the wes

i love the new home kit its a classic nice one

Chelsea have joined forces with a Chinese television show in a "search for a star" competition, the Premier League club said in a statement on Monday. The "Super Soccer Star" show will be broadcast in the southern province of Guangdong in April with the four finalists winning a trip to Chelsea's academy later in the year. Football schools and coaches across the Guangdong province will send their most promising 14 to 16-year-olds to take part in the selection process over 13 episodes of the show. Chelsea's involvement is the latest club project in China designed to promote grass roots football in the country. The London club is already the official football development partner of the Asian Football Confederation's Vision China project that aims to set up 10 city leagues in China. "The show complements our involvement in Vision China with the AFC as well as showcasing Chelsea to a large audience and we look forward to hosting the finalists of Super Soccer Star in England," said Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon.

BIG-TWO Chelsea and Manchester United are hot on America's latest soccer whizkid Jozy Altidore. The Premier League giants, along with Manchester City, are all checking striker Altidore, 18, who is wowing crowds watching New York Red Bulls. In 18 months in the MSL, Altidore has grabbed 13 goals in 33 appearances for Red Bulls and hit 19 goals in 25 games for the you.S. Under-17s. Jozy, whose parents are from Haiti, scored on his senior debut in a friendly against Mexico three months ago. Altidore is regarded as a better prospect than Freddy Adu, who had a trial with United before joining Benfica last season.

BLACKBURN plan a £5million swoop for Chelsea's outcast midfielder Steve Sidwell. Rovers boss Mark Hughes believes he can lure the 25-year-old away from the Blues, where his chances have been limited. Sidwell moved to Stamford Bridge on a free last summer but wants regular first-team football. Sparky might face a challenge from Newcastle for Sidwell's signature as Toon boss Kevin Keegan was a big fan of the player when he was in charge at Manchester City.

ANDRIY SHEVCHENKO has announced his intention to quit Chelsea and make an emotional return to AC Milan. The Ukraine striker, who joined the Blues for £29.5million two years ago, has failed to repeat the world-class form he displayed for the Italian club, where he served for seven years. Shevvy — who is looking for a home in Milan — told pals: "I will be returning to end my career with the club that has been like a family to me." Shevchenko collected Champions League, Serie A and Italian Cup winner's medals with Milan but has managed just eight Premier League goals since arriving at Stamford Bridge.

i am in shock

two former west ham players hahahahahahahaha :thumbsup:

(Property of Carefree Chris @ www.carefreechris.com)

Cudicini will always be remember by Chelsea fans

The Brazilian superstar has extended his AC Milan contract until 2013 “Ricky has repeatedly declared that he wants to become a symbol of this side,” vice-president Adriano Galliani told the club website. “He already is that and also the best player in the world and now he has decided to tie himself to the Diavolo. “This contract is for the rest of his career and I hope that if he is still playing in 2013 that we will be able to get him to sign another one. "This is good news for all Milan fans.

Carlo Cudicini has revealed the main reason he is still at Stamford Bridge is due to the fantastic support he has received from the Chelsea supporters. The Italian keeper has found himself in the shadow of current number one Petr Cech since the Czech international's arrival in London. Cudicini admitted the arrival of both Cech and Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2004 has seen him fall down the pecking order, however he paid tribute to a man he describes as 'the best in the world' in his position. "I didn't have a great pre-season and that was when Petr impressed the manager and he decided to give him the first game of the season against Manchester United, which for me was a great shock," Cudicini told the club's official website. "From then Petr played well, he deserved to be in the team and he is the best goalkeeper in the world." Despite finding himself a regular on the substitutes' bench the 34-year-old admits his frustration has been eased by the fantastic support he receives from the Blues faithful. "The supporters are probably one of the biggest reasons [i stayed]," said Cudicini. "Of course it was difficult to sit on the bench every game but when I had the chance, the supporters gave me great confidence and help. "Still now when I play I hear them behind me, chanting my name - after nine years I feel shivers and a great feeling when I play."

Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard will reject any offer to join Chelsea in order to stay with the Catalan club, according to his brother and agent Herman Rijkaard. Reports in the British and Spanish press on Thursday suggested the former AC Milan star was wanted by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to replace under-fire Avram Grant and lead a new revolution at the club. Grant's future at the club has been in doubt after Chelsea's defeat to Tottenham in the Carling Cup final, while speculation over Frank Rijkaard's Barca future has been rife for some time. In October, there were reports the Dutchman would follow his former assistant at Barca, Henk Ten Cate, to the Blues. However, a recent upturn in form at Barcelona has led to his agent making it clear his brother is not interested in quitting his contract, which expires at the end of next season, early. He told the Independent: "Frank Rijkaard will not sign for Chelsea. "Things are going well for him at the moment at Barcelona. It's his fifth year at the club and everything's going well at the minute. "The team is growing and if things continue like this they could win the league. "Frank has decided to see out his contract." On Wednesday Barcelona president Joan Laporta told a press conference in Spain he had spoken to Frank Rijkaard about his future plans and was confident the coach will stay in Spain. "I asked Frank if he still had the same motivation and passion as before and he told me 'more so'," said Laporta. When asked how long he would like to see Frank Rijkaard stay at the helm, Laporta replied: "As long as he wants to."

i like Scolari the reason why is because he's got balls not scared to drop big players and he's got a good record has a manager too and he won the world cup

