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Showing posts with label Chelsea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chelsea. Show all posts
Tuesday, 19 August 2014
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Oscar award helps Drogba get No 11 Chelsea shirt back (Reuters)

Chelsea\'s Didier Drogba (R) runs with his teammates as they warm up before their friendly soccer match against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge in London, August 12, 2014. REUTERS/Paul Hackett

Didier Drogba praised an Oscar performance on Friday when the returning Chelsea great was handed the number 11 shirt he made famous during his first spell at Stamford Bridge. Drogba displaces the Brazil international who instead took the number eight jersey vacated by Manchester City loan signing Frank Lampard after the London club released their squad numbers for the new season. "I am very pleased to be able to return to the number 11 shirt and I am very grateful to Oscar for allowing me to make this change," the influential Ivorian told the club website (www.chelseafc.com). Drogba last donned the jersey when he scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in May 2012.





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Jose Mourinho, Chelsea are well-positioned to return to the top of the Premier League (Yahoo Sports)

Chelsea\'s coach Jose Mourinho looks before their friendly soccer match against Vitesse Arnhem in Arnhem July 30, 2014. REUTERS/Toussaint Kluiters/United Photos

An unusually quiet summer for Manchester City and questions around Liverpool and Manchester United could open the door to a title for Diego Costa and Co.





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Oscar award helps Drogba get No 11 Chelsea shirt back (Reuters)

Chelsea\'s Didier Drogba (R) runs with his teammates as they warm up before their friendly soccer match against Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge in London, August 12, 2014. REUTERS/Paul Hackett

Didier Drogba praised an Oscar performance on Friday when the returning Chelsea great was handed the number 11 shirt he made famous during his first spell at Stamford Bridge. Drogba displaces the Brazil international who instead took the number eight jersey vacated by Manchester City loan signing Frank Lampard after the London club released their squad numbers for the new season. "I am very pleased to be able to return to the number 11 shirt and I am very grateful to Oscar for allowing me to make this change," the influential Ivorian told the club website (www.chelseafc.com). Drogba last donned the jersey when he scored the winning penalty in the Champions League final against Bayern Munich in May 2012.





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Jose Mourinho, Chelsea are well-positioned to return to the top of the Premier League (Yahoo Sports)

Chelsea\'s coach Jose Mourinho looks before their friendly soccer match against Vitesse Arnhem in Arnhem July 30, 2014. REUTERS/Toussaint Kluiters/United Photos

An unusually quiet summer for Manchester City and questions around Liverpool and Manchester United could open the door to a title for Diego Costa and Co.





Wednesday, 1 January 2014
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Chelsea seal deal for Traore

Chelsea seal deal for Traore
Highly-rated Bertrand Traore has completed his move to Chelsea, signing a four-and-a-half year deal.
The 18-year-old agreed the deal with the west Londoners in October, with the opening of the January transfer window allowing him to make the switch from Association Jeunes Espoirs De Bobo-Dioulasso in his native Burkina Faso.
Traore, a senior international since the age of 15, was taken as a trialist on Chelsea's summer tour of Asia and played a part in all three matches, scoring in Malaysia and Indonesia.
"I'm an attacking midfielder," he told Chelsea TV.
"I can play in the number 10 position, I can play on the wings and I'm good on the ball. I can shoot well and am strong in a one v one situation, so I can score goals.
"My favourite players are Juan Mata, Mesut Ozil and Eden Hazard. They're very good players and I am trying to be like them.
"At Chelsea I look to follow the way of some African legends like Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and now Samuel Eto'o."

Sunday, 29 December 2013
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Eto'o strike completes Chelsea comeback

