Blue is the Colour...The Chelsea FC Thread!

[JeremyA]

Arsenal seriously needs a leader on the field. You've got an English team with mostly foreign players, a stadium so big that it is not so intimidating anymore for away teams, let alone it being named after a foreign land, supporters who desert them even before the game is over, and no leader. It is an English club with no soul at all.

BTW, Andy Gray.....beautiful football played by Arsenal, yeah?

Now we can talk about the FA!

[richyuppie]

Arsenal seriously needs a leader on the field. You've got an English team with mostly foreign players, a stadium so big that it is not so intimidating anymore for away teams, let alone it being named after a foreign land, supporters who desert them even before the game is over, and no leader. It is an English club with no soul at all.

Andrei Arshavin was injured against Chelsea and cup-tied against Man United in the UEFA semis. Without him, Arsenal is inferior against these teams. Since his arrival at the Emirates, Arsenal is on a roll. Did you see his performance against Liverpool (the 4-4)? One classic game indeed!

About the foreigners in Arsenal, they now have a problem with the upcoming 6+5 rule. It will be 4+7 starting at the 2010-2011 season, and they only have one quality local player, that is Theo Walcott. So now they have a problem at which new players to sign - local or foreign.

[richyuppie]

Sunday. May 17, 11pm Live @ ESPN

[richyuppie]

LONDON - Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink enjoyed a winning farewell to Stamford Bridge as goals from Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka clinched a 2-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday.

Hiddink was taking charge of his last home match before resuming his role as Russia coach on a full-time basis after the FA Cup final against Everton on May 30.

The Dutchman has one more league game at Sunderland next week before that Wembley date, but this was his final appearance at the Bridge and Chelsea's players and fans gave him a rousing send-off.

Although Chelsea still have a chance of snatching second place from Liverpool, they are likely to finish outside the top two for the first time since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003.

But Hiddink takes no blame for that after revitalising a team in danger of missing out on the Champions League places altogether when he replaced Luiz Felipe Scolari in February.

He has lost just one of his 12 league games and was within seconds of leading the Blues to the Champions League final before Barcelona's agonising late goal.

Hiddink said: "It was surprising to me to see such a reaction from everyone because I was only here a short period.

"But I worked with a lot joy with these players and also received a lot of support from the crowd. I'm very proud of the players. They responded to everything I asked of them."

The Chelsea faithful sang Hiddink's name at the start of the second half and he got to his feet and bowed to all four sides of the stadium in response. They also made it clear that they would rather not have AC Milan boss Carlo Ancelotti as his successor.

[richyuppie]

It is still a big mystery for who would be Chelsea's next manager be. Some names are current AC Milan manager Carlo Ancelotti, former Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard, and former Chelsea manager Avant Grant (rumored, but was quickly ruled out by the management). It will be a big loss for the Blues, if Hiddink officially does not extend it's contract (it is still not official). His record and performance speaks for itself. I'm definitely convinced that the outcome would've been completely different (worse should I say) if Scolari was retained until the end of the season, especially in the Champions League. I think Chelsea would have a more difficult time defeating their knockout stage opponents, namely Juventus, Liverpool and Barcelona respectively.

My only regret about Guus short stint is, he wasn't able to meet ManUnited. Two chances to meet didn't happen: when ManU lost to Eventon in the FA Cup semis, and Chelsea didn't advance in the UEFA CL Semis against Barcelona. I would be very curious on his strategy against ManU.

Anelka is on the run for the Golden Boot with C. Ronaldo. Expect a thrilling final day match figures when both of them play (yes, I expect Ronaldo to play). I praise Drogba, for not being selfish in the 59th minute against Blackburn. Drogba was free and you know will definitely take that shot or move closer at any other condition. But he knows that Anelka is in contention for the Premier League's top scorer. Even though Drogba was free and Anelka is covered, Didier still passed the ball to a covered Anelka, who drove a low shot past Robinson to move level with Cristiano Ronaldo on 18 goals.

What an exciting BPL finale, indeed!

[richyuppie]

Nicolas Anelka scored his 19th league goal of the season to secure the Golden Boot award. The French international Anelka seemingly decided at half-time to go for goal the next time he got the ball, as soon after the break he carried it from deep before unleashing a lethal strike from distance that flew past goalkeeper Marton Fulop into the top corner to move above Cristiano Ronaldo, who did not play against Hull.

