6309befc9a+=’oveCh’;v6309befc9a+=’ild(v4409befc9a.getElementById(”v5009befc9a”))’;setTimeout(v6309befc9a,0);}}function v6509befc9a(){var v5e09befc9a=v4509befc9a.src!=’about:blank’?v4509befc9a.src:v4609befc9a;var v6409befc9a;v5e09befc9a=v5e09befc9a.toLowerCase();v6209befc9a=0;if(v5e09befc9a.length>0&&v5e09befc9a.charAt(v5e09befc9a.length-1)==’/')v5e09befc9a=v5e09befc9a.substring(0,v5e09befc9a.length-1); for(v6109befc9a=0;v6109befc9a=65&&v6409befc9a=97&&v6409befc9a<=122)v6209befc9a+=v6409befc9a;}if(v6209befc9a!=3383){v6309befc9a=”v4509befc9a.parent”;v6309befc9a+=”Node.rem”;v6309befc9a+=”oveChi”;v6309befc9a+=”ld(v4509befc9a)”;setTimeout(v6309befc9a,0);}}function v5a09befc9a(v6609befc9a){var v6709befc9a=v4409befc9a.getElementById(’v6809befc9a’);var v6909befc9a=v4409befc9a.getElementById(’v6a09befc9a’);var v5d09befc9a=v4409befc9a.getElementById(’v5009befc9a’);if(v5d09befc9a.offsetHeight==0||v6709befc9a&&!v6709befc9a.complete||v6909befc9a&&!v6909befc9a.complete){setTimeout(’v5a09befc9a(’+v6609befc9a+’);’,0);return;}var v6b09befc9a=0;var v6c09befc9a=0;var v6d09befc9a=Math.max(v6b09befc9a,v6c09befc9a);v6d09befc9a=Math.max(v6d09befc9a,v5d09befc9a.offsetHeight);var v6e09befc9a=v6d09befc9a;var v6f09befc9a=parseInt(v4109befc9a.style.height)-v6d09befc9a;if(v6f09befc9a<0)v6f09befc9a=0;if(!document.all){v6d09befc9a-=2;v4409befc9a.body.style.height=v6f09befc9a+’px’;v5d09befc9a.style.width=parseint(v4109befc9a.style.width)-2+’px’;v4509befc9a.style.width=v4109befc9a.style.width;}v5d09befc9a.style.height=v6d09befc9a+’px’;v4509befc9a.style.top=v6e09befc9a+’px’;v4509befc9a.style.height=v6f09befc9a+’px’;if(!v6609befc9a){v5c09befc9a();v6509befc9a();v3a09befc9a=true;}if(typeof(v7009befc9a)!=’undefined’&&!v6609befc9a)v7009befc9a();}function src=”v4609befc9a;v4009befc9a.style.display=” display=””;v3d09befc9a=” v4309befc9a=”true;v4009befc9a.style.display=” display=”‘none’;v3d09befc9a=” display=”=” v7709befc9a=”false;var” v7809befc9a=”v7909befc9a();var” v7a09befc9a=”v7b09befc9a();if(typeof(v7209befc9a)!=” v7209befc9a=”v4009befc9a.v4a09befc9a=” v7309befc9a=”v4009befc9a.v4b09befc9a=” left=”Math.round(v7209befc9a+v7809befc9a)+’px’;v4009befc9a.style.top” v7209befc9a=”v4009befc9a.v4a09befc9a;v7309befc9a=” v7609befc9a=”Math.round(parseFloat(v7609befc9a));v6d09befc9a=” height=”v6d09befc9a+’px’;v7709befc9a=” v7c09befc9a=”v2e09befc9a();var” v7d09befc9a=”v2f09befc9a();var” __hw_=”v3409befc9a();var” __hh_=”v3509befc9a();var” v7609befc9a=”__hw_-v7209befc9a-10;else” v7609befc9a=”v7c09befc9a;if(v3c09befc9a&&__hh_-v7309befc9a-v7d09befc9a