BlueLion.

Spot on Kez. Well put.

No need for that. Calm it down please. He's made a great sacrifice. Do you think Mikel doesn't want to go the World Cup? I can imagine him being absolutely devastated because he's never been to the tournament before. He now has to wait another four years for a similar opportunity. But rather than going and exacerbating a serious injury and thus potentially ruining his career he is being sensible and allowing it to heal. He's being mature and showing a cool, composed head and is therefore the perfect sort of role-model for young people, rather than the likes of Rooney and Terry going, playing with an injury, underperforming and hampering their own recovery. The last player we tried to hurry back from injury was Bosingwa and look what's happened with him!

Yeah it does Which is a very nice tough I think.

It'll come out looking like a mini kit.

Which is good for him and underlines his maturity as a footballer.

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Nigeria dropped a bollock by selecting him anyway, his recovery from surgery had been visibly slow.

Its incredible. Gutted for him as it would have been his first World Cup.

Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi has become the fourth Blues player to be ruled out of this summer's World Cup finals. The Nigerian midfielder had missed the title run-in for his club as well as the FA Cup final in a bid to be fully fit for his country, but the Chelsea number 12 has lost his battle to be fit. Mikel told the team he did not want to put his "career at risk," as his knee injury has yet to fully heal after recently going under the knife. He now joins Germany's Michael Ballack and Ghana's Michael Essien on the sidelines, whilst Didier Drogba may also miss out after breaking his elbow. Mikel had enjoyed a consistent season with his club and played a massive role in their title and cup success before a knee injury sustained in Chelsea's 1-0 win over Bolton in April. However the Nigerian was in obvious pain despite knee surgery and had been on crutches until mid-May, and it was confirmed this morning he will take no part in what would have been his first World Cup finals appearance. Click here.

The Gerrard-Lampard debate will always go on. However, one of them is winning in terms of goals, assists and major trophies... and it isn't Stevie.

I think you just have to expect it, really. We're a successful club with big players, there's always going to be a lot of media bullshit circulating.

Awesome news, delighted!

Same being reported on TalkSport as well. Devastated for him.

The biggest hindrance to the success of our youth players is the demand for instant success by Abramovich. This means that the manager must always play his strongest eleven because he always has to win! If we had the patience that Arsenal had towards the progression of their youth then we'd have no problem; but we actually want to win trophies! We're just going to be very patient and our youngsters are going to have to do the same.

Our midfield would be excellent with Toure behind Essien and Lampard, I do have to say. This is one signing I wouldn't mind as he's only 26/27.

Okay, I'm really fed up now. Consider this an official warning. I'm not the only one bored with your constant shit, either. I've had two members complain about you since all of this started yesterday (out of absolutely nothing). This topic was getting back on track until you derailed it once more with your petty comments. I'm going to suspend you for two days so you can calm down, because you're not helping yourself at the minute. Now, back to the topic please!

Your English is excellent - certainly better than my Dutch! I totally get where you're coming from. Thanks for the reply, its something I've always wondered about.

The Cup Final DVD has a Road to Wembley feature as well which is always nice, they left it off the 2007 DVD included in the season review.

I hope they don't try and poach Hiddink

Ah, so it was Gullit's status as manager then. I'm surprised about Arnesen though... I know he discovered many talents in Holland but how has he improved the Dutch support for Chelsea?

Torres certainly won't go to any Spanish club, least of all Madrid. Not for a few more years at least, he is too well-connected with Atletico. Italy is a more likely move for him should he go abroad, though I'm sure he'll end up at City to be honest. They'll offer him crazy wages and he'll go.

Possibly a cheaper and younger alternative for Real if they go for Kolarov, who is 24/25.

It was a joke you moron.