Eto'o strike completes Chelsea comeback
Chelsea starved Luis Suarez of chances in claiming a 2-1 come-from-behind win over Liverpool in a pulsating Barclays Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge.
In Suarez's first match with Chelsea since April's infamous bite on Branislav Ivanovic earned him a 10-match ban, Jose Mourinho's side deprived the prolific striker of scoring opportunities and took full advantage.
The Blues responded from going behind to Martin Skrtel's fourth-minute goal with a brilliant Eden Hazard strike and a rare striker's goal.
Samuel Eto'o showed a goal-poacher's instinct to decide the game with his third Premier League goal of the season - and just the sixth by a Chelsea striker.
Liverpool hit the bar through Mamadou Sakho and might have had a penalty when John Terry clumsily clambered over Suarez in the box; although Hazard also had justifiable claims for a first-half spot-kick dismissed by referee Howard Webb.
Suarez had another penalty claim denied when Eto'o tripped him off the ball as Chelsea held on to move two points behind leaders Arsenal in third place. Liverpool are six points off the pace at the halfway stage of the season.
Mourinho enjoyed a famous rivalry with Liverpool in his first spell, but Chelsea's recent record against the Reds has been poor as they recorded just a third win in 14 Premier League games between the sides, with the Portuguese achieving victory over Brendan Rodgers, one of his former apprentices.
Mourinho's previous duels with Liverpool came against Rafael Benitez, who he has made numerous veiled barbs towards since succeeding the Spaniard at Chelsea.
Mourinho insisted he would not deploy David Luiz in midfield, but he did just that in a side showing four changes in a bid to stifle the attacking threat of Liverpool, particularly Suarez, who had scored 19 goals in his previous 13 Premier League games this term.
Chelsea captain John Terry made his 600th Chelsea appearance, while Daniel Agger was the Reds' sole change following the loss at Manchester City.
The visitors led when Suarez got in front of Ivanovic to meet Philippe Coutinho's free-kick. The ball hit Ivanovic and broke for Skrtel to tap in.
Conceding early roused Chelsea into action in a high-tempo, end-to-end contest.
Hazard forced Simon Mignolet to save before going down in the box under the challenge of Lucas Leiva, who was fortunate not to concede a penalty.
Mignolet was at full stretch to turn over a Frank Lampard shot from 25 yards which appeared destined for the top corner - but the Belgian goalkeeper was beaten by a brilliant shot from his compatriot Hazard moments later.
Oscar drove through the middle and his attempted pass bounced off Sakho into Hazard's path - and he hit a curled effort into the top corner.
Chelsea were now on top, but still had to be alert at the back and Gary Cahill made a brilliant tackle to deny Joe Allen.
Ivanovic's reunion with Suarez lasted less than half an hour after the Serbia right-back's left leg over-stretched after he collided with Agger, with Cole replacing him and Cesar Azpilicueta moving to right-back.
Azpilicueta was involved in the move which took the Blues ahead, making an over-lapping run before Oscar crossed towards Eto'o - who got in front of Skrtel to poke in beyond Mignolet.
Cech saved from Allen before the half-time whistle and a truce in proceedings which saw Eto'o and Sakho and Oscar and Coutinho swap shirts.
Lampard was replaced by John Obi Mikel as Mourinho made his second change in a breathless encounter.
Sakho hit the bar with a looping header after being found by Jordan Henderson before Mignolet saved from Eto'o.
Suarez volleyed straight at Cech after tangling with Mikel to earn his first shooting chance of the game and then went down in the box after competing for an aerial ball with Terry, with Webb unmoved.
Oscar curled narrowly wide after dispossessing Lucas and Hazard shot off target either side of Cech turning a Johnson effort round the post.
Then Eto'o needlessly tripped Suarez off the ball - but again Webb dismissed Liverpool complaints.
Fernando Torres replaced Eto'o and immediately ran at the Reds, cutting in from the touchline before forcing Mignolet to save.
Brazil team-mates Lucas and Oscar were involved in an angry exchange in stoppage time after the Chelsea man's tackle left his side defending a free-kick.
Suarez scored in the 97th minute in April and when a late set-piece went the visitors' way, Mignolet went up for the set-piece - but on this occasion there was no late equaliser.

