Chelsea v Sunderland: Prematch Information

It's the first of two pre-Christmas trips to Wearside
with the league fixtures taking the Blues there on
this occasion. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club
statistician Paul Dutton work out what to make of the
Mackems…
TALKING POINTS
Jose Mourinho has suggested the next flurry of
matches may 'clarify' the positions of the six current
title contenders. The way the fixtures have been
ordered has already irked the Chelsea manager
several times this season.
This week it does seem odd that some teams
(notably Arsenal and Manchester United) will now
play two games with home advantage in rapid
succession while rivals (Chelsea and Man City) play
twice on the road.
The arrangement is all the more galling, of course,
because of Chelsea's self-inflicted disparity between
home and away form. The Blues have dropped just
two points at the Bridge but to date on our travels
just two of the six games have produced all three
points.
On the positive side both away venues over the next
four days have been happy hunting grounds in
recent years. The Blues have not lost at Stoke City
since April 1975 and have netted 15 goals in the last
five Stadium of Light trips, an average of three per
game.
KEY STAT
Chelsea are hoping for a ninth successive Premier
League victory against Sunderland at the Stadium of
Light.
Sunday's match was proof that if you hope to prosper
in the cut-and-thrust of the Barclays Premier League
you've got to pick a Pochettino or two. After
conceding so early to Southampton it took an astute
tactical switch to crucify the Saints.
This one was classic Special One: Demba Ba on to
make two upfront, two-on-two in the centre, with the
defence pushing up. The change meant
Southampton were pinned in their own half,
unusually for them, and outnumbered in danger
areas.
Ba crowned an impressively aggressive performance
with a flicked goal - his first in the league since
March. Two of centre-backs hit the target in the same
top-flight match for the first time since Fulham away
in April.
Surprisingly Gary Cahill had not scored in the
league since Spurs away in October 2012. Was that,
as he told MOTD2, a 'duck off his back' or did he
break his monkey? Who cares - it was a superbly
agile header from the Yorkshireman, almost dolphin-
like.
John Terry is now the highest-scoring defender
(penalties excluded) since the Premier League began
in 1992. He also eased past 1960s-1980s stalwart
John Hollins into fourth on the club's list of all-time
appearance makers with 593 in all competitions.
Another symbol of Sunday's turnaround was Juan
Mata battling the ball away from impressive full-
back Luke Shaw shortly before Chelsea's second goal
- from his assist.
People are probably still rightly swooning at the
Spaniard's half-volleyed defence-splitting pass to
Eden Hazard during the Blues' best spell. It was his
work off the ball as well as on it that really helped
shackle the Saints, though.
Chelsea are top class retrievers this season. The
Southampton result was the Blues' second win from
a losing position this season. Coupled with two draws
salvaged from similar positions, Chelsea have
reclaimed eight points this campaign - more than
any other team, and testament to the character and
resourcefulness of the squad.
Only Man City have scored two-plus goals in a game
more often than the Pensioners' nine in 13 matches.
Leaders Arsenal and Southampton have the joint
tightest defences in the top flight having conceded
10 times. Chelsea have let in 11; the tally of tonight's
opponents Sunderland is 24 - almost two a game.
However former Stamford Bridge idol Gus Poyet
appears to have stopped the rot since taking over as
manager a month ago. Two of their last three games
ended in clean sheets and they are off the bottom of
the table, albeit five points from safety.
If a Premier League table was produced from when
Poyet took over on 8 October to the present,
Sunderland would be 12th with seven points from six
games. In the next five days the Uruguayan's 100 per
cent home record will come under threat from his
two former playing clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham.
The attacking midfielder had already established
himself as a Chelsea fans' favourite before scoring
one of the great opening day goals seen at Stamford
Bridge, a dramatic volley from Gianfranco Zola's
sublime scoop, in August 1999.
The man who moved Poyet on from the Bridge in
summer 2001, Claudio Ranieri, was in charge the last
time we failed to win at the Stadium of Light - a 0-0
draw in December 2001.

Sent From David Aniemeka

Chelsea v Sunderland: Prematch Information

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

It's the first of two pre-Christmas trips to Wearside
with the league fixtures taking the Blues there on
this occasion. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club
statistician Paul Dutton work out what to make of the
Mackems…
TALKING POINTS
Jose Mourinho has suggested the next flurry of
matches may 'clarify' the positions of the six current
title contenders. The way the fixtures have been
ordered has already irked the Chelsea manager
several times this season.
This week it does seem odd that some teams
(notably Arsenal and Manchester United) will now
play two games with home advantage in rapid
succession while rivals (Chelsea and Man City) play
twice on the road.
The arrangement is all the more galling, of course,
because of Chelsea's self-inflicted disparity between
home and away form. The Blues have dropped just
two points at the Bridge but to date on our travels
just two of the six games have produced all three
points.
On the positive side both away venues over the next
four days have been happy hunting grounds in
recent years. The Blues have not lost at Stoke City
since April 1975 and have netted 15 goals in the last
five Stadium of Light trips, an average of three per
game.
KEY STAT
Chelsea are hoping for a ninth successive Premier
League victory against Sunderland at the Stadium of
Light.
Sunday's match was proof that if you hope to prosper
in the cut-and-thrust of the Barclays Premier League
you've got to pick a Pochettino or two. After
conceding so early to Southampton it took an astute
tactical switch to crucify the Saints.
This one was classic Special One: Demba Ba on to
make two upfront, two-on-two in the centre, with the
defence pushing up. The change meant
Southampton were pinned in their own half,
unusually for them, and outnumbered in danger
areas.
Ba crowned an impressively aggressive performance
with a flicked goal - his first in the league since
March. Two of centre-backs hit the target in the same
top-flight match for the first time since Fulham away
in April.
Surprisingly Gary Cahill had not scored in the
league since Spurs away in October 2012. Was that,
as he told MOTD2, a 'duck off his back' or did he
break his monkey? Who cares - it was a superbly
agile header from the Yorkshireman, almost dolphin-
like.
John Terry is now the highest-scoring defender
(penalties excluded) since the Premier League began
in 1992. He also eased past 1960s-1980s stalwart
John Hollins into fourth on the club's list of all-time
appearance makers with 593 in all competitions.
Another symbol of Sunday's turnaround was Juan
Mata battling the ball away from impressive full-
back Luke Shaw shortly before Chelsea's second goal
- from his assist.
People are probably still rightly swooning at the
Spaniard's half-volleyed defence-splitting pass to
Eden Hazard during the Blues' best spell. It was his
work off the ball as well as on it that really helped
shackle the Saints, though.
Chelsea are top class retrievers this season. The
Southampton result was the Blues' second win from
a losing position this season. Coupled with two draws
salvaged from similar positions, Chelsea have
reclaimed eight points this campaign - more than
any other team, and testament to the character and
resourcefulness of the squad.
Only Man City have scored two-plus goals in a game
more often than the Pensioners' nine in 13 matches.
Leaders Arsenal and Southampton have the joint
tightest defences in the top flight having conceded
10 times. Chelsea have let in 11; the tally of tonight's
opponents Sunderland is 24 - almost two a game.
However former Stamford Bridge idol Gus Poyet
appears to have stopped the rot since taking over as
manager a month ago. Two of their last three games
ended in clean sheets and they are off the bottom of
the table, albeit five points from safety.
If a Premier League table was produced from when
Poyet took over on 8 October to the present,
Sunderland would be 12th with seven points from six
games. In the next five days the Uruguayan's 100 per
cent home record will come under threat from his
two former playing clubs, Chelsea and Tottenham.
The attacking midfielder had already established
himself as a Chelsea fans' favourite before scoring
one of the great opening day goals seen at Stamford
Bridge, a dramatic volley from Gianfranco Zola's
sublime scoop, in August 1999.
The man who moved Poyet on from the Bridge in
summer 2001, Claudio Ranieri, was in charge the last
time we failed to win at the Stadium of Light - a 0-0
draw in December 2001.

