And that's why we love Salomon Kalou

[BlueLion. 21,491]

That's why we love Salomon Kalou

14th May 2011, In Articles, by Alex Hinsley

To use the most commercialised on clichés, Salomon Kalou is the football equivalent of Marmite – you either love him, or you hate him.

In truth, there is something posing a decent argument for the latter. Some Chelsea supporters think Kalou is not quite Blues quality, saying that youngsters like Gael Kakuta and Daniel Sturridge should be given the time the Ivorian has on the pitch to aid their development. Some Chelsea supporters think that he is far too inconsistent to be starting eleven material, citing his enigmatic displays in an unfamiliar position limit his usefulness.

Some Chelsea fans, therefore, are incredibly ignorant.

Not only is Kalou one of our most effective attacking players in terms of goals-per-minute on the pitch – which, this season, is better than any other player in Chelsea colours save Frank Lampard or Daniel Sturridge – but, refreshingly, his head in the right place for a footballer. Image rights, wage bills and bonuses mean little to Kalou in comparison to the bigger picture. He wouldn't trade his integrity for success on the pitch. He is a gentleman footballer who gets on the with the game. As a player, he may have his shortcomings, but as a person, there are fewer nicer people on a football pitch than the young Ivorian.

Still only 25 years old, Kalou has played more than 220 times for Chelsea Football Club (a surprisingly large percentage of which being substitute appearances) and netted fifty-five times in that time. Whilst his goalscoring exploits and tally of assists make for impressive reading in isolation, his work-rate and professional attitude to the sport is something which warms the heart when you consider no end of footballing 'superstars' bitching about playing out of position. Kalou simply gets on with it, and ultimately offers nothing short of his best in each and every match.

Though his best is sometimes unfortunately not quite good enough, such an attitude to the sport is commendable. Greater still is the fact his heart is worn quite obviously on his sleeve, and yet for a man so short of years, Kalou demonstrates a resounding maturity and a stunning ability to put football firmly into perspective as merely being the sport it is.

In 2010, Kalou opened the eponymous 'Kalou Foundation' in his native Cote d'Ivoire, which is "dedicated to providing facilities for social welfare and recreation of those who have need of such facilities by reason of youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances and also for the relief of sickness worldwide." And with his family embroiled in the Ivorian civil war, Kalou finds himself distracted by the thought of losing loved ones to turmoil and conflict. Put aside the footballer, and a wholly decent human being can be seen inside Chelsea's number 21.

His contribution on the pitch is also greatly appreciated by the majority of Chelsea fans. This season has seen him score an impressive 13 goals despite making just 23 starts, and with eight assists to his name, Kalou has also been Chelsea's most-effective impact player from the substitutes' bench; his equaliser against Everton in the FA Cup the clearest indicator of his composure in front of goal and his overall contribution to the team.

And still he is criticised by some sections of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Effective as a central striker, a second forward in a 4-4-2 or equally creative on the right wing, Kalou's sporadic form may well undermine his attempts to become a first team regular under Carlo Ancelotti – but when you consider that since his arrival at the club he has been coached by Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and our incumbent Italian tactician, Kalou has always been an integral part of the Chelsea team.

In this, his sixth season as a Chelsea player, Kalou has yet to demonstrate the exciting potential he showed at Feyenoord. Though he often hits a purple patch and excels – particularly late last season, where a hat-trick against Stoke City and a run in the side that won an unprecedented Double underlined his occasional brilliance – it cannot be denied he has yet to reach the heights his hefty price tag indicated he may well one day achieve.

Nevertheless, Kalou is a consummate professional who tries his best on and off the pitch. His excellent attitude is applied whatever position he is playing – Ancelotti could ask him to fill in at right-back and Kalou would most likely have no objections. His versatility makes him the sort of impact player who is perfect for the Blues – whether in a starting berth or from the bench as an impact substitute. Add in the fact he possesses the only bit of genuine pace and trickery with the ball any of our supposed 'wingers' have, Kalou makes for an exciting player to watch when in full flow.

And don't forget, not so long ago, he crossed the ball in from the left, and it landed right on Riise's head…

[ZanSnake 1,211]

That's why we love Salomon Kalou

14th May 2011, In Articles, by Alex Hinsley

To use the most commercialised on clichés, Salomon Kalou is the football equivalent of Marmite – you either love him, or you hate him.

In truth, there is something posing a decent argument for the latter. Some Chelsea supporters think Kalou is not quite Blues quality, saying that youngsters like Gael Kakuta and Daniel Sturridge should be given the time the Ivorian has on the pitch to aid their development. Some Chelsea supporters think that he is far too inconsistent to be starting eleven material, citing his enigmatic displays in an unfamiliar position limit his usefulness.

Some Chelsea fans, therefore, are incredibly ignorant.

Not only is Kalou one of our most effective attacking players in terms of goals-per-minute on the pitch – which, this season, is better than any other player in Chelsea colours save Frank Lampard or Daniel Sturridge – but, refreshingly, his head in the right place for a footballer. Image rights, wage bills and bonuses mean little to Kalou in comparison to the bigger picture. He wouldn't trade his integrity for success on the pitch. He is a gentleman footballer who gets on the with the game. As a player, he may have his shortcomings, but as a person, there are fewer nicer people on a football pitch than the young Ivorian.

Still only 25 years old, Kalou has played more than 220 times for Chelsea Football Club (a surprisingly large percentage of which being substitute appearances) and netted fifty-five times in that time. Whilst his goalscoring exploits and tally of assists make for impressive reading in isolation, his work-rate and professional attitude to the sport is something which warms the heart when you consider no end of footballing 'superstars' bitching about playing out of position. Kalou simply gets on with it, and ultimately offers nothing short of his best in each and every match.

