Closed Chelsea 2-1 Benfica

[Kojo 4,676]

Just watched the match, entertaining enough.

Mikel was immense, MOTM.

He was good but let himself down 2nd half.

[HNKS 508]

Cant believe people are defending Kalou. Yes the whole squad was shit. But had Kalou made more of the chances he had (go watch the match again if you cant remember) we would have had a more comfortable second half. Plus we are fucked for the barca match. Going to get demolished.

[the Blues 11 19]

Just finished watching the game and it was definitely not one of Chelsea's better games. We're through to the final four and have an immense task in front of us.

I sure would like to see mata get some rest, he seems to be coasting and lacking in energy.

Go Blues!!!

[Kostas 1,468]

First post-match thread that I manage to fully read and post before it gets locked

Not much to add to what's been said but I agree this was a particularly poor game quality-wise both for the neutrals and from Chelsea's point of view.

Credit is due to Benfica for managing to dominate us for most of the game despite being 2 goals down, 1 man down, having half their players yellow carded thus unable to commit fully to challenges plus having no regognised central defenders in the game. On the other hand it's a mess that they got themselves into by giving away a pretty needless penalty, and losing their nerve for the rest of the game over a decision on which the most vocal of them did not have a good view of. Their manager has got to be as much responsible as the card-happy ref for his team's ill-discipline and constant pathetic attitute.

As far as we're concerned we can only hope that we'll be at the very least 200% better in the games versus Barcelona or we're in for some embarrasment. They only possitive I can keep from this game is not letting Benfica create many clear-cut chances. Given how many factors went against the Portuguese there's no denying that defending well as a team was not good enough.

____________________________________________________________________________________________

Kalou was especially hopeless today. I really don't understand how he even became a professional footballer. So brainless. Work rate is fine blah blah but footballing wise he is dreadful

While I can't dissagree with any other part of that post I have my doubts about stupidity being one of his weaknesses(the how he got into professional football has been bugging me for quite some time, my guess would be nepotism with his brother in the begining and then Drogba helping him achieve much greater recognition than his ability ever would)

With all of Kalou supposed advantages being little more than myths (e.g. decent score-rate, pace) it may actually be his footballing intelligence that has helped him being occasionally useful to his coaches.

Thursday's match was a fine example of how he successfuly gets himself into positions from where any player could potentially do harm but ultimately fails to contribute.

Despite him having acres of space like Mata and Torres he did arguably get into better positions than any of our other forwards partly due to him not being as closely marked (a very frequent theme in his Chelsea career) but also partly because he made his runs into the correct space,only to be later let down by his technique. The same goes for his defending where his only real advantage over our other forwards (workrate) is enhanced by smart rather than desperate positioning.

It is actually when he has the ball that he looks the dumber as he has to constantly look at the ground to figure where his touch moved the ball and 7-8/10 times dissapoints with either his choice of his inability to execute it.

Ok, give him to us!

I can only assume the following:

a) You have not seen over 10 games of him.

b ) You have not been following the Premierleague or Chelsea's not-quite-big-games very closely for the past 5 years.

c) You are not aware of his wage demands, and more importantly how do they compare to that of other similar (in either role/ability) strikers in Europe.

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

Kalou was poor, can't help but think that if someone like Hazard was in the positions and had the chances that Kalou had he would make something out of it. These types of Matches really remind you of how players lile Kalou dont belong in our team.

Anyway mediocre performance in terms of skill and quality, but don't really care, we got through, Fuck Jorge Jesus that sore loser. For the Barcelona gama we are not only going to have to play at top gear, but perhaps create a whole new gear to go to lol. The players will have to play the best 2 games of their life to have any chance of beating Barca. I'm sure Di Matteo will show them the Milan vs Barca games, especially the first leg where Milan were pretty well organised and kept Barca scoreless. We need to be moving the ball quicker and with more purpose against Barca

[francozola 2,040]

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.

It's over-the-top, yes, but it's not scapegoating. It's just a recognition of what a horrible footballer he is and I don't think that's unfair. He has no footballing brain and he screws a lot of moves up due to his lack of ability or common sense.

Most people recognize that he works hard for the team and I think most people, like me, would rather see him playing than Malouda. But it's not a Malouda v Kalou debate, because both are utter shit right now. And to be fair to Malouda - for two seasons he was one of the best wingers in the world. Kalou has always been Kalou.

Usually after games I go a little crazy and say things I don't mean but I still stand by what I said re: Kalou.

I like him as a person and he has scored a lot of important goals for this club, but it's truly unbelievable that he's still here at the club. Can you imagine us giving Sinclair, Tore or some other youngster these chances? Or buying some young, talented and hungry player to take his place....

While I can't dissagree with any other part of that post I have my doubts about stupidity being one of his weaknesses(the how he got into professional football has been bugging me for quite some time, my guess would be nepotism with his brother in the begining and then Drogba helping him achieve much greater recognition than his ability ever would)

With all of Kalou supposed advantages being little more than myths (e.g. decent score-rate, pace) it may actually be his footballing intelligence that has helped him being occasionally useful to his coaches.

Thursday's match was a fine example of how he successfuly gets himself into positions from where any player could potentially do harm but ultimately fails to contribute.

Despite him having acres of space like Mata and Torres he did arguably get into better positions than any of our other forwards partly due to him not being as closely marked (a very frequent theme in his Chelsea career) but also partly because he made his runs into the correct space,only to be later let down by his technique. The same goes for his defending where his only real advantage over our other forwards (workrate) is enhanced by smart rather than desperate positioning.

