the wes

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has commented on coach Steve Clarke's situation at Stamford Bridge. Buck, speaking at one of the club's 'Star on a Stool' evenings, declared: "All I can say is we think Steve Clarke is great and we want him to stay at Chelsea. However, we have to be practical. At some point Steve Clarke will want to be first team manager at some club. At some point, the role he is in now will not be enough to fulfil him." tribalfooball.com

Javier Mascherano says that Chelsea will provide tougher opposition than Arsenal in the Champions League semi-finals. Liverpool will face Chelsea at that stage for the third time in four years after beating the Gunners. The Reds have come out on top twice before, but Mascherano is certainly not counting any chickens. "It will be very difficult against Chelsea and more difficult than playing Arsenal," Mascherano told the Daily Post. "It will be a big game for the supporters, the players, for everyone. "I don't know if playing the second leg at Stamford Bridge will make a big difference. "If we can score goals at Anfield in the first leg, then we will go to Stamford Bridge with half the job done. "Chelsea are a strong team and they play the same way as us. They are a good team but we know we are a good team too."

http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2008...ave-a-nightclub

The 26-year-old was once one of the most devastating strikers in the world, before the death of his father led to 18 months of terrible personal problems, including depression and alcoholism. Adriano travelled to Brazil at the end of last year in order to receive rehabilitation for his problems, and it was agreed that he would join Sao Paulo on loan until the end of the European season. He is due to return to Inter in June, but many believe that the club will then immediately sell him. ‘The Emperor’ has been linked to a number of European clubs, including Chelsea. "It would be a pleasure to play for Chelsea,” declared Adriano. "Chelsea are a great team in England and Drogba is an idol for them. “However Inter hold my registration and President Massimo Moratti is the one who must decide what will be done." Adriano has won 41 caps for the Brazil national team, scoring a highly impressive 27 goals. http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=654478

Chelsea fullback Paulo Ferreira collapsed at Lisbon airport just hours after watching his side's victory over Fenerbahce. The Portugal international , 29, was signing autographs for Rangers fans travelling to their UEFA Cup tie with Sporting when he slumped unconscious. One fan told The Sun: "He came round after a couple of minutes and said he hadn't eaten anything since the day before. "I think he was quite embarrassed and didn�t want any fuss."

Roman Abramovich may stop funding Russian coach Guus Hiddink's salary after a row with the Russian Football Federation over the handling of his re-appointment. Sergei Kapkov, chairman of Abramovich's National Academy of Football in Russia, said that despite an official announcement by the Russian Football Union on March 24, no final deal was fixed with the Dutch boss. He said he was unhappy at the level of bonuses being offered by the RFF to Hiddink – up to £750,000 if Russia qualifies for the World Cup - and the lack of time the Dutchman actually spent in the country. Kapkov said: "He has demanded a million Euros bonus if Russia qualifies for the World Cup. We would like to understand where is the logic in such a radical increase? "We would also like Guus to spend more days in Russia, visiting the regions. "As for us we are seriously considering now whether we should finance a new contract if they treat us like this. Hiddink's £2million salary is paid by Abramovich directly through the National Academy of Football. Ironically, if Russia do not resign Hiddink, it could pave the way for Abramovich - who is a keen admirer of the Dutchman - to move him instead to Chelsea. Chelsea talent spotter Piet de Visser, 73, who in the past has discovered outstanding stars like Brazilian duo Romario and Ronaldo, has the ear of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and previously helped the billionaire Chelsea owner clinch Hiddink as Russia coach. Hiddink guided Russia to the European Championship Finals at the expense of England, who were third in their qualifying group. Previously Abramovich has said he is happy for Hiddink to be Russia's – not Chelsea's coach. But if the deal breaks down, Hiddink will be a free agent and there would be no conflict of interest in him joining Abramovich at Chelsea.