Though his best is sometimes unfortunately not quite good enough, such an attitude to the sport is commendable. Greater still is the fact his heart is worn quite obviously on his sleeve, and yet for a man so short of years, Kalou demonstrates a resounding maturity and a stunning ability to put football firmly into perspective as merely being the sport it is.

In 2010, Kalou opened the eponymous 'Kalou Foundation' in his native Cote d'Ivoire, which is "dedicated to providing facilities for social welfare and recreation of those who have need of such facilities by reason of youth, age, infirmity or disability, financial hardship or social circumstances and also for the relief of sickness worldwide." And with his family embroiled in the Ivorian civil war, Kalou finds himself distracted by the thought of losing loved ones to turmoil and conflict. Put aside the footballer, and a wholly decent human being can be seen inside Chelsea's number 21.

His contribution on the pitch is also greatly appreciated by the majority of Chelsea fans. This season has seen him score an impressive 13 goals despite making just 23 starts, and with eight assists to his name, Kalou has also been Chelsea's most-effective impact player from the substitutes' bench; his equaliser against Everton in the FA Cup the clearest indicator of his composure in front of goal and his overall contribution to the team.

And still he is criticised by some sections of the Stamford Bridge faithful.

Effective as a central striker, a second forward in a 4-4-2 or equally creative on the right wing, Kalou's sporadic form may well undermine his attempts to become a first team regular under Carlo Ancelotti – but when you consider that since his arrival at the club he has been coached by Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and our incumbent Italian tactician, Kalou has always been an integral part of the Chelsea team.

In this, his sixth season as a Chelsea player, Kalou has yet to demonstrate the exciting potential he showed at Feyenoord. Though he often hits a purple patch and excels – particularly late last season, where a hat-trick against Stoke City and a run in the side that won an unprecedented Double underlined his occasional brilliance – it cannot be denied he has yet to reach the heights his hefty price tag indicated he may well one day achieve.

Nevertheless, Kalou is a consummate professional who tries his best on and off the pitch. His excellent attitude is applied whatever position he is playing – Ancelotti could ask him to fill in at right-back and Kalou would most likely have no objections. His versatility makes him the sort of impact player who is perfect for the Blues – whether in a starting berth or from the bench as an impact substitute. Add in the fact he possesses the only bit of genuine pace and trickery with the ball any of our supposed 'wingers' have, Kalou makes for an exciting player to watch when in full flow.

And don't forget, not so long ago, he crossed the ball in from the left, and it landed right on Riise's head…

:goodpost:

[Tomo 21,681]

Funny you mention this because i was thinking just the same the other day, good article

[ChelseaChick 430]

Alex I love this!

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Print a copy off and stick it on your wall if you want

[DavidEU 2,023]

Oh, its this topic again.

25 years old, 5 years at the club, 220 games - he's had his chance and opportunities and on the whole hasn't taken them. He's an impact player, and its no coincidence that 90% of Chelsea fans prioritise signing two quality wingers this summer.

What other clubs in this league would take Kalou? Certainly not the rest of the top four.

[diskoviolente 425]

Love Marmite and certainly love Kalou.

[zolayes 14,489]

Love Marmite and certainly love Kalou.

HATE Marmite ...LOVE Kalou

[BlueLion. 21,491]

Oh, its this topic again.

25 years old, 5 years at the club, 220 games - he's had his chance and opportunities and on the whole hasn't taken them. He's an impact player, and its no coincidence that 90% of Chelsea fans prioritise signing two quality wingers this summer.

What other clubs in this league would take Kalou? Certainly not the rest of the top four.

And that's what the entire article is vindicating...

[Tomo 21,681]

HATE Marmite ...LOVE Kalou

this

[Term-X 7,891]

Oh, its this topic again.

25 years old, 5 years at the club, 220 games - he's had his chance and opportunities and on the whole hasn't taken them. He's an impact player, and its no coincidence that 90% of Chelsea fans prioritise signing two quality wingers this summer.

What other clubs in this league would take Kalou? Certainly not the rest of the top four.

:goodpost:

[Shane 2,275]

:goodpost:

Yet again, TX fails to put up an argument, just saying :goodpost: and +1 rep to anyone who criticizes Kalou.

[Term-X 7,891]

I always put up an argument, that's what I'm notorious for. In this case though, DavidEU has summed it all up in one post.

Perfect.

[Shane 2,275]

I always put up an argument, that's what I'm notorious for. In this case though, DavidEU has summed it all up in one post.

Perfect.

No, your notorious for talking shite.

[Term-X 7,891]

No, your notorious for talking shite.

Hilarious.

You’re a joke, no wonder new members like henrique have already caught onto this.

[Blue Celery 0]

HATE Marmite ...LOVE Kalou

This is pretty much where I stand... well, maybe "LIKE" Kalou is more appropriate. You just have to know what your going to get out of him. As has been said, the work rate is off the charts and along with some goals, you get a ball put over the bar from inches away every now and then.

As far as not being "Chelsea quality", well I have players that are much higher up that list than Kalou is as well.

[Shane 2,275]

Hilarious.

You're a joke, no wonder new members like henrique have already caught onto this.

Lmao, Anyway this is the last post i'll make here because its wrecking the thread, and you probably have to get back to being a moderator on the biggest hip hop forum on the net

[Term-X 7,891]

Lmao, Anyway this is the last post i'll make here because its wrecking the thread, and you probably have to get back to being a moderator on the biggest hip hop forum on the net

Yea, maybe next time you shouldn't randomly insult me in a thread, and respect other peoples opinions.