Chelsea FC True Blue

Official: Jose Mourinho Leaves Real Madrid

Bharath Ram — Tue, 21 May 2013 05:35:47 +0000

Real Madrid have cleared the way for José Mourinho to join Chelsea in the summer after confirming that the Portuguese manager will leave the club at the end of the season. Mourinho has been linked with a return to Chelsea for quite a while. He has also been hinting about a possible return for a second spell. However, the deal to bring the 50-year-old back to Stamford Bridge did not appear done and dusted because of the rumoured £15 million release clause in his contract. Abramovich need not pay this amount now, as Madrid and Mourinho have parted ways in an amicable fashion. Rafa Benitez has left Chelsea in the best possible shape for Mourinho to come back and recreate his magic. A MUST WATCH VIDEO FOR MOURINHO FANS: Benitez has already indicated that Chelsea will be spending heavily in the summer to strengthen the squad, which already boasts of several great youngsters like Eden Hazard and Oscar.

Chelsea vs Everton Preview: Completing the Job

Bharath Ram — Sat, 18 May 2013 06:21:18 +0000

After effectively sealing a top four place and winning the Europa league, one could rightly feel that the Chelsea vs Everton match is not so important. It does seem to be the mentality of manager Rafa Benitez, who said prior to the match that his job at Chelsea is done. No, it is not. The importance of a third placed finish cannot be stressed enough. Only the top three teams qualifying automatically for the Champions League group stages. The fourth placed team has to go through a play-off. This will be the last match for both Benitez and David Moyes. There does not seem to be any lackadaisical approach from Everton players even after knowing that Moyes will leave Everton at the end of the season. It will be ludicrous to expect an easy match against Everton. A victory will see us finish in the top three, while there is also the possibility of a play-off with Arsenal for the third place if we draw. Everton’s form in the last 10 matches has been really good with the team suffering just two defeats. Their away form, though, has not been convincing with their last victory coming at the start of 2013. Moyes has also failed to win away against the traditional top four in more than 40 attempts. Chelsea vs Everton 2012/13 interesting statistic: Chelsea have won just once against Everton in the league at Stamford Bridge since 2007. Benitez is unlikely to make a lot of changes to the starting line-up given the fair number of injury problems. Bertrand, Mikel, Hazard, and Terry are expected to be on the sidelines. Phil Neville and Leon Osman are expected to be the absentees for Everton. Predicted team line-ups: Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Ramires, Luiz, Moses, Mata, Oscar, Torres Everton (4-2-3-1): Howard, Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines, Mirallas, Gibson, Barkley, Pienaar, Fellaini, Anichebe

Should Chelsea Celebrate Winning the Europa League?

Bharath Ram — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:51:30 +0000

Those who support clubs other than Chelsea may find it strange to see the Chelsea players and fans celebrate a lot after winning the Europa League. After all, almost no one wishes to be in this competition in the first place. So why celebrate winning the Europa League? The current Chelsea squad has changed a lot in the space of 12 months. The infusion of several youngsters like Victor Moses, Eden Hazard, Azpilicueta, and Oscar has lowered the average age of the squad considerably. It has also lowered the experience within the squad as well. One of the main reasons that has kept Chelsea going through the revolving door of managers was the presence of players who had actually won stuff before. The likes of Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, John Terry, and Petr Cech have been there and done it under José Mourinho. That influence within the dressing room is slowly decreasing. Mourinho spoke about the importance of winning a title – even if it was the League Cup – for the new players. It would have been tough to see the current crop of Chelsea youngsters coping with the disappointment of having failed to lift all seven trophies at the end of the season. For this reason alone, winning the Europa League is a huge achievement for Chelsea. In many ways, it could help the likes of Hazard and Oscar become even better. Winning is a habit and the Europa League has given the first taste of success for the Chelsea players.

Official Chelsea FC End of Season Awards: Mata Shines

Bharath Ram — Fri, 17 May 2013 02:19:42 +0000

Chelsea FC’s official end of season awards came as no surprise after Juan Mata went home with most plaudits. Mata was named as the 2013 Chelsea FC Player of the Year after an impressive season in which he scored 19 goals and made 35 assists in all competitions. He has been one of the consistent players since arriving from Valencia for £24 million. This season he has made 63 appearances in all competitions, yet he has been able to keep his performance levels to a very high standard. He is undoubtedly worthy of the award. Mata also managed to pick up the Players’ Player of the Year award, which shows how well he is regarded by his teammates. Frank Lampard, meanwhile, was given a special recognition award for his outstanding service to the club for more than a decade. Lampard recently scored his 203rd goal for Chelsea, thus surpassing striker Bobby Tambling. This award, incidentally, was presented by Tambling himself. Juan MataFootballer more from Juan Mata » Nathan Ake, who impressed a lot against Rubin Kazan in the Europa league quarter-finals, received the young player of the year award. John obi Mikel is the last player to receive this award who has made a name for himself in a first-team. I hope that Ake follows the Nigerian. Meanwhile, Oscar’s stunning goal against Juventus helped him win the goal of the season award. There were several worthy contenders – like the David Luiz goal against Fulham recently, but Oscar’s stunning finish is worthy of winning any award. Oscar’s goal vs Juventus: Player of the Year: Juan Mata Player’s Player of the Year: Juan Mata Young Player of the Year: Nathan Ake Special Recognition Award: Frank Lampard Goal of the Season: Oscar vs Juventus in the Champions League

Official: Frank Lampard Signs a New Contract

Bharath Ram — Thu, 16 May 2013 14:33:59 +0000

Just when you thought that Chelsea fans cannot stop celebrating enough, midfielder Frank Lampard has signed a new contract with Chelsea. The 34-year-old was out of contract at the end of the season, but he is going to be at Stamford Bridge for at least one more season. Chelsea’s record goal scorer is among the top three for the most number of appearances, which stands at 607, made for Chelsea. He is also the record goal scorer with 203 goals to his name, which is one more than striker Bobby Tambling. “I want to thank Mr Abramovich for everything he’s done in making the dream a reality. I love this club, the staff, the players and especially the supporters, who have treated me fantastically since the day I arrived,” said Lampard. Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay later said that the club had been in discussions with Lampard for more than a year, but he is happy that they have been able to reach an agreement. “The thought of helping the club to more success in the forthcoming years is all I ever wanted. I couldn’t be happier,” said Lampard. Since signing for Chelsea in 2001, Lampard has won all major honours with the club. This includes a Champions League, three Premier League titles, one Europa League, four FA cups, and two League Cups. Lampard will probably have an even bigger role within the team next season due to the several transfer rumours surrounding captain John Terry.

Frank Lampard: I may stay at Chelsea next season

Bharath Ram — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:48:55 +0000

A few days ago, reports emerged suggesting that Frank Lampard will be offered a new one-year contract extension, but there were reasons to doubt the truth behind those stories. Now, though, Lampard himself has confirmed that there is renewed hope that he may stay at the club next season. Lampard’s contract runs out at the end of the season, and he recently guided Chelsea to yet another trophy. After winning the Europa League, Lampard said that he is yet to sit down with the club over his contract situation, but he is becoming very confident that he may remain as a Chelsea player next season. All along the way, Lampard has always stated that he wants to stay at Chelsea. As baffling as it may seem, Chelsea have somehow been reluctant to offer him a new deal. Their reasoning behind the situation – whether it be the age or any other issues – has not been clear. However, it seems that a potential return for Mourinho in the summer could be secretly responsible for this renewed hope that Lampard might stay. Speaking to Sky Sports after the Europa League final 2013, Rafa Benitez said, “He has worked hard in every training session and now, at the end, I think we could see he has improved. Some people were surprised when I said that but he has scored a lot of goals in this period. Maybe it was because we were managing him quite well. “When you play two games a week, with his age and commitment, sometimes you are not fresh. You can see he still has a lot of football. He is fit and next year he will do well again.” Either way, it is good news for all Chelsea fans.