Sent From David Aniemeka

Mourinho:Giving Chances

Ahead of tonight's game against Sunderland, Jose
Mourinho has been speaking about the nature of
this season's Barclays Premier League and about
players in his squad without many games so far.
The Blues go into the match against Gustavo Poyet's
side looking to record a third consecutive league win
for only the second time this season, and with the
likes of Manchester United , Tottenham Hotspur and
Liverpool all dropping points at the weekend we find
ourselves in a strong position ahead of two
successive away matches.
'In the 13 fixtures we've all played so far I don't think
in one week all six of us got the three points,' said
the Blues boss.
'I may be wrong but I think every week one of us six
contenders lost points, and in many of the fixtures
more than one, or more than two, lost points.
'If one of us loses points it's not a big surprise, it's
just a consequence of how the Premier League is at
the moment. I don't remember, and I followed the
Premier League for many years since I left, a situation
like this previously.'
Assessing the other teams expected to be
challenging for the title next May, Mourinho believes
there is little to choose between them, but singled
out Manchester City for their vast array of options.
'The quality and profile of the players, and their
experience and average age, they don't have old
players or very young players,' explained the
Portuguese. 'They have players with maturity and big
experience; [Sergio] Aguero, [Edin] Dzeko, [Alvaro]
Negredo, [Stefan] Jovetic, these are the four strikers.
'You go through positions and you see people like
[Yaya] Toure and Fernandinho, nobody more than 30
and nobody below 23, the squad is absolutely
amazing, they have so many solutions.
'If you ask me the team with more ammunition I have
to try to be honest, I have to apologise to the other
four in case they are not happy with me, but my
feeling is that City are the team with most
ammunition.'
With eight games to play between now and the end
of December, there is little doubt Mourinho will need
to utilise the full depth of his squad over the coming
weeks in order to maximise performance levels.
Two players who will hope to be involved are Demba
Ba and Kevin De Bruyne, and though the duo have
featured only sparingly this season thus far, the
manager alluded to opportunities on the horizon for
both.
'It was Demba's first league goal [against
Southampton] but not the first time he gave a big
contribution, he works very hard for the team and
brings some different qualities,' said Mourinho.
'The work him and Fernando did on Sunday was
amazing, of course the goal was important for his
happiness and it was a crucial goal because it killed
the game. I'm not sleeping, Demba is showing me he
can help the team.
'Kevin is showing desire and working very hard. I feel
sorry for him that I haven't given him big
opportunities up to now but he's working better than
ever. Of course, he's sad when he's not selected or
not playing, but he's working in a very professional
way, which is a change from the beginning.
'When he works the way he's working he has to play
sooner or later. For tonight he's selected so he has a
chance to play and in this block of games, for sure,
he has to start matches.
'I like him as a player and I've learned now how to
like him as a kid because he's a good kid and he's
showing now he's a good professional, so hopefully I
can give him enough time on the pitch so he can be
happy.
'I understand he needs to play a bit more but it's the
area of the pitch where we have more options, but I
am speaking with him and we are working on that.
He can also play as a midfielder when we play with a
triangle, he did that for Werder Bremen, so hopefully
we can find more options for Kevin to play because I
like him very much.'

Sent From David Aniemeka

Mourinho:Giving Chances

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Ahead of tonight's game against Sunderland, Jose
Mourinho has been speaking about the nature of
this season's Barclays Premier League and about
players in his squad without many games so far.
The Blues go into the match against Gustavo Poyet's
side looking to record a third consecutive league win
for only the second time this season, and with the
likes of Manchester United , Tottenham Hotspur and
Liverpool all dropping points at the weekend we find
ourselves in a strong position ahead of two
successive away matches.
'In the 13 fixtures we've all played so far I don't think
in one week all six of us got the three points,' said
the Blues boss.
'I may be wrong but I think every week one of us six
contenders lost points, and in many of the fixtures
more than one, or more than two, lost points.
'If one of us loses points it's not a big surprise, it's
just a consequence of how the Premier League is at
the moment. I don't remember, and I followed the
Premier League for many years since I left, a situation
like this previously.'
Assessing the other teams expected to be
challenging for the title next May, Mourinho believes
there is little to choose between them, but singled
out Manchester City for their vast array of options.
'The quality and profile of the players, and their
experience and average age, they don't have old
players or very young players,' explained the
Portuguese. 'They have players with maturity and big
experience; [Sergio] Aguero, [Edin] Dzeko, [Alvaro]
Negredo, [Stefan] Jovetic, these are the four strikers.
'You go through positions and you see people like
[Yaya] Toure and Fernandinho, nobody more than 30
and nobody below 23, the squad is absolutely
amazing, they have so many solutions.
'If you ask me the team with more ammunition I have
to try to be honest, I have to apologise to the other
four in case they are not happy with me, but my
feeling is that City are the team with most
ammunition.'
With eight games to play between now and the end
of December, there is little doubt Mourinho will need
to utilise the full depth of his squad over the coming
weeks in order to maximise performance levels.
Two players who will hope to be involved are Demba
Ba and Kevin De Bruyne, and though the duo have
featured only sparingly this season thus far, the
manager alluded to opportunities on the horizon for
both.
'It was Demba's first league goal [against
Southampton] but not the first time he gave a big
contribution, he works very hard for the team and
brings some different qualities,' said Mourinho.
'The work him and Fernando did on Sunday was
amazing, of course the goal was important for his
happiness and it was a crucial goal because it killed
the game. I'm not sleeping, Demba is showing me he
can help the team.
'Kevin is showing desire and working very hard. I feel
sorry for him that I haven't given him big
opportunities up to now but he's working better than
ever. Of course, he's sad when he's not selected or
not playing, but he's working in a very professional
way, which is a change from the beginning.
'When he works the way he's working he has to play
sooner or later. For tonight he's selected so he has a
chance to play and in this block of games, for sure,
he has to start matches.
'I like him as a player and I've learned now how to
like him as a kid because he's a good kid and he's
showing now he's a good professional, so hopefully I
can give him enough time on the pitch so he can be
happy.
'I understand he needs to play a bit more but it's the
area of the pitch where we have more options, but I
am speaking with him and we are working on that.
He can also play as a midfielder when we play with a
triangle, he did that for Werder Bremen, so hopefully
we can find more options for Kevin to play because I
like him very much.'

