2010/11 Wigan 0-6 Chelsea Chelsea 1-0 Wigan 2009/10 Wigan 3-1 Chelsea Chelsea 8-0 Wigan That 3-1 defeat should serve as a reminder against complacency. We won our first 6 league games under Ancelotti IIRC and then we go to Wigan and just didn't turn up at all.
I saw rumours - http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/sep/19/football-transfer-rumours - on that but don't tell you're believing it??!! Just like everyone else have said, he has done alright since he's been here and it's harsh to just pinpoint him when Terry is absent from the starting XI. Only question mark I have on him, as Tomo pointed out, is him playing Europe at the moment.
Don't get me wrong but I definitely agree with what has been generally about Kalou as a footballer because he can really be a frustrating figure to watch especially when he messes those easy situations up! However, just focusing on this game alone, I don't think he was that bad as everyone seem to make it. Again, I stress that I'm not defending him but if people are going to start pinpointing our offensive problems on that night, how come nobody mention Torres?? Apart from that one decent shot that was just deflected wide, he did absolutely nothing at all! And yet, he escaped all the criticisms here. Why?!
No need to risk him against Wigan and Fulham. Cahill & Luiz should be more than capable of playing together in those 2 games. Wrap Terry around the cotton wool and try to make sure he can play against Tottenham and Barcelona especially against the latter.
Contrary to what I said in the 1st paragraph above, francozola, looks like you were right. Just saw that move in the game again and Mata would have indeed got a clean shot with his left foot had Kalou let it run. Even then, still don't think Kalou warrants the scapegoating that he's getting after the game.
WWE related - The Miz is apparently a Chelsea fan when he said that on SSN some time ago. Sheamus supports Liverpool while Barrett is a Preston North End fan.
Shame that he's really injury prone and not sure why Allegri brought him on against Barcelona. He was clearly not 100% fit and he had to be subbed off just minutes after coming on!
With the situation that Mata was in that time, he was only ever able gonna shoot with his right foot. And Kalou took the shot with his left foot. Either way, whoever of the 2 would have only been able to shoot with their weaker foot and would probably miss the target. While it seems that Kalou has pissed everyone off with his contribution attacking wise, let's not forget he played his part defensively and arguably created our two best chances for Mata and Ramires which they both completely spurned! Had one or both converted their chances, we would have probably be sitting down here and praise him for his assist(s). Not defending him here but just find it very unfair for people to use him as a scapegoat for the performance last night when the entire team played horribly.
Fine, think I agree with that 1st one. But for the other, I'm not even sure if he took it of Mata's feet. Didn't Mata just missed the ball by a tiny bit when it arrived to him??