Benfica vs Chelsea: Highlights and Celebrations – Europa League Final 2013

Bharath Ram — Thu, 16 May 2013 05:31:56 +0000

Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic scored as Chelsea defeated Benfica 3-1 in the Europa League Final 2013. Chelsea have now become the first club to hold the two major titles from UEFA at the same time. Torres opened the scoring the second half, but it did not take long for Benfica to equalise through a penalty from Cardozo. Ivanovic’s injury time header sealed a memorable win for the Blues. Benfica were certainly the better team on the night, but we can have no complaints. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE, AGAIN! Europa League Final 2013 Highlights: Chelsea fans celebrations Europa League Final 2013: Interviews after the match:

Frank Lampard Set for a Contract Extension?

Bharath Ram — Wed, 15 May 2013 06:37:24 +0000

Frank Lampard has been one of the consistent players in the world over the last decade. He is an epitome of what could be achieved when hard work and quality are combined into one package. Lampard is adored by Chelsea fans despite his West Ham connections, which said a lot about the professionalism, quality, and dedication of the man. Naturally, it did not come as a surprise to many when they learnt that Chelsea may allow Lampard to leave the club at the end of the season. According to the Telegraph, Lampard has agreed a one-year extension to his contract and he will be signing after the Europa League final. The 34-year-old only has a few more weeks left on his contract. It is widely expected that José Mourinho will come to Stamford Bridge in the summer. Mourinho and Lampard are extremely close to each other. It would be tough to see the 50-year-old Portuguese not demanding the presence of Lampard in the squad next season. One should take the report from Telegraph with a pinch of salt due to a couple of reasons. Lampard is extremely close to journalist Ian McGarry. He said a couple of days ago on Twitter that Chelsea have not yet offered a new deal. If Chelsea were interested in keeping him, this offer would have arrived ages ago and not when he has only a few weeks left on his current deal. He recently broke Bobby Tambling’s record of 202 goals for Chelsea FC. I can only see Lampard having a similar fate as Drogba. However, I would be the happiest person in the world to be proved wrong. Do you think Lamps will stay?

Benfica vs Chelsea: Key Men to Watch

Bharath Ram — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:26:28 +0000

Chelsea may have won the Champions League only 12 months ago by beating the likes of Bayern Munich and Barcelona along the way, but we certainly should not take Benfica lightly ahead of the Europa League final 2013 in Amsterdam. Benfica have proven this season that they are an extremely dangerous team especially when it comes to attacking. Benfica vs Chelsea key men to watch: Óscar Cardozo This 29-year-old Paraguayan created a lot of problems for John Terry in the first leg Champions League quarter-final match last season. He has 31 goals from just 42 matches this season. Benfica primarily attack down the wings, thus looking to pick Cardozo with their deadly crosses. It is likely that David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic will be the preferred centre back competition. I have not been convinced by them against an attack that is mobile. They tend to get pulled out of positions quite easily. Eduardo Salvio Playing as one of the attacking three behind Cardozo, Salvio has been extremely potent this season. He already has 13 goals in 35 appearances in all competitions this season. He is in many ways the ‘Eden Hazard’ of Benfica. Enzo Pérez Sitting just in front of the back four, Pérez is known for his defensive abilities. He is also the starting point of several attacks as well. With a pass accuracy of almost 85%, he rarely gives the ball away. He is not the biggest physically, but it is likely to be compensated by the presence of former Chelsea man Nemanja Matić. Ezequiel Garay This Argentine defender can count Real Madrid as one of his former clubs. He failed to live up to his potential at the Santiago Bernebeu, but since moving to Benfica, he has been outstanding. It is not surprising to know that he is linked with several top European clubs once again. Fernando Torres has his work cut out against this huge physical presence. Garay stands at 6 ft 4 in and he is expected to play alongside experienced Brazilian defender Luisão. There is no doubt that Benfica are a very good team, and Chelsea need to be at their best in order to win the Europa League.

Benfica vs Chelsea Europa League Final Preview: On the Cusp

Bharath Ram — Wed, 15 May 2013 04:00:07 +0000

At the start of the season, Chelsea FC had the opportunity to win seven trophies including the FIFA Club World Cup. It can be safely said that none would have imagined Europa League to be amongst that list. Yet, this trophy could actually make Chelsea’s 2012-13 season a decent one. Chelsea have faced their Europa League final opponents Benfica twice last year and came up with a win in both matches. I just hope that Chelsea will not be weary for this crucial match. This marathon season has seen us play almost 70 matches, which is a huge number for this small squad. In fact, the number of matches we have played this season is a record for any English club in the top flight. Lampard is expected to captain the team. Eden Hazard and John Terry are major injury doubts for the match. Strangely, it will not be Terry’s absence that will affect the club. Hazard has been one of the standout players for Chelsea this season, but he will not be taking part in the match. His hamstring injury is enough to keep him out of action according to Benitez. In his absence, one can expect Victor Moses to be included in the starting line-up. Hazard, though, will be a huge miss. Benfica have been brilliant throughout the season except in the last few weeks. They suffered only their first league defeat of the season during the weekend. The 2-1 defeat against Porto means that the team has not won in the last two matches. Chelsea’s defence needs to be wary of a potent attack from Benfica, who have averaged more than 2.5 goals per game in the league. For Ramires and David Luiz, this will be a special match as it will be against their former clubs.

Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea Match Report: Lampard Does It Again

Bharath Ram — Sat, 11 May 2013 14:51:35 +0000

Chelsea sealed a top four spot courtesy of a 2-1 win over Aston Villa in a match that will probably be remembered for one great player – Frank Lampard. The Chelsea midfielder broke Bobby Tambling’s goal record in impressive fashion, while once again proving that he is almost irreplaceable. The day started pretty badly for Chelsea, as a combination of defensive errors led to Christian Benteke’s opening goal. Gary Cahill and Petr Cech will certainly not be happy looking back at the goal. Villa Park has been a bogey ground for Chelsea, and for much of the first half, it looked like it will retain their status. Villa were playing on the counter-attack, but they were quite impressive in defence in the first half. They pressed the ball really well and did not allow Chelsea space. The afternoon got even worse for Chelsea, as Ramires was sent off after a second yellow card. It seemed a little harsh because the midfielder had committed only three fouls. The second half, though, started brightly after Benitez made the change by bringing David Luiz for the ineffective Victor Moses. Even though Luiz had a pass accuracy of just 72%, his physical presence brought about a significant change. Up until that moment, Lampard and Ramires were dominated physically by Villa’s midfield. It was time for Lampard to start doing what he does best – score goals. His first was a brilliant run and shot from the left foot in the 61st minute. Not only did it equalise the match, but it also put Lampard level with Tambling on 202 goals. Chelsea had a perfectly legitimate goal from Cahill disallowed later in the match, although it did remind Chelsea fans of the ghost goal against Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final last year. The big moment, though, came in the 88th minute, as Lampard’s goal sealed a memorable three points. The win puts Chelsea six points – and a massively superior goal difference – clear of Tottenham. Unless Tottenham win their next match 16-0, it is guaranteed that Chelsea will have Champions League football in the 2013-14 season. Team line-ups: Villa (4-3-3): Guzan, Lichaj, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett, Sylla, Westwood, Delph, Weimann, Benteke, Agbonlahor Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Terry (Ivanovic 76), Cole, Ramires, Lampard, Hazard, Mata, Moses (David Luiz 88), Ba (Torres 87) Scorers: Villa – Benteke 14 Chelsea – Lampard 60, 88 Get your Chelsea FC match tickets here.

Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea: Highlights (Frank’s Record Breaking Goal)

Bharath Ram — Sat, 11 May 2013 13:55:36 +0000

Frank Lampard not only managed to beat Bobby Tambling’s record of 202 goals, but he also put Chelsea on the way to a 2-1 win over Aston Villa. Christian Benteke scored for Villa in the first half, while two goals from Lampard in the second half was enough to seal the three points and a Champions League spot for Chelsea. Ramires and Christian Benteke both received two yellow cards and was sent off. Here are the Aston Villa 1-2 Chelsea highlights: Lampard’s record-breaking goal and celebration Lampard interview:

Galatasaray target Chelsea defender John Terry

Bharath Ram — Sat, 11 May 2013 08:24:13 +0000

A couple of years ago, the possibility of John Terry and Frank Lampard leaving Chelsea might have sounded preposterous and rightly so. The spine of the team – Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Didier Drogba – built by José Mourinho was probably the only thing that kept Chelsea going amidst a revolving door of managers. However, it is slowly being taken apart as Chelsea prepare for the new era. Players of 30 years of age simply do not seem to have a place at the club. Drogba left the club last summer, while Lampard is expected to follow suit in the next few months. According to the Guardian, Terry could also be on his way as well. Turkish club Galatasaray are prepared to offer him in excess of £200,000 per week to lure the 32-year-old. Terry has only one year left on his contract, but his position at the club has deteriorated dramatically in the last 12 months. He is now behind David Luiz, Branislav Ivanovic, and Gary Cahill in the pecking order as confirmed by Benitez. “The competition in this position (centre-back) is really hard here. Cahill, Ivanovic, David Luiz, they are doing well, too. Now we have four centre-backs, they have to compete and they are doing well,” said Benitez to Sky Sports. Further, Chelsea are also not too concerned about offering him a new deal. All this could push Terry out of the door. The interest from Galatasaray should be taken seriously, as the club have shown they mean business by signing Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder in January. Terry, himself, seems to have acknowledged this fact in recent months. “You understand you can’t be around forever. Where I would go after that, it certainly wouldn’t be in England. I couldn’t do that to Chelsea or the fans,” said Terry. A few years ago, the prospect of Terry leaving Chelsea would be unimaginable. Now, though, it is a serious possibility. The return of José Mourinho could possibly be the one thing that prevents a move in my opinion. What are your thoughts?

Aston Villa vs Chelsea Preview: Completing the Job

Bharath Ram — Fri, 10 May 2013 14:22:05 +0000

Chelsea were 10 min and injury time away from sealing a top four spot for this season, but as it is, we may have to wait until the final whistle in the Aston Villa vs Chelsea match at Villa Park on Saturday. After spending much of the season near the relegation zone, Villa are surprisingly capable of a top 10 finish as the season enters into the penultimate round. They sit 13th in the table just three points behind West Ham in the 10th place. Much of this resurgence has been down to striker Christian Benteke, who is the man to watch in this match. Standing at 6 ft 3 in, this Belgian striker is quite a handful for any defender. He is the fourth highest goal scorer in the Premier league this season, which speaks volumes about his threat. Aston Villa vs Chelsea 2012/2013 interesting statistics: Fernando Torres’ last league goal was against Aston Villa back in December 2012 Chelsea’s last match against Villa finished as an 8-0 win for the blues There have been more than 2.5 goals in the last seven out of eight league games for Villa He has scored 18 league goals already, and this is only his debut season at the club. Benitez has already confirmed that Lampard will start against Villa, as he aims to reach Bobby Tambling’s record of 202 goals. Lampard is just one short of the record. Benitez previews the Aston Villa match: Benitez has reasons to be confident of securing a top four spot despite the 2-2 draw against Tottenham. A win for Chelsea on Saturday will almost guarantee a top four spot, while a repeat of the same next weekend could see us finish in the top three. Only the top three teams qualify automatically for the Champions League group stages. Hazard was extremely brilliant against Tottenham, but he is a doubt for the weekend due to the recurrence of the calf strain. Moses took a knock in that match and he is a slight doubt for the weekend. Benitez will definitely have one eye on the Europa League final against Benfica on Thursday. Predicted team line-up: Aston Villa (4-3-3): Guzan, Lowton, Vlaar, Baker, Bennett, Westwood, Delph, Sylla, Agbonlahor, Benteke, Weimann Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Luiz, Lampard, Oscar, Mata, Ramires, Ba Buy Chelsea FC match tickets at Viagogo

Wayne Rooney to Chelsea? No, thank you

Bharath Ram — Thu, 09 May 2013 12:33:33 +0000

Even as we try to recover from the shock of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement at the end of the season, the latest Chelsea transfer news suggests that the Chelsea may be interested in Wayne Rooney. Wayne Rooney is arguably one of the best strikers in England, but why would be Chelsea interested in him? This is not the first time Rooney is linked with Chelsea. It happened in 2010 when he created a huge furore about leaving United only to sign a new contract after just 48 hours. Even if Chelsea had a sniff of opportunity to sign him back then, there are even less reasons now for us to pursue Rooney. For starters, Rooney will be 28 years of age in a few months. Of course, he does have only two years left on his contract, which may prompt United to look at offers now rather than next summer. Yet, United would not be willing to part with any less than £35 million. Now, is he worth that money? It’s an emphatic no in my opinion. Statistics may point to the 197 goals in just 402 games, but he has been looking increasingly disinterested in playing football and does not himself in great shape. Rooney has always been a bulky figure, but this season he has had a serious fitness issues. Yet, he does not have seem to learnt from the criticism, as he was recently spotted having a pint of beer. Chelsea have played with a lone striker for as long as can I remember. The arrival of José Mourinho in the summer should not change it in the near future. Rooney will not fit into our system, and I would be glad to see him on the way to Paris. ‘Wayne Rooney is not for sale,’ said a United spokesman. It may be the case after all, as it seems yet another ploy from the former Everton striker to increase his wages one way or the other. If he doesn’t get a new deal at United, he could be aware of the interest from PSG, who not have second thoughts about stumping a huge sum of money.

Chelsea vs Tottenham Preview: Top four in sights

Bharath Ram — Wed, 08 May 2013 08:03:17 +0000

Nelson Mandela was still in prison the last time Tottenham managed a win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It should not deter Chelsea from the fact that Tottenham are better equipped than ever to claim their first league win since 1990. Rafa Benitez’ men will be going into the match knowing that a victory tonight will almost secure a Champions League qualification spot. Even with all the rotation from Benitez in recent months, Chelsea looked leggy at times in the 1-0 win over Manchester United. This will be Chelsea’s 69th match of the season, but a victory in it could help us relax in the remaining fixtures. Much of Chelsea’s good form in recent months has been built on the home record, as the team has managed six consecutive victories at Stamford Bridge. Stopping Gareth Bale has to be one of the important priorities in the match, as the Welsh winger has been responsible for one third of the Tottenham goals this season. Stopping him and Jermain Defoe will put us closer to victory. Chelsea vs Tottenham 2012/13 interesting statistics: Demba Ba was not at his best against Manchester United, and Torres can expect a recall to the first-team. The biggest news for Benitez, though, will be the return of Hazard, who missed the United match due to a calf strain. “Hazard was training in a normal training session. He is fine, he is in the squad,” said Benitez to Sky Sports. Oriol Romeu is also back from injury and he could play a part in the match. Villas-Boas has done extremely well since leaving Chelsea. Often former players and managers come back to haunt football clubs. I just hope that it is not the case with Villas-Boas. “It’s not very, very special. It’s a club that I have gone past. I have good and bad memories like everybody else, but it’s a pity it didn’t finish as I would have liked,” said Villas-Boas. Get your Chelsea FC match tickets at Viagogo

