Chelsea 2014-15: Minute 30, 33, 43 and 69

[soxfan121]

Rumors abound that Jose will get his striker, Diego Costa, for 32M. 
 
The big questions for the club this summer center around who will play in goal - club legend Petr Cech and his goofy helmet or young stud Thibault Courtois and his potential?

 

[Snakebauer007]

Rumors abound that Jose will get his striker, Diego Costa, for 32M. 
 
The big questions for the club this summer center around who will play in goal - club legend Petr Cech and his goofy helmet or young stud Thibault Courtois and his potential?

An interesting tidbit on the keeper situation, Thibault is roughly the same age Cech was when he became Chelsea's # 1 under Mourinho.

 

[Snakebauer007]

John Terry signed a one year extension today, I am glad we seem to be attempting to take care of business early

 

[Snakebauer007]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/04/30/article-2616669-1D45A3E000000578-838_634x478.jpg

 

[soxfan121]

 
Hopefully he is just introducing himself and not racially abusing the guy or asking how hot his wife is, but you never can tell with Captain Kit.

 

[Snakebauer007]

 
Hopefully he is just introducing himself and not racially abusing the guy or asking how hot his wife is, but you never can tell with Captain Kit.

Chelsea PR Bot @ChelseaPRbot · 8h
The vicious rumors that #JohnTerry's new contract includes a Prima Nocte clause for all incoming transfers WAGS are false. #Chelsea

 

[soxfan121]

Chelsea PR Bot @ChelseaPRbot · 8h
The vicious rumors that #JohnTerry's new contract includes a Prima Nocte clause for all incoming transfers WAGS are false. #Chelsea

 
Well done.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Happy to disappoint:

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/5/14/5716526/eden-hazard-jose-mourinho-quotes

"[Mourinho's comments are] good and it's true. I would prefer him to speak like this rather than say he's the 'best and doesn't need to work'. I know I have to do better, in training and on the pitch. If I can score more I will score more and next season I hope I will be better.

I want to be the best, I hope one day I can win the Ballon d'Or, maybe not now but if I work every day and take pleasure from my game then why not?"

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Chelsea PR Bot @ChelseaPRbot · 8h
The vicious rumors that #JohnTerry's new contract includes a Prima Nocte clause for all incoming transfers WAGS are false. #Chelsea

 
This is damn funny.

 

[Snakebauer007]

The chelsea u21s are champs today. The last time we had a championship team at this level, it produced some fine pros:
Tomas Kalas
Ryan Bertrand
Patrick van Aanholt
Fabio Borini
Jeffrey Bruma
Ghokan Tore


This year's team has even more potential with likeliest success stories being:
Lewis Baker
Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Andreas Christensen
John Swift
nathan Ake'
Charly Musonda
Ola Aina
Islam Feruz

and the most skilled of the bunch; Jeremie Boga.

 

[Snakebauer007]

First goal came from United's Tom Lawrence, and what a goal it was:
https://vine.co/v/MXhV6plg6tM/embed

The equalizer came from the youngest player on the pitch, Charly Musonda:

https://vine.co/v/MXhl7bgl1t5

still looking for Baker's winner

 

[Snakebauer007]

even for the non-Chelsea fans on here, this Frank Lampard Q+A is well worth the time to read:

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/frank-lampard-one-one

 

[Snakebauer007]

kalas turns 21 today, hopefully we will see more of him in 2014-15

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BnrxOn1CUAImcJ4.jpg

 

[biollante]

You can tell the nickname "Fat Frank" still gets to him.

 

[Snakebauer007]

You can tell the nickname "Fat Frank" still gets to him.

or the opposite

 

[DLew On Roids]

"Frank Fat" bothers him?  Why?

 

[Snakebauer007]

Ramires....woof: http://www.statsbomb.com/2014/05/the-sodden-boot-the-worst-finisher-in-the-premier-league/

In other news, Eden's little brother, Thorgan was voted by the writers and players as Belgian League player of the year. Last guy to win both awards was Kompany.

 

[Snakebauer007]

http://plainsofalmeria.co.uk/2014/05/20/cahill-and-luiz-the-case-for-the-defence/

An extremely detailed analysis of our centerbacks.

 

[Smiling Joe Hesketh]

Snake, I'm on mobile and can't see all the links. Can you quote a relevant paragraph or two regarding Torres and the centrebacks? Thanks.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Snake, I'm on mobile and can't see all the links. Can you quote a relevant paragraph or two regarding Torres and the centrebacks? Thanks.