Sent From David Aniemeka

Mourinho's Progression

Jose Mourinho has been discussing the availability
of an injured trio ahead of what he expects to be a
very difficult game against Sunderland tomorrow.
The manager reported that Samuel Eto'o had
trained with the squad yesterday and was in
contention to play at the Stadium of Light. The
Cameroonian was injured in last week's defeat to
Basel and was expected to be out for around two
weeks, but Mourinho was pleased to announce his
recovery was quicker than expected. He also had
news on the Brazilian duo of Oscar and David Luiz.
'Eto'o is back training with the team,' said Mourinho.
'I will have to see today but he looks fine. There is a
chance he can play tomorrow.
'Oscar is not in condition to play, but his injury is not
a serious one. David Luiz is not training with the
team, he is still with the medical department. Let's
see for the weekend. I hope sooner or later I have
David so I can rotate a little back at the back, like I
can in other positions.'
With a third of the league season now passed, the
Portuguese was asked by a member of the press how
he felt his side had developed since he took over in
the summer.
'There is a lot of progress to be made,' the manager
reflected.
'There are things in the job that are not easy, and
one of those things is to make the pressure of
fighting for the title become something natural,
something the players accept in a positive way.
'Here we have some people that have won the title
before but not for quite a long time, and when you
don't win it for quite a long time you forget it.
'We have other people that have played in clubs that
are not used to fighting for titles, it is just about
doing fantastically today and not worrying about
tomorrow or any big responsibilities.
'You have to learn how to live with the pressure of
trying to be top of the league, how to fight until the
last moment, knowing that every detail of every
game can make a difference in the end. It's a
process, not something you do with a click.'
Mourinho had words of support for one man who has
won it all before, but has been out of the team in
recent games.
'I think Ashley Cole will start one of these two
matches, against Sunderland or Stoke,' the manager
reported.
'When any player that, all his career, normally starts
every game doesn't, naturally they are not the
happiest guy in the camp, but Ashley is always
professional, always a team player, so he deserves to
play.'
A second league game of seven in December takes
us to the north-east to face Sunderland, now
managed by former Blue Gustavo Poyet. Consecutive
home successes, against local rivals Newcastle and
title challengers Manchester City, leaves Mourinho in
no doubt as to how stern tomorrow's test will be, in a
month that could start outlining which of the six
teams the manager thinks can win the title breaks
ahead of the rest.
'Sunderland are better than the number of points
they have. The quality of the players is not
comparable with some teams that are in that part of
the table.
'I don't think they can play in a defensive way where
they just try to get a point. They have a positive
approach because they need to win matches and I
think Gustavo's style is to try to play good football.
You can see the way they are trying to play.
'There is a lot to play for in December and in the
beginning of January. After that we can have a look
and see if somebody from the six can open a real
gap.
'I don't think we can speak about favourites. All the
six teams are title contenders. This moment until the
end of the year is a moment not to decide, but to
clarify the situation.'

Sent From David Aniemeka

Mourinho's Progression

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Jose Mourinho has been discussing the availability
of an injured trio ahead of what he expects to be a
very difficult game against Sunderland tomorrow.
The manager reported that Samuel Eto'o had
trained with the squad yesterday and was in
contention to play at the Stadium of Light. The
Cameroonian was injured in last week's defeat to
Basel and was expected to be out for around two
weeks, but Mourinho was pleased to announce his
recovery was quicker than expected. He also had
news on the Brazilian duo of Oscar and David Luiz.
'Eto'o is back training with the team,' said Mourinho.
'I will have to see today but he looks fine. There is a
chance he can play tomorrow.
'Oscar is not in condition to play, but his injury is not
a serious one. David Luiz is not training with the
team, he is still with the medical department. Let's
see for the weekend. I hope sooner or later I have
David so I can rotate a little back at the back, like I
can in other positions.'
With a third of the league season now passed, the
Portuguese was asked by a member of the press how
he felt his side had developed since he took over in
the summer.
'There is a lot of progress to be made,' the manager
reflected.
'There are things in the job that are not easy, and
one of those things is to make the pressure of
fighting for the title become something natural,
something the players accept in a positive way.
'Here we have some people that have won the title
before but not for quite a long time, and when you
don't win it for quite a long time you forget it.
'We have other people that have played in clubs that
are not used to fighting for titles, it is just about
doing fantastically today and not worrying about
tomorrow or any big responsibilities.
'You have to learn how to live with the pressure of
trying to be top of the league, how to fight until the
last moment, knowing that every detail of every
game can make a difference in the end. It's a
process, not something you do with a click.'
Mourinho had words of support for one man who has
won it all before, but has been out of the team in
recent games.
'I think Ashley Cole will start one of these two
matches, against Sunderland or Stoke,' the manager
reported.
'When any player that, all his career, normally starts
every game doesn't, naturally they are not the
happiest guy in the camp, but Ashley is always
professional, always a team player, so he deserves to
play.'
A second league game of seven in December takes
us to the north-east to face Sunderland, now
managed by former Blue Gustavo Poyet. Consecutive
home successes, against local rivals Newcastle and
title challengers Manchester City, leaves Mourinho in
no doubt as to how stern tomorrow's test will be, in a
month that could start outlining which of the six
teams the manager thinks can win the title breaks
ahead of the rest.
'Sunderland are better than the number of points
they have. The quality of the players is not
comparable with some teams that are in that part of
the table.
'I don't think they can play in a defensive way where
they just try to get a point. They have a positive
approach because they need to win matches and I
think Gustavo's style is to try to play good football.
You can see the way they are trying to play.
'There is a lot to play for in December and in the
beginning of January. After that we can have a look
and see if somebody from the six can open a real
gap.
'I don't think we can speak about favourites. All the
six teams are title contenders. This moment until the
end of the year is a moment not to decide, but to
clarify the situation.'

