With Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka not firing on all cylinders within the last couple of months, my mind turned to a striker with whom nobody has really mentioned, or in fact has linked with Chelsea to my knowledge. Both Drogba and Anelka are now at an age where we should start looking for at least one, if not two proven goalscorers. In my opinion, both Sturridge and Kalou are…
The Harding Perspective: Bolton
Bolton’s signing of Wheater may mean that the former Middlesbrough player will start on Monday ahead of Knight, but the absence of Davis in midfield should see a start for Tamir Cohen in a central midfield berth. I would expect Cahill, Robinson and Ricketts to all start the game in the back four. Davies is a certainty to start up front and Elmander will perform two functions as a strike…
Under-18s: Fulham 5-1 Chelsea
Chelsea’s youth team came back to earth with a bump on Saturday morning, suffering their heaviest defeat of the season. Barely 36 hours since defeating Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the FA Youth Cup, many of that team were back in action at Motspur Park for league fixture with Fulham. However, a Marcello Trotta hat-trick put Dermot Drummy’s team to the sword as the Cottagers ran out 5-1 winners. Drummy…
FA Youth Cup: Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal
Last season’s FA Youth Cup run ended with a dramatic late winner in front of a healthy crowd at Stamford Bridge. Some things don’t change. In front of over 7,000 fans at the home of the English Champions and defending Youth Cup holders, a brace from Milan Lalkovic – including a stoppage time winner – ensured that the Blues will continue their defence of the trophy for at least one…
Fed Up With The Midweek Away Games?
I am a Season Ticket holder in the MHU and also an away season ticket holder. Having taken early retirement, this matter is less of a problem for me than others in terms of time and other commitments, but I feel strongly that it needs to be addressed. This note attempts to build on a passionate piece @daspecial_1 (Sam) wrote on ‘Vital Chelsea’ after hearing the Blackpool game was today…
Young Blues Set For Arsenal Triple Header
It’s a fixture which is keenly anticipated regardless of the level at which it’s played. Chelsea vs Arsenal conjures up all manner of memories from down the years – we’ll leave you to reminisce about your own – and the coming thirteen days could add fresh moments to savour. Granted, the fixtures come at youth level, where the two clubs will go head to head three times in that spell,…
We All Follow The Chelsea, Or Not….
We will follow the The Chels(ea) Over Land and Sea … and Leicester… and Fulham… and Blackpool… and Copenhagen…or maybe not. Financially, this is not a good week to be a Chelsea fan. Hot on the heels of a demand of money with menaces yesterday to stand in a cow shed in Fulham came the news that the much anticipated away game at Blackpool had been switched to a Monday…
Won’t Somebody Think Of The Children?
Despite being a long-time supporter of the club, I will be the first to admit I have often concerned myself with purely first team affairs, and have only known the names of a handful of the younger players at the club. However in recent times, partly due to seeing them warming up, or simply warming the bench, the successful Youth FA Cup run and the impending ‘Financial Fair Play’ regulations,…
First Step On Road To Recovery
Ivanovic and Anelka returned to haunt Blackburn Rovers again as Chelsea returned to winning ways with a rather nervous 2-0 win over Blackburn Rover at Stamford Bridge. Branislav Ivanovic got his fifth goal of the season to put Chelsea ahead, before Nicloas Anelka made it three goals in two for him to ensure three points for Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Given Carlo Ancelotti’s pre-match comments about Josh McEachran being ready to…
The Harding Perspective: Blackburn
I should state that first of all I am not entirely sure as to what formation Blackburn are likely to opt for, but I expect the personnel to be similar to the team below. Pedersen perhaps tucked in with Olsson operating from a slightly wider berth. I expect the tactic to be similar to the one they employed against Liverpool with a lot of success: pace, pace and some more…