Nigeria U23 coach Samson Siasia says John Obi Mikel's career has stalled at Chelsea. In the 2005 World Youth Championships in Holland, Mikel and Barcelona's Argentine Lionel Messi were regarded as the tournament's biggest stars. "You cannot compare Mikel with Lionel Messi anymore. Messi has gone very far ahead of Mikel because Mourinho changed Mikel's game by converting him from an offensive player to a defensive one," Siasia told the Daily Sun. "Mikel is no more as creative as he used to be. These days, he gets the ball and goes backwards instead of forward. He has not been as productive as he used to be. "The Mikel I trained for the WYC in Holland was an offensive midfielder. He was very good and outstanding at the Championship. He could pass the ball to strikers, create chances and shoot at goal. These days, you can count how many times Mikel shoots at goal when he is playing in the Premiership. "That's why Messi is doing better than him today. From the best player at the Junior World Cup, Messi has graduated to become the world's second best player." Former Nigeria World Cup captain Siasia also said: "(Jose) Mourinho is a different coach. He had other good players in the midfield like Frank Lampard, who can score goals even from a distance. That's why he had to play Mikel as a defensive midfielder. But I still consider him as an offensive player. He can run all day on the pitch. He played his heart out as an offensive player in Holland."

http://www.channel4.com/sport/football_italia/apr6f.html

a girl is the best player in the world lol

can you go and support celtic????????

Former Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman claims the Blues would not have lost their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Fenerbahce if Jose Mourinho was still in charge. The Serbia forward spent a year at Stamford Bridge three seasons ago under Mourinho, winning the Premier League title and Carling Cup, before moving on to Atletico Madrid and then Fenerbahce. Mourinho's successor Avram Grant has been under pressure because of his failure to win important games, with Wednesday's 2-1 defeat in Turkey the latest example. Kezman told the Daily Mail: "Under Mourinho, Chelsea were a machine - and they worked for 90 or 95 minutes without mistake or faults. "If Mourinho had been in charge of this match, of course it would have been different. "He's a very different coach, and in his time there were no surprises and no mistakes. Everything worked fantastically. They don't have the same spirit in the team any more. "We are full of confidence for the second leg. We will not show as much respect for them in London."

Gordon Strachan is a ginger cunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.chelseapies.tv/2008/04/youre_av..._you_go_45.html

Tottenham have confirmed that a Chelsea fan was arrested for making anti-semitic gestures during the recent league clash at White Hart Lane. "Chelsea are dealing with him and he will receive a life ban from Stamford Bridge," read a statement from Spurs ahead of their 4-1 defeat to Newcastle. Spurs also revealed five supporters were arrested after last week's victory over Portsmouth following an undercover operation in the South Stand of White Hart Lane. It was part of the club's attempts to combat foul, abusive or racist singing at the ground. "As a result, five fans were duly arrested for this offence," the statement continued. http://www.teamtalk.com/football/story/0,1...3367245,00.html

Chelsea boss Avram Grant has hinted he confronted Michael Ballack during the week after his poor reaction to being substituted against Arsenal last weekend. The Israeli said: "When you make a substitution sometimes the player has to suffer because you need to win the game. If we have something that we think is wrong we will deal with the situation inside the club."

Werder Bremen have made clear their interest in bringing Claudio Pizarro back to the club in the summer. The Peruvian striker has failed to make a lasting impression at Chelsea this season and has scored just two league goals since his free transfer arrival from Bayern Munich in June. His record in the Bundesliga is considerably more formidable though, given he scored 70 times in 174 games for Bayern Munich and 29 times in 56 games during his three seasons with Bremen. It looks increasingly as if Pizarro could be leaving Stamford Bridge at the end of the season following his struggles in London, and Bremen would be at the front of the queue to bring him back to the Bundesliga, according to general manager Klaus Allofs. “Claudio is an interesting player for me,” said Allofs in Bild. “A soon-to-be 30-year-old is not too old for us. We have no illusions over young players. “Financially it could be difficult but I can enquire.”

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was locked in talks with Inter Milan on Friday with the colourful coach tipped to take charge at the Italian giants next season, it was reported by Portuguese media. According to Antena 1 radio, Mourinho left Lisbon on Friday for Milan to negotiate a contract with Inter president Massimo Moratti. That was later confirmed by the Lusa news agency, quoting a source close to the Portuguese coach. The 44-year-old Mourinho is one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe after quitting Chelsea, who he led to two Premier League titles, in September last year. Current Inter coach Roberto Mancini, who has been in charge since 2004 and has a deal until 2012, said after his team's Champions League exit at the hands of Liverpool last month, that he would step down at the end of the season. However, the following day, Moratti said that Mancini had had a change of heart. http://www.soccerway.com/news/2008/March/2...inter---reports

Chelsea are to play their first ever match in China in Guangzhou in July, the English Premier League club announced on Friday. Chief Executive Peter Kenyon confirmed that the city in the south of China would host the opening match of the club's pre-season Asian tour, with Chinese Super League team Guangzhou Pharmaceutical the opposition. The match will be played in the Olympic Stadium, the venue for the 2010 Asian Games, and is currently scheduled for July 23. Kenyon said: "I am delighted that we are coming to China, and particularly to Guangzhou, for the first time. We have a lot of support there and now we can give our Chinese fans the opportunity to see us play."