I will also be on my phone all of today, I will quote some stuff later, but the summary that I can do justice: The compared all the defense pairings for Chelsea since Carvalho/Terry and how much they are prone to fouling to win the ball back in an advanced position(stepping out of a deep line). The Cahill/Terry combo was remarkably clean in this area but they also played in a system(after December) that let them sit back more. Ivanovich seems highly prone to fouling(he had twice the fouls of anyone else on the comparison in his last full season at Centerback), and is too similar in style and instincts to Cahill. The analysis argues against Selling Luiz, because Chelsea will probably go back to playing the way they started this season. A super high pressing system with all 10 outfield players in a more advanced position than we played the second half of the season. The argument is, Mourinho changed things up, because the press would work, but the strikers couldn't capitalize on the chances created, so the risk/reward was not worth it. In the high press, Luiz is by far the best defender we have to step up from defense, and anticipate(an underrated part of his game) cutting off passes and then transitioning the ball quickly to attack and is remarkably clean relative to others in the fouling department despite being more aggressive than his counterparts. When deployed at Centerback because of his ability on the ball, Luiz is often man marked specifically.

" David Luizs ability to step up into midfield to intercept, with his reading skills, makes him a proactive defender who seems to suit better a role further from his goal than Gary Cahill. The Brazilians sheer impact with a limited amount of fouls committed does not only allow Chelsea to recover possession, its also a genuine asset to shake off strikers confidence and eventually reduce their threat."

Anyways, this matter snot, if he's headed else where.

 

[Zomp]

The Mirror reporting that Frank Lampard will leave the club on a free to play for the NYCFC. He and David Villa will both be going.

 

[soxfan121]

The Mirror reporting that Frank Lampard will leave the club on a free to play for the NYCFC. He and David Villa will both be going.

 
MLS...where once great players go to collect fat paychecks and play golf.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Frank Lampard announced he is officially leaving Chelsea after 13 seasons at The Bridge. I started following the EPL and Chelsea casually just before the millenium, but started following on a game to game basis in 2001, with Lampard arriving that Summer. I did get to experience roughly 4 years of Zola at Chelsea and it was magical, but being a part of Super Frank's entire career in Blue has made him easily my favorite player for the club(and maybe any team I have followed).

There have been a lot of impressive facts posted today about Lampard, some of the ones I enjoyed:

1. He appeared in at least 40 matches(all comps) in all but one of his 13 seasons
2.Played in 577 Premier League matches(2nd to only Giggs)
3.Scored 10 goals or more in 10 consecutive seasons at one point
4.he scored in every round of the Champions League, FA Cup, and all but one of the League Cup
5.He appeared in 164 consecutive League matches, a record.
6. He is the only midfielder in Premier League history with 150+ goals and is second to Giggs in career assists
7.scored 20 goals or more in a season 5 times
8.Remarkably is Chelsea's all time leading goal scorer, passing some great Strikers

He is one of the best centermids of his generation(if not the best) and few can argue about him being the greatest Chelsea player ever at this point. Beyond the facts and records are just the countless memories:

Starting with a somber one: The game after Lampard's mom passed, with his dad watching from the stands, he stepped up to take a penalty to win and then breaks down after scoring. Few moment sin sports left me as speechless as watching the drama that day
http://youtu.be/KAfiVZH6Yio

For the better ones:
His brace at The Reebok to clinch the first title in 50 years http://youtu.be/vJPRLoGFCbo

His showdown with Ballack and the best goal he ever scored: http://youtu.be/oNXszJDJpOQ

His impossible goal against Barca: http://youtu.be/zP_5QhKnt1k

When we won the double in 2010 and he put up 22 goals and 17 assists in league play alone

Breaking the club goals record at Villa, which resulted in us qualifying for the CL http://youtu.be/rRpv7tj51wY

The two huge plays against barca in the two legs that lead directly to our CL triumph:
1. Winning the ball off Messi and playing a perfect lofted ball to a streaking Ramires http://youtu.be/gcHY8qTYhnA
2. Him winning the ball off of Mascherano and playing a perfectly weighted through ball to Ramires for "that goal" http://youtu.be/RjML0SxBshI

Those plays were very reminiscent of the play to open the scoring against Barca way back in the 04-05 season in one of the greatest games I ever watched. http://youtu.be/eofyqOMBKeE

This pass http://youtu.be/NMaDBlgp2zY

The penalty he scored under Reina's arm at Anfield and then celebrated by taunting the fans and getting a yellow card...the only time I ever saw him do anything remotely like this.

