sals

Our win % is extremely high with Mikel in the team.   Saying "Mikel sucks" just makes you come across as petty.    Cherry picking your games to highlight your point is a poor basis for an argument, we was regressing against WBA even before Mikel came on.    I could point to games such as United away last season when Mikel's introduction improved our midfield but again that's cherry picking to suit an argument.    You are implying that a complete change in our performance against City is basically down to the fact that Mikel played... Do you honestly believe that or does making a wild and frankly rediculous statement make you feel better?    Yes Mikel was poor against City but then so were the other 13 players who took to the pitch in a Chelsea shirt.    Me personally, I would have Mikel down as our 4th choice midfielder right now but to be so aggressive about a player who has made over 300 appearances for the club, personally I find that uncalled for. 

I hate just about everything you just said and couldn't disagree more.
 
In fact I feel that way about most of your posts.
 
If you think that Ramires lacks strength and Mikels positioning is inadequate it proves one of two things:
 
1) You don't watch the matches
2) You don't have a clue about whats going on when you do watch the matches
 
 
As is said in that interview Plokoon posted up top he is never going to be getting the headlines but he is a fantastic servant to this club and he is the type of player that if you stick on the field you know exactly what you're going to get. No he doesn't have the dynamism of Fernandinho but if you think Javi Garcia is a better player than him then I'm fast losing my faith in humanity.
 
Long may Mikel remain in Chelsea blue!!

hazard is best player in the league and fast making an argument for third best player on the planet. His consistency is amazing and the way he influences the play is quite spectacular for a player his age. We are very blessed to have him in our team and long may it continue. That second goal is the best goal I've seen this league season

As a Chelsea supporter but primarily a Benfica fan i've watched him more than most.
 
For those that are not sure about his quality especially given the strength of the portuguese league i understand your doubts.
 
However Matic was player of the year ahead of Joao Moutinho and it often looked like he was a man amongst boys.
 
In Europe he was very good, often dominating games, and there's a vid showing him keeping the ball and handling the Barca pressure well.
 
To give you a little idea of how he is rated, generally Benfica fans consider him to be top 5 in the world in his position and i agree.  I wouldn't swap him for Khedira let's say (although they play slightly different positions) 
 
On top of that Matic would probably rank as the BEST player that has played for Benfica performance wise in the last ten years alongside probaby Di Maria.
 
He performed better than Luiz, better than Ramires, better than Witsel and much better than Javi Garcia.
 
For those saying to play Luiz next to him i reckon it makes Luiz redundant.  Matic is already a good passer and covers the ground.  You want someone with energy who is technical, creative and likes to get forward.  I imagine someone like his current partner Enzo Perez to be a good fit.  Someone like Modric would be perfect.  Maybe in the future Willian or Oscar could do the job.  Van Ginkel could be a good partner
 
I have no doubts in my mind he will be a success and he's exactly what Chelsea have been missing in the centre of the park.  I woudn't be surprised if he started against ManU, afterall Jose played sneijder without even a training session at Inter and i reckon Jose sees him as a very important piece for now and the future.

Fantastic piece of business. Absolutely rapt with this.
 
Yes we let him go as part of the Luiz deal but lets be honest, there is no way he would have turned into the player that he did today kicking around our reserves or getting sent on loan all over Europe.
 
We used him to sweeten a deal to bring in one of the most outrageously talented centre backs around, who went on to give an absolutely immense display in the CL final not to mention countless moments of jaw dropping athleticism, skill and audacity (as well as a fair few heart attacks I guess with the odd defensive lapse). Matic went the other way and turned into one of the worlds leading midfielders and had all of Europe's elite sniffing around, he has now turned into a player with all the attirbutes that we so desperately need in our team, he is coming into the prime age of his career and let's be honest he is a very Jose Mourinho type of player. The potential partnership with Ramires in a 4-2-3-1 should excite all Chelsea fans.
 
I rated him highly when he was in our youth team and stoked to say welcome home Nemanja! As someone said above it's the year of comebacks and if this one works out half as well as the other comeback we are in for a real treat!

Fantastic piece of business. Absolutely rapt with this.
 
Yes we let him go as part of the Luiz deal but lets be honest, there is no way he would have turned into the player that he did today kicking around our reserves or getting sent on loan all over Europe.
 
