Rmpr

We had that once in the forums, but I believe Jim took it out due to performances reason...

Why do people revive some horrible threads!

This is very true as well! For instance, Brazil has official supporters groups for 14 or 15 EPL clubs (plus some Championship ones) and the bigger clubs are, by far, the oldest among them (Liverpool, Arsenal and United). They were basically the only games we could watch live back in the early-mid 90s (when ESPN first arrived in Brazil), so those who followed English football back then would naturally end up cheering for one of them. Only after a while that we got the full list of live matches groups from all sorts of clubs started appearing... It is obvious that the bigger title contenders get the most attention and are the most attractive to the public. However, this is not exclusive to the International fans because the English public is also influenced by the success of the clubs. Media and TV coverage are heavily focused on the big 4-5 anywhere in the world (England included). The chance of a young English kid falling in love and start supporting a team like Chelsea is immensely higher than him choosing Barnsley United, for instance. The rules that apply to local fans when choosing a club to root for are essentially the same ones that apply to fans from other continents. However, Benches Not The Shed (horrible name by the way) just cant seem to understand that! Currently, Chelsea holds a gigantic number of Brazilian fans. Most arent REAL fans and they watch the games mainly to see our Brazilian stars or Mourinho (he is incredibly popular here), but there are also the ones who truly love the Blues and share the exact same passion as any other fan from London. Chelsea Brasil (http://chelseabrasil.com/) is rather old and is always present at the club's events and matches. They organize barbecues and pub gatherings, they write extensive articles and tactical analyses, they post news on social networks, etc. I bet they do more for the club than he does. And they are 3 thousand miles away from Chelsea! Now, it's is not just supporters from the successful teams that have official supporters group. There is an immense amount of different groups and associations related to the smaller clubs too. So you guys have an idea, some of them even organize trips from Brazil to UK to watch a couple of games live. Here is the 3 year old Fulham FC Brasil (I'll repeat, Fulham): http://fulhamfcbrasil.blogspot.com.br/search/label/Especiais?&max-results=7. They have 217 registered fans and they went to London last season with a small group of people to see 2 EPL matches (if I am not mistaken). It is not the so-called "glory hunters". Not at all!!!! I gave examples of Brazil in specific because it is where I live, but like you posted yourself, there are many similar things around the world!

Well, I dont like it either, but it ultimately doesnt matter if we like it or not. The truth is its very effective and I honestly dont believe anyone but Real Madrid has a chance of beating Bayern Munich!

He did in the Supercup because we allowed him to. However, I doubt the club will allow him to play in a UCL QF!

What? How do you mean you dont know the answer? Chelsea is a big club playing in a big league. Therefore, there are Chelsea games being transmitted into all 5 continents every now and then (fuck, maybe even in 6 if counting the scientists in Antartica). With that in mind, it is only normal for people from all around the world to fall in love with the club. Rooting for a team isnt something planned, it simply happens! The same reasons a fan in UK decides to follow Chelsea applies to the International fans. They basically watch a game and like it or feel some sort of connection. Then they start searching and learning more about the club until they feel like a they've become a real fan. After that, they keep watching the games and supporting the club (with merchandise, etc) like any other regular person. The only difference is they dont ultimately go to Stamford Bridge! It is so crystal clear that it doesnt even need explanation to be quite honest!

I guess so, but we should be wishing to draw either Olympiakos or ManUtd. It will be by far the easiest opponent in the QFs! Admitting we beat Galatasaray of course...

Atletico is such an underrated team. They will be hard to beat no matter who they face in the next round!

A Nigerian director and an American CEO as well... People like him are utterly ridiculous. The exact same kind of mentality that cause both the Holocaust and the Apartheid!!!

Are you TOPTB in disguise?

Aka. If I had a brain to formulate a reasonable argument, I would answer it. But since ai dont, I wrote this excuse. Is that really necessary?

I love the double standards of some members! I dont want Suarez nor RVP, they are cunts. However, I want Costa or Balotelli, so what they are cunts...

I ended up Goggling him, but thanks guys! I asked abut him at Lunch in my University and only ONE of my friends knew who he was. The rest went: "WHAT?", "Is it food?", "Are you high?", etc...

