Shortly before Christmas, off the back of a poor run but following qualification for the last 16 of the CL, this column wondered if the season could turn out to be something special (see Special Ones Too). And it certainly has, but not in a good way. A slew of defeats, players who don’t seem to be bothered about putting in a shift but are only too happy to collect their 000s of Ks every week, and continued reports in the media of problems in the dressing room culminated in yesterday’s abject performance at West Bromwich Albion, resulting in the dismissal today of Andreas Villas Boas, less than 9 months after his appointment as Chelsea manager.

As someone who has never received football coaching in their life, it is difficult for me to comment on the mechanics of a performance. All I see is players passing the ball. Whilst I’m au fait with systems and styles, like a typical woman, I prefer incidents to statistics. In spite of being there, I couldn’t tell you who scored our goals in the 3-2 defeat at Man Utd in September, but I remember Ian Marshall of Leicester pulling a hammy whilst trying to nutmeg Albert Ferrer in front of the still unroofed West Stand and getting celery chucked at him in about 1999. So I’m not really the one to say whether AVB didn’t know what he was doing on the tactics front. All I know that he failed to pull on a shirt in any of our games recently. Whilst the buck stops with the manager, our players have to look at themselves in the mirror and ask themselves how much they have contributed to letting the fans down.

It is not the first time player power has hastened the demise of a manager at Chelsea. As long ago as 2000, Gianluca Vialli lost the dressing room, and at the time when a revised Bosman ruling was being threatened resulting in contracts no longer being worth the paper they were written on, Ken Bates and Colin Hutchinson were presented with a “him or us” ultimatum by a number of players (this was confirmed to me by the respected Italian journalist Giancarlo Galivotti several years ago). Whilst Franck Leboeuf attracted most of the opprobrium directed at the players on this occasion, he was certainly not the only one involved and even tried to offload the blame on Gianfranco Zola – in a radio interview on the day of his last game at Chelsea, he commented “Gianfranco has much more power at Chelsea than me”. Indeed, Vialli’s own comments on Twitter today hint at a frosty relationship with the club’s new caretaker manager, Roberto di Matteo.

Stories about player unrest have abounded in the press recently, usually attributed to a “senior player”. I hope whoever he is, he will now expend his energies for the rest of the season in galvanising his team-mates to get their fingers out. The decision to appoint di Matteo as caretaker manager until the end of the season is an indication that Chelsea have a clear target in mind but need to wait until the end of the season. Were that not the case, either Benitez or Capello, both free agents, would have been appointed today. Given Jose Mourinho’s very public visit to London last week, combined with news of a further alleged visit on Monday, and information provided by a source to this column that Mourinho and Abramovich had dinner at a top London hotel last week, last week’s article “Return of the Special One” may yet prove to have been barking up the right tree.

As usual, the ones suffering most at this time are the fans. I know people who set off for Albion at 6am and reckoned they weren’t going to get home till midnight. Approximately 1600 hardy souls travelled to Napoli two weeks ago. As I write, Chelsea lie fifth in the premiership and no doubt there are those amongst the inter-continental support (and possibly one or two in the UK) who have decided that the club are so last decade, and transferred their support elsewhere. These are the very people that our CEO is keen on cultivating at the expense of those who invest their time and emotion, not to mention maxing out their credit cards, on supporting CFC in the flesh and not through the medium of their television.

I think the last time I felt so low about a manager was, surprisingly, the day Ruudi was sacked (when Jose left I was in an emotional maelstrom, and when Luca was sacked I was so ill that if Ken Bates had turned up to announce the news in person I probably wouldn’t have turned a hair). However, we Chels are a resillient lot. Whilst I’d be surprised if we sell out Birmingham away, the faithful will be out in force and giving 100% of their passion to the cause. Let’s hope the players can do the same.

If it wasn’t enough for the club to show how little they care for supporters with regards to the CPO and Stamford Bridge issue, a piece of information comes our way today that shows this is a growing trend.

The club have started a new ‘upload your photo/videos’ section on the Official Chelsea FC website called ‘All Blues. All Season‘ – we were asked to promote it a short while ago but declined because frankly, the club take the p*ss with their demands of supporter sites and you never get anything in return.  It’s all take, no give.

However if you are inclined to use this new area on their site then please note that in the terms and conditions of use, you are giving up your all your rights (for ever) in anything you upload. This means that Chelsea FC, their agents, partners or anyone they sell images or information to, may use or alter your images or use the video for any purpose they see fit.

