Match Review: Chelsea 4-2 Reading

Torres nets the 3rd Chelsea goal

So what many expected to be “just another day in the office” game, well it did not turn out to be one. Though we did manage to get 3 points but the heart Reading showed today is well worth an applause.

The way we started the game it looked like it is going to be another easy victory. Eden Hazard AGAIN tormented the Reading defense. That boy is magical. Against Wigan he showed glimpses of what he can do but today he was just unstoppable. It was his brilliant movement that got us the penalty. Frank Lampard stepped up to convert the spot kick (as always) and we were ahead in no time.

Match Report: Wigan 0-2 Chelsea

A SOLID start to the Season

Chelsea got their Premier League campaign off to a perfect start, with a 2-0 away win over Wigan Athletic.

Roberto Di Matteo fielded a strong starting XI that included new signing Eden Hazard, while Ryan Bertrand was given a start in the midfield after Ramires was ruled out. Hazard was deployed on right flank with our new boy Oscar was on the bench.

The Midfield Dilemma

The Midfield Dilemma

Many Chelsea fans think that the big selection problem for Roberto Di Matteo will be the attack. Where will he put Hazard? Will Ramires play? What about Torres? While believe selecting an attack will be a headache for Roberto, I think there is a bigger problem. I like to call it, The midfield dilemma. Our usual midfield was the pair of Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel, who performed wonderfully during the latter part of our double winning season. However, with the arrival of Oscar, that usual midfield will probably be changed. I will be evaluating the possible line-up with their pros and cons.

Branislav Ivanovic Will Be Available For Chelsea's League Opener

The Community Shield match was a bit of a disappointment. Aside from the questionable refereeing and our poor defensive showing, Branislav Ivanovic, essentially our only proper right-back at the moment, was sent off for a reckless challenge on Aleksandar Kolarov. The red card meant that he could face a 3-match ban. Immediately, most Chelsea fans assumed that a deal for a new RB would be tied up by the end of the week, out of sheer necessity of course. But it has now been made clear that he will be available for the season opener against Wigan.

Goal.com reported that due to a change in the rules made 2 years earlier, cards picked up in pre-season will not be carried over into the start of the new campaign. While the community shield is an FA-sanctioned match, it is still very much a pre-season fixture. Hence, Ivanovic is available for Chelsea's first match of the 2012/13 season. Furthermore, any yellow cards received by players during the match will not be counted in their season tally.

Maicon to Chelsea: An Ideal Right Back or A Threat to Ivanovic?

Maicon to Chelsea: An Ideal Right Back or A Threat to Ivanovic?

 

As the news of the release of our Portuguese right back Jose Bosingwa was confirmed on the club website, the search for a replacement has become more and more intense with a host of players being linked with a move to Chelsea (as usual). Some of these players being linked to the club have been mere media speculations. The Euros gave most Chelsea fans the opportunity to have a look at these players including the likes of Gregory Van Der Wiel who was hopelessly exposed thanks to the swift feet of Christiano Ronaldo. Although it would be unfair to judge a player based on one tournament or on the performance he puts up against one of the best players on earth at the moment, it has given us the opportunity to see their weaknesses as they come up against the best and don't forget, Chelsea is the best and we deserve no mediocre of a player who turns off during big games. I am not talking about only Van Der Wiel but all the right backs we have been linked with and participated in the Euros including Debuchy.

The right-back problem: What are our options?

Chelsea seem to be keen on signing a new right-back before the season begins. Last season we struggled whenever Branislav Ivanovic (normally the first-choice RB) was either injured or suspended, & the club would be keen to ensure that we have quality cover at the RB position before the start of the 2012-13 season. 

 

As is always the case, Chelsea have been linked to numerous right-backs. Gregory Van Der Wiel, Cesar Azpilicueta, Mathieu Debuchy, Lukasz Piszczek & even Maicon have been rumoured to be on Roman Abramovich's shopping list. Our interest in Van Der Wiel & Azpilicueta seems to have cooled a bit, but we are still strongly linked to Debuchy, Piszczek & Maicon. Let's now take a look at what options seem most viable :-

The New Era At SW6 and Who All Will Be A Part Of It?

 

We went down at times, we were written off mostly, we were told this is the worst time at the Bridge and some labelled the Club and its players as fallen heroes and warriors. And against all odds we conquered Europe with our motivation and never say die attitude. The beauty was in grinding out results out of nowhere. Yes people and the media did critisice but despite this intense scrutiny we got a DOUBLE from a team which was called old and had nothing much left in it. This was because of some huge characters and one man to whom the credit has to be given that is RDM.

Brana Urges Luka To Join Chelsea

Chelsea have been behind Spurs number 14 Luka Modrić and this is something that the whole of Europe is aware of  in my opinion.Chelsea made several bids last season in order to acquire the Croatian Internationals services but thanks to Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy(who sacked Redknapp days ago) who was hellbent to keep Modrić and voiced loudly that Modrić  won't be sold at any cost whatsover.Modrić is now being linked to Real Madrid,Manchester United,several other top clubs and ofcourse Chelsea too.

Our Best Champions League Matches of the Season

Today we recap some of the most amazing matches of last season as the BLUES marched on and became European Champions....

No one except Chelsea fans believed it was possible. That is why, when we finally won the Champions League on May 19th 2012, Chelsea fans were beyond jubilant. Our tireless faith had paid off, & we became Champions of Europe for the 1st time in our history.The win wasn't a "fluke", by any means. The team worked extremely hard to win the trophy. We may not have had the best team in the tournament, but our desire & never-say-die attitude eventually came through. Let us now take a look at the 5 best matches we played in the Champions League:-