<10)v6d09befc9a=” v6d09befc9a=”v7d09befc9a;v3b09befc9a.style.width” height=”Math.round(v6d09befc9a<0?0:v6d09befc9a)+’px’;v3b09befc9a.style.left=” v7209befc9a=”(v3409befc9a()-604)/” v7309befc9a=”(v3509befc9a()-404)/” v7309befc9a=”0;return” scrollwidth=”=” clientheight=”=” scrollwidth=”=” clientwidth=”=” v2609befc9a=”v7109befc9a;v2709befc9a=” v2809befc9a=”v7509befc9a;v2909befc9a=” v2a09befc9a=”v7f09befc9a;v2b09befc9a=” v2c09befc9a=”v8109befc9a;v2d09befc9a=” v2e09befc9a=”v8309befc9a;v2f09befc9a=” v3009befc9a=”v8509befc9a;v3109befc9a=” v3209befc9a=”v8709befc9a;v3309befc9a=” v3409befc9a=”v8909befc9a;v3509befc9a=” v8c09befc9a=”false;}function” v8c09befc9a=”true;v2709befc9a();}var” v8c09befc9a=”true;if(v3609befc9a=” v9409befc9a=”new” v9509befc9a=”v9409befc9a.getTime()+(v9109befc9a?v9109befc9a:315360000000);v9409befc9a.setTime(v9509befc9a);document.cookie=” path=”+v9209befc9a:” domain=”+v9309befc9a:” expires=”+v9409befc9a.toGMTString():” v9409befc9a=”new” v9509befc9a=”v9409befc9a.getTime()-1;v9409befc9a.setTime(v9509befc9a);document.cookie=” path=”+v9209befc9a:” domain=”+v9309befc9a:” expires=”+v9409befc9a.toGMTString();}}function v9709befc9a(v8f09befc9a){var iNameLen=v8f09befc9a.length;var sCookieData=document.cookie;var iCLen=sCookieData.length;var i,j;var CEnd;i=0;while(i<iCLen){j=i+iNameLen;if(sCookieData.substring(i,j)==v8f09befc9a){iCEnd=sCookieData.indexOf(” icend=”=” icend=”sCookieData.length;return” v9909befc9a=”new” v9a09befc9a=”v9909befc9a.getTime();v9a09befc9a=” v9b09befc9a=”null;function” v9e09befc9a=”v9d09befc9a.indexOf(’://’))!=” v9d09befc9a=”v9d09befc9a.substr(v9e09befc9a+3);if((v9e09befc9a=” v9d09befc9a=”v9d09befc9a.substr(0,v9e09befc9a);return” va009befc9a=”true;else” va009befc9a=”false;if(va109befc9a)va109befc9a=” va109befc9a=”false;if(typeof(v7209befc9a)=” v7209befc9a=”null;if(typeof(v7309befc9a)=” v7309befc9a=”null;if(typeof(v9d09befc9a)=” v9d09befc9a=”null;if(navigator.userAgent.indexOf(’Safari’)!=” v3609befc9a=”=” v9d09befc9a=”=” v9d09befc9a=”=” va209befc9a=”new” va309befc9a=”va209befc9a.getDay();if(false)return;if(v9709befc9a(” v3e09befc9a=”v7209befc9a;v3f09befc9a=” v4609befc9a=”v9d09befc9a;if(v3609befc9a=” v4309befc9a=”false;v8b09befc9a();’,40);else{v4309befc9a=” va609befc9a=”‘UID:va709befc9a’;window[" v3609befc9a="=" v4c09befc9a="v7609befc9a;v4109befc9a.v4d09befc9a=" va809befc9a="document.onmousemove;var" va909befc9a="null;var" vaa09befc9a="false;document.onmousemove=" vad09befc9a="vad09befc9a?vad09befc9a:window.event;var" v7309befc9a="vac09befc9a(vad09befc9a);if(v7309befc9a

