coolhead23

Lets not jump the gun! I read some where that AVB would make only one more buy after Cahill (not able to find the article though). How many times are we going to fall back on Roman's money to bail us out, it's time we start being self sufficient now.

This entire season was suppose to get the squad rebuilt by getting in new blood either from outside or within the academy. But it now looks as if we are falling for the same old thing of getting not so young players/big name and try to save the season. I really like Kaka but i seriously dont think it a move which is going to take us forward.

I m sure this entire chaos has been orchestrated by his agent specially since he has got the much needed game time which he never would have got at Barca. I think Chelsea should play really smart with this. Hopefully with Essien back, the game time for Romeu would/should be restricted to few games and the limelight shared between him and Essien (i m hoping for that). Essien could have another year possibly which gives us enough time to play around with Romeu and with him only 20 his progress wouldnt be hampered much. I know there are lot of ifs and hopes here but thats one of the solution else look like a fool in 2013 by giving him to Barca.

All the best, King Carlo. I hope u get better treatment from the board out there.

i m seriously concerned with the way things are shaping up with Torres not sure what AVB wants but his gameplay is screaming for motivation and confidence. His touches yesterday was just horrible, i didnt understand what was AVB going to achieve by putting in Torres (who doesnt have game time and isnt in the good books of the gaffer) for the last 15mins. If this how Torres is going to be treated then i dont think we would be able to see the magical striker in his high in the Blue jersey.

