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The Harding Perspective: Liverpool

February 6, 2011
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With Monday’s monumental events still burning (literally, in Torres shirts) across Merseyside, the usual fiery encounter with the Red side of Liverpool has accrued another level of animosity. Pundits, journalists and ex-players of a Red disposition have all toed the party line espoused by “King” Kenny: Torres is finished. While this article serves to preview matches without indulging in the tittle tattle that pervades much of the written press, I…

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Under-18s: Chelsea 3-0 Portsmouth

February 5, 2011
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2010-11 hasn’t been the best of seasons for both Chelsea and Portsmouth as far as academy league results have been concerned. The two lowest placed clubs in Group A met on Saturday morning at Cobham, with Chelsea coming out on top with a 3-0 victory courtesy of goals from Walter Figueira, Bobby Devyne, and Danny Stenning. Figueira kept his place after scoring the winner in stoppage time last week against…

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Not To Fear – Financial Fair Play Is Here

February 4, 2011
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Financial Fair Play (FFP) – the three words that used to send shivers down my spine, when I first found out about the UEFA proposals to put an end to loss-making football clubs. Yet surprisingly, Roman Abramovich was reportedly one of the biggest backers of FFP and UEFA initiatives. The English media put 2 and 2 together and got 5, claiming the main man was no longer interested in backing…

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Sam Hutchinson: A Talented Man

February 3, 2011
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Many Chelsea fans will be aware that young defender Sam Hutchinson was forced into a premature retirement last summer. After struggling with severe pain in both knees for years, Hutchinson felt that the time had come to call a day on his playing career and to focus his attentions elsewhere going forward. And whilst he is no longer playing in a blue shirt, Sam has shown in the immediate months…

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The Four Horsemen Of The Fixture Apocalypse

February 3, 2011
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Well, it’s been a reasonably pleasant season thus far. Now the “difficult moment” is behind us, it looked like we were about to make progress on all fronts. However, events of the last 7 days, some of which were beyond our control, have unleashed a near perfect storm of fixture congestion, one might even refer to them as The Four Horsemen of the Fixture List Apocalypse. Weather Whilst the decision…

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Reserves: Chelsea 2-2 Arsenal

February 2, 2011
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In the end, everything ended all square. After three meetings in thirteen days, Chelsea and Arsenal shared the spoils of their mini series, each notching one win apiece before this afternoon’s entertaining draw at an overcast Cobham. A first half goal from Rhys Murphy had given Arsenal a lead very much against the run of play, but the Blues turned it around in the second half with strikes from Conor…

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A Nice Headache To Have

February 2, 2011
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As good as it is to sign a player like Fernando Torres, it’s made me question that just how is Ancelotti going to adapt his team to play with Torres, Malouda, Drogba and Anelka up front? A change back to 4-4-2 with a diamond midfield? A switch to a traditional 4-4-2? Personally I don’t think these suits Chelsea style of play, and as a team we play best in the…

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Chelsea Maintain Momentum

February 2, 2011
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Chelsea are back, Chelsea are back!! These were the chants that were on everybody’s mind after the transfer window shut down and Chelsea gave further credence to this belief with a mighty impressive 4-2 victory at the Stadium of Light. Chelsea’s record signing, Fernando Torres, and Brazilian David Luiz were not available for the match, but Carlo Ancelotti was able to call upon the young, yet experienced, duo of John…

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Back To The Main Course

February 1, 2011
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With yesterday’s incredible deadline deals still fresh in the memory, focus shifts to the main course of Premiership football. Neither of yesterday’s signings will be available to play this evening, and with the departure of those out on loan too, it means the squad may be a little stretched for the journey north and we may see some newer names on the bench. Sunderland served up a shock last time…

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A Transfer Window For The Ages

February 1, 2011
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Oft-maligned, and for good reason, January transfer windows typically bring about much speculation and no shortage of hot air, but little by way of tangible product. The first business of 2011 has blown that out of the water. An unusually busy few weeks for Chelsea saw the club set a new British transfer record, acquire one of the world’s brightest young defensive talents, and allow a number of youngsters to…

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