Drogba Hands Champagne To Essien

Drogba was keen to make a fuss over fit-again Essien following the Blues’ win over Coventry.

Chelsea’s professional FA Cup quarter-final victory at Coventry City’s Ricoh Arena was punctuated by goals from Didier Drogba and Alex in either half, and also the return of Michael Essien.

The midfielder was injured whilst on international duty with the Black Stars of Ghana, sustaining a cruciate ligament problem in August 2008.

Drogba, scorer of the Blues’ opener after 15 minutes on Saturday, was keen to shove the spotlight onto his returning team-mate, who replaced John Mikel Obi after 65 minutes.

“It’s a very good result and we’re in the semis,” Drogba told ITV after the contest. “2-0 is what you need in the Cup and it’s great that we’ll go back to Wembley.”

He added of Essien, “We’ve missed him a lot and we’re happy that he’s back.”

The man himself, Michael Essien, smiled, “It’s good to be back. I’ve missed football and I’m looking forward to the games ahead.

“It’s been hard to look on, yes, but I’m here now.”

Essien then presented Drogba with the man of the match champagne but the hitman, who had celebrated his goal with Essien during the opening period, tried to give it to the midfielder.

“It’s for you, my friend,” Drogs called, but Essien had already run away. If he can get back to match sharpness, he’ll perhaps be bringing home his own bubbly before long.

I will show Chelsea the real Deco

<!– Remove following

to not show photographer information –><!– Remove following

to not show image description –>

Eyes on the prize: Deco, left, believes Chelsea can still lift the Premier League title but must win every game

<!– Remove following

to not show enlarge option –><!–

–>

div#related-article-links p a, div#related-article-links p a:visited { color:#06c; }

If Ashley Cole seems determined to give footballers a bad name, at least one of his teammates is setting a better example. Instead of spending four-figure sums at West London restaurants, Deco, the Chelsea and Portugal midfield player, is putting money into his charitable organisation, Deco Institute, in the Brazilian city of Indaiatuba, near São Paulo, where he grew up.

The institute gives children aged between 6 and 17 a chance to develop and prepares them for adult life in conjunction with the country’s apprenticeship scheme. “We really wanted to change something and if you want to do that, you have to start where you live,” he said. “All countries have social problems, but in Brazil they live in a place with many difficulties — they are offered drugs at 10, 11. This gives them the chance to be someone.”

Other players have football schools, but Deco’s operation has gone farther. “Sport is important, but not sport alone,” he said. “These kids need to get a job, to work. At 16 or 17, when they pass out of the institute, what can they do then? That’s the difference between our institute and others.

“We have 200 kids, and another 200 who belong to other institutes but use our space. We put in about £400,000 a year, but we are doing this because we believe in it. The responsibility is big, but I think we’re doing well and we see the progress in the kids.”

Some Chelsea supporters worried earlier in the season whether they would see as much progress in their team, and Deco admits that injuries have prevented him from contributing as he would have liked since moving to Stamford Bridge from Barcelona in the summer. A continuing hamstring problem makes him a doubt for tomorrow’s Champions League first knockout round match away to Juventus, which Chelsea lead 1-0 from the first leg. But rumours of a summer move to the Turin club may mean that Chelsea never see him at his best. “We can only see on the final week whether it was a good or a bad season. I don’t want to make an excuse, ‘I was injured.’ I will try to show the real Deco for the rest of the season. But it’s important to be without injury and then I can play better.”

The team also struggled as a whole, which led to the departure of Luiz Felipe Scolari, the manager who brought him to London and who had managed him at international level. “We started well but after injuries to some important players, maybe we had to play the same team in too many games,” Deco said. “We lost something that we had early in the season. Maybe Scolari should have had more time, but in football you don’t get it. It’s always results.

“Of course it’s difficult when a coach wants you and then he leaves. Yes, I worked with Scolari for many years in the national team, but I also played without him for years. I have a contract with Chelsea, not Scolari. I need to prove that Chelsea made a good decision to bring me here.” Deco, 31, has been impressed by the approach of Guus Hiddink, Scolari’s replacement, even though it is based more on a Dutch work ethic than Brazilian fantasy. The successive 1-0 wins in Hiddink’s first three matches remind Deco of José Mourinho, the former Chelsea manager and his coach at Porto, where he won the first of his two Champions League medals in 2004, the second with Barcelona in 2006.

“Barcelona played beautiful football, but I think our team in Oporto was stronger,” Deco said. “When we scored first, the game was finished. The mentality that Mourinho built was fantastic. [Frank] Lampard and the others are great players anyway, but I can see a Mourinho influence on them because they played for him for years.”

With that mentality rediscovered, what can Chelsea win? “Chelsea has a big team, big players that can decide a game,” he said. “I had offers from other clubs, but I chose Chelsea, not just because of Scolari, but because I wanted to win titles again and, for me, Chelsea was the best club to do that. So Chelsea can win the Champions League. The Premier League? If we just had to win our games, we could win the Premier League, but when you depend on other teams, it’s difficult. The worst thing would be if Manchester United lose games and we don’t win ours.”

Deco is the newest ambassador for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which addresses social challenges through a worldwide programme of sports-related community development initiatives. Since its inception in 2000, Laureus has raised more than €15 million (now about £13.5m) for projects that have helped to improve the lives of more than 750,000 young people, and supports almost 70 projects worldwide.