Friday, 27 December 2013
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Chelsea failings exhaust Mourinho

Chelsea failings exhaust Mourinho
Jose Mourinho feels exhausted watching his Chelsea side struggle to finish off opponents, but for once was left lauding the heroics of Swansea's goalkeeper, rather than his forwards' failings in front of goal.
Eden Hazard's first-half goal gave Chelsea a 1-0 win over Swansea in a match which saw goalkeeper Gerhard Tremmel deny Samuel Eto'o either side of half-time as the Blues exhibited familiar failings in front of goal.
Mourinho also felt Chelsea should have had a penalty when Hazard was tackled by Jordi Amat in the box, but there were few on-field protests over the second-half incident.
The Portuguese said: "They kill me. Every game I'm tired in the end.
"At half-time we all should be relaxed with a comfortable result and we weren't and the first thing that happens in the second half was probably the biggest chance of the game.
"After that we had a clear penalty, after that the goalkeeper made another fantastic save from (Frank) Lampard's shot, because the ball was going in the corner and had a deflection.
"But the time goes on, we don't score the second goal and you feel like the opponent now believes and the opponent is keen to risk a bit more and put in a second striker. In this moment you are a bit in trouble.
"You don't score, you finish feeling you are going to concede. But the boys, they worked hard defensively and in the last part they looked comfortable in their control of the game.
"Deserved victory, important victory, and today I can say that the biggest responsible for the lack of goals was their goalkeeper, because he made three or four big saves."
Chelsea's best chance fell to Eto'o in the opening seconds of the second half, following David Luiz's long pass and Juan Mata's control and cross, but Tremmel saved from point-blank range.
Instead of again bemoaning another failure by Chelsea's strikers, Mourinho praised the Swansea stopper.
He added: "We didn't miss, the goalkeeper made fantastic saves.
"The first half save from Eto'o's shot was brilliant. The first save in the first minute of the second half is the same.
"David's pass just in front of me was good, Mata control and pass was fantastic, Eto'o attacks the ball perfectly.
"My striker made the right movement to attack the ball, he did well, the goalkeeper made a fantastic save."
Hazard impressed and was arguably the only one of Chelsea's four starting attacking players to emerge with credit.
"The kid gave everything," Mourinho said.
The Belgium forward missed Chelsea's home match with Schalke after being absent from training in November.
"He never missed a training session after that," Mourinho added.
Hazard was granted a few minutes' additional rest when he was substituted in the second half and should be fine for Sunday's match with Liverpool.
Chelsea's title credentials will face a stern test and they will be without one of their most consistent performers after Ramires was booked for halting a counter-attack in the second half, picking up his fifth yellow card of the season.
"It's the kind of yellow card I don't complain to the players because he did it for the team," Mourinho added.
"I don't want to cry, I just want to think about the solutions we have and prepare the team without him. That's life.
"If I don't play him today to protect him for Liverpool, I wouldn't forgive myself if I lose today points.
"He doesn't play against Liverpool, it means that against Southampton (on January 1) he's fresh."
Swansea play their second game in 48 hours on Saturday at Aston Villa with manager Michael Laudrup buoyed by the fact his side remained in contention until the end.
Laudrup said: "It's never good to lose a game, but once again to be in there until the last second I'm satisfied with that. Overall it's okay.
"Now that positive thing we have to bring on to the next, which now is a very important one for us, as it is for Aston Villa."
Chelsea had numerous opportunities, while Swansea had one good chance to equalise through Alvaro Vazquez, but Petr Cech saved.
"In terms of chances, I think it's more or less what I expected," Laudrup added.
"You know they will have two or three quite big chances, maybe some half chances; that we would get three, four half chances.
"The one in the first half from Alvaro was quite a big chance. You have to score.
"If you don't score that, it's difficult. You will not create eight chances against Chelsea away."
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
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Premier League Preview: Chelsea v. Swansea City