Jose Mourinho decides to continue at Real Madrid

Bharath Ram — Tue, 07 May 2013 11:57:10 +0000

A dream return to Chelsea for José Mourinho may not happen after all. The Portuguese manager has said in an interview given to Marca that he has not considered resigning from his job at Real Madrid. He has decided to continue as the Real Madrid manager after admitting a few days ago that he had not taken a decision on his future. “Dimitir? Lo que me he planteado es continuar” – ran a headline on Marca. It roughly translates into “Resign? What I have considered is to continue” from Spanish. There were rumours that Mourinho hinted that he may return to Chelsea in order to see the response from Roman Abramovich, while many also thought it to be a come-and-get-me plea as well. “I know in England I am loved. I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one.” – Mourinho after the Champions League exit against Borussia Dortmund on May 1, 2013. “I haven’t decided to leave. If I go, I will not give explanations.” – Mourinho to the BBC on May 3, 2013. Chelsea fans, more than anyone else, know that Mourinho is excellent at playing the media. Do you think he has done it again? Will he come to Chelsea? Get your Chelsea vs Tottenham match tickets at Viagogo

José Mourinho on the verge of a return to Chelsea

Bharath Ram — Wed, 01 May 2013 04:13:35 +0000

Real Madrid manager José Mourinho has been linked with a return to Chelsea for quite a while now. He has been giving several indications over the last few months that a sensational return to Stamford Bridge might be on the cards. Perhaps, his biggest indication has come after Real Madrid’s exit from the Champions League in the semi-final stage after a 4-3 aggregate loss to Borussia Dortmund. Mourinho, who has refused to comment on his future in recent weeks, has said that he may return to a club where he is adored by the fans. “I know in England I am loved. I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one,” said Mourinho to the BBC. Several bookmakers have already shortened the odds on Mourinho becoming the next Chelsea manager. A couple of weeks ago, Chairman Bruce Buck also said that Chelsea were open to the possibility of Mourinho returning. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is thought to have made up his differences with the Portuguese, which led to his departure in acrimonious circumstances back in 2007. Even though clubs like Paris St Germain remain in the frame, the recent comments made by Mourinho almost confirm a return to Stamford Bridge. “These are three great seasons economically for the club and for prestige too, but Madrid have not won the competition and they have to. When? I don’t know. If it’s with me, perfect. If not, fine. I want to think about my future at the end of the season,” said Mourinho. One of the biggest strengths of Mourinho has been his ability to build a bond with the players, fans and the media. It is fair to say that, unlike at his previous clubs, he has never come close to achieving it at Real Madrid. Mourinho, though, will be coming to a Chelsea that is vastly different from the one he signed for in 2004. Chelsea are now a club that has won the Champions League. Can he repeat the success once again? I think he will because Mourinho and success cannot be separated.

Basel vs Chelsea Preview: Rafa and Torres target a win (video)

Bharath Ram — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 11:11:57 +0000

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez and striker Fernando Torres have said that they would want to lift the Europa League in the pre-match press conference ahead of the semi-final with FC Basel. Benitez has revealed that the defensive duo of Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole are back in the squad after a spell on the sidelines. You can also read my FC Basel vs Chelsea preview Do you think we can get past the Swiss club? Leave your thoughts.

Three Reasons Why Chelsea Should Sign Lewandowski over Falcao

Bharath Ram — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 10:51:10 +0000

Chelsea have been interested in Atletico Madrid striker Radamel Falcao since his FC Porto days. The 27-year-old Colombian has proved that he is one of the best strikers in the world. However, Falcao is going to costing upwards of £45 million. Chelsea have already burnt their fingers with two marquee signings like Andriy Shevchenko and Fernando Torres. Falcao is a great striker, but is he the only great striker in the world right now? What about Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski? He recently ripped apart Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals, while he already has 10 Champions League goals this season. Here are three reasons why Lewandowski would be a better signing for Chelsea than Falcao. 1. Lewandowski is a complete player Radamel Falcao is an extremely lethal striker. His biggest strength lies in his ability to hide away from defenders outside the penalty area, but once the ball is in the box, he is almost unstoppable due to his incredible moment inside the box. His biggest disadvantage, though, comes outside the box. He is not as good with his back to goal – a fact reflected by the statistics. Falcao’s 2012/13 statistics (all competitions): Appearances Goals Assists 44 38 2 Lewandowski ‘s 2012/13 statistics (all competitions): Appearances Goals Assists 55 38 11 Chelsea are not used to playing with wide wingers, who cross often, like Manchester United. Instead, our play revolves around the striker creating chances for the team as well. Lewandowski is also a great presser of the ball, and he is extremely quick. 2. Age Due to the hype, it is easy to forget that Falcao is 27 years old. This would mean almost no resale value provided he signs a five-year contract. Lewandowski is just 24 years old, and he provides a right measure of youth and experience. 3. Price This is undoubtedly one of the biggest factors that make Robert Lewandowski a better signing than Radamel Falcao. Falcao still has at least three more years remaining on his Atletico Madrid contract, which puts no pressure on the Spanish club to sell him now. Hence, they are demanding in upwards of £45 million for the player. Lewandowski’s contract, meanwhile, runs out at the end of next season. Hence, he could also be signed for a bargain, as Dortmund would rather sell him for around £25 million rather than lose him for nothing. This makes signing Lewandowski a no-brainer.

Basel vs Chelsea Preview: Tough Match Lies Ahead

Bharath Ram — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 15:58:57 +0000

Chelsea will be making the trip to Basel looking to achieve what Manchester United and Tottenham have failed to do in recent seasons – win at the St. Jakob-Park. Chelsea’s away record in the European competitions has not been at its best. The club has had just two victories in Europe this season – against Nordsjaelland and Sparta Praha. Rafa Benitez’ men were extremely unconvincing in the 3-2 defeat against Rubin Kazan in the quarterfinals. After having played regularly against the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, the name FC Basel may appear to be an easy opposition for Chelsea. However, it is not necessarily the case, as Basel have been building a reputation for themselves in Europe by beating the likes of Manchester United and drawing against Tottenham. Basel are currently top of the Swiss league with a three-point advantage. Benitez is expected to shuffle the pack, which could see the likes of Lampard and Victor Moses return to the starting line-up. This will be Fernando Torres’ third game in a week, and it will be interesting to see his energy levels. Having the second leg at home has often been spoken of as an advantage, but it is only an advantage if the team scores away from home. This match is great for goals galore betting, and there are several goals galore tips available today. It is therefore imperative that Chelsea at least try to get one away goal, which will provide us with some breathing space in the second leg. The Europa League may be an opportunity to win a trophy, but finishing in the top four is far more important now. It would not be surprising to see Benitez rest a couple of players with the Premier League match against Swansea City during the weekend in mind. Predicted team line-up: Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Azpilicueta, Terry, Cahill, Cole, Lampard, Ramires, Oscar, Mata, Moses, Torres Predicted score: Basel 1-1 Chelsea

An Inspirational Video for Fernando Torres Fans

Bharath Ram — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:27:09 +0000

Fernando Torres has largely been a disappointment since his £50 million transfer from Liverpool in 2011. He has been ridiculed by the media, by the opposition fans, and – at times – by even the Chelsea fans. Yet, there remains a section of fans who will always love Fernando Torres and who think that the Spaniard will come back to his best. There have been signs this year that the striker may be coming back to his best. He has had purple patches this season, and it is about converting them into consistent form. This is an inspirational video for all Fernando Torres fans.