From their T&C’s; “4.3 You acknowledge that by posting materials on the Chelsea Site You grant to Us and Our licensors and assigns an irrevocable, perpetual royalty free worldwide licence to use the materials within the Chelsea Site and in any other manner. The licence extends to copying, distributing, broadcasting, and otherwise transmitting, and adapting and editing the materials.”

So you may upload a picture of your youngster in the latest Chelsea kit, and the club can then use this in magazines or promotions the world over without ever asking your consent, nor compensating you for the use of your image either. Would you be happy about your child’s face used on ad boards in Thailand, or Korea, without knowing it?

Those of you who use Facebook will remember a public backlash and outcry in the media about a similar clause in their terms and conditions, and they removed the clause quickly so to avoid public anger, it’s unbelievable that the club has put the same clause in place.

I doubt very much the club care enough or will be hit with as much negative press about their clause, so the best we can do is advise you NOT to upload anything to the the All Blues. All Season part of the Chelsea FC website.

As another round of Premiership matches kicks off again for the weekend, and with our boys not playing until tomorrow afternoon, here’s what’s being said and written about our beloved blues.

Taken aback by the shock horror of a decent piece on Goal.com, we start with comments from ex-player Alexey Smertin, with interesting insights about his time at Chelsea.

The former Russian international spoke of his relationship with Roman, stating; “I talked to him probably more than any of our guys because we speak the same language, at every game, even away from home, he would come to the dressing room and would be wide-eyed, like a child.”

“He would want to know what the players were thinking during specific parts of the game and why they made certain decisions.” Smertin added; “That is why I definitely respect him. He loves football. As an owner, he is far from the team, I only ever saw him just after a game. He knows he is not a manager.”

Speaking about Roman’s rumoured interference with the team, he states that it doesn’t happen; “In Russia, it often happens that the chairman comes in to a dressing room saying, ‘Let’s do this’ and makes orders to the players. Roman Abramovich is different. He is a proper owner. He is addicted to Chelsea, I’m sure he will be the owner for many years.”

So from nice words, to the rantings of an increasingly senile United manager. Yes our old Salford Scot; Alex Ferguson is ramping up the mind games a little earlier than normal this season with comments that we’ve had an easy start to the season. We can’t argue that our opponents haven’t been the toughest we’ve faced, but let’s look a little deeper into it.

He said; “They’ve certainly had a very easy early start to the season, there’s no doubt about that, There are big games coming up but they’ve had a good start nonetheless and you can only deal with the games that are in front of you.” Indeed we can, and we have. Unlike United who, to be fair, have had a pretty easy start too. They’ve just buggered it up.

We’ve played West Brom, Wigan, Stoke, and West Ham in the Premiership, all teams in the bottom half, and Zilina in the Champions League, a team we were expected to beat, and did just that.

United have faced Newcastle, Fulham, West Ham and Everton, all teams (Fulham apart) who are also in the bottom half, with Rangers their opponents in the Champions League. They failed to beat both Everton and Fulham, throwing the games away late on, and they couldn’t score at all against Rangers.

So looking at the run of matches side by side, they’re almost identical and as Ferguson said, we can only beat what’s in front of us. Well, we can. United seemingly can’t. Despite this, Ferguson still went on to claim; “Our form, I think, has been very good!”. Not as good as ours, Alex.

Anyway, enough of the United baiting, as fun as it is, and onto our mercurial England mid-fielder and Premiership Player of the Decade; Frank Lampard. As you’ll all probably know by now the hernia operation he had a few weeks ago hasn’t yet fully healed and as such he won’t be lining up against Blackpool.

However it’s not his injury that we’re focusing on here, more a comment from Charlie Adam of newly promoted Blackpool. He said; “When we won at Wembley I got a text message from Frank. He wished me all the best and said it would nice to see me in the Premier League next year. That was when it sunk it with me what we had achieved and it was a magical moment.”

Showing what many of us already know about what a gentleman of the game Lampard is, he added; “The fact he took time out from preparing for a World Cup to send a text like that summed up what we had achieved. He has achieved so much in his career it was amazing to think he was following what we were doing when he had a World Cup on the horizon. I will always have kind words for him.”

Adam went on to explain how he’d met Frank on holiday in Dubai, and how he’d picked his brains on the Premiership for several hours with Frank more than willing to impart him with his knowledge; “I asked him so many questions. It was just great to chat. We just spoke and it was interesting to hear what he had done and what the players at Chelsea were like as well. I wanted to know what he had done in his life to get where he was now. We will probably have a quick catch-up after the game and then it’s on with the rest of the season.”