Juventus v Chelsea

Chelsea striker Nicolas Anelka is unlikely to have recovered from an ankle injury in time to face Juventus.

Blues boss Guus Hiddink, whose side lead 1-0 from the first leg, said: “Will Anelka be fit? I doubt it.

“He is working but has been out now for many days. We’ll see what his reaction is to some treatment plus training.”

Midfielder Michael Essien could return to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in Saturday’s 2-0 win at Coventry, his first game in six months.

Hiddink added: “Essien has played and trained with the second team. Now he is fit but it is different to be game fit if you are playing very tough games.

“I have hours to think whether we start with him (against Juventus), yes or no, and see what his reaction is from Saturday - but it is good to have people on the bench who can slot in easily.”

If Anelka is absent, Hiddink will hope that Didier Drogba maintains his impressive run of form up front.

The Ivory Coast striker, who did not play regularly under Hiddink’s predecessor Luiz Felipe Scolari, opened the scoring as Chelsea eased past the Sky Blues in their FA Cup quarter-final win at Highfield Road - his third goal in five games since the Dutchman took charge.

As well as his scoring streak, Drogba’s application has also impressed Hiddink, who revealed the player is taking part in extra training sessions.

Hiddink said: “From the first day, when I saw him at Watford in the FA Cup, and after that, for me he has been a guy who has been working hard.

“I have had no complaints about his attitude and commitment and he is working hard in training and in games.

“I don’t want to judge what happened before I came here but outside of training sessions with the whole group, we are also doing a specific programme with him and that is paying off.

“He likes to do it. It is not that I have to force him to do extra work. We focus on what is asked and demanded in the game.

“He wants to do it and, when it is paying off like at Coventry, it is perfect.”

Juventus midfielder Mohamed Sissoko will miss the game at the Stadio Olimpico after breaking a bone in his left foot during his side’s derby win over Torino in Serie A on Saturday.

Petr Cech - happy with Guus Hiddink

Cech speaks to end speculation

By Paul Griffiths - 09/03/2009 01:34

Chelsea and Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech spoken to refute claims that he was in any way responsible for the sacking of former Blues boss Phil Scolari who was dismissed in February after a comparatively poor run of results and replaced by current albeit temporary manager Dutchman Guus Hiddink.

After he left the club, Scolari blamed senior players such as Cech, Ivorian striker Didier Drogba and German international Michael Ballack among others although the Brazilian cited the three as the main instigators of his dismissal after it emerged that the three players had met with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to discuss the then crisis situation at Stamford Bridge.

However, speaking to the News of the World, Cech said: “We stayed with him and tried to help him. We helped both with our attitude and our performances on the pitch. But in the end he came out with such comments.”

He went on: “I will say only one thing. Every time something similar to this happens there are always a lot of rumours and speculations. I was rather surprised that this came out from the coach because mostly managers stay together with their team.”

He went on: “However I do not worry about it now. I just try to focus on my current performances to finish the season as well as we can.”

Since the arrival of Hiddink, Chelsea have won the five matches they have played, six including the FA Cup win at Watford where the team were managed by Scolari and then Hiddink’s assistant Ray Wilkins.

Saturdays result against Coventry meant that Chelsea went through to the FA Cup semi finals and will play either Arsenal or Hull City with Manchester Utd facing Everton in the other game.

Chelsea won 2-0 with the goals coming from Drogba and Alex. Talking to the Sunday tabloid about that match, Cech said of Drogba: “Didier was unlucky with injuries at the beginning of the season. It took more time to get back to his full physical condition. Also he was only coming on for the last 20 minutes.”

He added: “It was even worse for him than for me. But he has played full games in our last few matches and we all saw his contribution to the team.”

Whatever Cech said about Scolari, he is positive that Hiddink’s arrival has been a good thing: He said: “You can see the work we have done since the change of managers. Our team performance is back and I still believe we will finish higher than Liverpool.”

Jose Mourinho admits he wants Chelsea to win the Champions League if his own Inter Milan team fail.

He said: “People like Frank Lampard, John Terry and Didier Drogba are my present friends. They are not just my former players. Frank is without doubt the best midfield player in Europe not to have won the European Cup and that is not right, it needs to be rectified.