Sent From David Aniemeka

Open Football:Pat Nevin

Having watched the team return to winning ways at
the weekend, columnist Pat Nevin looks at answers
being found with adaptability…
There were lots of positives and maybe one or two
negatives following the weekend's win over
Southampton. On the negative side, maybe the
biggest concern was the loss of Oscar to an injury.
We really do need as many bodies as possible this
month and he isn't a player you want to lose, but also
not one you would want to take a chance on by
playing him when he isn't fully recovered. The
medical team will work on him, but the thin line
between working to get him back and rushing him
too much will be severely tested over the next few
games.
Certainly on the positive side, having Juan Mata
ready, willing, able and pretty fresh and desperate to
please is a huge bonus. He certainly played his part
against the Saints, but it was a superb team effort in
the second half that needed sheer force of will to
break the visitors down. Actually sheer physical force
came into it too, when the brawn of Demba Ba and
the renewed power machine that is Fernando
Torres terrorised their defence more and more as
the game wore on.
Much has been made of the Southampton high-
intensity pressing this season but it was actually
Arsene Wenger the other week who seemed to find a
pretty simple answer to it. If five players close you
down in your own area, then forget about trying to
pass it round them, just lump it long, miss them out,
leave them stranded and take it from where the balls
land. Yes, amazingly, Arsenal played the long ball
game in patches against Southampton and it
negated almost all of their strengths.
So when we needed to change it was easy to try a
similar (although I stress not exactly the same) tactic
and system adaptation. When Chelsea went two up
front it was effectively a 4-2-4 formation with Hazard
and Mata wide while Fernando and Demba bullied
their centre-backs. This leaves the midfield open, or
it should do, but the work rate of the two lads left in
there was astounding. Ramires in particular was
chasing and tackling everything that moved. At one
point I thought the referee was in danger from the
Brazilian when the ball ran past the whistler. His
assist for the final goal just summed up how much
effort he had put into the match.

Sent From David Aniemeka

Open Football:Pat Nevin

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Having watched the team return to winning ways at
the weekend, columnist Pat Nevin looks at answers
being found with adaptability…
There were lots of positives and maybe one or two
negatives following the weekend's win over
Southampton. On the negative side, maybe the
biggest concern was the loss of Oscar to an injury.
We really do need as many bodies as possible this
month and he isn't a player you want to lose, but also
not one you would want to take a chance on by
playing him when he isn't fully recovered. The
medical team will work on him, but the thin line
between working to get him back and rushing him
too much will be severely tested over the next few
games.
Certainly on the positive side, having Juan Mata
ready, willing, able and pretty fresh and desperate to
please is a huge bonus. He certainly played his part
against the Saints, but it was a superb team effort in
the second half that needed sheer force of will to
break the visitors down. Actually sheer physical force
came into it too, when the brawn of Demba Ba and
the renewed power machine that is Fernando
Torres terrorised their defence more and more as
the game wore on.
Much has been made of the Southampton high-
intensity pressing this season but it was actually
Arsene Wenger the other week who seemed to find a
pretty simple answer to it. If five players close you
down in your own area, then forget about trying to
pass it round them, just lump it long, miss them out,
leave them stranded and take it from where the balls
land. Yes, amazingly, Arsenal played the long ball
game in patches against Southampton and it
negated almost all of their strengths.
So when we needed to change it was easy to try a
similar (although I stress not exactly the same) tactic
and system adaptation. When Chelsea went two up
front it was effectively a 4-2-4 formation with Hazard
and Mata wide while Fernando and Demba bullied
their centre-backs. This leaves the midfield open, or
it should do, but the work rate of the two lads left in
there was astounding. Ramires in particular was
chasing and tackling everything that moved. At one
point I thought the referee was in danger from the
Brazilian when the ball ran past the whistler. His
assist for the final goal just summed up how much
effort he had put into the match.

Sent From David Aniemeka

Ivanovic Supports Ba To Setup Chelsea Contribution

The defender praised his team-mate and believes his
abilities add an extra dimension to the Blues'
attacking play after notching his first league goal of
the season on Sunday
Branislav Ivanovic has backed Demba Ba to help fire
Chelsea through their hectic festive schedule.
The Senegal international has only made two Premier
League starts this season and netted his second goal
of the campaign after coming off the bench in
Chelsea's 3-1 win over Southampton on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho's side sit four points behind league
leaders Arsenal and with a busy winter fixture list
approaching, Ivanovic believes the 28-year-old will
make a significant contribution.
"Demba has a lot of quality and is very
important for this team. We can
change our play because of that,
especially in some games away from
home when we are winning," the Serb
told the Evening Standard.
"He's a guy that can keep the ball up
front. We will use him a lot in
December and January."
Ivanovic also praised the different
approach the team can utilise when Ba
is on the pitch ahead of Fernando
Torres or Samuel Eto'o.
"Sometimes you have to change your
style of football and try to hit long balls, he's very
useful for this team and very important," the Serbian
continued.
"Everyone is happy about Demba scoring his first
league goal but it's not just about [scoring goals]
because he can keep the ball and he did that against
Southampton.
"It is a good thing and important for us to have
different types of strikers and the manager can
choose different ones for each game. We can change
each match and also change quickly during the
game."
Sent From David Aniemeka

Ivanovic Supports Ba To Setup Chelsea Contribution

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

The defender praised his team-mate and believes his
abilities add an extra dimension to the Blues'
attacking play after notching his first league goal of
the season on Sunday
Branislav Ivanovic has backed Demba Ba to help fire
Chelsea through their hectic festive schedule.
The Senegal international has only made two Premier
League starts this season and netted his second goal
of the campaign after coming off the bench in
Chelsea's 3-1 win over Southampton on Sunday.
Jose Mourinho's side sit four points behind league
leaders Arsenal and with a busy winter fixture list
approaching, Ivanovic believes the 28-year-old will
make a significant contribution.
"Demba has a lot of quality and is very
important for this team. We can
change our play because of that,
especially in some games away from
home when we are winning," the Serb
told the Evening Standard.
"He's a guy that can keep the ball up
front. We will use him a lot in
December and January."
Ivanovic also praised the different
approach the team can utilise when Ba
is on the pitch ahead of Fernando
Torres or Samuel Eto'o.
"Sometimes you have to change your
style of football and try to hit long balls, he's very
useful for this team and very important," the Serbian
continued.
"Everyone is happy about Demba scoring his first
league goal but it's not just about [scoring goals]
because he can keep the ball and he did that against
Southampton.
"It is a good thing and important for us to have
different types of strikers and the manager can
choose different ones for each game. We can change
each match and also change quickly during the
game."
Sent From David Aniemeka

Mourinho Charges Chelsea With Responsibility

The Blues manager wants his side to rise to the
challenge of a Premier League title push as they
prepare to face three teams scrapping at the bottom
of the table
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has challenged his
side to deal with the "responsibility" of challenging
for the Premier League title.
The Blues sit second in the table, four points adrift of
leaders Arsenal, and beat Southampton 3-1 on
Sunday to record back-to-back league wins going into
three fixtures against teams battling at the wrong
end of the table.
Away trips to Sunderland and Stoke City will be
followed by Crystal Palace at home but Mourinho has
no plans to set "targets" for his side, demanding only
that they rise to the challenge of chasing down the
Gunners.
"If you are 10 or 12 points behind, you
are building but you are not fighting
for the title," the Portuguese told the
press. "If you are three, four or five
behind, you are building evolution but
fighting for the title.
"One of the things these boys have to
learn is to cope with the responsibility
of being there. We cannot be 15 points
behind by December; we have to be
there.
"Now we have two matches away and,
after that, we play Crystal Palace at
home. We are playing against three
teams which need points because of
the positions they have and we are going to have
three very difficult matches.
"I think my team is a team that prefers that I can't
say or establish targets. I can't say now I want to win
five consecutive matches, now I want to be top of the
league ... I want nothing.
"I just want to work with them and feed the young
players and I just want to feed the team because it is
a new team working with me for a few months."

Sent From David Aniemeka

Mourinho Charges Chelsea With Responsibility

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

The Blues manager wants his side to rise to the
challenge of a Premier League title push as they
prepare to face three teams scrapping at the bottom
of the table
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has challenged his
side to deal with the "responsibility" of challenging
for the Premier League title.
The Blues sit second in the table, four points adrift of
leaders Arsenal, and beat Southampton 3-1 on
Sunday to record back-to-back league wins going into
three fixtures against teams battling at the wrong
end of the table.
Away trips to Sunderland and Stoke City will be
followed by Crystal Palace at home but Mourinho has
no plans to set "targets" for his side, demanding only
that they rise to the challenge of chasing down the
Gunners.
"If you are 10 or 12 points behind, you
are building but you are not fighting
for the title," the Portuguese told the
press. "If you are three, four or five
behind, you are building evolution but
fighting for the title.
"One of the things these boys have to
learn is to cope with the responsibility
of being there. We cannot be 15 points
behind by December; we have to be
there.
"Now we have two matches away and,
after that, we play Crystal Palace at
home. We are playing against three
teams which need points because of
the positions they have and we are going to have
three very difficult matches.
"I think my team is a team that prefers that I can't
say or establish targets. I can't say now I want to win
five consecutive matches, now I want to be top of the
league ... I want nothing.
"I just want to work with them and feed the young
players and I just want to feed the team because it is
a new team working with me for a few months."

Sent From David Aniemeka

Mata Blogs After Victory Over Southampton

Juan Mata, who played the 90 minutes of Chelsea's
home win over Southampton yesterday, filed his
latest blog post soon after.
In it he writes about the game and John Terry's
goal, about Oriol Romeu doing well in Spain, and
about Christmas on the horizon in London.
>>Click to visit our Blogs section to read
Juan's post
Sent From David Aniemeka

Mata Blogs After Victory Over Southampton

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Juan Mata, who played the 90 minutes of Chelsea's
home win over Southampton yesterday, filed his
latest blog post soon after.
In it he writes about the game and John Terry's
goal, about Oriol Romeu doing well in Spain, and
about Christmas on the horizon in London.
>>Click to visit our Blogs section to read
Juan's post
Sent From David Aniemeka

John Terry Paves Way For The Blues

No Chelsea supporter could have been surprised to
see John Terry mark a milestone game with an
important goal, putting his team in front as the game
was turned around soon after the interval.
The match was Terry's 593rd in all competitions,
moving him ahead of John Hollins in the Chelsea
appearances rankings, with only Ron Harris, Peter
Bonetti and Frank Lampard ahead, and it was also
his 400th in the Premier League with his first having
come against the same opposition on Boxing Day in
1998.
'That was a long time ago but I am proud to play so
many games at the top level,' our captain said after
the 3-1 win.
'We have been a club improving year after year,
signing big players so I have had to maintain my
level to keep my place in the side, and hopefully
there will be more to come. I am thankful to the fans
for sticking by me and the club as well.'
His goal was his 57th for Chelsea and his second of
the season. Gary Cahill had made the score 1-1 with
his first of the campaign; Demba Ba completing the
scoring late on having been introduced at half time
with the Saints leading through a goal after only 13
seconds.
'Gary and I spoke before the game saying that we
can chip in a bit more because we hadn't scored in a
while and we were due one,' revealed Terry.
'He set us on our way with a great header and you
need the centre-halves to come up and play a part,
and we spend a lot of time on that in training. We are
a threat from set-pieces and we are forming a good
relationship at the back, and the goals and keeping it
tight at the back are important.
'It is great for Demba coming on and getting his goal
but that is our job as well. When we go up for set-
pieces we try to make a difference.'
With the team having lost midweek to Basel and
then getting off to such a bad start against
Southampton, Terry praised the character shown by
his colleagues to play the way they did in the second
half.
'We were more on the front foot which is the way we
wanted to start the game. Southampton are a very
good side and deserve to be where they are in the
league. I have watched a lot of their games and we
felt the full force of that in the first half especially.
They press very high and have a lot of energy and
with the goal coming so early it gave them a lot of
confidence.
'We had to regroup at half-time and come out and
start the way we did which was to dominate and
press the ball a lot higher. We managed to win the
ball back in their half and cause them a lot of
problems.'

Sent From David Aniemeka

John Terry Paves Way For The Blues

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

No Chelsea supporter could have been surprised to
see John Terry mark a milestone game with an
important goal, putting his team in front as the game
was turned around soon after the interval.
The match was Terry's 593rd in all competitions,
moving him ahead of John Hollins in the Chelsea
appearances rankings, with only Ron Harris, Peter
Bonetti and Frank Lampard ahead, and it was also
his 400th in the Premier League with his first having
come against the same opposition on Boxing Day in
1998.
'That was a long time ago but I am proud to play so
many games at the top level,' our captain said after
the 3-1 win.
'We have been a club improving year after year,
signing big players so I have had to maintain my
level to keep my place in the side, and hopefully
there will be more to come. I am thankful to the fans
for sticking by me and the club as well.'
His goal was his 57th for Chelsea and his second of
the season. Gary Cahill had made the score 1-1 with
his first of the campaign; Demba Ba completing the
scoring late on having been introduced at half time
with the Saints leading through a goal after only 13
seconds.
'Gary and I spoke before the game saying that we
can chip in a bit more because we hadn't scored in a
while and we were due one,' revealed Terry.
'He set us on our way with a great header and you
need the centre-halves to come up and play a part,
and we spend a lot of time on that in training. We are
a threat from set-pieces and we are forming a good
relationship at the back, and the goals and keeping it
tight at the back are important.
'It is great for Demba coming on and getting his goal
but that is our job as well. When we go up for set-
pieces we try to make a difference.'
With the team having lost midweek to Basel and
then getting off to such a bad start against
Southampton, Terry praised the character shown by
his colleagues to play the way they did in the second
half.
'We were more on the front foot which is the way we
wanted to start the game. Southampton are a very
good side and deserve to be where they are in the
league. I have watched a lot of their games and we
felt the full force of that in the first half especially.
They press very high and have a lot of energy and
with the goal coming so early it gave them a lot of
confidence.
'We had to regroup at half-time and come out and
start the way we did which was to dominate and
press the ball a lot higher. We managed to win the
ball back in their half and cause them a lot of
problems.'

Sent From David Aniemeka

JOSE MOURINHO

Six months into his second reign as Chelsea manager
Jose Mourinho has been taking stock.
The Portuguese returned to Stamford Bridge in June,
just under six years after his first stint in charge of
the club came to an end. Our manager believes his
career, which has taken in hugely successful spells in
Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, is only now
starting to reach its pinnacle, rendering any claims
that he might feel under pressure in the job futile.
'I came back here to give my best knowing that this
team and this squad wouldn't be ready to achieve
what people probably think we have to achieve,'
Mourinho noted.
'I always thought my job this time would be a
completely different job profile. I know what I was
told in my contacts with Chelsea before we decided
to work together again. I am the one who puts
pressure on myself, so when you are that kind of
personality I don't think you need to be worried
about anything else.
'I am the kind of guy that year after year, title after
title I don't change. I have a lot of maturity so after a
defeat or a bad result, fragility or pressure doesn't
arrive.
'I'm at probably the best moment of my career,'
Mourinho concluded.
'I am still a young manager but I already have years
of experience. Nothing is new to me in football;
everything that happens looks like déjà vu.'
One topic that has engulfed the world of football in
the past few days is match-fixing, and Mourinho, who
had left Portugal by the time the 'Golden Whistle'
scandal in that country erupted, was quick to express
his disgust at the latest allegations.
'When there is smoke people think there is fire, and
people are going to try to find the fire. I don't like the
smoke, I only like the fire, which is the truth.
'For me, it's shocking. This has happened in almost
every area of society, starting in the most important
one, which is politics. They run our lives and all over
the world you find it. It's very difficult to say there is
a completely clean professional area.
'When it comes to football it comes to my job, and
that is when I don't like it. Here hopefully we find the
truth and if there was match-fixing people have to be
very strong to try to kill because I hate it.'
- Jose Mourinho speaking to Chelsea TV about
today's game versus Southampton can be viewed
now via the channel's online access.
From 3pm, join Ben Andrews and Jason Cundy for
Pre-Match at the Bridge on Chelsea TV, as the duo
bring you all the build-up ahead of the game as well
as an interview with Jose Mourinho.

Sent From David Aniemeka

JOSE MOURINHO

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Six months into his second reign as Chelsea manager
Jose Mourinho has been taking stock.
The Portuguese returned to Stamford Bridge in June,
just under six years after his first stint in charge of
the club came to an end. Our manager believes his
career, which has taken in hugely successful spells in
Portugal, England, Italy and Spain, is only now
starting to reach its pinnacle, rendering any claims
that he might feel under pressure in the job futile.
'I came back here to give my best knowing that this
team and this squad wouldn't be ready to achieve
what people probably think we have to achieve,'
Mourinho noted.
'I always thought my job this time would be a
completely different job profile. I know what I was
told in my contacts with Chelsea before we decided
to work together again. I am the one who puts
pressure on myself, so when you are that kind of
personality I don't think you need to be worried
about anything else.
'I am the kind of guy that year after year, title after
title I don't change. I have a lot of maturity so after a
defeat or a bad result, fragility or pressure doesn't
arrive.
'I'm at probably the best moment of my career,'
Mourinho concluded.
'I am still a young manager but I already have years
of experience. Nothing is new to me in football;
everything that happens looks like déjà vu.'
One topic that has engulfed the world of football in
the past few days is match-fixing, and Mourinho, who
had left Portugal by the time the 'Golden Whistle'
scandal in that country erupted, was quick to express
his disgust at the latest allegations.
'When there is smoke people think there is fire, and
people are going to try to find the fire. I don't like the
smoke, I only like the fire, which is the truth.
'For me, it's shocking. This has happened in almost
every area of society, starting in the most important
one, which is politics. They run our lives and all over
the world you find it. It's very difficult to say there is
a completely clean professional area.
'When it comes to football it comes to my job, and
that is when I don't like it. Here hopefully we find the
truth and if there was match-fixing people have to be
very strong to try to kill because I hate it.'
- Jose Mourinho speaking to Chelsea TV about
today's game versus Southampton can be viewed
now via the channel's online access.
From 3pm, join Ben Andrews and Jason Cundy for
Pre-Match at the Bridge on Chelsea TV, as the duo
bring you all the build-up ahead of the game as well
as an interview with Jose Mourinho.

Sent From David Aniemeka

ROMELU LUKAKU CONSIDERS LEAVING CHELSEA FOR EVERTON

The Chelsea striker, on loan at Goodison park, says
he has not heard from anyone at Stamford Bridge in
"a couple of months" and has to do what is best for
his career
Romelu Lukaku has indicated he would consider
leaving Chelsea for Everton permanently, if the
Goodison Park club earn a place in the Champions
League this season.
The Belgian, on loan for the second season in a row
after spending the 2011-12 campaign at West Brom,
made the move to Everton on transfer deadline day.
Lukaku has gone on to score seven goals in the
Premier League as the club sit just three points
behind second-placed Liverpool after 12 games.
Asked on BBC Football Focus if he would stay at
Goodison Park, Lukaku said: "It's not a bad idea. If we
play Champions League, yeah, why not?
"I was watching the games this week and I miss
European football a lot.
"I would like to be successful at Chelsea but I have to
work and grow and be a better player and then at the
end of the season see what is the best decision for
my career."
Lukaku also revealed he has not been in regular
contact with anyone at Chelsea since moving to
Everton.
He added: "It's a bit strange at the minute, the last
time I heard from [Chelsea] was a couple of months
ago.
"But I think they are watching my performances."
Mourinho: Ask Lukaku why he went to Everton
Mourinho: Chelsea will not buy a striker in January
Baines has not played his last game for Everton,
insists Martinez
Everton - Stoke City Preview: Toffees seek to end
streak of draws
Martinez urges Everton to become more ruthless
Sent From David Aniemeka

ROMELU LUKAKU CONSIDERS LEAVING CHELSEA FOR EVERTON

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

The Chelsea striker, on loan at Goodison park, says
he has not heard from anyone at Stamford Bridge in
"a couple of months" and has to do what is best for
his career
Romelu Lukaku has indicated he would consider
leaving Chelsea for Everton permanently, if the
Goodison Park club earn a place in the Champions
League this season.
The Belgian, on loan for the second season in a row
after spending the 2011-12 campaign at West Brom,
made the move to Everton on transfer deadline day.
Lukaku has gone on to score seven goals in the
Premier League as the club sit just three points
behind second-placed Liverpool after 12 games.
Asked on BBC Football Focus if he would stay at
Goodison Park, Lukaku said: "It's not a bad idea. If we
play Champions League, yeah, why not?
"I was watching the games this week and I miss
European football a lot.
"I would like to be successful at Chelsea but I have to
work and grow and be a better player and then at the
end of the season see what is the best decision for
my career."
Lukaku also revealed he has not been in regular
contact with anyone at Chelsea since moving to
Everton.
He added: "It's a bit strange at the minute, the last
time I heard from [Chelsea] was a couple of months
ago.
"But I think they are watching my performances."
Mourinho: Ask Lukaku why he went to Everton
Mourinho: Chelsea will not buy a striker in January
Baines has not played his last game for Everton,
insists Martinez
Everton - Stoke City Preview: Toffees seek to end
streak of draws
Martinez urges Everton to become more ruthless
Sent From David Aniemeka

CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON:BRIEFING

It's a top-five encounter at the Bridge to bring the
curtain down on this weekend's top-flight
programme. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club
statistician Paul Dutton prepare for a meeting with
the Saints…
TALKING POINTS
The corresponding fixture last season was Nigel
Adkins' last in charge of Southampton. The
unheralded Mauricio Pochettino has fared remarkably
well since then with his high-energy pressing game.
He has used the joint fewest players so far this
season: 19. (Chelsea have fielded 23.)
Southampton have earned the dubious honour of
being this season's 'surprise package'. In 2012/13
that was bestowed on West Bromwich Albion, fourth
at this stage, destined to finish eighth. Previous
campaigns have highlighted Newcastle United and
Bolton Wanderers going into December, with mixed
endings.
Whether Southampton's energy will last the course,
and whether teams work out ways to outwit them
over the second half of the season, remain to be
seen.
As we bid a not-so-fond farewell to November it is
worth a reminder that Saints are two points behind
Chelsea, and just four points separate Liverpool in
second and Tottenham in ninth. So inconsistent are
the majority of top half sides that a team stringing
together three or four wins could steal a march
before Christmas - a tough period only the brave
survive, as Jose Mourinho has said.
Sent From David Aniemeka

CHELSEA v SOUTHAMPTON:BRIEFING

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

It's a top-five encounter at the Bridge to bring the
curtain down on this weekend's top-flight
programme. Club historian Rick Glanvill and club
statistician Paul Dutton prepare for a meeting with
the Saints…
TALKING POINTS
The corresponding fixture last season was Nigel
Adkins' last in charge of Southampton. The
unheralded Mauricio Pochettino has fared remarkably
well since then with his high-energy pressing game.
He has used the joint fewest players so far this
season: 19. (Chelsea have fielded 23.)
Southampton have earned the dubious honour of
being this season's 'surprise package'. In 2012/13
that was bestowed on West Bromwich Albion, fourth
at this stage, destined to finish eighth. Previous
campaigns have highlighted Newcastle United and
Bolton Wanderers going into December, with mixed
endings.
Whether Southampton's energy will last the course,
and whether teams work out ways to outwit them
over the second half of the season, remain to be
seen.
As we bid a not-so-fond farewell to November it is
worth a reminder that Saints are two points behind
Chelsea, and just four points separate Liverpool in
second and Tottenham in ninth. So inconsistent are
the majority of top half sides that a team stringing
together three or four wins could steal a march
before Christmas - a tough period only the brave
survive, as Jose Mourinho has said.
Sent From David Aniemeka

VICTOR MOSES AND MIKEL OBI WIN NIGERIAN AWARDS

Victor Moses has been named Nigerian Footballer
of the Year and John Mikel Obi has been given the
Sports Man of the Year award at the Nigerian Sports
Awards.
Both were part of the team that won the Africa Cup of
Nations for their country for the first time since 1994
back in February, and have since been part of a
successful qualification campaign for the World Cup.
Mikel competed in the Confederations Cup in the
summer, while Moses missed out through injury.
Moses, currently on loan at Liverpool, scored two vital
goals in the group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations
and netted earlier this month as Nigeria booked their
place in Brazil. Mikel, as one of the senior players in
a young Nigeria side, was ever-present in the Cup of
Nations and Confederations Cup campaigns, and was
one of the three nominees for the Nigerian Footballer
of the Year.
After winning his accolade, Moses said: 'Proud and
honoured to win the Nigerian Footballer of the Year
award for 2013. Is a dream come true to play for my
country so thank you everyone.'

Sent From David Aniemeka

VICTOR MOSES AND MIKEL OBI WIN NIGERIAN AWARDS

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Victor Moses has been named Nigerian Footballer
of the Year and John Mikel Obi has been given the
Sports Man of the Year award at the Nigerian Sports
Awards.
Both were part of the team that won the Africa Cup of
Nations for their country for the first time since 1994
back in February, and have since been part of a
successful qualification campaign for the World Cup.
Mikel competed in the Confederations Cup in the
summer, while Moses missed out through injury.
Moses, currently on loan at Liverpool, scored two vital
goals in the group stage at the Africa Cup of Nations
and netted earlier this month as Nigeria booked their
place in Brazil. Mikel, as one of the senior players in
a young Nigeria side, was ever-present in the Cup of
Nations and Confederations Cup campaigns, and was
one of the three nominees for the Nigerian Footballer
of the Year.
After winning his accolade, Moses said: 'Proud and
honoured to win the Nigerian Footballer of the Year
award for 2013. Is a dream come true to play for my
country so thank you everyone.'

Sent From David Aniemeka

AT THE BRIDGE

Premier League sponsor Barclays will be at Stamford
Bridge for Sunday's game at Southampton, thanking
fans for their dedicated support.
A special 'Thank You Squad' will be challenging fans
to demonstrate their loyalty and passion, with a
number of rewards on offer. It is part of a Barclays
effort to thank football fans across the UK for
supporting their clubs through thick and thin.
Among the acts of dedication the Thank You Squad
will be looking out for are those fans that arrive early
to soak up the atmosphere, those who cover
themselves in Chelsea blue in tribute to their club,
those who sing the loudest and generally those True
Blues giving unstinting support, whatever the result.


Sent From David Aniemeka

AT THE BRIDGE

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Premier League sponsor Barclays will be at Stamford
Bridge for Sunday's game at Southampton, thanking
fans for their dedicated support.
A special 'Thank You Squad' will be challenging fans
to demonstrate their loyalty and passion, with a
number of rewards on offer. It is part of a Barclays
effort to thank football fans across the UK for
supporting their clubs through thick and thin.
Among the acts of dedication the Thank You Squad
will be looking out for are those fans that arrive early
to soak up the atmosphere, those who cover
themselves in Chelsea blue in tribute to their club,
those who sing the loudest and generally those True
Blues giving unstinting support, whatever the result.


Sent From David Aniemeka

Sent From David Aniemeka

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Sent From David Aniemeka

REFLECTIONS

Both Fernando Torres and Gary Cahill interacted
about taking Tuesday evening's game at Basel as a
lesson in the wake of defeat, having not yet collected
first place in our Champions League group due to the
late goal conceded.
A win is still important from the final match at home to
Steaua Bucharest to guarantee the benefits of going
into the knockout stage draw as group winners,
although a point would be enough should Basel fail
to win at Schalke on the same night.
Follow this link for more information:http://chelseapride.blogspot.com.br/2013/11/reflectionschelsea-v-basel__25.html
Sent From David Aniemeka

REFLECTIONS

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

Both Fernando Torres and Gary Cahill interacted
about taking Tuesday evening's game at Basel as a
lesson in the wake of defeat, having not yet collected
first place in our Champions League group due to the
late goal conceded.
A win is still important from the final match at home to
Steaua Bucharest to guarantee the benefits of going
into the knockout stage draw as group winners,
although a point would be enough should Basel fail
to win at Schalke on the same night.
Follow this link for more information:http://chelseapride.blogspot.com.br/2013/11/reflectionschelsea-v-basel__25.html
Sent From David Aniemeka

BRIEFING:BASEL v CHELSEA

It's been seven months since chelsea last played in switzerland and a similar result would bring promising reward. TALKING POINTS. In the opening fixtures of group E chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Basel. The result was set into a worse light by the fact the hosts led the response to it is often more important than the set back itself.As a result chelsea need avoid defeat to book a place in the knockout phase of the champions league. Visit here for more information:http://chelseapride.blogspot.com.br/2013/11/chelsea-set-for-revenge-against-basel_25.html
Sent From David Aniemeka

BRIEFING:BASEL v CHELSEA

Posted by David Aniemeka 1 comment

It's been seven months since chelsea last played in switzerland and a similar result would bring promising reward. TALKING POINTS. In the opening fixtures of group E chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Basel. The result was set into a worse light by the fact the hosts led the response to it is often more important than the set back itself.As a result chelsea need avoid defeat to book a place in the knockout phase of the champions league. Visit here for more information:http://chelseapride.blogspot.com.br/2013/11/chelsea-set-for-revenge-against-basel_25.html
Sent From David Aniemeka

Chelsea Set For Revenge Against Basel In The UEFA Champions League

London giants Chelsea FC is set for their return clash against Switzerland Side, Basel on the 26th November 2013, 7pm UK Time. The last time both time met at Stanford bridge, a Mohammed Sallah inspired Basel ran out winners with a 2-1 victory over the host, and the london side would be looking to make amends for their Lack lustre display in their 5th champions league game of the 2013/2014 season. PROBABLE LINE UPS: We expect Jose Mourinho to play a similar line up to the sind which thump West Ham United 3-0 at the weekend, with Oscar and Fernando Torres...
Read More Here: http://chelseapride.blogspot.com.br/2013/11/chelsea-set-for-revenge-against-basel_25.html

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Sent From David Aniemeka

Chelsea Set For Revenge Against Basel In The UEFA Champions League

Posted by David Aniemeka No comments

London giants Chelsea FC is set for their return clash against Switzerland Side, Basel on the 26th November 2013, 7pm UK Time. The last time both time met at Stanford bridge, a Mohammed Sallah inspired Basel ran out winners with a 2-1 victory over the host, and the london side would be looking to make amends for their Lack lustre display in their 5th champions league game of the 2013/2014 season. PROBABLE LINE UPS: We expect Jose Mourinho to play a similar line up to the sind which thump West Ham United 3-0 at the weekend, with Oscar and Fernando Torres...
Read More Here: http://chelseapride.blogspot.com.br/2013/11/chelsea-set-for-revenge-against-basel_25.html

Share To All True Chelsea FANS!!
Sent From David Aniemeka