It’s only a friendly, we keep hearing. This is true, but it is more than that. It’s a marker as to where we are in preparation for the new season, and it didn’t look good. With the upcoming internationals only serving to deprive Ancelotti of his players again, the physical and indeed mental condition of the players after four defeats in pre-season doesn’t bode well, with little opportunity to rectify…
Chelsea To Seal Chanturia Deal?
Reports this weekend suggest that Frank Arnesen has once again been busy in the youth transfer market, with his attentions turned to Barcelona. Chelsea are believed to have secured the services of Georgian forward Giorgi Chanturia, who spent last season on loan at the Catalan club from Vake Tblisi. He was well considered at La Masia but, according to AirFutbol, he will move to London, having been unable to agree…
One Change For Wembley
It’s Chelsea vs Manchester United (again) at Wembley this afternoon, playing on an all new semi-artificial surface, which should mean no nasty injuries, and some decent football. The Wembley directors have said yesso to Desso, in adopting the half grass, half synthetic solution to try and solve their ongoing pitch woes. With the system in place at many Premier League clubs such as City, Arsenal and Liverpool, amongst others, here’s…
In The News: One In, One Out
It looks as if Deco has made his last appearance in a Chelsea shirt with news of a transfer to Fluminense all but completed. The Brazilian club announced on their official website the 32 year old Portuguese international will sign a two year deal and be officially unveiled on Monday. Deco had earlier commented to the Brazilian media that; “Chelsea have chosen not to speak to the press until the…
Under-18s: Chelsea 3-2 Wycombe Wanderers
So this is what a win feels like. It hasn’t been the best pre-season to date, at least from a results point of view. The first team have lost their last three, the reserves have lost all three, and before this morning, the Under-18 team had lost their only fixture. They put that right, however, in the form of an entertaining 3-2 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in a match where…
Left (Backs) To Fend For Themselves
Hot on the trail of Daniel Philliskirk earlier this week, two more Chelsea youngsters secured loan deals on Thursday. Neither are new to heading off to temporary homes, although their experiences do differ vastly. Ben Gordon’s second career loan spell will take in a season at Kilmarnock, whilst Ryan Bertrand’s seventh will take him to Nottingham Forest. Indeed, Bertrand’s arrived on his 21st birthday – quite a feat for one…
Reserves: Woking vs Chelsea – A Picture Special
A selection of pictures from Wednesday’s reserve friendly, which finished Woking 1-0 Chelsea. Conor Clifford has an early shot at Lenny Pidgeley’s goal. Jamal Blackman prepares for his Reserve team debut. Woking go through their warm-up. Teams emerge from the tunnel. Jamal Blackman Franco Di Santo contests an aerial battle. Milan Lalkovic looks to make gains. …
Reserves: Woking 1-0 Chelsea
Chelsea’s third reserve outing of this pre-season went much the same as their previous two. Despite playing a lower level of opposition in Blue Square South side Woking, Steve Holland’s young boys were unable to find a win and instead went down to their third defeat in a row. Joe McNerney’s header on the stroke of half time was the game’s only goal in what was probably the most disappointing…
Defensive Woes Continue
Chelsea’s pre-season tour concluded on a sour note with yet another defeat due to defensive errors. The match started well enough, with almost a full strength line-up missing only Drogba and Cech from the starting XI, although the former was on the bench. Chelsea kicked off the first half and within a few minutes Lampard had a shot on goal that the Hamburg keeper, Rost, managed to clear to safety….
Blues Beefed Up For Hamburg
In a few hours Chelsea will kick off their fourth and final pre-season match against Hamburg in the Volksparkstadion, Germany. After a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Frankfurt on Sunday, Ancelotti will be looking for a better display from his team as part of the preparation for the Community Shield match with United this coming weekend. With all the players back from the World Cup now, and only a few notable…