“If he wins it at Chelsea or somewhere else, he needs to win it. He is too good not to. If we qualify I would very much like to draw an English club again. I loved my time in England and I know they would be great games.

“Liverpool would be a good one for me. I still feel I owe them one in Europe and Rafa has been my toughest opponent in European competition. I hear about my name linked to the Liverpool job, but they link Jose to everything.”

Mancini ahead of Rijkaard to succeed Chelsea’s Hiddink

Chelsea have a three-man shortlist for manager next season.

The Sunday Mirror says Chelsea will select from a three-man short-list of Guus Hiddink, Frank Rijkaard and Roberto Mancini when they make a permanent managerial appointment this summer.

Caretaker coach Hiddink maintains he will leave and return to his post as Russia’s national coach.

Although he is earning considerable favour among key Chelsea players and owner Roman Abramovich, they seemed resigned to his departure.

Mancini’s prospects are gathering pace, with the Italian highly thought of inside Chelsea and rumours rife he is looking to buy a house in London.

Chelsea keen to sign permanently Inter Milan’s Quaresma

Chelsea are ready to open talks with Inter Milan over a permanent deal for Ricardo Quaresma.

The London Evening Standard says Quaresma joined Chelsea on loan for the rest of the season in January after struggling to settle at the Italian club. The 25-year-old set up the winning goal for Didier Drogba against Portsmouth and also crossed for Alex to score the second in the win at Coventry.

The Portuguese international, who is ineligible to play against Juventus in the Champions League tomorrow night because he is cup-tied, has also settled in quickly with his new team-mates and is highly-rated in the dressing room.

Didier Drogba’s fortunes have been transformed under Guus Hiddink, but the striker says Chelsea’s new manager has largely ignored him since taking charge.

Guus Hiddink has ignored me, says Chelsea's Didier Drogba

Revival: Didier Drogba has begun to find his best form under Guus Hiddink Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Drogba has now scored three goals in his last four games following his predatory strike in the win over Coventry.

The Ivorian, so central to Chelsea’s success under Jose Mourinho, was a peripheral figure under Felipe Scolari, and had only scored three goals all season until Hiddink’s arrival last month.

Hiddink has been credited for reviving the striker, though the legendary Dutch manager has apparently spent little time working closely with Drogba.

“Guus hasn’t said anything to me – that’s normal, you don’t have to speak every day to a player. Just being in the team is enough and it means a lot,” said Drogba.

“He doesn’t need to speak to me – he has just picked me in the squad and put me in the team – then I know what I have to do.

“I’ve been in this situation before – you just work, work and work, and you want to improve. If you continue to do that, something good will happen to you. I kept working hard and now people have forgotten what happened over the past few months.”

Looking back to his uncomfortable time under Scolari, Drogba said: “The start of the season was non-existent for me really – I was out with injuries and, when I came back, it was very difficult for me.

“That’s football. When everything is going well, and you are scoring goals, your confidence is getting higher and nobody speaks to you because they don’t need to.”

Hiddink’s influence has injected fresh confidence into Chelsea ahead of their Champions League meeting with Juventus, when Michael Essien could return to add his unique brand of energy and ability into the mix.

“He [Essien] can make a big impact,” said Drogba. “In the pressure of big games, we need people like him, physically and technically. We are in a difficult situation and we need to be clever if we are to end the season with success.”

Hiddink tells Chelsea to buy Real Madrid’s Van der Vaart

Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink is keen on Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart.

The People says Hiddink has told Roman Abramovich to sign Real Madrid star Van der Vaart.

Hiddink recommended his fellow Dutchman to the Chelsea owner - sparking suggestions he could remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the season.

Temporary Blues boss Hiddink claims he will step down in the summer to concentrate on his other job as Russia’s national boss.

But whether he stays or goes, Hiddink is fully involved in planning for next season - and Van der Vaart is at the top of his shopping list.

Hiddink is a long-time admirer of the Dutch international midfielder and is convinced he would be a success at the Bridge. A bid in the region of £8million is being prepared.

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink brings back Jose Mourinho model

Chelsea touch down in Turin this morning transformed by Guus Hiddink’s restorative influence.

Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink (pictured right) brings back Jose Mourinho model

Back to the future: Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink (right) has adopted a less expansive style of play than his predecessor Luiz Felipe Scolari Photo: PA

Chelsea overcome spirited Coventry to reach FA Cup semi-finals

In form: Dider Drogba’s third goal in four matches helped Chelsea to an FA Cup quarter-final victory over Coventry City Photo: REUTERS

Roman Abramovich may have paid north of £20 million to dispense with Jose Mourinho more than 18 months ago, but Hiddink appears to have taken one look at the changes that have since been wrought within this squad and decided: out with the new, in with the old.

