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Oh stability, how we oft craved you in the past.
How ever much we needed you, even though we were still reeling from the excitement of numerous transfers in and out the voice of footballing reason would be questioning the lack of stability in making wholesale changes - as is it no doubt ringing in the ears of Man City fans as we speak.
The match yesterday was a sign of exactly what hanging on to the same personnel can do.
Although I won't retract my earlier statement of needing a couple more fresh faces and a bit more creativity, maybe I will eat my words when it comes to questioning the ages of our players - something I'll do with pleasure.
Florent Malouda celebrates after his tap in gave Chelsea the lead.
©Getty Images
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Although the game didn't have the usual fluency the whole way through, we were merciless in our handling of West Brom, a facet of our play that was welcomely introduced during the Ancelotti era - and something that played a big part in turning Stamford Bridge into a fortress once again.
There was a bit of sluggishness at times, but this was counteracted by much larger periods of familiarity.
Each player played their role, and at one point I even commented how Mikel seemed to have a relatively good game, however I feel that this may be more due to the fact that Michael Essien superseded him by covering for him on more than one occasion.
With Essien back in the team its like the engine has been oiled. He was responsible for a much required synergy between the defence and the midfield, picking up the loose balls and drifting forward with them - something I criticised (and stand by) Jon Mikel Obi for.
Once Ramires comes in I think its inevitable that Essien will get back deeper than yesterday's game and Mikel will be replaced, with Ramires playing the more attacking Lampard-esque role.
With the potential arrival of either Ozil or Neymar, I personally would prefer Neymar seeing as he is one of football's hottest teenage prospects, I can see Anelka becoming a substitute once again with Ancelotti adopting a Mourinho style system of 4-3-3 with Malouda and another winger either side of Drogba.
I think as far as the season goes we could be safe if we maybe sign one more player in the attacking midfield position. I'm not entirely convinced we need to splash out on a central defender with already adequate cover and the exciting youth prospect of Bruma to cover when required.
Which leaves me to summarise on a great game. And of course a final goodbye to Riccy Carvalho - he will go down in the history of Chelsea in being part of that exceptional team that won the first Premier Leagues under Mourinho, and of course playing his part in the third win last season. I for one wish him all the best with Real Madrid, and hope to see him in the Champions League final at Wembley later next year. On the losing side of course!
Keep the Blue Flag Flying High...
Comments
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Posted by olukayode aina on 08/16/2010
i think it is too early to start criticizing,the boys did well yesterday and we should give them all the credit,because it is not easy playing all our pre-season and loosing all.just to come back to the league and win .they deserve some kudos and not critics.
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Posted by Solomon Igwe on 08/16/2010
Chelsea should translate their prolific form to the champions league. That should be the focus this season.
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Posted by Eddy on 08/16/2010
I fully agree with you about Obi. Since his arrival, he has not lived up to the hype he came with. I would go as far as including Kalou in the same category as Obi.
I hope Essien doesn't get pushed back, we should rather look for another DM. A Makalele type DM. Essien current role energizes our midfiled. Our midfield has bite with him in his current role.
Not sure about Malouda too, we could do with a winger who actually puts balls in the box.
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Posted by Hemanth on 08/16/2010
it was a very impressive performance from chelsea..
hope this continues Kyle..
I for one would love to see Kakuta, Matic, and Bruma... they are all fascinating prospects and that's why I feel we don't really need to buy anybody...
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Posted by The Great Gonzo on 08/16/2010
"Their" was a bit of sluggishness at times
team that "one" the first Premier Leagues
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Posted by obasuyi prosper on 08/16/2010
A very good start of the season.i know we are going to be so hot this season.keep it up guys.BLUES FOR LIFE !!!!!!!!!!!
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Posted by geoffrey on 08/16/2010
the blues we rock the premier league this season is already over coz we are going to defend and keep the cup we might as well just finish the league now and hand us what is ours the title
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Posted by Ahmad on 08/16/2010
I think it was quite a fantastic week/game for us, regardless of what pundits say about the baggies not been good enough.Believe you me what blackpool did to wigan is an eye-opener to rebuff the notion.I strongly agree that we need a neymar who is capable of playing from the wings or as a supporting striker.keep it up blues, more of this and our opponents would begin to cringe with fear.