Chelsea no closer to signing Andre Schurrle

Bharath Ram — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:18:29 +0000

As the season approaches a climax, Chelsea are already preparing for strengthening the squad in the summer. According to the latest Chelsea transfer news, the club were involved in advanced negotiations with Bayern Leverkusen for the transfer of Andre Schurrle. This 22-year-old German international is regarded as one of the best young prospects across Europe. He has the ability to play almost anywhere across the front three. Officials from Bayern Leverkusen arrived in London a few days ago to hold talks with Chelsea. It was rumoured then that the deal would be completed in a few days. However, Bayer Leverkusen general manager Wolfgang Holzhauser has revealed that the clubs still remain a long way apart when it comes to the details. “We are still quite a long way apart in terms of certain details. There are always two options: either Andre stays here or he leaves. Andre is, alongside Mario Gotze, one of the best young players in Germany. Last year, we had an enquiry, but it came very late. This time, it is still relatively early, which is good,” said Holzhauser to Sky Sports. Mario Gotze’s move to Bayern Munich is now confirmed. There is a possibility that clubs like Arsenal and Manchester City, who were interested in Gotze, could turn their attention to Schurrle. Schurrle is at his best when playing on the left-wing so that he can cut into his right foot. However, is he the kind of player Chelsea need right now? Eden Hazard, Juan Mata, Oscar, and Victor Moses are the competition for Schurrle at Chelsea if he does come. Considering the injuries and number of games Chelsea have over the course of a season, it certainly helps to have another quality player. His versatility of being able to play as a striker may also come in handy. Chelsea may throw all the money at him, but his arrival will probably depend on Chelsea finishing in the top four this season.

Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea: ‘Cannibal’ Suarez Cheats Again

Bharath Ram — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:49:14 +0000

The Liverpool vs Chelsea can be summed in four words – ‘the best team lost’. Actually, Liverpool’s team had 13 men on the pitch if you count the referee. Referee Kevin Friend’s appalling display was a huge factor in the two dropped points, which could cost Chelsea a Champions League place next season. The referee should have sent off ‘cannibal’ Suarez after the Uruguay striker clearly bit into Branislav Ivanovic. Yet, he stayed on and he scored a 97th min equaliser when there was only 96 min of added time. Only Friend will know the reason behind adding more time beyond the allocated limit. Chelsea were the dominant team in the first half, as Liverpool struggled to put together a string of passes. Rafa Benitez’ men might have taken the lead through a corner, but it was a lead well deserved. Oscar, who has been looking tired in recent weeks, scored from a near post header. The introduction of former Chelsea striker Daniel Sturridge changed the game for Liverpool, as it took them just 7 min into the second half to equalise. Chelsea, though, were quickly level after the first foul play from ‘miscreant of the match’, Suarez. His handball gave Chelsea a penalty, which was converted by Eden Hazard. The most controversial moment of the match came when Suarez clearly bit into Ivanovic. The Uruguay striker already served a lengthy ban in Dutch football for biting into an opponent. Clearly, he has not learnt from the punishment. He should have been sentoff with a straight red, yet he stayed on the pitch. He had the final say by scoring in the 97th minute of injury time to hand a major blow. Tottenham and Arsenal winning their matches has put Chelsea in a disadvantageous position going into the final five matches of the season. However, interim manager Benitez will be pleased with the performance of his players. After all, Liverpool needed cheating and the help from a referee to draw the match. Team line-ups: Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina, Johnson, Jose Enrique, Agger, Carragher, Gerrard, Phillippe Coutinho (Sturridge – 46′), Henderson, Downing (Shelvey – 80′), Lucas, Suarez Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Ivanovic, Bertrand, Ramires, Mikel, Mata (Lampard – 90′), Oscar (Moses – 83′), Hazard (Benayoun – 78′), Torres Scorers: Sturridge 52′, Suarez 90+6′ Oscar 26′, Hazard 57′

Liverpool 2-2 Chelsea: Highlights

Bharath Ram — Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:26:03 +0000

Chelsea dropped two points in the most controversial circumstances after the 2-2 draw with Liverpool. Oscar gave Chelsea the lead in the first half before Daniel Sturridge equalised against his former club in the second half. Eden Hazard’s penalty looked to have given Chelsea all three points before Suarez scored in the 97th minute. Referee Friend allowed the match to continue beyond the allocated 6 minutes of injury time. Suarez was also found – by television replays – to have bitten Branislav Ivanovic. Liverpool vs Chelsea 2:2 MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

Benitez previews Liverpool vs Chelsea match (video)

Bharath Ram — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 09:13:50 +0000

Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has spoken about the emotional return to Anfield ahead of the Liverpool vs Chelsea match on Sunday, April 21. Benitez spent six seasons at Liverpool, but he wants Chelsea to win on Sunday. He has confirmed that Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole could return to first-team action after a spell on the sidelines.

Mata, Hazard, and Lukaku nominated for PFA awards

Bharath Ram — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:59:15 +0000

The PFA Player of the Year is one of the prestigious awards for any player plying their trade in English football. Eden Hazard and Juan Mata have been nominated for the PFA Player of the Year 2013 awards. PFA Player of the Year 2013 award nominees: Juan Mata, Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie, Gareth Bale, Michael Carrick, Luis Suarez PFA Young Player of the Year 2013 award nominees: Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Bale, Christian Benteke, Danny Welbeck, Jack Wilshere Chelsea, though, have had only limited success in this award. The last and only Chelsea player to win the award was John Terry back in 2005. However, this does not demonstrate the individual brilliance displayed by Chelsea players in the past decade. There has been several names worthy of winning this award. Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard are probably the first names that will spring to the mind. This season may end without any trophy in the bag, but three Chelsea players could end up winning a prized accolade. Romelu Lukaku is the third Chelsea player, and he is nominated – along with Eden Hazard – for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. In his second season at the club, Mata has managed to improve even further. The little Spaniard has contributed 85 goals for Chelsea this season. This comprises of 10 Premier League goals and 14 Premier League assists till date. It is not surprising that Rafa Benitez compared with Mata with Gianfranco Zola. Hazard’s contribution to the team has also been immense. He has 8 league goals and 12 league assists, which is hugely impressive considering that this is his first season in English football. In total, he has contributed 44 goals through goals and assists. Romelu Lukaku spent the season on loan at West Brom. Despite playing for a mid-table team, the young teenager has been able to plunder 13 goals and establish himself as one of the top 10 goal scorers in the division. Lukaku is also the highest scoring teenager in English football right now.

Rafa’s John Terry Rotation Policy: Possible Reasons

Bharath Ram — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 07:41:13 +0000

The fixture pileup has been a great excuse for Rafa Benitez to rest John Terry. Chelsea have been playing almost 3 games a week for the last few weeks. Yet, it will be surprising to know that Terry made only his third league appearance in 2013 against Fulham. It is fair to say that Terry has fallen behind Branislav Ivanovic and David Luiz in the pecking order. Ivanovic and Luiz have been the preferred centre backs for Rafa Benitez. It is extremely strange to see the captain of a team being rotated on a consistent basis. It would have been acceptable – given the number of matches – had a midfielder or a striker been rotated. It makes no sense whatsoever to rotate centre backs, as cover very less ground over the course of a match. Therefore, John Terry’s absence seems to have little to do with fitness or being tired. “I’m fit, I’m training every day and have been for the last three months, so I just want to set the record straight. There are no complaints. I’m available but, at the same time, if the manager chooses not to pick me, there is not a problem because I’m Chelsea through,” said Terry to the Independent. One has to compare John Terry’s availability to the team under Rafa Benitez and Roberto di Matteo to understand the reasons for his absence from the first team. When Roberto di Matteo was appointed as the interim Chelsea manager, Terry – who was diagnosed with a serious injury for several weeks – made an extremely quick return back into the first-team for the match against Napoli. The rest, as they say, is history. Terry was once again absent from first-team action when Benitez was appointed, but he did not make a similar return this time around. Benitez may feel that he did not get enough support from his captain at a time when he was being vehemently crucified by the Chelsea fans. Terry has managed to force his way when he has not had a great relationship with previous managers. This time, though, it is different because Benitez is aware that he will leave the club – no matter what – at the end of the season. Further, being found guilty of racism has also slightly decreased Terry’s influence at the club. Despite this, Terry still remains as one of the best defenders in the world. It will only be a matter of time before our ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ returns to regular first team action.