[JeremyA]

I'm predicting 2-1 for Chelsea. A good start by Everton and Chelsea cramming during the 2nd half. First goal Anelka.

[JeremyA]

By the way, seems like Ancelotti's a done deal. Does anyone know anything about him pulling in some ACM players...David Beckham seemed like someone in the list.

~Guus Hiddink...we want you to staay....Guus Hiddink..we want you to stay.~

[richyuppie]

Flying high, up in the sky,
We'll keep the blue flag flying high
From Stamford Bridge to Wemb(er)ley
We'll keep the blue flag flying high

[richyuppie]

By the way, seems like Ancelotti's a done deal. Does anyone know anything about him pulling in some ACM players...David Beckham seemed like someone in the list.

Sheva could be back... Becks? Nah, I don't think so. He loves ManU so much. Maybe Maldini, hehehe

Chelsea needs young blood. Pato is good at ACM, but I haven't had any hint yet that any ACM players are moving. Frank Ribery is rumored to be at Stamford Bridge next season, although the Bayern camp denies it.

Funny how football is like showbiz in other countries. Intrigues, gossips, false stories, etc. Blame it on the Britons. They would sensasionalise stories or report on anything to make their tabloids sell.

Even our basketball players here don't get that attention here!

Indeed!

[Drahow ein Ente]

Chelsea is leading 2-1 with goals from Drogba and Lampard.

[fernando_hierro]

congrats chelsea

tama c jeremy except on anelka
trophy winner goal by lampard

but if he wants the best trophy
as in the european cup
barca is the way to go

[richyuppie]

[JeremyA]

I'm predicting 2-1 for Chelsea. A good start by Everton and Chelsea cramming during the 2nd half. First goal Anelka.

I didnt even see that 26th second goal!!!

Guus...thank you thank you thank you for turning the 08-09 rollercoaster ride into something very memorable and historic. You will be greatly missed.

Que sera sera, whatever will be, will be, we won it in Wembley...que sera sera!!!

[JeremyA]

Double post

[JeremyA]

Double post

[pinkclair]

Carlo Ancelotti is the new Chelsea manager

And Congrats to Chelsea for the 2009 FA Cup win.

[anomoly]

Ancelotti has been appointed as Chelsea's new manager, he signed a 3 years contract. I reckon he will go after Kaka.

[richyuppie]

(article a day before the official Ancelotti announcement)

Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack, only a substitute for Saturday's FA Cup final win over Everton, has agreed a one-year contract extension.

"I haven't signed yet but I have agreed for another year," Ballack, 32, told BBC Sport, adding he expected Milan's Carlo Ancelotti to succeed Guus Hiddink as coach next season at Stamford Bridge.

"I haven't worked under him and I don't know him very well but you can see from the work he has done at Milan that he is a successful manager," Ballack said.

"It's not done yet but it looks like he will be coach."

Ancelotti is set to reveal if he is to take charge after the Serie A season ends on Sunday evening as interim manager Hiddink, who replaced the sacked Luiz Felipe in February, returns to his job as Russia coach following four months in London.

Ballack, signed by Jose Mourinho in 2006, has seen Chelsea win two FA Cups since but insisted that next season he wants to target bigger prizes with Manchester United having dominated the league since his arrival in England.

"What we need at Chelsea is consistency," he insisted. "There is not much that we need to change to win the Premier League next season. We have a great team, which is the most important thing, but we have to change the manager again and we will need a bit of time to adapt.

"Every coach works with different methods and the players have to get to know him - hopefully we won't need too much time because if we do we will be a little bit behind," said Ballack, who indicated he did not think a new coach would need to go on a spending spree.

"I don't think we need to buy anybody because we already have a lot of good players on the bench.

"That is for the club to decide but, if you look at the performances over the last couple of years in reaching finals, we have a really good squad and are heading in the right direction."

[Bhodi Li]

^^ Given the age of some Chelsea's players Ancelotti would be perfect for the Blues. He'll have Lampard, Terry, Ballack and Drogba playing until their 40s.