All of those wonderful rocket goals he scored and in contrast, all the goals he scored arriving in the box in just the nick of time, as he anticipated play as well as or better than anyone I have ever seen.

I enjoyed this video which highlighted some of the skillful plays he rarely is associated with
http://youtu.be/e6bXlI1-HNk?t=50s

Converting his penalty and captaining the side in Munich to lift the trophy I was started to think we would never win

He was probably the easiest and most likeable athlete for me to root for, and how often do you get to say you watched every season of your team's(club's) all time greatest player? I wouldn't trade these 13 seasons of Super Frank for anyone else.

Sad Day.

 

[CPT Neuron]

TalkSport on Sirius XM FC reports "Cesc to Chelsea" is a done deal....no link, just heard it when going to grab lunch.

 

[Williams Head Case]

Officially done, Chelsea announced today.

 

[blueline]

Ozil's better!

 

[Zomp]

Chelsea are going to be scary good.  Wow.

 

[teddykgb]

Undoubtedly a great player, although I can't wait to watch Arsenal fans reaction to this.  Cesc, the lord and savior, in Chelsea blue.
 
A bit strange to me, doesn't seem like Mourinho's type of player, but he'll certainly make Chelsea much better.  Sold Luiz, bought Fabregas and still made a profit.

 

[Zomp]

If Costa goes for around 30 million pounds, essentially he's swapped Mata and Luiz for Fabregas, Costa, and a profit of 20 mil.
 
Genius.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Good to see us signing some big names from La Liga(always seems to go the other way). And Fabregas is a very marketable player(which helps after losing Luiz).

Also nice to see Oscar win a couple of challenges in a row and feed neymar for that first goal. A healthy confident Oscar is a huge boost.

 

[Seven Costanza]

Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Schurrle, Salah... my word.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Fabregas, Hazard, Oscar, Willian, Schurrle, Salah... my word.

Fabregas is there as an upgrade to the central midfield

 

[teddykgb]

It's going to have to force probably 2 of those 6 out of a starting XI, but if Chelsea get better at Striker it's quite an impressive attack.

 

[Seven Costanza]

Fabregas is there as an upgrade to the central midfield

 
Remove Salah, and the rest of those guys are all fairly interchangeable as a #10, no?

 

[Zomp]

Eh, Fabregas can play a bit deeper, Hazard and Willian can hug the sidelines a bit more.  I'm guessing Jose goes something like this:
 
 
--------------------------Costa------------------------
Hazard---------------Oscar------------------Willian
----------------Mactic----------Fabregas-----------
 
 
and will push Fabregas up with Oscar when the situation calls for it.

 

[Snakebauer007]

 
Remove Salah, and the rest of those guys are all fairly interchangeable as a #10, no?

Not really. Schurrle is definitely not a 10, and I can't stand WIllian in that spot. I'd group Fabregas with Matic, Ramires, Oscar, Van Ginkel and Mikel(hasnt left yet) for the guy who will be playing centermid.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Eh, Fabregas can play a bit deeper, Hazard and Willian can hug the sidelines a bit more.  I'm guessing Jose goes something like this:
 
 
--------------------------Costa------------------------
Hazard---------------Oscar------------------Willian
----------------Mactic----------Fabregas-----------
 
 
and will push Fabregas up with Oscar when the situation calls for it.

That is what I had in mind, maybe even a push to back to a 4-3-3 since Oscar comes so deep to get the ball anyways

 

[coremiller]

Eh, Fabregas can play a bit deeper, Hazard and Willian can hug the sidelines a bit more.  I'm guessing Jose goes something like this:
 
 
--------------------------Costa------------------------
Hazard---------------Oscar------------------Willian
----------------Mactic----------Fabregas-----------
 
 
and will push Fabregas up with Oscar when the situation calls for it.

 
Yup, this looks right to me, especially against weaker teams.  This move seems designed to improve Chelsea's creativity and fluency in the middle against the bottom-half teams that stymied them so frequently in the second half of the season.  I'd expect against the top teams Mourinho will still play Matic + another more defensively minded player in the center, and one of Oscar or Fabregas will sit.

 

[Snakebauer007]

 
Yup, this looks right to me, especially against weaker teams.  This move seems designed to improve Chelsea's creativity and fluency in the middle against the bottom-half teams that stymied them so frequently in the second half of the season.  I'd expect against the top teams Mourinho will still play Matic + another more defensively minded player in the center, and one of Oscar or Fabregas will sit.

