BlueLion.

Guys, chill out. The game definitely had that 'end of season' feel. We didn't play that badly at all, Newcastle were simply very lucky. Can't have any gripes, we wanted changes and that's what we got. Not a spectacular performance but we've seen much worse this season. And, to be honest, it was nice to see some goals from our defenders, its nice to see some potency from set plays.

Doesn't matter, you're as active as anyone. And this is probably going to be a first and a last - future candidates will just be appointed.

Isn't it nice to have this selection headache, though? I remember not so long ago we had Geremi at right-back, and Essien and Ferreira at centre-back!

Haha cheers mate 15,000 posts as well... I have too much time

Yep * The Blues have won 31 of 37 league games at Stamford Bridge under Carlo Ancelotti (W31, D3, L3).

I wish Ancelotti would try Luiz at full-back, where his attacking nature is encouraged. Personally I think our CB partnership of Alex-JT is the best, but as soon as Luiz adapts fully to the league he will most likely be one of the best in Europe. We have to appreciate he is still new to the league, and once he learns the discipline necessary he will be world class.

I'd say Alex is the best defender out of the four of them...

He's worth £20 million at most. Goodday then, Madrid!

For the very first time, TalkChelsea forums are holding Moderator Elections for the next position on the Staff Team. Previously, the Administrators have appointed new global moderators, but this time, we're holding open elections that ensures a popular choice is elected into power. This comes in light of the fact that I will not be able to ensure my activity to the forum after the summer due to university commitments, staff members being away on holiday over the summer and other reasons for absence. The way the elections will work is relatively simple: Firstly, people will be able to submit their names forward with a brief summary of why they want to be part of the Staff Team here on TalkChelsea.The current Staff Team will then assess the credentials of all of the applicants, and, in an interview format, will ask the applicants a series of questions which will then enable the Staff to whittle down the number of people running for the position down to a shortlist of four.The four nominees will then be encouraged to start an election campaign, which users will be able to support through campaign topics in a specially-made sub-forum under Announcements, Feedback and Support which will be put up in June.The current Staff Team will then choose the final two candidates based on popularity, the success of their election campaigns and their suitability to the position (such as past experience, length of time here at TalkChelsea and other relevant criteria).The final two will then go to a straightforward public vote to determine who will be elected.Basically, this is just to have a bit of fun and excitement. The election campaigns will offer a heck of a lot of banter and discussion, and it gives every member the opportunity to put their names forward. There are no restrictions at all on who can apply. So, if you are interested in becoming a staff member, please put forward your name in this topic. The next stage will see one of the Staff Team contact you with a brief form that you will need to fill out over private message. If you progress to the next round, we will send you a set of questions to answer, and if you again impress the Staff you'll be put forward into the final elections. If you've got any questions - just ask! Best of luck to you all, Alex. Current submitted names: Sh0n3xTrue_BlueLDN BlueZanSnakeShaneCFCIrishblueZashkoTomo-91Special OneGianfranco_ZDrogba11CFC

Great article mate. What we're gonna do with squad profiles is try and update them all over the course of the summer, so if, when the season ends, you could add another paragraph for this campaign, that's one done already

Excellent post, and absolutely agreed on all accounts. And I also agree with you when you say you wouldn't be surprised if we ended up sacking Ancelotti, or he left through 'mutual consent.' Fact of the matter is, as you say, Ancelotti's done a lot for the club and deserves at least to see out the third year of his contract.

Awesome, cheers mate! I'm not surprised no-one wants to do December... I might as well have the honour

Any trophy win counts as far as I'm concerned. Our FA Cup triumphs in 2000 and 2007 in particular weren't exactly 'beautiful' cup finals, remember! They all count, and I'm sort of happy City have won. If that trophy win is going to take them places, then good luck to them - it makes the league more exciting and sooner someone can knock Fergy off his perch, the better

Agreed there, the white bits are a bit of a random add, I suppose the designers at adidas thought the back was too simple and they added them on for that reason only. I think I'd like this shirt more if it was a single-tone colour. Still very, very nice, and the best one we've had for some time. I do prefer this season's one though like you say... I think most people would as well if we'd have won something this season in it, but of course we did win half of the Double in that shirt, so it'll have a place in my heart forever

Each to their own, it is my opinion afterall. Thanks for the criticism though, I appreciate people challenging my arguments instead of just posting useless bollocks for the sake of it.

That result today will ensure a mediocre performance accompanied by a frustrating draw...

Mike's not got internet access besides on his phone I believe.

I like that idea...