Chelsea home 2013/14 kit launched

Bharath Ram — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:16:16 +0000

The Chelsea home 2013/14 kit has finally been unveiled by Adidas and Chelsea. The launch occurs a few weeks after the German sportswear giant offered an insight through a stunning pre-launch campaign. The new Chelsea home kit is actually not too different from the 2012/13 kit. There are subtle vertical lines, which lend character, running along the shirt. In my opinion, the white on blue theme suits Chelsea better than the gold on blue theme. What do you think of the new Chelsea home 2013/14 kit? Leave your comments below.The kit will go on sale from May 15.

Chelsea open talks with former Real Madrid manager

Bharath Ram — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 06:35:12 +0000

Chelsea interim manager Rafa Benitez has admitted that he will leave the club at the end of the season, which leaves Roman Abramovich searching for his 10th manager in 10 seasons. Even though Real Madrid manager Mourinho remains the favourite to become the next Chelsea manager, Chelsea also have other names on the list like Malaga manager Manuel Pellegrini. According to the Sun, Chelsea have started talks with Pellegrini and representatives from Malaga. Chelsea, though, are not the only club to be interested in Pellegrini, as the likes of Roma and Manchester City are also interested according to his agent. “If we have contacts with Roma, Chelsea and Manchester City, Manuel has a contract until June 2014 and a price of £3.5m. We must speak with Malaga about many things,” said agent Jesus Martinez. The 59-year-old Chilean has managed three clubs in Europe, but they have all been in Spain. He has undoubted pedigree after having led Villarreal and Malaga to the latter stages of the Champions League when they were least expected to do so. Villarreal reached the semifinals of the Champions League in 2005-06, while Malaga almost managed to repeat the feat this season. However, his one-year spell at Real Madrid casts huge doubts over his abilities as a top-class manager. Pellegrini lasted less than a year at the Santiago Bernebeu after being appointed in June 2009. Of course, he had an astonishing 75% win percentage, but he had the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Kaka at his disposal. His spell at Real Madrid was accompanied by embarrassing defeats against lower league opposition, while the club ended the season without any major trophies. Of course, one can say that Chelsea are fast running out of good managers. He has proven to be successful at a small club with limited resources, but it is a different story at a big club. Chelsea fans can have reasons to be sceptical if he is appointed as the next Chelsea manager.

Fulham 0-3 Chelsea: Highlights

Bharath Ram — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:14:33 +0000

Chelsea came away with a 3-0 victory over Fulham that helped Rafa Benitez’ team move back into the top three. David Luiz opened the scoring with a stunner, while John Terry’s two goals gave Chelsea a comfortable victory. I recommend that you watch David Luiz’ goal because it is worth it. Fulham 0-3 Chelsea

Didier Drogba: Remembering a legend

Bharath Ram — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:17:36 +0000

It is almost a year since Didier Drogba left Chelsea. He still remains as one of my favourite players of all-time. This video is a great tribute to the big Ivorian, who proved time and time again that he is a man for the big occasions. It is not often that you come across a great player, but Drogba was one. This video is a must watch if you are a Drogba fan. Didier Drogba’s Chelsea statistics: Appearances: 341 Goals: 157 Assists: 71 Trophies: 3 Premier Leagues, 4 FA Cups, 2 League Cups, 2 FA Community Shields, and one UEFA Champions League

Benitez compares Mata with Chelsea legend – Is he?

Bharath Ram — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:05:17 +0000

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez has compared Juan Mata with Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola. Praise does not get higher than this, and Mata has demonstrated over the last two years that he may be worthy of such a praise. Since arriving in a £24 million deal from Valencia, Mata has been one of the important members within the squad. He is rarely injured, scores from free kicks, assists many goals, tracks back extremely well, and is a great professional. Mata has contributed a mammoth 85 goals in just 108 appearances for Chelsea. Yet, it may take several seasons before Mata can be regarded at the same level as Zola. “Game intelligence, that’s the key. Juan’s very clever, finds space and technically he’s very good. He has good vision and scores goals. “Gianfranco Zola was this kind of player, not the biggest but he had game intelligence and could get into the box at the right time,” said Rafa Benitez to the Sun. Mata is now playing at a time when Chelsea have truly world-class players like Eden Hazard and Frank Lampard around him. Zola also played with a very good Chelsea team, but it was not on par with the current squad. Zola at his best: In terms of skill, Mata has everything to go on and eclipse Zola. However, it takes more than just skill to be considered alongside a legend. The signs, though, are extremely good. It is not easy to summarise the two players, as they possess such an abundance of skill: These two videos showcase some of their best. Mata at his best:

Fulham vs Chelsea Preview: Focus on the League

Bharath Ram — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 05:49:25 +0000

Chelsea’s 60th match of the season will see us take on Fulham at Craven Cottage. Chelsea players should not be lingering over the 2-1 defeat against Manchester City in the 2013 FA Cup semi-final. A bigger prize than the FA Cup – at least in monetary terms – awaits us in the form of a top four finish. The importance of a top four finish cannot be stressed enough. The Fulham vs Chelsea has been one of the toughest matches for Chelsea over the course of the campaign. Chelsea’s last victory at Craven Cottage was back in 2009. The encounter is unlikely to be easy this time around given Fulham’s form in recent weeks. Our interests in other competitions have meant that Arsenal have moved into the third position, but we do have two games in hand over Arsenal. Fulham have suffered just three league defeats since the turn of the year. Former Manchester United and Tottenham striker Dimitar Berbatov has been in sparkling form for the club in recent months. He has 13 goals to his name, and his threat should not be underestimated. Benitez chose Oscar for the FA Cup semi-final, but the Brazilian has been extremely poor in recent weeks. He has played almost 70 matches since the start of the season, and it is beginning to show in his game. He is likely to be dropped to the bench in favour of Victor Moses. Fulham players Dejagah, Diarra, and Sidwell are likely to miss out, while Ashley Cole and Gary Cahill are the major injury concerns for Rafa Benitez. Fulham recently reached the 40 point mark, which could relax their players. Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez speaks ahead of the match with Fulham on Wednesday night. This is the first of two games that Chelsea have over Arsenal. Projected team line-up: Kick-off: Craven Cottage, Wednesday, 17 Apr 2013, 20:00 GMT

Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City FA Cup: Highlights

Bharath Ram — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 17:07:51 +0000

Here are the highlights from Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat against Manchester City. Samir Nasri and Sergio Aguero scored the goals for City, while Demba Ba pulled one back for Chelsea. However, it was not enough for Rafa Benitez’s men as they were knocked out of the competition.

