Madmax

I'm not sure ... Carlo didn't mention anything about him fitness-wise. he only said Bos was back in training. So either Ivan is fit for tomorrow, or everyone knows he's injured so Carlo didn't specify. If it's the latter, Ferreira at RB and Bruma on the bench.

I'd take him in the blink of an eye. As long as his personality traits don't interfere with on-field performance, I don't give a damn if he's sleeping with Paris Hilton or strutting around with the 'i'm the best in the world' expression on his face. Even so, I don't think a bit of swagger is a bad thing, having an attitude helps, having an ego doesn't.

Delighted for Kakuta! Cech Ivan Alex JT Cole Mikel Essien Malouda Anelka Zhirkov Drogba Subs : Hilario/Turnbull, Bruma, Benayoun, Ramires , Kalou, Kakuta, Sturridge

JT is in, Lamps out, Kakuta to play a part tomorrow Official CFC

Echo Park - Michael Connelly

Hello mate, welcome along! Introduce yourself in a post here or start a new thread introducing yourself in this sub-forum Stick around and keep posting!

Apparently Drogs is considering his Ivory Coast future ...

Isn't this guy a RB? Maybe Bos could be off. As it is, he is in the last year of his contract, and is coming off a major injury...

Yuri Zhirkov to consider Chelsea future "I'll certainly get a chance in the next few months and I'll try to use it completely," Zhirkov said. "Then, in the winter, everything will probably depend on whether I got this chance and how I used it. "We are currently in brilliant form and getting past [Florent] Malouda and [Ashley] Cole is problematic. Everyone understands about the competition: once you are on the bench you can be there for a long time. But I will definitely get a chance. "The thoughts when you are watching your team play are always the same: you support, worry and your soul wants to be on the pitch to help." Source : ESPN Soccernet

LOL why would you think I have a problem with you? I know you were asking a question, and I was just answering it without going into all the details as I thought you new what TX was like. Sorry if I came across as being harsh, wasn't my intention at all.

I'm not English so I don't know if my opinion counts, but I think JT and Lampsey would never abandon England if it was left to them, they are much too classy and loyal to do something like that.

Maybe if you continue being one for just long enough, you can

I guess being a tool in general would have something to do with it

Maybe it's due to TX going, and hence all the argumentative posts going with him ...

Nice article, Alex

European clubs today appealed to football's authorities to start paying insurance premiums to cover players injured whilst on international duty. "FIFA and Uefa have to care about our players," said Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, chairman of the 197-strong European Club Association. "It is no longer acceptable that we have to give up our players ... and then they come back injured." "If I rent a car I have to bring it back clean as if it was unused," he said. "With players we have to give them up yet have to pay, twice over if you like, when we get them back injured." "Robben is a classic case of a player going to the World Cup already injured and coming back in a worse condition and now we have to pay the bill," he said. Rummenigge said insurance packages must cover all international fixtures, including friendlies and youth games, and ideally all European-based players even if they are from other continents. "We have had discussions with FIFA in the past but they were not successful," said Rummenigge. "We appreciate that FIFA paid compensation during the World Cup but the income they make is thanks to our players, who are paid by our clubs." Full article : EspnStar

Former Rangers, Chelsea and Denmark forward Brian Laudrup has revealed he is undergoing treatment for cancer. The 41-year-old, who enjoyed a highly successful spell with Rangers from 1994-98 during which time he won three league titles, has been diagnosed with a mild form of lymphoma. "I am obviously shocked by the diagnosis, but also know that there is now a tough battle ahead of me - a battle I will win," Laudrup told TV3, where he works as a commentator. "Fortunately, I have had very optimistic reports from doctors to support me." The former Bayern Munich, Fiorentina, Chelsea and Ajax star added: "I now want to use my energy to get over the shock and take time with my family and those closest to me, so together we can move forward after this diagnosis." Laudrup scored 21 goals in 82 matches for Denmark and helped his country to European Championship glory in 1992. He was named Danish player of the year on four occasions. Source : Teamtalk I wasn't fortunate enough to watch him play, but I've heard that he was an extremely good player. Regardless, cancer is a terrible illness and I hope he gets well soon ...

England Under-21 defender Ryan Bertrand is determined not to stand still this season as he looks to eventually make an impression at Chelsea "It all depends what your position is at a club, and who else is in that role, but going out on loan is a fantastic thing to do," he said. "You go out and play games instead of sitting still. It is important to develop. Going out on loan has benefited me." Bertrand feels seeing the likes of Gibbs and Wilshere following in the footsteps of James Milner and Adam Johnson into the senior set-up can only work as an inspiration for all of the Young Lions squad. "It is massively important," the Chelsea defender said. "You see the boys who have gone up and done well, then managed to stay in the England team, it has benefited them really well. Source : Teamtalk

Delac? He's on loan till the end of the season at Vitesse ...

I still don't get it - why would someone shag Rooney? Unless ofc they're into anime ...

Apparently, us and City are interested in this 27 year old GK from Cagliari - imscouting And, this 17 year old GK from Athletic Bilbao tuttomercato

Ancelotti backs Rooney handling "A coach has to look if this problem is involved on the training ground and if the players are able to maintain this problem outside of the training ground," Ancelotti said. "The coach can do just that." "This is personal behaviour that refers to the personal character of the people; if they can separate the things. "A top player is able to do this. It is possible I think. It was a fantastic example by John Terry and Ashley Cole last season." "I'm not interested if a player goes to sleep at eight o'clock or 12 o'clock. I'm only interested if a player can do 100% when they are training. I didn't control, when I was in Italy, what happened outside the training ground." Link

The classic glass half full - half empty argument still rages on ...

France striker Nicolas Anelka has confirmed his retirement from the international game having being handed an 18-match ban by the French Football Federation for his antics at the World Cup. Anelka has now reiterated that the ban means the end of his international career and that he will never pull on the blue shirt of France again. "I have retired officially. I am 100% sure that I will not return," the striker confirmed to France Soir. "There was no chance that I would return to the national team after what happened on June 19 in Knysna. "If members had read the newspaper, they would have realised that I have turned a page. Anyways, I already play in Blue every weekend with Chelsea." Link

Or burnt?