If you have written an article on Chelsea FC and wish to share it on the main site, please post the article here or a link to a separate thread. The article will then be assessed and put up if its good enough Please make sure grammar, spelling and punctuation is to a high enough standard, however - proof-reading only takes a couple of minutes What will happen once you've posted up an article, then? Well, if its deemed good enough by a staff member, and the members on here like it, it'll be published. Simple

That's fair enough. Although its quite clear at the point of the article - its an argument against the people who want him to leave in the summer. I'm preaching his value as an impact player... I thought that was obvious enough, personally. Absolutely agreed!

And that's what the entire article is vindicating...

Yeah why not?

Print a copy off and stick it on your wall if you want

When will people realise that McEachran won't just waltz into our midfield? He's brilliant, but he's not ready yet.

That's why we love Salomon Kalou 14th May 2011, In Articles, by Alex Hinsley To use the most commercialised on clichés, Salomon Kalou is the football equivalent of Marmite – you either love him, or you hate him. In truth, there is something posing a decent argument for the latter. Some Chelsea supporters think Kalou is not quite Blues quality, saying that youngsters like Gael Kakuta and Daniel Sturridge should be given the time the Ivorian has on the pitch to aid their development. Some Chelsea supporters think that he is far too inconsistent to be starting eleven material, citing his enigmatic displays in an unfamiliar position limit his usefulness. Some Chelsea fans, therefore, are incredibly ignorant. Not only is Kalou one of our most effective attacking players in terms of goals-per-minute on the pitch – which, this season, is better than any other player in Chelsea colours save Frank Lampard or Daniel Sturridge – but, refreshingly, his head in the right place for a footballer. Image rights, wage bills and bonuses mean little to Kalou in comparison to the bigger picture. He wouldn't trade his integrity for success on the pitch. He is a gentleman footballer who gets on the with the game. As a player, he may have his shortcomings, but as a person, there are fewer nicer people on a football pitch than the young Ivorian. Still only 25 years old, Kalou has played more than 220 times for Chelsea Football Club (a surprisingly large percentage of which being substitute appearances) and netted fifty-five times in that time. Whilst his goalscoring exploits and tally of assists make for impressive reading in isolation, his work-rate and professional attitude to the sport is something which warms the heart when you consider no end of footballing 'superstars' bitching about playing out of position. Kalou simply gets on with it, and ultimately offers nothing short of his best in each and every match. Though his best is sometimes unfortunately not quite good enough, such an attitude to the sport is commendable. Greater still is the fact his heart is worn quite obviously on his sleeve, and yet for a man so short of years, Kalou demonstrates a resounding maturity and a stunning ability to put football firmly into perspective as merely being the sport it is. In 2010, Kalou opened the eponymous 'Kalou Foundation' in his native Cote d'Ivoire, which is "dedicated to providing facilities for social welfare and recreation of those who have need of such facilities by reason of youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances and also for the relief of sickness worldwide." And with his family embroiled in the Ivorian civil war, Kalou finds himself distracted by the thought of losing loved ones to turmoil and conflict. Put aside the footballer, and a wholly decent human being can be seen inside Chelsea's number 21. His contribution on the pitch is also greatly appreciated by the majority of Chelsea fans. This season has seen him score an impressive 13 goals despite making just 23 starts, and with eight assists to his name, Kalou has also been Chelsea's most-effective impact player from the substitutes' bench; his equaliser against Everton in the FA Cup the clearest indicator of his composure in front of goal and his overall contribution to the team. And still he is criticised by some sections of the Stamford Bridge faithful. Effective as a central striker, a second forward in a 4-4-2 or equally creative on the right wing, Kalou's sporadic form may well undermine his attempts to become a first team regular under Carlo Ancelotti – but when you consider that since his arrival at the club he has been coached by Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and our incumbent Italian tactician, Kalou has always been an integral part of the Chelsea team. In this, his sixth season as a Chelsea player, Kalou has yet to demonstrate the exciting potential he showed at Feyenoord. Though he often hits a purple patch and excels – particularly late last season, where a hat-trick against Stoke City and a run in the side that won an unprecedented Double underlined his occasional brilliance – it cannot be denied he has yet to reach the heights his hefty price tag indicated he may well one day achieve. Nevertheless, Kalou is a consummate professional who tries his best on and off the pitch. His excellent attitude is applied whatever position he is playing – Ancelotti could ask him to fill in at right-back and Kalou would most likely have no objections. His versatility makes him the sort of impact player who is perfect for the Blues – whether in a starting berth or from the bench as an impact substitute. Add in the fact he possesses the only bit of genuine pace and trickery with the ball any of our supposed 'wingers' have, Kalou makes for an exciting player to watch when in full flow. And don't forget, not so long ago, he crossed the ball in from the left, and it landed right on Riise's head…