Well we still have Ramires, who up until last season was quite the player for us, if he finds any semblance of his form again, he is someone who will get a lot of time.

 

[Snakebauer007]

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/6/15/5811016/jose-mourinho-ramires-diego-costa-thibaut-courtois-marca


In regards to Ramires rumors:
"He stays at Chelsea, he's not for sale."

On Fabregas:
"Cesc is a good player who brings a new dimension to our squad. He's different to Matic, Ramires, and Oscar. With him we'll have a more complete midfield. When buying Cesc, I was looking for a certain type of central midfielder, and with him, I'll have it. "

It is interesting that he grouped him with Matic, Ramires, and especially Oscar, as most have been calling to see Oscar used in the pivot on occasion, could also mean you will see Jose bring back the 4-3-3. In any case these 4 guys give us a lot of different options for the center 3.

In response to Diego Costa questions:
"He's a player I'd love to have in my team. I asked the club to sign him, and I have total confidence we'll agree a deal and finally sign him."

And finally on Courtois rumors:
"There is no story. After the World Cup, Courtois will return directly to Stamford Bridge."

 

[bosox4283]

Costa is official: 32 million pounds.
 
In Chelsea's continued attempt to dismantle Atletico, it is expected that Chelsea will announce a deal with Tiago in the coming days.

 

[soxfan121]

If you can't beat 'em, buy 'em.

 

[Gunfighter 09]

Tell me again why Diego Costa is better than Lukaku? I don't understand why they don't just go with the younger guy who doesn't cost 30M. 
 
and, they are selling Cech, right? 

 

[soxfan121]

Tell me again why Diego Costa is better than Lukaku? I don't understand why they don't just go with the younger guy who doesn't cost 30M. 
 
and, they are selling Cech, right? 

 
They need both Costa and Lukaku so they can nail Torres' useless ass to the bench.
 
And yeah, probably.

 

[bosox4283]

Tell me again why Diego Costa is better than Lukaku? I don't understand why they don't just go with the younger guy who doesn't cost 30M. 
 
and, they are selling Cech, right? 

 
Because when you're playing with Russian blood money, who cares? I'm serious. Why not spend 30M on the best strikers in the game? Costa is much better than Torres and gives Chelsea time to develop Lukaku. 

 

[bosox4283]

Is Chelsea going to buy Filipe Luis? Apparently, his buy-out clause is $24M euros and Chelsea is offering something like $15M euros. I'm not sure who has the leverage. Atletico has already signed Luis's replacement for $10M euros, so presumably need to sell Luis to make back the money they've spent. At the same time, Chelsea needs a left-back, and Mourinho wants Luis. 

 

[soxfan121]

Is Chelsea going to buy Filipe Luis? Apparently, his buy-out clause is $24M euros and Chelsea is offering something like $15M euros. I'm not sure who has the leverage. Atletico has already signed Luis's replacement for $10M euros, so presumably need to sell Luis to make back the money they've spent. At the same time, Chelsea needs a left-back, and Mourinho wants Luis. 

 
I know that as an Atletico fan, you're probably not viewing the "Jose wants everyone from the team who beat him" thing with as much humor as I am. But it is funny. 

 

[Snakebauer007]

http://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2014/7/8/5879427/romelu-lukaku-chelsea-transfer-atletico-madrid-juventus-monaco

Not sure I have ever been this annoyed with a young Chelsea player, especially one who has done next to nothing for the team. I wonder how much of this comes down to the club selling his best bud(De Bruyne)?

Not sure why he thinks it's Chelsea's job to hand him the first choice striker job.

 

[soxfan121]

Every time you post something from the Chelsea PR site, it is cringe-worthy reading. That POS above is no exception. 
 

Sadly, though, it's coming from a player who really hasn't earned the right to use it with a club like Chelsea. Of course, the aforementioned Courtois has said similar things in the past year

Lukaku, on the other hand, has spent the same three seasons in the Chelsea wilderness, scoring for fun off the West Bromwich Albion bench, and having a good, if somewhat unspectacular, season at Everton, respectively before being dropped for a 19-year-old at the World Cup for Belgium. 

 

[Morgan's Magic Snowplow]

To be fair, Lukaku does appear to have zero interest in actually fighting for a place at a big club.  Costa is one thing but last year he demanded a transfer/loan because of the prospect of competing with Eto'o, Ba, and Torres, which is like backing out of a Jeopardy matchup against three mentally incapacitated Laotian toddlers.