Chelsea vs Manchester City 2013 FA Cup Semi-Final: Preview

Bharath Ram — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 06:33:30 +0000

Wembley has been like a second home for Chelsea over the years. Chelsea’s four FA Cup titles in the last six years is a testament to this fact. Roberto Mancini’s men may be the favourites ahead of the Chelsea vs Manchester City 2013 FA Cup semi-final match, but our success in this competition over the years should give the players plenty of confidence. Both teams need success in this competition for different reasons. The FA Cup offers a much better chance than the Europa League for Chelsea to win a trophy this season. For Manchester City, it is about maintaining their quest to win trophies especially after having almost lost the Premier League title race. There is no doubt that City will be the fresher team ahead of this match. They have played just two matches in the last two weeks, while Chelsea have had an astonishing five matches during this period. Aside from the 2-1 defeat against Southampton, Rafa Benitez has done fairly well managing his squad during this period. He rested the likes of Eden Hazard and Juan Mata during the 3-2 defeat against Rubin Kazan. They are likely to be recalled for this match. Benitez has the nice problem of choosing between Demba Ba and Fernando Torres, as both strikers have been in good form over the last few matches. Ba’s ankle injury, though, could see Torres starting the match, while Bertrand could return to the starting line-up. City’s major injury worry is David Silva, who has not been ruled out of this match yet. City have had the upper hand over Chelsea in recent seasons, but this is one match that the blues cannot afford to lose. Predicted team line-up: Predicted score: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester City Kick-off: Wembley, Sunday, 14 Apr 2013, 16:00 GMT

Rubin Kazan 3-2 Chelsea: Highlights

Bharath Ram — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 18:08:41 +0000

Chelsea were defeated 3-2 by Rubin Kazan at the Luzhniki Stadium, but the blues managed to progress into the Europa league semi-finals due to the 5-4 win on aggregate. Fernando Torres and Victor Moses were the scorers for Chelsea on the night. Marcano, Karadeniz, and Natcho scored for Rubin Kazan, as Chelsea held on nervously in the final few minutes of the match.

Rubin Kazan vs Chelsea Pre-Match Press Conference: Benitez & Moses

Bharath Ram — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:34:18 +0000

Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez and midfielder Victor Moses offer their views – ahead of the Rubin Kazan vs Chelsea match –on several aspects like team news, the artificial pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium, and the qualifying for the Europa League semi-finals. This is the second leg encounter between the two teams. Chelsea come into the match with a 3-1 advantage on the aggregate score.

Rubin Kazan vs Chelsea Preview: Completing the Job

Bharath Ram — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 06:22:24 +0000

As Chelsea return to the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, one cannot help the memories going back to the horrible Champions League 2008 final defeat against Manchester United. However, the stadium may actually provide some good memories for Chelsea, as we are in a position to qualify for the Europa League semi-finals. The 3-1 win from the first leg gives plenty of breathing space, but Rubin Kazan should not be taken lightly. Further, the artificial pitch at the Luzhniki Stadium could pose problems for the team that has been looking weary in recent weeks. However, it did not pose troubles back in 2010 when we managed a 2-0 win over Spartak Moscow. Perhaps, it is one of the reasons for Chelsea being given a price of 1.52 by popular bookmakers like Unibet, while the latest sports news also suggests the same. Fernando Torres has been looking in good form since scoring two goals against Rubin Kazan. Demba Ba is ineligible for the Europa League, which means that the Spaniard is almost certain to start. Benitez’ biggest problem will come in defence. Ryan Bertrand, who has deputised the injured Ashley Cole in recent matches, has not travelled due to a virus. This could mean a start for either the inexperienced Nathan Ake or Paulo Ferreira, who has played very little football in recent times. “David Luiz has also played as a left full-back before so maybe he can be an option. We have a lot of respect for Rubin Kazan. We know they are a good team. You have to play on a synthetic pitch and adapt to that but it will be the same for everyone,” said Benitez to Chelsea’s official site. Benitez is expected to continue rotating the squad, as he struggles to cope with the huge number of matches. Lampard and Moses can expect a recall to the starting line-up. Rubin Kazan have no major injury worries. Chelsea have a two-goal advantage on the aggregate score, and an early goal could just settle the tie in favour of the blues. Mikel may have said a few days ago that Chelsea players are not really happy with playing in the Europa League, but when you get to this stage of the competition, you are in it to win. Rubin Kazan vs Chelsea predicted line-up: Rubin Kazan (4-2-3-1): Ryzhikov, Kaleshin, Navas, Sharonov, Ansaldi, Orbaiz, Natcho, Kasaev, Eremenko, Karadeniz, Rondon Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Ake, Lampard, Mikel, Moses, Oscar, Hazard, Torres Kick-off: Luzhniki Stadium, Thursday, 11 Apr 2013, 17:00 GMT

Bruce Buck hints at Mourinho returning to Chelsea

Bharath Ram — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 02:43:37 +0000

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has given the biggest indication that Jose Mourinho may return to Chelsea in the summer. The 50-year-old is widely expected to leave Real Madrid at the end of the season. Interim manager Rafa Benitez has also announced that he will not be staying at Chelsea beyond this season. Benitez is widely criticised by the Chelsea fans, who have never accepted him as one of their own. It is certainly not the case with Mourinho, as he is still loved by all the Chelsea fans. Buck has said that discussions have not started about the next Chelsea manager. However, he is extremely sure that owner Roman Abramovich has the options in his mind. Buck has said that he has open-minded when it comes to the next managerial appointment. “I’m completely open-minded about it. We all have some ideas and certainly Roman Abramovich is thinking about it. We haven’t really started the search yet. But at the moment we are concentrating on the end of the season,” said Buck to Sky Sports. This indicates that Chelsea may even go back to one of their former managers. If I were Abramovich, I would not be wasting any second to get Mourinho. Meanwhile, Buck also dismissed claims that Chelsea are not really interested in managerial stability. The next Chelsea manager will be the 10th in the Abramovich era. However, the decision behind sacking every manager has had a reason. “I know we have fired what most people would say are a lot of managers – terminated the relationship is a better way to describe it – but we’ve always thought long and hard when we’ve done it. We certainly believe in stability in managers, but it has to be with the right manager,” said Buck. Of course, Chelsea have lifted 10 major trophies in the last decade, but a return of just three league titles in these years points to the need for managerial stability. Perhaps, Mourinho returning will be start of a new long-term relationship.

Chelsea 2-1 Sunderland: Highlights

Bharath Ram — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 16:08:38 +0000

Here are the highlights from Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Sunderland. Azpilicueta’s own goal in the first half gave Sunderland the lead, but an own goal from a Sunderland player and a deflected goal from Ivanovic gave Chelsea all three points. Chelsea move into the top three of the Premier league table as a result of this victory.

Eden Hazard: Juan Mata for the Player of the Year Award

Bharath Ram — Sun, 07 Apr 2013 12:00:44 +0000

The last Chelsea player to have won the PFA Players’ Player of the Year was John Terry in the 2004-05 season. In fact, he is the only Chelsea player to have won this prestigious award. For some reason or the other, Chelsea players simply have not been able to win this trophy despite being way ahead of their competitors. Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard at the peak of their careers immediately spring to the mind. Eden Hazard is of the opinion that this curse should not befall Juan Mata. The Spaniard was clearly been one of the best players for Chelsea last season, but he has moved to another level this season. The £24 million arrival from Valencia has managed to score 18 goals and make 30 assists over the course of the campaign. It is frightening to imagine the figures he will have at the end of the season if he goes at this rate. The media would have surely called him the best player in the world had he been playing for Barcelona. Such is the media partiality towards Chelsea that even Gareth Bale, who has just four goals more than Mata, is spoken of as a £50 million player. However, Mata’s exploits have not gone unnoticed as his teammate Hazard believes that he should win the award this season. “He deserves to be the Player of the Year. Definitely. There are others who have performed very well this season but he’s my colleague, so I would back him. “He has that ability to see and make the pass that others wouldn’t and sees it faster than others. “It’s a pleasure to play alongside Juan. He’s one of the best footballers in the Premier League,” said the Belgian to Sky Sports. Of course, critics will argue that Mata is not going to win the Premier League title. Hence, he is unlikely to land this award. If it is an individual award, then surely only individual performances matter. In that regard, there are few better than Mata.