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Posted by jermaine on 08/16/2010
Mikel and Anelka played poorly in that game, i think we should really stop playing Anelka, what about benayoun, we need to see more of him, Chelsea really lacking creativity and i dont think that we should be soley relying on Essien to fullfill that role, I say Lampard as sub, Benayoun in his place
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Posted by degbevi mawuli on 08/16/2010
i love chelsea and true fan
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Posted by Mike on 08/16/2010
Its nice to see the team back again in action with essien and mikel back on track. I do however miss jose bosingwa flanking down the right wing, as paulo ferriera doesnt cut it for me. I find that nicolas anelka is largely invisible on the pitch and that drogba gets 90% of the deliveries from midfield. Although he does divert the defence away from drogba, i think we can be more effective with a more prolific striker. I wish we got torres or aguero. Hopefully the neymar deal will go through, its really exciting to have these talked about prospects on your team. Stellar performance by chelsea this weekend, im hoping for more from the blues.
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Posted by Paul Phelps on 08/16/2010
David,
Your opening paragraph is the most confusing jumble of English I have run across in a long time. It might be nice if you or someone else proofread your article prior to posting.
"How ever much we needed you, even though we were still reeling from the excitement of numerous transfers in and out the voice of footballing reason would be questioning the lack of stability in making wholesales changes - as is it no doubt ringing in the ears of Man City fans as we speak."
Say what? I've read this five times now, and I'm still confused about what stability and footballing reason are actually doing in this sentence. Throw me a period somewhere for God's sakes!
"that exceptional team that one the first Premier Leagues under Mourinho"
I think you mean "won".
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Posted by Trevor on 08/16/2010
Anelka's usefulness depends entirely on the system. We saw under Grant that Anelka didn't do well as a winger. Should Ancelotti revert back to the diamond midfield, we saw last season that Drogba had no better partner than Anelka. Also, should Drogba get injured again, Anelka proved under Scolari that he makes a fabulous replacement in the center of the attack.
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Posted by sammy on 08/16/2010
Great season opener, great for the psychology of the team. However, am abit worried for our back four. Hope alex can fit in Riccy's shoes and bond with JT real fast. Hope ashley will be at his best though during the shield cup Man u exploited those spaces he left when going forward, other speedy teams like spurs and arsenal could do the same...but of course he's a great LB...go chelsea!!
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Posted by jay on 08/16/2010
it's comment like these that jus tell me some ya'll that CLAIM u love and back chelsea really dont know nothing about our players nor wat's going on with the team. how can u guys bash obi when he never played in the place he was playing b4 he came to chelsea? John mikel obi is not a DM, he was turner into 1 by JM when he was the manager of chelsea, every since then he was playing their. Kalou was bought for the future, if kalou was doing so bad wdon't u think the club would have gotten rid of him b4 some ur Fav like cole and deco? u ppl need to understand and watch the game more carefull and really understand how the club is run wat we'r trying to do, where we r looking to go and with who we'r looking to get there with. obi and kalou is and always b the future of chelsea even if u guys like it r not. reason being, they r both doing their jobs and the clubs happy with that. every season thoes 2player get better and better, all palyer make mistakes.
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Posted by David Kyle on 08/16/2010
Paul,
Thanks for your English lesson, although I think by period you mean full stop. It is English after all, not American. I was obviously in a rush when my poor grammar took hold, I am terribly upset about my spelling mistakes - I am usually terribly good.
As for the opening paragraph I would say it is merely missing a comma. It is stating that whilst all the transfers were good, a bit of stability is even better.
Jay - I am pretty sure that I do love Chelsea, even if apparently Kalou and Mikel being below par players and my stating it seems to defy this fact.
I watch the game very carefully, and have watched Jon Mikel Obi on numerous occasions be about as effective as your spelling. As for Kalou, he misses more chances than you miss vowels out of your words. But be it far from me to judge, I'm sure Paul will be on your case in a matter of seconds.
Byeeeeeeeeee! (Whoops, bye only has one e!)
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Posted by Howard gallimore on 08/16/2010
right where we left off,trust me ancelloti is class and it's fairly obvious he is getting the respect of the players,alex is the big man believe me,carlo has thrust the responsibility upon the players by giving them the chance by not disrupting the team too much. Obi i won't bash too much but he needs to start doing better and i hate to admit it but Malouda really needs to start putting some crosses in.
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Posted by Michael on 08/16/2010
Great start to the season. i've watched the match twice now and I can say that we did very well in controlling the game. I read comments about having to replace Lampard, Malouda, Mikel and Anelka... What's that all about??? Seriously, watch the game closely and you will see their contribution to the team. I mean that's what football and Chelsea is all about. Firstly, Malouda scored twice, the 1st is just being at the right place at the right time but his 2nd goal, sublime movement. And who was the supplier - Anelka. He also supplied the initial pass to Cole for Lampard to score... To suggest that Lampard should be starting as bench is absurd! The player that was weak for me was Ferreira, not enough pace to keep up with the attacking flanks.
Remember its a long and tough season, there are main players and there are fringe players and once injury and suspension kicks in its the fringe players that we look too. I think we have some of the best fringe player in the league if not world.
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Posted by Declan on 08/16/2010
whats with all the whiteknight grammar heroes.
who cares how he spells it you know what hes talking about hes prolly excited about the 6-0 mauling our beloved chelsea dished out.
mikel is still young and has plenty to learn, kalou is another one where he just needs to reach his potential they are great players who's flaws are more obvious than usual as they play in an extremely gifted and experienced team.
keep the blue flag flying high!
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Posted by Daniel on 08/17/2010
david, lighten up. paul was only trying to help and jay's made the best point on the page. i'll admit the sassy american quip brought me into a discussion i was otherwise enjoying from the audience.
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Posted by TruBlu on 08/17/2010
I dont think Ancelotti should change to a 4-3-3... Malouda plays well sitting a bit deeper, and cutting in field, with Cole overlapping him on the wing.. If Malouda was playing on the wing, Cole wouldnt be as effective.. Anelka (whilst not a huge goal threat), has adapted well to playing behind Drogba, and drifting inside just like Malouda.. Ancelotti would be stupid to bench him, because his dribbling is very effective and dangerous in his position, and he has a good passing skills aswell.. Once Bosingwa is back, the right wing with him and Anelka will be just as lethal as the left..
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Posted by claver serumaga on 08/17/2010
I will have to watch this game again just to confirm that Mikel does not fit his billing. I find him as one of the best ball winners and protectors in the league. Can some one prove me wrong?
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Posted by Chukwuemeka Afigbo on 08/17/2010
Its amazing...ever since Mikel came to Chelsea, no one ever gave him a chance to be a regular but for some strange reason....he has been a regular under 5 different coaches (Jose,Grant,Scolari,Hiddink and Ancelotti) in a midfield that has included the likes of Makalele, Lampard, Ballack, Essien, Cole, Malouda, Wright-Phillips and Lassana Diarra. I guess there must be a reason.
I for one felt he would have developed better as an attacking Midfielder if he had gone to Manchester United (I am a Chelsea fan). With Mikel in Man-U, Carrick would not have stood a chance.
Lets see what the season holds....
Something tells me that Mikel will withstand the challenge that any new signing would bring, and if he doesnt , i have a feeling that a number of clubs would be queuing up for his signature...
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Posted by Bukkie on 08/17/2010
Can chelsea try Mikel in the CMF role and you will know that the club as being hiding a great talent. Obi is a midfielder like Scholes of United remember he was ranked second to Messi years back.
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Posted by John French on 08/17/2010
#1 prority has to be a back-up goalkeeper. Turnip and Hilarious should be off-loaded. Also what's the point in paying Rhys or Sebek to be "prospects" if they are not better than either of those two? Neymar is a bit of gamble at 18 but I think is quite likely to come with Paulo, Bos, Alex and Rameries all talking the lingo he won't feel totally out of place.
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Posted by Bukkie on 08/17/2010
Can chelsea try Mikel in the CMF role and you will know that the club as being hiding a great talent. Obi is a midfielder like Scholes of United remember he was ranked second to Messi years back.
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Posted by ajala temiope ajige on 08/17/2010
we are ready for any team dis season.d title is ours.Up CHELSEA.THEY REALY SURPASS MY EXPECTATION.
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Posted by Tony on 08/17/2010
Anelka comes back to get the ball too often instead of staying up front. That's what ticked off Domenech in the WC. At one point against WBA Anelka was in the left back position. I doubt Ancelotti has given him that roaming role. Leave that to Essien.
Obi played his Makele role better than usual but the poor lad can't pass a ball to save his life. Mind you, neither could Makele!
Time to give hungry Sturridge more starts.
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Posted by Makelele on 08/17/2010
I really can't understand the fault you all see in Mikel bcos there is none. He is playing a role that is not very beautiful and if you understand soccer, you will know that. Real Madrid officials started like this with me and we all know the end story.
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Posted by Paul Phelps on 08/17/2010
David,
I don't want to get into a pissing match about the differences between American English and British English; they are both English. I just think people who blog or write articles online need to hold themselves to a higher standard. You are essentially publishing an article and it should be treated as such.
I don't think comments submitted by users need to be held to the same standard, but thanks for trying to pick apart my writing nonetheless. I made sure to proofread my comment before submitting; I was sure you would be looking for any flaw to redirect attention from your own writing. If only you applied the same energy to proofreading your article, we wouldn't be having this conversation- right?
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Posted by jax on 08/18/2010
i blieve diz is the year for Sturridge to break through to the scene, he got a good pace & good feet..i oso blieve Neymar wil b a good addition for us since malouda is 30 & anelka is at the wrong side of 30. there is kakuta, matic, bruma, van aanholt, hutchinson & mancianne for us..
BLUES is the colour !!!
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Posted by TruBlu on 08/18/2010
Paul, you and David wouldnt be "having this conversation" if you werent a syntax nazi with a stick up his butt. Why is it such an issue if he misplaced a few commas and words? Because he should be "holding himself to a higher standard"? Who gives a f*ck (besides only you of course).. You know that "one" meant "won", and I understood what he what he meant in the opening paragraph, even if it didnt make complete sense at the first reading (or 5 in your case). I enjoyed reading his opinion on Chelsea, whether or not he made a couple of hardly noticeable mistakes. Do you hate yourself that much that you have to unnecessarily nitpick and correct his post? Why dont you go and write one and we will compare it? Make sure you proofread it first though, cos you dont want to go looking stupid now..
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Posted by alvin on 08/18/2010
i think u r the worst person i hv ever seen and am sure u dnt watch chelsea matches cos if u do u wlont call the name of mikel as chelseas problem plz if u gat nothing to write plz keep quite am a madrid fan and i hv seen nothing wrong with him
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Posted by Jenz_Chelsea on 08/18/2010
I agree with the comments by TruBlu. Although it is important to have excellent sentence structures in articles, but this is just a post on this Chelsea Blog. It is not as if he's writing as a news report, as long as we understand, then it is fine. The starting and closing of the article holds less importance, what's most important is the main point he's making.
I thought David commented professionally still even though he's in a rush. Mikel is still considered young at his age, as he's playing at a position that requires plenty of experience and maturity. I thought he's improved alot temper-wise since his arrival to chelsea where he kept getting cautions and sending offs. Plus, he used to be the sort of player who goes forward attacking, and for a personality like his, its really difficult to control the urge to go forward and discipline himself by staying back to cover for our fortress.
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Posted by o yin's on 08/18/2010
The blues 4 life all we need is 4 us to get ride off anelka, ferreria, and allowed the young boys to show their talent but for the victory a big kundos to the DROGS, LAMPI and congrats to carlo. wishing every blus fan a trible season.
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Posted by STEVE on 08/18/2010
Well said TruBlu - I wish these blogs were kept to football matters and not go into irrelevant stuff re grammar etc. As can be seen clearly the large percentage of comments come from people that English ( or American English) is not their first language. Good on them for sending comments and good on them for sending them in English, whatever level.
Note that I myself should send out notification of what games I cant attend at the Bridge this season as you can be sure of a hatful of goals being scored. Last season I missed Sunderland,Villa,Stoke and began this season missing the Baggies. So I missed us scoring more goals in these few games than some teams manage all season. In finality, using a spoonerism, Paul Phelps, may you become a shining wit and not such a -------
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Posted by Mike on 08/18/2010
The thing that worries me is the amount of free kicks mikel gives up in our own half. Hes a terrible tackler but hes talented with the ball. I dont doubt his potential, I just think (As Jay put it) that he doesnt belong in the DM role, hes a major liability. I really dont know who can fill Makalele's shoes these days for Chelsea. With CA, the system is working, and we won the title, but at times i feel like we got lucky against utd, ars, liv. But those man city games really pissed me off. Im glad we didnt change too much this year.
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Posted by fred daka kamwada on 08/19/2010
i highly doubt that Chelsea needed to buy Ramirez, becuase he brings the same old probelm of fhaving so many 'defenders' in midfueld.
IT affects the offensive game of the team.
it was the same problem that Michel Balack brought to Chelsea and the result was three seasons without the much craved for EPL title.
fred daka kamwada , kampala , uganda
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Posted by peter on 08/19/2010
Guys football is philosophical. A player must do what the manager asks of him. Every player has a role 2 play that is why certain players are always in the first team. mikel obi and kalou are excellent players above all young. that explains why wenger wanted kalou. Guys look at the confusion kalou sets to defenders with his pace, power and dribbling skill. Who does the dirty work for chelsea? i guess still not obi. 2 understand how good this two guys are perhaps u should hv played some football. pliz understand how systems operate. madrid realised how good makelele was when it waz too late 2 the benefit of chelsea.
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Posted by Hemanth on 08/20/2010
does anybody else think Ferreira is not good enough to play for cheslea.. I honestly don't why he even starts... anybody agrees ??
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Posted by John French on 08/20/2010
Please buy a decent back-up goal keeper, with the yougsters we are more or less covered elsewhere.
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Posted by ali on 08/21/2010
Hopefully C.A will find the good GK to assist Cech. For me, the Chelsea was not strong enough without him.
This new season, I hope the youngster like Di Santo, Kakuta, Sturridge, Matic, Bruma, Mancienna and etc will shown more character to replace the Golden Ageing Squad. We need the maturity from them to maintain the glories of THE BLUES.
Make our dream to win CL come true by this year
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Posted by Peter of kampala on 08/21/2010
Chelsea doesnt need 2 buy a striker. A fit drogba is in his world. there are few or no strikers of his calibre. The goals are guaranteed, he creates space 4 his team mates by bulldozing defenders ask lampard why he scores at will at chelsea yet fails 4 England. He is good in the air and on the ground with 2 good feet. He is a wall in the defense especially in the air. Ask terry. How many strikers in the world are this useful when a team is on the receiving end. We have sturidge, Kalou, Anelka en Kakuta. Does chelsea need a striker.
How i wish micheal Essien is given the freedom to roam freely like he used to do at lyon. He is so dangerous, creative, combative and destructive. Restricting him to a particuler role only weakens the midfield .He is the reason why lampard is so good because he covers up his weakness. What an exciting player essien is. No wonder mourinho remarked that 90 minutes was not enough 4 him.
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Posted by johnny shehe on 08/22/2010
The blues 4 life AC We believe in you,we want the UEFA,EPL AND FA CUP GOOD LUCK CHELSEA FOREVER
Posted by Adejumo Akinwunmi on 11/12/2010
The coach should try and talk to ramires, i am not pleased with his pattern of playing, he should be more serious on the field and distributed ball quickly, he has cost us some matches against man. city and liver pool.
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About
Phil Lythell is a Chelsea season ticket holder and lifelong Blues supporter stretching back to the sepia-tinted days of Kerry Dixon and Pat Nevin. Author of Chelsea-centric blog ShoutyandSpitty.com, Phil has spent his entire life living within a 20 minute walk of Stamford Bridge which has cost him a fortune but has also kept him from those interminable queues outside Fulham Broadway Station giving him more time in the pub to discuss the latest glorious/calamitous/insipid match.
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