Jose Mourinho AP
  • Chelsea have been reduced to 10 men in three of their last six meetings with Swansea in all competitions.
  • Chelsea took part in the highest scoring Premier League game on December 26 when they drew 4-4 with Aston Villa in 2007.
  • Frank Lampard has played more games on December 26 than any other player in Premier League history (15).
Chelsea will look to close the two point gap on league leaders Liverpool when they welcome Swansea City to Stamford Bridge on Thursday (9:45am ET live on NBCSN and online via NBC Sports Live Extra).
Following the 0-0 draw with Arsenal on Monday, the Blues sit fourth in the table, seven spots ahead of the Swans. Jose Mourinho’s side have dropped only two points at home all season, keeping The Special One’s home unbeaten streak at 68 games. Which doesn’t bode well for Swansea.
The fact that Michael Laudrup‘s club have been inconsistent on the road this season will only complicate the issue further for the Swans, who are suffering from a rash of injuries and the rigors of playing in the Europa League. The combination of the two has made Swansea a completely unpredictable squad. Sometimes they look like world beaters, other times the look like a Championship side.
But while Swansea have never beaten Chelsea in four previous league meetings, Stamford Bridge is the venue where they secured a 2-0 victory in the semi-final of last year’s League Cup – the necessary result to help them go on and win the competition.
If they’re to win on Thursday it will have to be without Michu (ankle), Michel Vorm (knee), Nathan Dyer (ankle) and Gary Monk (knee), who are all sidelined with injury.
For Chelsea, Ryan Bertrand (knock) is out while Marco van Ginkel (knee) remains a longterm absentee with an ACL injury. Nevertheless, expect Mourinho to rotate his squad given the close temporal proximity of this match to the Arsenal match.
What They’re Saying
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho: “OK, we don’t go to Christmas as leaders, but we go with evolution because last season the championship was already lost by this point. Now, we are there.”
Swansea manager Michael Laudrup: “We are talking about one of the favourites for the title, but other teams have gone there and done well and I still think we have a chance. We have fond memories of that pitch.”
Prediction
Normally, I’d say Swansea could give Chelsea a game in this one. They’re a great footballing side and one that’s capable of shocking anyone. Except when Vorm is out because or my money, Gerhard Tremmel is the worst goal-keeper in the league. A bit harsh but true. The Blues will roll.
Monday, 23 December 2013
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Jose Mourinho targets 12-year stay at Chelsea

Jose Mourinho AP
No need to worry, Chelsea lovers, Jose Mourinho plans on staying at Stamford Bridge for the next 12 years.
It’s an ambitious goal and one that Mourinho is keen to point out as his “worst contract” in the past six years.
Speaking ahead of Monday’s blockbuster with Arsenal, Mourinho noted his optimism. “Realistically I hope at the end of those four years we sit, analysze the situation and that will be the point where we both – club and me – are happy to carry on or happy to separate,” he said.
“But I would like [to stay for], say, 12 years. I’m 51 next month. I’d say 12 years, and then two to go to a World Cup with a national team. I would prefer the Portuguese national team. England second [choice], yes.”
Mourinho also discussed the keys to running a successful club.
“The best way to [run a club] is to do it with stability. For the players, if you want to help them grow up, you do that much better with stability: in ideas, philosophy, model of play, style of leadership. This all comes from stability at the highest level: with the owners and board and, after that, the manager. The second line of the hierarchy. That stability is very important.”
The Special One’s aspiration to last 12 years at Stamford Bridge assume a copastetic relationship with club owner, Roman Abramovich. In 2007, Mourinho’s first stay in West London was cut short when relations strained with the Russian billionaire. Since that divorce, Abramovich has cruised through five permanent managers and two interims, meaning the helm at Chelsea is hardly a place of stability.
But if anyone can see that stretch out, it’s the Portuguese boss.
Discussing his lucrative deals with Inter Milan and Real Madrid, Mourinho described his motivation to return to the Blues. “I didn’t come here because the job was easy, or because I had a team ready to attack the title, or because I was coming here for the best contract of my life. It’s the worst of my last six years. I’m here because I love the club, I love the project. It’s a different project.”
Mourinho and Arsene Wenger renew their long-standing relationship today at the Emirates Stadium, coverage begins at 2:00 pm ET on NBCSN.

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Arsenal V Chelsea at Emirates Stadium : Match Preview

Arsenal V Chelsea at Emirates Stadium : Match Preview
Arsenal V Chelsea - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

Szczesny feels benefits of axing

Wojciech Szczesny feels being dropped last season may have helped him get back on course to cement his place as Arsenal's number one goalkeeper.


The Poland international has kept 11 clean sheets this season for the Gunners, but could not do much as Manchester City romped to a 6-3 win at the Etihad Stadium last weekend.


Szczesny will be out to help Arsene Wenger's side recover what had been the best defensive record in the Barclays Premier League when they host Chelsea on Monday night, in a match which could see Arsenal return to the top of the table.