Mata can apply for a medal according to the FA rules! I dont think he will, Mata is too classy to do that. However, people are only discussing it because he can...

Yep, I find very weird that 5 people (from different parties) simply didnt got into the airplane but their luggages did!

It disapeared from their radar 1 hour after it took flight. Now, everybody is looking for it... Since it was going to Beijing, it most probably fell to the ocean close to Vietnam or something! Scary, 239 people are missing!

Football is desperate to exploit a gay icon... There was a rumour that the first gay Premier League footballer would be coming out this weekend. Everybody was very excited. The Football Association were no doubt on standby to organise the nationwide open-top bus tour, or for any counselling that may have been required, although the biggest danger was that the poor bloke would be patronised to death. Anyway, it didnt happen. But for an insight into how such an event would unfold, consider an extract from the Sol Campbell biography, recalling a meeting with sportswear manufacturer Puma. The Puma representative asked if Campbell was gay. No, he was told. Thats a pity, Puma replied. We were hoping you were. +20 Looking for an icon: Sol Campbell was asked by Puma if he was gay. He answered 'No' We were keen to represent the first gay international footballer. We could sell many more boots - it would be a worldwide story. Indeed it would. And maybe that, rather than any fear of reprisal, is what keeps footballers in the closet. The straight establishment wants a pet gay project only for their benefit. They want the unique selling point of footballs first gay icon to be marketed and exploited to the full. If 30 footballers came out as gay as one in a massive show of communal pride, it would be a disaster. Too much gayness. A flooded market. What are we going to do with all these queens? It is the lone gay that is sought, the saleable gay, the memorable face of the gay game and, by definition, of our marvellous, tolerant football community, too. Its still all about us really. That and the money.

I have no idea! But where is Bernard, Hulk, Hernanes, Thiago Ribeiro, etc?

Oscar is not Adriano, trust me!Adriano only had a couple of fantastic seasons because he was never able to stay sober. He is an alcoholic who has fought depression throughout his whole life. It was never his football that was the problem, but his mental and physical health due to all his off the pitch problems! Definitely nothing similar to our Oscar...

Although I agree, he also has a xerrif like Terry to play alongside him! It is not like he doesnt have any other partner (like Pique) to play with when he is in a Chelsea shirt...

Congratulations CFC. To another 109 years of glory and amazing moments!!! Lampard 203 goals 19/05/2012 Double in 09/10 Lampard penalty in 2008 2007 FA Cup Final Back-to-back titles in 04/05 and 05/06

Just because Oscar and Luiz play better for Brazil, it doesnt mean they are not giving their all at Chelsea or that club football isnt their focus! The thing is Brazil is a team with excellent chemistry and very well coached (by two WC champions, btw). It is not only our players that play better for Brazil than for their clubs, it's almost everyone: Julio Cezar, Daniel Alves, Paulinho, Neymar, Fred, etc. Everybody has upped their game when playing for Brazil lately. Now, with Mourinho and a little more experience, Oscar will certainty improve. I predict he not only will start playing in the same level for Chelsea as he does for Brazil, but he will become even better. It is what he does with us that will ultimately define him, not Brazil! Dont worry, he will come good...

Can we just ban this troll? @?

I highly doubt those numbers and sources, but even if they are true, this is not the math we should do... Finishing first or fourth has a total difference of 2.2 million pounds. The TV revenue and the other 50% that is divided equally wont change, no matter what position Chelsea finish. Counting the fact we will already be at least fourth in the EPL this season, the math that needs to be done is the difference in gain between focusing on the League or advancing in the Champions League! Now, when you see the increase in the amount of money Chelsea can make by winning and advancing in the UCL, it doesnt even compare to the Premier League. Only by reaching the QFs alone we would be increasing our revenue in more than 2.2mi pounds (which is the difference between 4th and 1st place)! So, by financially focusing on the either on league or the european cup, it is clear that the cup brings more financial benefices. It is basic math!!! Before coming with "facts", learn how to add and subtract! I agree, but that has nothing to do with the incorrect information you posted about being first in the league being economically better than advancing/winning the UCL!

Why dont you go back to Real Madrid right now? Just leave the real Chelsea fans alone...