the wes

Milan captain Paolo Maldini has welcomed suggestions that Andriy Shevchenko could be on his way back to the Rossoneri. The Ukraine star has failed to impress at Stamford Bridge following his £30 million transfer in the summer of 2006 and has scored only eight goals in 41 Premier League appearances. After being relegated to the club’s reserves recently, there have been suggestions that a return to Milan could be on the cards for a player who scored a much more impressive 127 goals in 208 Serie A games. And Maldini, who could well postpone his retirement and play another season at San Siro, would certainly welcome his former colleague back with open arms. “At Milan there is always space for those who have done a lot,” explained Maldini. “There is always room for those who have left a mark on the club’s history.” Midfielder Massimo Ambrosini also feels that Shevchenko would be a useful addition to a team that has lost Ronaldo to a long-term knee injury. “We cannot decide these things,” said Ambrosini. “I can only say that Sheva is a friend and that we will welcome him with enthusiasm if he were to leave London.”

we need a big clearout just not good enough? 1.Shevchenko needs to piss off to ac milan 2.sidwell is crap 3.ben haim is not good enough 4.balllack is balllocks 5.Pizarro is a tosser like avram grant :thumbsdown: 6.Malouda runs about like a headless chicken :censored: 7.avram grant the ball boy is a better manager than avram grant 8.swp is not good enough too the people we need to bring in : Daniel Alves Ricardo Quaresma Lucho Gonzalez Karim Benzema Rafael van der Vaart

mark hughes is a brilliant manager

Chelsea are considering a sensational offer to former Real Madrid and Barcelona star Michael Laudrup to become their first team coach next season if Avram Grant is elevated to a more senior administrative role. Tentative unofficial inquiries have already been made about whether the 43-year-old former Danish international would be available and interested in moving to Stamford Bridge. Laudrup is currently coaching Getafe in Madrid, who scored a spectacular UEFA Cup victory over Benfica in Lisbon on Thursday night and beat Tottenham 2-1 at White Hart Lane earlier in the tournament. He took over the club from current Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster and has guided them to the semi-final of the Copa del Rey, where they hold a two-goal advantage over Real Santander going into the second leg. After a distinguished playing career with Juventus, Barcelona and Real Madrid and being voted Denmark's bestever player, Laudrup had a spell as assistant coach with the national team before spending four years coaching Brondby, taking the Danish side to a cupleague double in 2005. After a fall-out with Brondby over his contract renewal, he was linked with a number of clubs including Real Madrid before he moved to Getafe last July where he has attracted the interest of several top European clubs, including Chelsea. He would have a powerful ally at Chelsea in chief talent scout Frank Arnesen — a fellow Dane who, like Laudrup, was born in Copenhagen. Laudrup's name has become associated with Chelsea after manager Grant's defeat in the Carling Cup Final against Tottenham, which is expected to see another shake-up of the coaching staff this summer. Grant and his assistant Henk ten Cate were appointed following the departure of Jose Mourinho earlier in the season, but the Dutch coach is already under scrutiny after his heated argument with captain John Terry the day before the final. Ten Cate appears to be succumbing to the pressure after bizarrely blaming the British media for his problems. He said: "The British decided not to publish the story about me and John Terry the next day. But we lost the Carling Cup Final against Tottenham Hotspur and that was what they were waiting for. It was so childish of them and it was not the first incident. When I first arrived here, it was suggested that I was forbidding the players to laugh. I did say something about that to the whole squad. "I said to the players, there is a time when you can laugh and there is a time when you have to work hard. Those words to the squad were taken out of proportion. 'What does irritate me is when players from a squad deliberately leak stuff from within the changing room." Speaking to De Telegraaf newspaper in Holland, Ten Cate added: "We are doing well yet the pressure here is enormous. As a manager you can't look ahead. You can't afford to lose a game."

we have to win the F.A. cup now

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