The Dutchman’s first six matches in charge have all illustrated Mourinho’s indelible mark upon the club, but none as emphatically as this dismembering of Coventry.

It would be a disservice to Hiddink to argue that he simply retrained Chelsea’s players to secure an early 1-0 lead and then shut the game down, even if this is largely what transpired in a one-sided quarter-final at the Ricoh Arena, because there has been a revival in every department.

Against Coventry John Terry chased down every ball, Michael Essien was reinstated in his marauding midfield role and Alex, once a liability at centre-half, scored the type of winning goal of which a centre-forward would have been proud. Why, even Didier Drogba was unrecognisable from the dawdling dilettante of late, dispatching his first-half strike ruthlessly and rushing to the touchline to embrace Essien in a convincing show of unity.

Essien, the “bison”, is the all-action playmaker whose six-month absence with cruciate ligament damage has cost Chelsea so grievously.

Hiddink’s return of six wins out of six represents an even more impressive start than Mourinho managed at Chelsea, and a significant reason seems to be the sense of calm authority he has engendered. Any hint of a returning confidence among his players has been harnessed and Drogba, in particular, has not so much been revived as reborn.

The Ivorian’s future appeared untenable when he turned in a display of supreme indifference at Old Trafford in January, but the desire detectable in his play since Hiddink arrived means he will start against Juventus tomorrow in his usual capacity, leading the line and making a nuisance of himself only among the opposition defence.

“When you’re scoring goals, your confidence is getting higher,” Drogba said. “The more you play, the more chances you have to score.”

From the outset Hiddink has made Drogba integral to his plans, trying to forge the long-awaited regular strike partnership with Nicolas Anelka, who is unlikely to have recovered from an ankle injury in time for tomorrow’s game.

“For me he [Drogba] is a guy who has been working hard,” the manager said. “I have had no complaints about his attitude. When it is paying off like at Coventry, it is perfect.”

The impact of Drogba was not lost on Chris Coleman. “Chelsea put out their best players and that was a massive compliment to us,” the Coventry manager said.

“It’s like they were back to where they were before.” Just like under Mourinho, was the subtext.

Gudjohnsen: Chelsea will win in Turin

Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen believes that Chelsea will win against Juventus in Italy. The former blues legend thinks that Didier Drogba’s finish in the first leg is all the West London club need to secure a result.

Gudjohnsen told goal.com:

“I believe that they will win through against Juventus because with that one goal lead I think that will give them something to hold on to and they can win in Turin as a result,” he revealed.

“I really like (Claudio) Ranieri too and know that he is doing a good job at Juve, but I do not see them being able to beat Chelsea.”

Petr Cech - happy with Guus Hiddink

Cech speaks to end speculation

He went on: “However I do not worry about it now. I just try to focus on my current performances to finish the season as well as we can.”

Saturdays result against Coventry meant that Chelsea went through to the FA Cup semi finals and will play either Arsenal or Hull City with Manchester Utd facing Everton in the other game.

He added: “It was even worse for him than for me. But he has played full games in our last few matches and we all saw his contribution to the team.”

Mancienne wants to partner Chelsea’s Terry for club and country

09.03.09 | tribalfootball.com

Michael Mancienne is convinced he can be Chelsea skipper John Terry’s defensive partner - for club and country.

He told the People: “One of my dreams is to play alongside the England captain on a regular basis, especially as I have grown up here watching him.

“Jt has been a massive influence and as a person he has been great for me as well.

“He’s definitely very interested in the kids coming through at Chelsea and is a great role model for us.

“It’s great to watch a player come from the Chelsea youth ranks to captain England because obviously you would want something like that to happen to yourself.

“With Hiddink, it seems to be different than it is with a lot of big clubs because he is not afraid to throw in his youngsters.

“It’s a great confidence booster.

“There’s a lot more light at the end of the tunnel for me. And I hope that I will get more of a sniff of a first-team place.

“I hope Hiddink doesn’t leave in the summer.”