Avram Grant came under further pressure last night after sources close to Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard confirmed that he would consider an offer to manage Chelsea. Sportsmail revealed Chelsea's interest in Rijkaard last October and yesterday the word was that he will quit Barca at the end of the season. Although Grant still has the backing of owner Roman Abramovich, his position is under close scrutiny following Sunday's Carling Cup Final loss to Tottenham. Grant is expected to be replaced unless he wins one of the four big trophies this season and the club's attentions are returning to Rijkaard. The Dutchman has won the Spanish league twice and the Champions League in 2006, while his team is widely regarded as the most entertaining in Europe. He has just over a year left on his contract and had originally intended to take a 12-month sabbatical after five years at the Nou Camp. But a source close to Rijkaard confirmed yesterday that he would consider shelving those plans if the Chelsea job becomes available. He said: 'Frank is leaving Barcelona at the end of the season. That has always been the plan and at the moment it is 100 per cent that he will. 'The only thing that could change his mind is if they win the title or the European Cup again and then there would be a decision to be made. ' He's got a year left at Barcelona but in the past he has always said Chelsea are a big club. Of course he would be interested if the job became available.' Rijkaard is coveted by Abramovich and is understood to be one of two names under consideration, with AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti also in the frame. Ancelotti and Rijkaard are two of only five people to win the European Cup as players and managers, but the Dutchman is the preferred candidate. Rijkaard began his coaching career at Sparta Rotterdam and although they were relegated for the first time in their history, he worked in every area of the club, including the ticketing and marketing offices as part of an internship while he was studying for his UEFA coaching qualifications. It is his commitment to attacking football that has drawn envious glances from Stamford Bridge. He is also ruthless with his senior players and he demonstrated that streak in last night's Copa del Rey semi-final against Valencia by leaving Ronaldinho out of his squad. Reputations count for little with Rijkaard and he has become one of Europe's most sought-after coaches. If Chelsea replace Grant at the end of the season, Rijkaard can expect the call to transform their fortunes. Chelsea first- team coach Henk Ten Cate worked with Rijkaard in Barcelona's European Cup-winning season but his hardline reputation has failed to impress senior Chelsea players. There are various factions forming in the dressing-room but John Terry is determined to rekindle the spirit that made them so successful under Jose Mourinho. It was Ten Cate's involvement last week that led to an altercation with Terry but the Dutch coach may yet have allies in the Chelsea dressing room. Chelsea sources revealed yesterday that assistant Steve Clarke and the highly regarded first- team coach Brendan Rogers take most training sessions, while Ten Cate is responsible for 'team shape'. In complete contrast to his predecessor Mourinho, Grant simply watches from the sidelines and rarely has any input. Chelsea begin their recovery programme against West Ham on Saturday but the players are not convinced Grant has the stature to turn their season around. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/arti...amp;ito=newsnow

Sevilla fullback Daniel Alves has put Premiership clubs on notice. "I know the only thing that can happen is that I will leave Sevilla," said the Brazilian. "I would like to continue to grow, but what I want is to do this by mutual agreement among everyone and to leave through the front door." Chelsea have been long admirers of Alves, however the Sevilla defender was also watched by a high-ranking Manchester United scout last weekend. tribalfootball.com

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich won't bomb Avram Grant out of the club should he decide he is not the man for the manager's job at the end of this season. The Independent says if he is replaced as manager, he will be offered the opportunity to return to the role he first took at Chelsea - as the director of football. http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=80656

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is being linked with investment in Australian football. Perth press reports suggest that a $1.6 billion steel deal has been struck by one of Abramovich's companies in West Australia, which could lead to the Russian billionaire also throwing cash at Australian football. Abramovich has pumped Russia coach Guus Hiddink for information on Australia's football potential as Chelsea continue their global plans. Indeed, Chelsea's push into Asia will continue to gather pace this summer with plans for a tour of China, though sponsors Samsung would prefer them to play three games in South Korea.

i would like to see zola has Chelsea Football Director it would nice to see

m8 your 100% right about avram grant the man for the Chelsea job in my eyes is Luiz Felipe Scolari

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/mi...he_black_1.html

Avram Grant believes that Chelsea have progressed since he took over from Jose Mourinho early in the season. "This season the team weren't playing so well, and after a traumatic night against Rosenborg at home, I replaced Jose. My first priority was to build a staff to get the best from the players, which is what I did (principally by recruiting the Dutch coach, Henk ten Cate, from Ajax)," he told the Sunday Times. "I kept the good things, but changed the staff and the training, and we are moving forward. Almost all the players are better than they were and I am proud because it shows we're working correctly." Asked if Chelsea has improved since Mourinho's departure, Grant said: "You always try to compare with the past. "I don't like to, but there are a few things we are doing that are different." Such as? "We try to pass the ball more than to play long balls. I believe you need to play at a quick tempo, and sometimes that means a long ball, but I see it as the alternative solution. I prefer to build from the back." http://talkingsoccer.blogspot.com/2008/02/...better-now.html

Manager Avram Grant wants Chelsea to appoint a director of football - the role he filled at Stamford Bridge before succeeding Jose Mourinho. Grant left Portsmouth to become Chelsea's director of football in July before taking over as manager two months later. But Grant has no fears about a new man coming in. "It would be easier for me," he said in The People. "There are many things for a coach to do. The director can help him a lot. I know that from my time in that position at Portsmouth."

i hope avram grant stops rotation because it dosent work look at rafa the wanker!!!!!!!!

Chelsea boss Avram Grant insists he wants to keep midfielder Frank Lampard. "We want to keep him and he wants to stay, we've agreed to discuss it (Lampard's contract) in the summer. I do not deal with these things, but I also expressed my opinion," said Grant.