The 6ft 5ins Pole has certainly produced some consistent displays this season, which has seen calls for Wenger to bring in an experienced goalkeeper fade away.


Szczesny, 23, believes being taken out of the firing line by the Arsenal manager for the Champions League last 16 second-leg tie away to Bayern Munich in March helped him regain some focus to return to top form heading into 2014.


"It is hard to tell (because) I don't know what it would have been like if I wasn't dropped, but looking at my own performances now it must have been a good decision from the manager because I feel better, I feel sharper and more confident in myself," Szczesny said in the January edition of the official Arsenal magazine.


"That little break away from the pressure meant that I could focus on my training to come back sharper, and so far it has worked out pretty well.


"I think I am very consistent now, I am a little bit more mature and the back four are helping me out as well, so I would say it is the most consistent run of my career - but there is still a lot of room for improvement.


"The experience I have had of playing 130-odd games for one of the biggest clubs in the world gives you that maturity and calmness.


"It probably makes a big difference in my performances as well.


"Maybe it comes with maturity but I do feel more focused during games."


Arsenal will be without midfielder Jack Wilshere, who starts a two-match suspension. Centre-half Laurent Koscielny is a major doubt after suffering a gash to his knee in the defeat at Manchester City, but German forward Lukas Podolski is available again after three months out with a hamstring injury.


Jose Mourinho may have downplayed the significance of Chelsea's defeat of Arsenal in the Capital One Cup, but Fernando Torres and Juan Mata will take confidence from the victory into the clash at the Emirates Stadium.


Two days after Torres' late goal gave Chelsea victory over Manchester City in the Premier League, a Blues side showing 10 changes claimed a 2-0 win at Arsenal to advance in the League Cup with a sixth win from six games in October.





Now out of that competition following the midweek loss at Sunderland, Chelsea's immediate focus is on the championship and claiming a third successive win at Arsenal following last season's Premier League triumph.





Torres, who netted in the September 2012 win, said on chelseafc.com: "We know how important it is for us. It's a chance to overtake them in the table and we know how important that is for the fans.





"We're playing Arsenal, and it's a huge game for both sets of fans.





"We've beaten them once this season in the Capital One Cup at the Emirates, so we know what we need to do to win there.





"We just have to ensure we prepare for the game the best we can, and I'm sure we can go and do it."





A win in the first of four games in 10 days would take Chelsea above the Gunners and level in first place with a Liverpool side which visits Stamford Bridge on December 29.





Mata was on target in last season's Premier League win over Arsenal and in the Capital One Cup earlier this season, when he was out of favour.





The Spaniard, who is still to claim a regular starting place, told Chelsea TV: "They are playing really well at the Emirates, but we won there in the Capital One Cup this season.





"We'll try to play great football like we did that game and we'll try to get the three points to get to the top of the table.





"It's a team I enjoy playing against. They are a team that play with the ball and in a way they let you play with the ball as well.





"I've been lucky against them. I scored at Stamford Bridge twice in two games, I scored at the Emirates twice."





There will be familiar opposition facing Torres and Mata, if the pair are selected, with Spaniards Santi Cazorla, Nacho Monreal and Mikel Arteta in the Gunners squad.





"They are my friends," Mata added.





"Santi is an amazing player, he can play with both feet. Nacho is a very consistent left-back and Mikel is one of the most important players in the team because he's the centre of their football.





"In the midfield they have a lot of players that can play with quality. We will have to be careful with them."





Mourinho has an unbeaten record against Arsene Wenger's Arsenal.





In eight meetings of Mourinho's first spell, the Portuguese won four times and drew four, while the Capital One Cup success enhanced his record.





The self-proclaimed Special One insisted the record was not relevant heading into the contest in which England left-back Ashley Cole is to be left "on the bench or at home".





The defender, who joined Chelsea from Arsenal in controversial circumstances in August 2006, attended his former club's Christmas party last week and was already out of favour, having not played a Premier League game since November 2 at Newcastle.





Cesar Azpilicueta is preferred, with Branislav Ivanovic back following suspension.





Captain John Terry is to be joined in central defence by Gary Cahill or David Luiz.





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