In other news, Spanish super striker David Villa in an interview with The Guardian about his club, country and more, listed John Terry as the best defender he has ever faced. Villa said our captain was the best; “Not just because of his reputation for being tough, but because he is a great defensive player.”

Considering the defenders the Spaniard has faced in his career, that’s some accolade.

It’s been a quiet couple of weeks for us here at TheChels, we’re not ones to get over excited with the overblown hype each time the England team plays, especially due to the rank hypocrisy in the media coverage of their star player and his indiscretions with hookers. At least this time they’re not drawing their pension though.

Never mind that Rooney has scored more times off the pitch than on it since March, oh no, Sir Shrek of Salford has been given a far easier ride than our Captain was, and before all you cyber warriors run to the keyboards to tell me how JT shagged a team mates bird and this is ‘somehow’ worse, go and do some research. This interview is a good place to start.

Ok so we had our own little joke at the story when it first broke, however looking at Vanessa’s interview recently, and knowing the way the media work, yes they did make it up.

Two and two often equates to whatever number Fleet Street need, especially if that number also happens to be someone’s voice mail. The News of the World, and indeed any paper owned by the dark overlord; Rupert Murdoch, will make more from lies and sensationalism than they will lose when later sued. As papers are now, in the main loss making, they have to try all they can to increase sales.

So why the easy ride from the media then? Quite simply, they like Rooney as he plays their game, and he is their choice for future England captain. Think Capello picks his main man? Not without coercion. If he did, Terry would still be captain.

The Sun and a vicious hate campaign saw nicely to that, yet with rumours of Gerrard’s infidelity safely locked behind a super injunction that seems to be continually extended, the rank hypocrisy in the media and indeed the England set up as a whole means we at TheChels can’t get excited about it one bit, and we’re glad when our lads don’t play.

So onto other news and it seems the posturing from Marseilles this week about their ‘attempt’ to sign Drogba was nothing more than a load of old tosh, with Carlo stating today that no such bid was forthcoming, and even if it had, or will in January, the answer will be a resounding no.

There may however be moves in the offing for Yuri Zhirkov, the man Carlo once saw as a ‘rib eye steak’, however if you look past the ‘Play me or I leave’ sensationalist headlines from our ‘friends’ in the main stream media, the comments tell a different story; “I’ll certainly get a chance in the next few months and I’ll try to use it completely” said the Russian.

“We are currently in brilliant form and getting past Malouda and Cole is problematic. Everyone understands about the competition: once you are on the bench you can be there for a long time.” He added; ” I will definitely get a chance. The thoughts when you are watching your team play are always the same: you support, worry and your soul wants to be on the pitch to help.” That sounds like he’s leaving, doesn’t it?

So it’s back to the Premiership this weekend with a match against Wet Spam on the cards, Avram Grant will again cross Chelsea’s path and one would hope he’s feeling charitable, as we could do with a few more goals this week as our goal difference could do with a boost, don’t you think?

Lampard is out tomorrow but Kakuta may just play, we at TheChels have been following the developments of the young Frenchman ever since the furore surrounding his transfer and hope that he’ll get the chances his undoubted skills deserve.  In Carlo we trust.

Speaking of the amiable Italian, Ancelotti has just won the Manager of the Month award for August after our fine start to the season, let’s hope it’s not a curse as has so often been the case recently as we must keep the pressure on at the top of the table.

Have you found our NEW Chelsea Supporters Social Network? http://thechels.me

With a rather quiet closing of the transfer window, and contrary to many tabloid suggestions otherwise, there were no extra transfers by the club in addition to those of Ramires and Benayoun.

Today the club announced the squad list for the forthcoming season, and with Premier League regulations now stating that only 25 players can be named, with eight being ‘home grown’ should the full 25 be named.

A home-grown player has been registered with FA or Welsh FA club, for a period of three seasons preceding his 21st birthday. Clubs can also name an unlimited amount of U21 players.