Thats precisely what hit me when i read the article

Found an interesting read on Daniel Petrescu, so thought of sharing it with all. URL: http://www.espnstar....rvant-and-hero/: Petrescu: A loyal servant and hero It's not often you use the words 'servant' and 'hero' to describe the same person, for they both project vastly differing images. A servant is prepared to remain in the background, performing thankless tasks and mopping up the messes others create, perfectly happy to stay in the shadows. A hero, on the other hand relishes the limelight - internalising all the adulation to go on to bigger and better feats. It's rare then, to find someone who can lay claim to being both a servant and a hero. But for the eighteen years he played professional football, Dan Petrescu was just that. Born into a golden era Steaua Bucharest are the most successful club in Romanian history. They have 23 Liga I titles to their name, as well as 22 Cupa Romaniei (Romanian Cup), both national records. In addition, they remain the only Romanian team ever to have won the European Cup, and were the first-ever Eastern European team to emerge triumphant in Europe's premier club competition (a feat matched by Red Star Belgrade in 1991). Therefore, Steaua's 1986 European Cup triumph provides the perfect setting to begin, as slightly over a month after that monumental win, a 20-year-old defender by the name of Dan Petrescu was promoted to the first team, having graduated through the youth ranks. He managed just two matches in his debut season, and was farmed out to fellow Liga 1 side Olt Scornicesti for the entire 1986/87 campaign. However, his remarkable progress while on loan did not go unnoticed, and just two years later, Petrescu had established himself as a key member of the Steaua first team, and lined up against a mighty AC Milan outfit featuring the likes of Franco Baresi, Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit, and a 21-year-old Paolo Maldini in the 1989 European Cup final, While Milan ran out 4-0 winners at the Nou Camp that night, Petrescu enhanced his reputation with a strong showing. At the start of the 1991/92 season, Serie A side Foggia came knocking and Petrescu gave in to their advances, spending two years Stadio Pino Zaccheria, before prolonging his Italian sojourn with another year at Genoa. The right-back conundrum Petrescu left Genoa for English shores in the summer of 1994, but while Sheffield Wednesday brought him to the country, it was at Chelsea, whom he joined a season later, where he truly made a name for himself as one of the most reliable full-backs across the continent. Reliable. Strangely enough, that's the one word most often associated with full-backs, or right-backs in particular. Before we go any further, let us just ascertain how unfashionable it truly is to be playing on the right-side of defence. Strikers are 'lethal', wingers are 'languid' and 'cunning', midfielders are "a creative force", centre-backs are called "a rock at the back", even left-backs are often described as 'classy'. But for some curious reason, right-backs are, by and large, known to be 'reliable' players. This stigma seems to stems from the school yard, where anyone who has had a kickabout with their mates, will agree the least talented players are always sent straight to right-back. Understandably, the more talented kids invariably end up playing in midfield or attack, while the steadiest, most composed ones slot straight in at centre-back. Furthermore, the relative rarity of left-footed players means anyone capable of playing at left-back will naturally be held in higher regard. Right-backs consequently, are lumped with that most mundane of adjectives - 'reliable'. Oddly enough, professional footballers, at least in England, don't seem particular eager to buck this trend. Gary Neville had little to draw upon apart from a bit of elbow grease, yet went on to captain Manchester United, clocking up over 600 appearances in the process. Lee Dixon was the most forgettable member of Arsenal's famous "Fab Four", yet has four Premier League and two FA Cup titles to his name. Lest we forget, even Jamie Carragher started out his career at right-back, and till this day, he is steady but unspectacular. Stamford Bridge's very own At Chelsea, Petrescu was just that, although he was blessed with good pace, technique, and the ability to whip in a mean cross, and was more Cafu than Carragher. But the Romanian played for Chelsea in an era when they were respected for their ability to go toe-to-toe with the country's finest despite a shoestring budget. Long before Roman Abramovich's billions led them to their first Premier League title since 1955, the Blues had a slightly less-wealthy chairman in Ken Bates, who was more intent on making money off the pitch, than create a dominant team on it. Bates started developing the area around Stamford Bridge, envisioning a complex which included hotels, apartments, bars, restaurants and various interactive attractions, known as "Chelsea Village". By the time he relinquished chairmanship to Abramovich in 2003, the club were about £80million in debt. On the field, there were plenty of success stories, with Gianfranco Zola, Gianluca Vialli and Marcel Desailly all having memorable stints at the club. However, all three were in their 30s by the time they joined Chelsea, and, with the exception of Zola, one could argue the club never got to enjoy these players in their prime. Even more remarkable is that fact that Chelsea, despite having to scour for bargains and settle for players winding down their careers, still managed to win two FA Cups, one League Cup, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup from the mid-1990s right up to the Abramovich takeover. Petrescu took his part in four of those five triumphs, and made over 150 appearances in his five-year spell at Stamford Bridge. Romania's golden boys of 1994 But while he was regarded as a dutiful servant at Chelsea, Petrescu was nothing short of a hero whenever he pulled on the gold of Romania. Five years after earning his first cap, Petrescu was part of the Romanian squad that made the quarter-finals of USA 1994. It remains the country's best showing at a World Cup to date. Romania were drawn in Group A alongside hosts United States, Switzerland and Colombia, and qualification was far from certain after a win and a loss in their opening two matches. However, in their final game against the hosts, Petrescu ventured forward to score the only goal of the game, booking a round-of-16 clash with Argentina. Coming up against an Argentina side boasting the likes of Diego Maradona, Gabriel Batistuta and Fernando Redondo, many expected the Romanians to make a hasty exit. Yet, they somehow managed to record a stunning 3-2 victory, progressing to the quarter-finals where they narrowly lost to Sweden on penalties, Petrescu being one of two Romanians to miss in the shootout. Romania failed to repeat their exploits four years late in France, although they still created one of the memorable images of the World Cup when the whole squad dyed their hair blonde took to the field against Tunisia with their hair dyed blond. It was to celebrate qualification into the next round. A reminder of Chelsea's beginnings The Chelsea of today are almost unrecognisable from the side which Petrescu played in. Billions of dollars have been invested on the pitch, and as expected, silverware has followed. Since Petrescu left Stamford Bridge, the Blues have won three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and the Carling Cup twice. But long before Abramovich's billions brought trophies to Stamford Bridge (leading to disgruntled opposition fans claiming he effectively bought the title), Chelsea were a club with very humble beginnings. In fact, Bates only had to fork out a single pound when he bought the club in 1982. Humility is something hardly associated with footballers these days and fans could be forgiven for thinking players are motivated by money, and not much else. And that's why it's important to honour those like Petrescu, who played the role of servant so well. His story is a constant reminder that there are some things in football money cannot buy. Like bringing success to a club in an era where it's hard to come by. Or bringing glory to one's nation.

After this game and all that has been written and said in the media about how great Neymar is. Yes the boy has talent no denying that but still he is no where near some of the decent players in Europe atleast ... Does anyone think there would be lot of takers for Neymer at 45M now? Barca has a set team so does Madrid (i mean they dont have to think much for the next few seasons), in the EPL there is only Chelsea who was behind him, dont think United would go for him, City mite, Arsenal dont have the cents in the pockets. The only other place left is Italy maybe AC Milan who wouldnt shed out 45m for him. Just wondering how would the club president now want to bargain on 45m for his prized asset.