Ronaldinho's 'strained' relationship with Barcelona could see the Brazilian star leave the Spanish giants in the summer, according to the player's brother and agent Roberto Assis. The 28-year-old forward's future at Camp Nou has been the subject of intense speculation over the course of the season as he has struggled for form and fitness. Milan have been strongly linked with a summer move for the former Paris Saint Germain ace, while Chelsea are also reportedly monitoring his situation. Ronaldinho came under further pressure when recent scans revealed he was not carrying a thigh injury, despite the player's claims to the contrary. And in light of his seemingly eroding relationship with Barca, Assis has revealed that he is considering invoking article 17 of Fifa's transfer regulations as the value of the release clause in his contract is thought to be prohibitively high. Criticism Article 17 allows players to buy out the remainder of their contract under certain circumstances and would likely prove a cheaper option. Assis told GloboEsporte.com: "The possibility of Ronaldinho leaving Barcelona is always there. "We are aware of the release clause, but we also know about the existence of article 17. Anything is possible. "In football, results determine how things go. Barcelona have not won anything since last season and, as Ronaldinho is the star of the team, he is the one who is given the worst criticism." Assis did not rule out the possibility of Ronaldinho moving to fierce rivals Real Madrid, saying: "It has already happened a number of times, even to big names such as Luis Figo. "However, I don't like to name specific clubs." Strained Assis added that Ronaldinho could stay at the Camp Nou should Barca lift either the Primera Liga or UEFA Champions League title come the end of the season. He said: "The relationship is strained, but imagine if Barca win the Champions League. They wouldn't let him go if he was a champion, would they? "With their hands on a title, everything would be different."

http://www.goal.com/en/Articolo.aspx?ContenutoId=637913

Chelsea will play a Malaysian all-star team in Kuala Lumpur in July as part of a two-match Asian tour. The London club will play a side comprised of the best players from the Malaysian Super League on July 29 and details of the second Asian match will be announced later today. Chelsea are confident manager Avram Grant and defender Tal Ben-Haim, both Israeli, would be given special dispensation to enter Malaysia, which does not currently have formal diplomatic relations with Israel. "There are precedents and we do not anticipate any problems so we will continue the dialogue with the Malaysian Government, through our representatives, and they have been very welcoming and helpful thus far,'' said chief executive Peter Kenyon, who pointed out that the Israeli cricket team were allowed to participate in the 1997 International Cricket Council Trophy. http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...57-2883,00.html

the famous penalty lol

Controversial ref Mike Riley is axed from the Premier League list this weekend. The Yorkshire official – who came in for heavy flak for failing to send off Chelsea’s Ashley Cole against Spurs and for not reporting Cole and team-mates for harassing him – has been handed Charlton v Wolves on Saturday and Carlisle v Notting-ham Forest three days later. It is a clear sign of the Premier League’s dissatisfaction of Riley and he looks certain to be kept away from key games for the rest of the season. The White Hart Lane 4-4 thriller was Riley’s first game back after being dropped from the Premier League list the weekend before following a poor performance in the Blackburn v Fulham game on March 8.

Chelsea are chasing Croatian hot shot Nikola Kalinic who has scored 23 goals for Hajduk Split this season. The Blues technical director Frank Arnesen has ordered checks to be made on the highly-rated 20-year-old and reports claim an £8million summer move is on the cards. Kalinic is the star of the Croatian under-21 side and although the youngster is yet to make his debut at senior level, he is tipped to do so in the near future. Hajduk Split are resigned to him leaving in the summer and Chelsea are heading the queue for his services. http://www.eatsleepsport.com/articles/710809.html

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/socc...0487/index.html