With this in mind, Chelsea have named the following squad for the Premier League;

Chelsea’s submitted squad is

1.CECH, Petr
2.IVANOVIC, Branislav
3.COLE, Ashley
5.ESSIEN, Michael
7.RAMIRES
8.LAMPARD, Frank
10.BENAYOUN, Yossi
11.DROGBA, Didier
12.MIKEL, John Obi
15.MALOUDA, Florent
17.BOSINGWA, Jose
18.ZHIRKOV, Yury
19.FERREIRA, Paulo
21.KALOU, Salomon
22.TURNBULL, Ross
26.TERRY, John
33.ALEX
39.ANELKA, Nicolas
40.HILARIO, Henrique

Under 21 players who currently also have a squad number are:

23.STURRIDGE, Daniel
38.VAN AANHOLT, Patrick
43.BRUMA, Jeffrey
44.KAKUTA, Gael
45.BORINI, Fabio
46.McEACHRAN, Josh

Seeing as the club haven’t named a full complement of the initial 25, it’s assumed that Ancelotti will be making use of the youth players as injuries and suspensions take their toll, a policy that we at TheChels.net fully support, given the quality now emerging through the academy.

Have you found our NEW Chelsea Supporters Social Network? http://thechels.me

With the release of the coming seasons fixtures announced this morning, it seems the good old fixture computer has given us a nice start to the season, and a none to friendly finish, on paper at least.

Now we’re old enough and wise enough to know full well that football is played on grass, and not paper, yet our opening run of games looks straightforward enough, starts with West Brom, and will see Roberto Di Matteo’s return to the Bridge as a manager.

This is followed by matches against Wigan, Stoke, Wet Sham and Blackpool, before a trip to nouveau riche Manchester City marks the first real ‘tough’ test of the season, and a chance for revenge for their double over us last season, followed up by a home match against Arsenal.

Christmas could be a tricky time with matches against Spurs on the 11th December, followed by Man Utd, Arsenal, Bolton then Villa leading into a less stressful January against Wolves, Blackburn and Bolton.

As the season draws to a close and we’re hopefully on target for another title, a tough final run of games sees us take on Wet Sham, Spurs, Man Utd & Newcastle before finishing the season away to Everton.

The fixtures are of course subject to meddling from TV companies as yet so the dates aren’t definitive, but you can see the provisional fixture list on here on ChelseaFC.com

So here WE are! The last but most certainly not least of the initial triumvirate of TheChels sites, designed to provide you with whatever Chelsea FC fix it is you are seeking.

You may have noticed we’re a bit of a wordy bunch over here at the TheChels.net, that’s simply because it’s what we do. Here we hope to provide you with match reports and previews that aren’t boring and long winded, features that’ll tickle a rib or two, spotlights on current and former players and more.

We also have a unique feature appearing here in the not too distant future that will keep you up to date with the gossip at Chelsea in ways you never thought possible…. watch this space.

We won’t go on too much now, we know it’s the day after the night before and your heads are probably a bit sore, so for something a little less brain intensive, but every bit as enjoyable, why not head over to our TV site at TheChels.tv and check out our great collection of Chelsea videos.

Come on The Chels!

Christmas is over and tonight is the last big hurrah before thoughts turn to a long January month of work ahead.

So before you all head off out on your respective New Years Eve journeys, we’d just like to wish you all a very happy new year, and hope you have a great evening.

Remember to have fun, stay carefree and keep the blue flag flying high.

TheChels

We would like to send our congratulations to Roman Abramovich on the birth of his baby son. Roman was reported to be “ecstatic” last night after becoming a father for the sixth time.

Roman’s girlfriend, fellow Russian Dasha Zhukova, gave birth to a baby boy on Thursday afternoon with his Roman at her bedside. The pair have decided to name the child Aaron Alexander Abramovich.

Abramovich, 42, also has two sons and three daughters with his ex-wife Irina.

Well here it is, the very first real post on our shiny new website.  We deleted all the test ones, if anyone had seen them we’d have been visited by the men in coats and carted off to the loony bin.

However, we’re now on our way and those of you who are with us at this stage will probably know about our video site over at TheChels.tv, and also our emerging Wiki site at TheChels.info.

This site is the latest offering from TheChels.org in what will complete the triumvirate of sites designed to give you everything you need relating to Chelsea Football Club.

Here you’ll get news, reviews and opinions on all things Chelsea, over at the TheChels.tv you’ll find all the latest and greatest videos of Chelsea FC from around the globe, and at TheChels.info you’ll get all the factual information surrounding our club.

Finally we have TheChels.org, which is the home site of the entire stable of TheChels websites where any announcements relating to the group as a whole will be made.  If you want to be involved and lend a hand in any of the sites or have ideas we may be able to use, please feel free to contact us via the contact page.

For now though, welcome to TheChels.net, and we hope you enjoy your time here.