I’m not giving up – Fernando Torres

Bharath Ram — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 07:26:32 +0000

Fernando Torres has made 119 appearances and scored 31 goals for Chelsea in all competitions since his arrival in 2011. It is not a good return for any striker. It is especially not good when you have cost £50 million in transfer fees and a further £180,000 per week in wages. There have been no signs of the striker returning to the glory days at Liverpool. In an interview to Daily Mail, the striker has admitted that even he does not know the reason for his poor performance. One of his best performances in a Chelsea shirt came in the 3-1 win over Rubin Kazan in the Europa League quarter-finals. The 29-year-old has admitted that he has struggled at Chelsea since arriving more than two years ago. However, he is refusing to give up his struggle to become a success at Chelsea. Torres has been heavily linked with a move away from Chelsea in the summer. His former club Atletico Madrid has been spoken of as one of the destinations for the striker. However, after featuring in the Chelsea 2013/14 home kit launch teaser video, one can be sure that Torres is definitely staying at Chelsea at least for the next season. However, will he be able to get back to his old self? I doubt it very much because it has been more than two years and he still continues to struggle in front of goal. The arrival of yet another manager in the summer – to replace Benitez – is certainly not going to make things easier.

Chelsea 2013/14 Home Kit Launch Teaser: Bathed in Blue

Bharath Ram — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 05:25:11 +0000

The new Chelsea home kit for the 2013/14 season is all set to be launched soon. Never before has there been greater excitement surrounding the launch of a new home kit. The teaser given by Chelsea and Adidas ahead of the launch of this new kit is one of the reasons for it. According to Chelsea, the Chelsea 2013/14 home kit is expected to be launched in the next few weeks. It is important to note that this is the first home kit launch which will not feature Frank Lampard. This can be taken as a huge sign that Lampard will leave Chelsea at the end of the season. This truly has to be one of the best ever home kit launch promo by any football club. Do you think there has been a better launch promo? Here are some of the best images that show the Chelsea players becoming blue, quite literally. Fernando Torres Juan Mata Petr Cech David Luiz Adidas and Chelsea have also released two videos as well.

Chelsea vs Sunderland Preview: Top Four Race Resumes

Bharath Ram — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 03:15:17 +0000

A week ago, most Chelsea fans would have thought that the Chelsea vs Sunderland Premier League match this weekend will be easy. Sunderland were in a rotten run of form that culminated in the 1-0 defeat against Manchester United. As the saying goes, one week is a long time in football; Sunderland have managed to sack Martin O’Neill and replace him with Paolo Di Canio all in the space of one week. Sunderland’s rotten run of form saw them win just two Premier League matches in 2013 so far. As a result, they find themselves perilously close to the drop zone. The arrival of a new manager, though, significantly changes the outlook of the team. The arrival of a new manager produces results – at least for a few matches – more often than not. This could especially be true in the case of Di Canio, who is one of the enigmatic figures in football. He could be considered as the poor man’s José Mourinho. His first press conference as the Sunderland manager went without a lot of fireworks, but one can fully expect it to ignite on Sunday. Fernando Torres’ two goals against Rubin Kazan may have sparked talk of a return to form, but he is unlikely to start the match after having played just two days ago. Demba Ba, who scored the winner against Manchester United, is likely to start. After two consecutive matches, Mata is likely to be dropped to the bench. Eden Hazard and Oscar can expect recalls to the starting line-up. Di Canio on Sky Sports: Sunderland’s major absentees will be Steven Fletcher and Lee Cattermole – probably their two best players, which is good news for Chelsea. Kick-off: Stamford Bridge, Sunday 7 Apr 2013, 15:00 GMT Chelsea vs Sunderland 2012/13 Projected line-up:

Chelsea 3-1 Rubin Kazan: Highlights and Reaction

Bharath Ram — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 02:20:03 +0000

Here are the Chelsea vs Rubin Kazan match highlights and reaction. Striker Fernando Torres scored two goals and Victor Moses scored the other goal for Chelsea in this comfortable first leg victory at Stamford Bridge. Rubin Kazan have scored an away goal through a penalty from Natcho. Chelsea vs Rubin Kazan manager reaction: Chelsea vs Rubin Kazan match highlights:

Chelsea vs Rubin Kazan Preview: Aiming for First Blood

Bharath Ram — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 12:00:49 +0000

Chelsea’s Europa league campaign has mostly been a struggle, as the players have needed last-minute goals in order to get to the quarter-final stage. It is also often considered as a distraction by many managers, but once you get to the quarter-finals of the Europa league, it really gives you the feeling of a competition that can be won. Chelsea vs Rubin Kazan at Stamford Bridge will be third of the four marathon encounters for the team. The Russian team may be fourth in the division, but they should not be taken lightly because they are on a five-match unbeaten run. They have managed to reach this stage of the competition by beating Spanish clubs like Atletico Madrid and Levante along the way. Benitez has spoken about the importance of finishing in the top four, but his team selection has been conveying other ideas. It will be interesting to see if he fields a strong line-up against Rubin Kazan aware of the Chelsea vs Sunderland match on Sunday. Some of his team selection is likely to be forced. This includes the defensive positions like centre back and left back. Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole are unavailable for selection, which means that Bertrand is likely to start the match. The likes of Torres, Lampard, and Terry were rested against Manchester United, and they could be set for recall to the starting line-up. Rubin Kazan manager Kurban Berdyev: Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez: Predicted line-up: Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Terry, Bertrand, Mikel, Lampard, Moses, Marin, Mata, Torres Rubin Kazan (4-2-3-1): Ryzhikov, Kuzmin, Marcano, Sharonov, Kaleshin, Orbaiz, Natkho, Karadeniz, Eremenko, Kasaev, Rondon Kick-off: Stamford Bridge, Thursday, 4 Apr 2013, 20:05 GMT

Chelsea should bring back Mourinho – Drogba (video)

Bharath Ram — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 16:46:58 +0000

Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has said that the club should look at bringing in the former manager José Mourinho as the replacement for Rafa Benitez in the summer.

Bring back Mourinho and keep Lampard – Drogba

Bharath Ram — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 05:51:52 +0000

Of the six seasons that Didier Drogba spent at Chelsea, the days under José Mourinho were really the pinnacle of his Chelsea career. It is no secret that the two enjoyed a special relationship, which continues even now. As the odds of Mourinho returning to Chelsea get slashed, Drogba has said – in his interview to the Sun – that the club needs the Portuguese in order to bring stability to the club. Benitez should already be packing his bags, as he prepares to leave Chelsea at the end of the season. This leaves Roman Abramovich looking for his 10th Chelsea manager, and for the first time, the Russian could be going back to one of his former employees. Mourinho has hinted that he may return to Chelsea in the summer. During his time at the club, the ‘Special One’ managed to lift every single trophy apart from the Champions League. He has spoken on numerous occasions about the unfinished business he has at Stamford Bridge. Drogba has said that Mourinho remains as the best manager he has ever worked with. He also thinks that the 50-year-old will be able to repeat the success, as he is a winner. Drogba has also spoken about how Chelsea should retain players like Lampard and Terry to act as an inspiration for the younger Chelsea players. Lampard is widely expected to leave Chelsea after 12 seasons at the club. You can’t help feeling that Drogba is correct. Are you listening, Roman? KTBFFH

Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United: 2013 FA Cup Highlights

Bharath Ram — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 14:07:12 +0000

Here are the highlights from Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Manchester United that put the blues into the semifinals of the 2013 FA Cup. Demba Ba scored the only goal of the game from a Juan Mata assist. Full highlights: Rafa Benitez reaction: