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Best Chelsea White Hart Lane Demolition Jobs

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

Today marks the end of football at White Hart Lane demolition starting just hours after their game against Manchester United.

This is understandably an emotional day for Spurs fans, your home ground is a special place, hallowed ground where you watch your team through thick and thin. The stadium may be bricks and mortar but to fans, it is so much more.

With the changes to Stamford Bridge slowly getting closer, it may not be long until we undergo the same ritual at Stamford Bridge.

That does not mean that we cannot have a little bit of fun. As Spurs draw a curtain on White Hart Lane, we thought we would reflect on the positive experiences Chelsea fans have a

At 31 years old our memories of White Hart Lane have mainly been when Chelsea have had the ascendancy over Tottenham. Even in the early to mid 90’s when Tottenham were above Chelsea in the league, the Blues had our north London rivals number.

From 1990 we went 12 years without defeat against Spurs in any competition and sixteen in the league.

So with this in mind here are three games from the last 25 years that stick in our mind when thinking about Chelsea at White Hart Lane.

Best Chelsea White Hart Lane Demolition Jobs

Six one at the Lane 1997

We start with a classic from the 1996/1997 season where Chelsea went to White Hart Lane with Christian Gross in charge. This was a proper demolition job as we won 6-1 at the lane!

4-0 – 2002

In the 2002 FA Cup Quarter Final Chelsea thumped four nil in a commanding performance. Goals from William Gallas, Eidur Gudjohnsen (x2) and Graeme Le Saux giving the Chelsea fans in the away end plenty to celebrate.

4-2 Oct 2012

A game months after Chelsea had become the first team in London to lift the European Cup, it was a great opportunity to remind Spurs fans that this cost them a place in the Champions League.

Chelsea took the lead but goals from former Blue William Gallas and Jermain Defoe put Spurs ahead after 54 minutes.

Juan Mata roared back though scoring twice in 3 minutes to give Chelsea a 3-2 lead, in the final moments Sturridge secured the points to make it 4-2. Here is a low-quality video of the third goal by Juan Mata.

Mastermind Conte Has Taken Premier League by Storm

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

After a terrible 10th place finish last season nobody thought that with three games remaining this year they would be able to say Chelsea look like winning the title this time around. The team needs just one win so it is likely Antonio Conte will lift the trophy.


“”Conte nuovo “allenatore” della Nazionale. È tutto oro quello che luccica?”” by Nazionale Calcio (CC BY 2.0)

Conte has done exceptionally well in his debut season in England and it’s obvious why. After Chelsea suffered consecutive defeats to Arsenal and Liverpool back in September Conte made the switch to a 3-4-3 formation. The tactics have proven to be very successful as Chelsea have lost three games from the 29 fixtures since those losses and are now favourites in Premier League winner odds.

The use of 3-4-3 has allowed players like Victor Moses to flourish. Conte brought Moses back into the squad and put him in a wing-back role, which lets Moses to play freely, he never has to defend too much and can focus on using his pace and strength going forward as a winger.

Moses is also able to attack so much thanks to the players behind him. Conte brought back David Luiz for his second stint with the club and many people a lot of people questioned the decision. He looked a liability at the back when he played in a formation with two centre backs, but with the 3-4-3 he can rely on other players for back-up.


“David Luiz” by Ronnie Macdonald (CC BY 2.0)

Luiz can thank Gary Cahill and Cesar Azpilicueta for helping him out at the back. The latter has been shifted from a right-back to a left-back and now from a left-back to a centre-back during his time at Chelsea. Conte has moved Azpilicueta into a central role and the Spaniard seems at home in the position, proving to be vital as he has played every game this season and pushed John Terry out of contention.

Conte has been a mastermind in the transfer market as well as the switch in tactics. Along with bringing Luiz back, Conte has strengthened his midfield and signed Premier League winner N’Golo Kante, who won this term’s PFA Player of the Year.

Kante made his mark on the Premier League last season with Leicester and continued his form this year. He has kept Fabregas out of the starting XI on a number of occasions. His intense running and brilliant reading of the game have been vital for Conte’s side.

Nobody can deny that Conte has been tactility brilliant, but not having to play in Europe has been massive. However, a lot of teams in the Premier League don’t play in Europe and still don’t manage to get near the top of the table – Conte has managed it because he has a consistent squad.

Conte has used the same starting eleven for almost every game, he has kept his squad small and played the best 11 players he possibly can every week. There’s been no need to rest players for mid-week games and that has given Conte’s selections for weekend fixtures the biggest chance of winning.