I would agree on this rather than what RZA mentioned. Yes they parked the bus and put us in a spot (which is something most of the small team do agaisnt the big guns). But how did they end up having more shots on goals than us. because in a scenario where one team is having most of the players defending the ratio of shot on goals by the attacking team should be more as to the defending one. It was not the case this time, so either Wigan developed super powers since their last match to defend and attack superbly or we were just not upto the task.

Sacking AVB is not the way out, would be taking us as a club behind rather than going forward. And no one can guarantee the person who comes next would do wonders. Having said that, the confidence in AVB is surely coming down from where it was when he started. Some of his decisions have been really baffling at times. Yes he has got a team not exactly of his liking but at the end of the day how u stand out from the others are the decision that u make in the line of fire. And that is what has been a worrying factor for me. I just hope AVB doesn't have a big ego and learns the tricks of the trade real fast which could not only help us as a club to have a long term relation with him but also for him as a manager to grow.

Wigan had more shots on goal than us. WTF!!!!! I guess that sums our game tonight.

Finally can say Well played Chelsea. Great performances by the entire team. Thx AVB for dropping the high defense line and moving back to the traditional one, we muscled them out. Drogba was at his best, great game from him. But have to keep mention Mata here, he has been one of our better investments in the recent years. I wish and hope that we carry on this momentum. A job well done! Was just thinking we took right under the nose of Arsenal, they must have been cursing themselves

Pass Danny boy Pass!!!!

Its 3am here already and the loss is gonna give me nightmares for the rest of the nite which if i get to sleep

AVB would keep me baffling on the squad selection. Good that he has kept Mikel out (hope he stays out) but why not Torres. Still Drogba get a start.

:( :zip: :cfc: :cfc: Lets cool down!

:zip: :zip: :zip:

Seriously AVB! :yellow_card: Good to see Mikel sitting out but Drogba and Bosingwa as LB, not sure whats going in your head. Hope whatever it is, it helps us win so that we dont have to be on the gas.

Dos Santos's goal was

"AVB is a fantastic manager and most sorted out": I doubt it for now but i do believe that he is very talented and it is one of the intelligent gambles taken by us. He has definitely had his moments up till now, some good some not so good and but i believe he is doing the same things that all his predecessor have done, going for results wanting to show that he can pull off miracles. IMO he is just trying too much, i believe he has to rethink his strategy. Having said that i would hope he stays at Chelsea for more years to built his team because we all are tried of the chopping and changing that happens every season. Transition: It a word with different meaning at Chelsea i guess. At Chelsea, transition is all about getting a new manager because the actual meaning of it i.e. moving from old to new doesnt seem happening here. We should had been in this mode quite some time back but ..... I m not sure getting buying new players from outside season after season is going to serve our purpose then what abt our youth? We got some real good talent within, but no one wants to try them out because every manager who comes in is so dependent on Roman's money that they know he would shed out for them. It is just not the manager i guess we as fans are also dependent on Roman to get new players every season. I would rest the likes of Terry, Lampard, Cole, Drogba and get the kids come in every 2 games because thats how they are going to learn and thats how we are going to know what are they made of.

Well if you have noticed it, Terry's performance have been on a decline since last few seasons and it is just matter of time that the writing was on the wall because he still plays most of the games. And players like Terry, Lampard, Drogba infact even Cole have reached a point where they need to be treated wisely because they have acquired Legendary status at the club (i m sure no would see them go away and play for someone else). Play them couple of matches rest of the other few, this would help us get our youth into the system and in this way everyone are happy. We have never been able to make this transition at Chelsea and thats one of the major reasons why we are where we are.

Keep up the tempo now guys. Don't let it fall.

Good work, Mikel .. keep it up!

Just came home and saw 2 min of highlight, was like WHAT THE HELL R WE UP TO! Have to say good come back by Cech, he was a giant in front of the goal.

I believe Ramires is surely in that list, because he gets in a lot into the game. Not sure abt Romeu now but anyone other than Mikel gets my vote. Like our mate pointed out, the issue with Romeu is the buyback thing in his shitty clause, he has shown positive signs but i wouldnt get too much dependent on that because we dont know if remains a blue or not. Also the potential of having a Fab saga is written over it. For Sturridge, i believe he is fantastic talent but he needs to keep himself grounded and u can surely have a legend out of him.