It is actually when he has the ball that he looks the dumber as he has to constantly look at the ground to figure where his touch moved the ball and 7-8/10 times dissapoints with either his choice of his inability to execute it.

He's just an awful footballer who has compensated for his lack of actual football talent (ability to make passes, etc) by developing the skills that he does have which is instinct on where to run, pace, and... thats about it lol.

[Jase 43,479]

It's over-the-top, yes, but it's not scapegoating. It's just a recognition of what a horrible footballer he is and I don't think that's unfair. He has no footballing brain and he screws a lot of moves up due to his lack of ability or common sense.

Most people recognize that he works hard for the team and I think most people, like me, would rather see him playing than Malouda. But it's not a Malouda v Kalou debate, because both are utter shit right now. And to be fair to Malouda - for two seasons he was one of the best wingers in the world. Kalou has always been Kalou.

Usually after games I go a little crazy and say things I don't mean but I still stand by what I said re: Kalou.

I like him as a person and he has scored a lot of important goals for this club, but it's truly unbelievable that he's still here at the club. Can you imagine us giving Sinclair, Tore or some other youngster these chances? Or buying some young, talented and hungry player to take his place....

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?!

[Strike 7,489]

It's over-the-top, yes, but it's not scapegoating. It's just a recognition of what a horrible footballer he is and I don't think that's unfair. He has no footballing brain and he screws a lot of moves up due to his lack of ability or common sense.

Most people recognize that he works hard for the team and I think most people, like me, would rather see him playing than Malouda. But it's not a Malouda v Kalou debate, because both are utter shit right now. And to be fair to Malouda - for two seasons he was one of the best wingers in the world. Kalou has always been Kalou.

Usually after games I go a little crazy and say things I don't mean but I still stand by what I said re: Kalou.

I like him as a person and he has scored a lot of important goals for this club, but it's truly unbelievable that he's still here at the club. Can you imagine us giving Sinclair, Tore or some other youngster these chances? Or buying some young, talented and hungry player to take his place....

He's just an awful footballer who has compensated for his lack of actual football talent (ability to make passes, etc) by developing the skills that he does have which is instinct on where to run, pace, and... thats about it lol.

He is an AWFUL footballer. I give you that. Lack of technique blah blah blah. But he is a good rotation option. Can play wing, can play attack, not a Bad header, okayish pace and has a much better goals per game ratio than our other strikers (0.6 to 0.2 if you are wondering) but he should not play big games. Especially not a Champions League quarter final second leg when we are looking to kill of a tie. Sturridge should have played ahead of Kalou for the Benfica game.

What is ideal for Kalou is this weekend's game against Wigan. He has a knack of scoring against small teams

As for next season, should he be there? or should he be replaced by someone with more pace and trickery? i think he should be let go. Next season, even our bench strength should be greater and He has had so many chances(since 2006!) to establish himself and never took it. (I know Capri will disagree, though)

[Strike 7,489]

can we swap Torres for Grant Holt?

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

He is an AWFUL footballer. I give you that. Lack of technique blah blah blah. But he is a good rotation option. Can play wing, can play attack, not a Bad header, okayish pace and has a much better goals per game ratio than our other strikers (0.6 to 0.2 if you are wondering) but he should not play big games. Especially not a Champions League quarter final second leg when we are looking to kill of a tie. Sturridge should have played ahead of Kalou for the Benfica game.

What is ideal for Kalou is this weekend's game against Wigan. He has a knack of scoring against small teams

As for next season, should he be there? or should he be replaced by someone with more pace and trickery? i think he should be let go. Next season, even our bench strength should be greater and He has had so many chances(since 2006!) to establish himself and never took it. (I know Capri will disagree, though)

Its better if he leaves in the summer because there is no chance of him being a regular starter next season.I am not sure what Chelsea will do with Kakuta next season but if they choose to keep him and give him chances to play in the first team then the absence of Kalou will surely boost his chances of succeeding.Then again we have KDB,who IMO should be a regular starter next season as he is perfect for that left winger role but the board have already predetermined his fate and will most likely loan him out to a la liga or premiership side.

Also,Chelsea must decide if they are going to sign yet another winger in the summer,a winger such as Hazard or Hulk who have both proven their world class ability to the whole world.

There is also the factor of where Kalou will go if he leaves Chelsea.Reports have said Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in him but I personally wouldn't want him to leave us for a rival club but knowing that Chelsea were ready offer 40m+Kalou for Modric shows that they don't really care.

[Strike 7,489]

Its better if he leaves in the summer because there is no chance of him being a regular starter next season.I am not sure what Chelsea will do with Kakuta next season but if they choose to keep him and give him chances to play in the first team then the absence of Kalou will surely boost his chances of succeeding.Then again we have KDB,who IMO should be a regular starter next season as he is perfect for that left winger role but the board have already predetermined his fate and will most likely loan him out to a la liga or premiership side.

Also,Chelsea must decide if they are going to sign yet another winger in the summer,a winger such as Hazard or Hulk who have both proven their world class ability to the whole world.

There is also the factor of where Kalou will go if he leaves Chelsea.Reports have said Arsenal and Liverpool are interested in him but I personally wouldn't want him to leave us for a rival club but knowing that Chelsea were ready offer 40m+Kalou for Modric shows that they don't really care.

Kalou would fit perfectly at Liverpool

[Blue Armour 4,439]

can we swap Torres for Grant Holt?

Imagine if we did do that, and he flopped as well...we wouldn't even be able to say: "Form is temporary,. class is forever". Still.... I guess he wouldn't be labelled a 50 mill flop...

[Justin_3d 1,140]