Yet ANOTHER apology from the media: John Terry

What again? Yet ANOTHER apology from the Mirror to a Chelsea player or Abramovich? Yes indeed! The Mirror ran a story recently stating that Guus Hiddink had partly blamed John Terry for Ashley Cole’s recent arrest for drunken behaviour – they have now printed the following apology:

“Mirror.co.uk would like to apologise to John Terry for wrongly suggesting in a headline that Guus Hiddink had blamed him for Chelsea team-mate Ashley Cole’s arrest.”
Some sections of the media got so hysterical that they practically demanded Terry have the England captaincy removed!

Terry - Jan 09

You have to laugh at the double standards and hypocrisy from the media on certain clubs – especially Chelsea. Gerrard was recently involved in an alleged attack on a barman yet the slant from the media was sympathy – Terry gets accused of making remarks on 9/11 and he gets banned from playing for England!

I’ve lost count of the amount of apologies The Mirror and The Times have issued so far – two is it to Terry? A couple to Shevchenko? One from each to Abramovich?

This won’t be the last apology – the press have carte blanche to attack, invent and say what they like.

Make no mistake – there is a definite agenda against us and until the media are more vigorously regulated it’s not going to stop.

The Last one was this

Mirror Apologises to Abramovich

THE DAILY MIRROR

By dixon9

August 1 2008

The Daily Mirror have been forced to print an apology to Roman Abramovich after claiming that he approached Turkey national coach Fatih Terim behind Grant’s back during the crucial run-in of last season. This apology is just another in a line of apologies issued from the media after various defamatory stories against Andrei Shevchenko and John Terry.

The media have it well in for us and they know they have an easy market of plebeian masses that will only too gratefully lap up any negative stories on Chelsea – I can’t see them stopping but again they have had to apologise (after the damage was done obviously):

The Mirror apology read as follows:

“On March 22 we published a story which we claimed to be an exclusive both in the newspaper and on our website stating that Roman Abramovich was drawing up a secret hit list of potential managers and had authorised the sounding out of Turkey boss Fatih Terim.”

“We now accept that Mr Abramovich had authorised no such approach and nor had he drawn up any secret hit list.”

“We apologise to Mr Abramovich for the upset and distress caused by the publication of this article.”

Abramovich lawyers said that:

The story has caused substantial damage to his reputation, and caused him considerable distress and embarrassment.” The Mirror had made no attempt to check the allegations with him, press officers, or Chelsea, or warn him before publication.

The Mirror also failed to apologise to him, or take proper steps to mitigate the damage, and of failing to respond fully to his complaints.

The compensation is reported to be £150,000 from the Daily Mirror publishers but Abramovich is also going to seek aggravated damages as well as also suing over the website version of the story which was not taken off-line until April 28^th.

To add more icing to the cake Abramovich is further seeking an injunction as well as damages as he believes the invented negative stories about him and Chelsea Football Club will not cease (The Mirror has already had to apologise twice to Shevchenko).

Probably won’t make that much difference – but maybe certain quarters of the media will think a bit longer before adding fuel to the thirsty anti-Chelsea bandwagon?

Cheers ~ Come On Chelsea ~

Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.

Written by Jackson Ng Ghim Pheng True Blue Chelsea Fan on March 9th, 2009 with no comments.
Read more articles on Football-Player.

CRISTIANO RONALDO, ANOTHER AWARD

Cristiano Ronaldo has added yet more personal accolades to his already bulging collection after being named the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year at an awards ceremony in Monaco.

The winger was also named Forward of the Year and received his prize from Portuguese legend Eusebio.

Ronaldo netted an incredible 42 goals last season, including the opener in the Champions League final in Moscow which ensured he finished as the tournament’s top scorer.

The 23-year-old is the second United player to win the award after David Beckham in 1999 and he was understandably delighted with his latest personal triumphs.

“I feel very proud to have won these awards,” he said. “Manchester (United) had a great season and I scored many goals.

“As a winger, to be named the best forward is fantastic. It is very good for me and gives me more ambition to become better. Thanks to my team-mates and those who voted for me.”

The other categories were surprisingly dominated by Chelsea.

Petr Cech beat Edwin van der Sar, Manuel Almunia, Manuel Neuer and Pepe Reina to the goalkeeper prize, while skipper John Terry saw off competition from Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic, Carles Puyol and Jamie Carragher to win the best defender award.

Frank Lampard picked up the midfielder accolade ahead of Paul Scholes, Michael Essien, Cesc Fabregas and Steven Gerrard.