Should the Blues keep Fabregas?

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

Cesc Fabregas has earned a reputation as one of the best playmakers in world football. Despite falling down the pecking order under Antonio Conte at Stamford Bridge this year, Chelsea’s recent 3-0 victory over Middlesbrough saw Fabregas become the first player to register 10 or more assists in six different seasons.

Every time he creates a goal, he is serendaded by Chelsea fans with the ‘Fabregas Is Magic’ chant. Having been handed something of a rare start, the Spain international took his tally for the year to 11, laying on Diego Costa’s 23rd minute opener before setting up Nemanja Matic just after the hour mark.

Now sitting second in the all-time Premier League assists charts on 106 assists, second only to Ryan Giggs, who has 162. Fabregas also cut the gap between himself and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne, who leads the charts this season with 15. Considering his limited game time this season, the fact he is only four assists behind De Bruyne, who has started more than 30 league matches for City, highlights just how instrumental Fabregas continues to be when he is on the pitch.

While the likes of Diego Costa, now 16/1 to finish as the league’s top goalscorer for anyone looking to take advantage of a free bet before the end of the season, will be disappointed to see such a creative player leave the club – not everyone is convinced Fabregas should still be at the club next season. One of the higher earners in a squad containing a number of midfield options, and now on the wrong side of 30, Chelsea fans appear to want him to stay but it remains to be seen whether the club share their feelings.


Cesc Fàbregas / Цеск Фабрега” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Aleksandr Osipov

Credentials

There aren’t many players in the Premier League who have achieved as much as Fabregas, both domestically and internationally. As well as lifting trophies at all three of his professional clubs, including the FA Cup with Arsenal, La Liga with Barcelona, the Premier League with Chelsea – oh, and the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. One consistent throughout his career has been the number of assists he is responsible for. Fabregas led the Premier League in 2007/08 for Arsenal with 17 assists, going better in 2014-15 when he notched up 18 assists in his first season with Chelsea.

via GIPHY

Season Struggles

In his first two seasons at Stamford Bridge following his move from Barcelona, Fabregas was a key member of Chelsea’s midfield, starting over 30 league games in both campaigns. Since Conte’s arrival last summer, though, the Spaniard has found game time increasingly hard to come by. While he hasn’t been helped by a month-long injury absence earlier in the year, Conte has overlooked Fabregas for much of the season in favour of Matic and N’Golo Kante. Now 30, the midfielder won’t be satisfied with another year as a bit-part player, and Fabregas’ future at Stamford Bridge is far from clear.

John Terry, Asmir Begović, Nemanja Mati” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Aleksandr Osipov

Future Options

With such an established reputation in English football, it’s no surprise that a number of Premier League clubs are believed to be taking an interest in Fabregas. Realistically, only a handful of English clubs would be able to offer the midfielder the sort of contract he would command, of which a couple will be among those closely monitoring Fabregas’ situation. Jose Mourinho, who signed the Spain international in 2015 as Chelsea boss, could definitely do with a player like Fabregas at Manchester United, but it seems unlikely we would sell to a rival.  Liverpool are expected to be in the race to sign the playmaker if Chelsea

So it is possible Liverpool is an option as they are expected to be in the race to sign the playmaker if Chelsea do make him available.

So, should he stay or should he go?

If Fabregas was five years younger or simply happy to play a bit-part role, this would be a no brainer. At this stage of his career, though, and with midfielders being linked with summer moves to Stamford Bridge in the summer, Fabregas isn’t going to find game time any easier to come by next season. After admitting he hasn’t been happy with his lack of regular action this year, it doesn’t benefit anyone to have an unhappy player in the squad. If there is any way the club could convince Fabregas to stay, though, they really should. Players like Fabregas don’t come around very often, and replacing him would be a tough, if not impossible, job.

Chelsea v Crystal Palace – No Longer A Key Moment

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

At the end of the football season, clubs go back at the games across the season and analyse the key moments where a momentum shift took place. These can include a late penalty, a shock win or a surprise loss, anything which can affect confidence, momentum or the table.

One of the potentially defining moments of the 2016/2017 title race was the Chelsea v Crystal Palace game. Crystal Palace who are sponsored by Mansion Group (who manage many other football teams and corporations like Casino.com), took a gamble in December by appointing former England manager Sam Allardyce.

His side were in trouble coming in to the game at Stamford Bridge.

The game was expected to be a simple Chelsea victory against struggling London rivals, but we got a shock to our system.

The defeat meant that the odds of a Spurs title victory came down significantly and a run of Tottenham victories really started to pile the pressure on.

Chelsea v Crystal Palace

Chelsea took an early lead through Cesc Fabregas but were stunned by goals from Christian Benteke and Wilfred Zaha after just ten minutes. These goals set a platform that a well drilled Sam Allardyce side were able to hold on to for a memorable victory. just minutes later

Victory over Middlesbrough means that we are just one win away from lifting the Premier League title. Things looked a little less certain just a few weeks ago after the Chelsea v Crystal Palace game when an expected procession became a battle.

A win that Crystal Palance badly needed, but that threw everything else wide open.

Chelsea then had high-pressure games against Manchester City at home and Manchester United and Everton away.

Defeat to Manchester United pulled things even closer but the wins over City and Everton closed what many assumed would be open doors for Tottenham to close the door.

Fortunately, we are unlikely to look back on this game as a chance missed. It would need a few colossally bad moments to prevent Antonio Conte’s side lifting the Premier League trophy.

Spurs Bottling It

Did “Spurs Bottling It’ Really Happen? – No Conte’s Team Earned The Title

By Chelsea News4 Comments

After Spurs lost to West Ham and we beat Middlesbrough to put the Premier League just one win away from our grasp there has been lots of laughing and taunting of Tottenham.

The hope is what kills you in football and after an impressive run, Spurs fans were full of hope before the start of the weekend.

Despite probably their best season in 50 years all they can claim from this season is the comfort of “putting the pressure on”

Spurs Bottling It

 

Spurs Bottling It Did Not Happen

However, the loss against West Ham is not evidence of “Spurs Bottling It”, one because they won 8 games in a row to create a title race.

They did not “lose” the Premier League in defeat to West Ham they did it by failing to gain enough points in the previous 34 games.

I will admit that after they cut the gap to four points with the FA Cup Semi-Final on the horizon there were some nerves starting to set in. Only after the reverse this weekend have we been able to relax.

The main complaint of the “Spurs Bottling It” claim is the suggestion that the Blues did not earn their position and it was handed to them.

This is not true, after losing to Arsenal in October, Chelsea went on to be the most consistent team in the league equalling the league record for consecutive victories.

Spurs may have ended that run and had one of their own, but they fell short due to the relenting success of the Conte machine.

Conte revolutionised the league with a new formation and approach to the game that others are still trying to adapt to and bring into their own games.

So whilst it is always time to laugh at Tottenham, let’s not call them bottlers, let’s just stick to calling them an inferior side that has never won the Premier League.

 

Buy Chelsea Tickets

2016/2017 – Hardest Season To Buy Chelsea Tickets?

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

To buy Chelsea tickets you have always in the last decade needed to think ahead and plan carefully. This season though things have escalated to a new level, and it may have been the hardest season to buy Chelsea tickets yet.

Getting Chelsea Tickets

Getting Chelsea tickets is a mix of planning and early starts to try and keep ahead of the terrifying “virtual waiting room”. The screen that meets fans when trying to buy tickets for games that are in demand.

Many times we have been trying to buy tickets but not got further than that dreaded screen that seems to take an age to refresh or take you to the all important purchase page.

Increasingly this year even intense planning and commitment has not been enough to secure tickets. Particularly for games away from home where tickets seem to sell out the moment the clock strikes 7am.

Too many times we have had to rely on connections to get the tickets we want.

Causes Of Problems Wanting To Buy Chelsea Tickets

The reasons tickets are harder to get for members (and ST holders for away games) is a combination of three factors. Two of which should bring smiles to the faces of fans but also lead to frustration.

A Winning Team

Winning teams increase demand for tickets as casual fans come out of the woodwork as there is more to be excited about. This makes it harder to get tickets to games where loyalty points do not give you a priority.

The impact on tickets of a winning team happens at every level of football (see the sold out FA Cup games when a League Two draws us) but can lead to frustration.

Touting

A winning team also means more touting as interest in the team is higher with tourists and casual fans alike. Every ticket in the hands of a tout is one that cannot be bought by a real fan legitimately.

Cheaper Away Tickets

The irony cost of away tickets going down has made it harder to get tickets. It has increased demand and encouraged members (and season ticket holders we hear) to buy tickets for games they have no intent to travel to for the loyalty points.

This is frustrating but understandable in a season where the key games at the end of the season will be available only to those with healthy loyalty point balances. I am conflicted taking tickets from people doing this even at face value due to the distortion it causes to the ticket sales market.

The Fix

A new stadium is on the horizon, but until then for Chelsea Football Club members buying Chelsea tickets looks like it will continue to require, planning, luck and knowing the right people.

As for away tickets, it may not be long until for security reasons these are only given to fans in the city of the game with valid ID. A solution but not necessarily one we are onboard with.

Late Tottenham pressure will not derail the champions elect

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

Slipping up against Crystal Palace created misplaced euphoria that Tottenham could catch us in the race for the Premier League title, and while the defeat was untimely, Chelsea still have the momentum and quality to see them over the line.

It would take a collapse of monumental proportion to stop us on our relentless pursuit of a title that would make amends for the absolute horror show of last season, with the team performing at the peak of their powers. Only a series of injuries to our best players could threaten to derail Chelsea, and even then you would back Antonio Conte to get whoever was left fit to play singing from the same hymn sheet and firing on all cylinders.

All that remains is for Chelsea to focus on themselves and keep winning in the remaining seven games of the campaign. Sound simple enough, especially for a team that has blown everyone away and lost only two of their last twenty-five league fixtures.

Bookmaker Ratings have already declared the title race as all but over, but Conte will not allow his players to lose focus and concentration, especially not at this stage of the season with destiny in our own hands.

Important win at Bournemouth

The sign of true champions is their ability to bounce back from adversity, and while the 2-1 win at the Bridge against Manchester City amidst all the questions that were being asked of Conte and the players was hugely important, putting in a superb performance at Bournemouth to win 3-1 proved our class. You have to take your hat off to Tottenham for keeping things interesting, but the champagne is already chilling nicely in ice buckets ready for us to toast our title success.

We answered all the questions that Bournemouth threw at us, particularly in the second half, to come away from the Vitality Stadium with a vital three points, and while the Cherries deserve credit for having a real go, we showed our true quality. Marcos Alonso’s superb free-kick typified a performance in which everything came together, with strong defending and the magic of Eden Hazard, Pedro et al came to the fore. Whether it has finally silenced those who started to get excited that the title race was back on remains to be seen.

We now move onwards to two home games which will provide contrasting tests, with struggling London rivals Crystal Palace and title-chasing Manchester City coming to the Bridge after the international break.

Focus is the key

Finishing the season with a flourish would be a fitting end to what has been a fantastic season for Chelsea, but if recent weeks are anything to go by, then teams will continue to up their game against us until the end of the season. Conte became accustomed to being in this situation during his time at Juventus where, despite being the best team in Serie A, they had to remain focused until they ended any mathematical chance of anyone catching them at the summit. His knowledge and experience will undoubtedly come into play during the final seven games, with Conte likely to keep the players’ feet firmly on the ground instead of let complacency set in and prevent them from feeling like the job is done.

Manchester United provide the first obstacles in our quest to finally put the title race to bed, with another encounter with Jose Mourinho likely to create firework at Old Trafford.

We would be more than delighted with a repeat of the 4-0 scoreline at the Bridge back in October when Chelsea tore them apart at will, but given they are currently on a twenty-one game unbeaten run (you would never have thought it given they have barely budged from sixth for what feels like an eternity), there is no question that they have to be respected. The Blues may be backed by punters who take part in the free competitions run by Bookmaker Ratings to win the game and take one big step towards the title, but Conte will know that the lads will have to be right up for it and prove, once again, why we would be worthy champions.

Conte has the luxury of picking from a fully fit squad, with everyone coming through the Bournemouth game unscathed and no suspensions to worry about to match. Mourinho, on the other hand, has a series of casualties to worry about as Manchester United’s injury problems show no sign of ending, with Ashley Young, Juan Mata, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling definitely ruled out of the clash at Old Trafford.

However, they may have Antonio Valencia, Wayne Rooney and David De Gea back fit, but if the latter of the three does not prove his fitness in time, you cannot help but feel that Chelsea have a wonderful opportunity to take all three points back to the Bridge.

Chelsea Keep Moving Forwards With Swansea Win

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

After a disappointing draw against Burnley, a Swansea win was vital. It was important that Chelsea got a victory on return to Premier League action to keep the momentum going and stretch our lead at the top of the table. Despite playing at

Despite playing at 3pm on a Saturday (a rare treat) we were actually the first team in the top six to play during the weekend, with many of the chasing pack not in action due to clashes caused by the League Cup Final.

Tottenham were able to win, but the gap is now ten points and with each week we take a step closer to an amazing season, bouncing back from the shambles that we saw last season.

Expected Swansea Win Important

Given the nature of the opposition and that we were playing at home Antonio Conte chose a more attacking line-up. He replaced Nemanja Matic with Cesc Fabregas to give the team more creativity as we sought to break down Swansea.

This was an inspired decision as Fabregas ran the first half, he was everywhere and everytime he had the ball a goal seemed imminent. It was no surprise that he got the opener after some smart play.

The game itself was almost a perfect performance, a first half goal and dominance of possession and chances. The only wrinkle being a poorly defended set piece that saw the Welsh side get to half time level.

Fortunately, this did not have an impact on the game, in the second half the Blues pushed on and got the right result. Pedro and Costa continued their fine form and showed just how different form can be in the week that the Champions sacked their manager in what is now a worrying trend.

We now move onwards to two difficult away games, win both of those and there will be few doubting our title credentials.

Frank Lampard Testimonial

Frank Lampard Testimonial

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

A Frank Lampard testimonial would be hugely popular with Chelsea fans.

With 211 goals and more than ten years experience, a testimonial would be a fitting way to thank our record goalscorer and an icon of the most successful period in the club’s history.

Lampard left the Blues after not being given a new contract, meaning he did not get a chance to make the emotional goodbye that others have had.

Even if we do sing his name during almost every game it is not quite the same.

At half-time of against Swansea in 2016/2017, Lampard came on to say thank you for the fans having felt he did not have a chance to say goodbye.

This was a touching moment and our fans gave him an incredible reaction. Yet his accomplishments were so grand that anything short of seeing him with a Blue shirt on again during a Frank Lampard Testimonial against an iconic club feels like a letdown.

We like many Chelsea fans would like to have seen him pull on a Chelsea shirt one more time so why not let him do it.

Frank Lampard Testimonial or A Joint One?

Chelsea have been lucky to have had a spine of players that arrived just before or after Roman Abramovich bought the club that fired the club to glory. However, even those entitled to one that have left have not got one. If the club baulks at one for Lampard why not one for the players at the heart of Chelsea for nearly a decade.

However, even those entitled to one that have left have not got one. If the club baulks at one for Lampard why not one for the players at the heart of Chelsea for nearly a decade.

If the club baulks at one for Lampard why not one for the players at the heart of Chelsea for nearly a decade.

A game to celebrate legends such as John Terry, Petr Cech, John Obi Mikel and of course Lampard, players that had a huge impact on the club winning trophies. It could be a game of nostalgia bringing back any players from that era that want to take part.

The purpose of a testimonial to raise money for a player in retirement has changed, but the sentiment attached has not, it is time that a Frank Lampard testimonial or similar was arranged.

We would be the first to try and buy tickets!

 

Chelsea China Investment

Chelsea China Investment – Fans Lucky To Have Roman

By Chelsea NewsNo Comments

Some sites have started talking about Chelsea China investment rumours and this has us worried.

Whilst these rumours are not particularly well sourced or likely to be accurate, it did get us thinking about how lucky we are to have Roman Abramovich as an owner rather than the procession of money or fame-obsessed clowns that have been running the show at other clubs up and down the country.

Roman Cares About Chelsea Like A Fan

Whilst relations with Roman have at times been strained he has willingly financed and kept the lights on at our club and brought silverware by the bucket load.

He may at times be impatient or do things that drive us a little bit crazy, sacking managers on a whim is frustrating. He has at times also angered fans, like when he tried to buy the CPO shares via nefarious means, but it is clear he cares about the club in a way that is more than cash

Chelsea China Investment A Huge Culture Change

When Roman Abramovich took over the club in 2003 everyone laughed at Chelsea and thought we were a toy that would be discarded. Since then the majority of English clubs in the Premier League are either part or fully owned by overseas investors, who often don’t have the commitment or pockets that Roman has had.

Manchester United have become a sinkhole for debt, Liverpool are only ever one result from an ownership protest, Arsenal can’t spend money on their actual team and clubs like Leeds and Blackburn have had foreign ownership drag them into obscurity.

When it comes to foreign ownership we hit the jackpot, Roman has invested money and driven us to glory, this is not something that I want to see change.

Other investors means other interests and ulterior motives to satisfy and that does not necessarily mean a recipe for success. Let’s hope that whatever the outcome even if Chelsea China investment happens that only those that care about the club own it.