We used him to sweeten a deal to bring in one of the most outrageously talented centre backs around, who went on to give an absolutely immense display in the CL final not to mention countless moments of jaw dropping athleticism, skill and audacity (as well as a fair few heart attacks I guess with the odd defensive lapse). Matic went the other way and turned into one of the worlds leading midfielders and had all of Europe's elite sniffing around, he has now turned into a player with all the attirbutes that we so desperately need in our team, he is coming into the prime age of his career and let's be honest he is a very Jose Mourinho type of player. The potential partnership with Ramires in a 4-2-3-1 should excite all Chelsea fans.
 
I rated him highly when he was in our youth team and stoked to say welcome home Nemanja! As someone said above it's the year of comebacks and if this one works out half as well as the other comeback we are in for a real treat!

Fantastic piece of business. Absolutely rapt with this.
 
Yes we let him go as part of the Luiz deal but lets be honest, there is no way he would have turned into the player that he did today kicking around our reserves or getting sent on loan all over Europe.
 
We used him to sweeten a deal to bring in one of the most outrageously talented centre backs around, who went on to give an absolutely immense display in the CL final not to mention countless moments of jaw dropping athleticism, skill and audacity (as well as a fair few heart attacks I guess with the odd defensive lapse). Matic went the other way and turned into one of the worlds leading midfielders and had all of Europe's elite sniffing around, he has now turned into a player with all the attirbutes that we so desperately need in our team, he is coming into the prime age of his career and let's be honest he is a very Jose Mourinho type of player. The potential partnership with Ramires in a 4-2-3-1 should excite all Chelsea fans.
 
I rated him highly when he was in our youth team and stoked to say welcome home Nemanja! As someone said above it's the year of comebacks and if this one works out half as well as the other comeback we are in for a real treat!

Fantastic piece of business. Absolutely rapt with this.
 
Yes we let him go as part of the Luiz deal but lets be honest, there is no way he would have turned into the player that he did today kicking around our reserves or getting sent on loan all over Europe.
 
We used him to sweeten a deal to bring in one of the most outrageously talented centre backs around, who went on to give an absolutely immense display in the CL final not to mention countless moments of jaw dropping athleticism, skill and audacity (as well as a fair few heart attacks I guess with the odd defensive lapse). Matic went the other way and turned into one of the worlds leading midfielders and had all of Europe's elite sniffing around, he has now turned into a player with all the attirbutes that we so desperately need in our team, he is coming into the prime age of his career and let's be honest he is a very Jose Mourinho type of player. The potential partnership with Ramires in a 4-2-3-1 should excite all Chelsea fans.
 
I rated him highly when he was in our youth team and stoked to say welcome home Nemanja! As someone said above it's the year of comebacks and if this one works out half as well as the other comeback we are in for a real treat!

Fantastic piece of business. Absolutely rapt with this.
 
Yes we let him go as part of the Luiz deal but lets be honest, there is no way he would have turned into the player that he did today kicking around our reserves or getting sent on loan all over Europe.
 
We used him to sweeten a deal to bring in one of the most outrageously talented centre backs around, who went on to give an absolutely immense display in the CL final not to mention countless moments of jaw dropping athleticism, skill and audacity (as well as a fair few heart attacks I guess with the odd defensive lapse). Matic went the other way and turned into one of the worlds leading midfielders and had all of Europe's elite sniffing around, he has now turned into a player with all the attirbutes that we so desperately need in our team, he is coming into the prime age of his career and let's be honest he is a very Jose Mourinho type of player. The potential partnership with Ramires in a 4-2-3-1 should excite all Chelsea fans.
 
I rated him highly when he was in our youth team and stoked to say welcome home Nemanja! As someone said above it's the year of comebacks and if this one works out half as well as the other comeback we are in for a real treat!

Fantastic piece of business. Absolutely rapt with this.
 
Yes we let him go as part of the Luiz deal but lets be honest, there is no way he would have turned into the player that he did today kicking around our reserves or getting sent on loan all over Europe.
 
We used him to sweeten a deal to bring in one of the most outrageously talented centre backs around, who went on to give an absolutely immense display in the CL final not to mention countless moments of jaw dropping athleticism, skill and audacity (as well as a fair few heart attacks I guess with the odd defensive lapse). Matic went the other way and turned into one of the worlds leading midfielders and had all of Europe's elite sniffing around, he has now turned into a player with all the attirbutes that we so desperately need in our team, he is coming into the prime age of his career and let's be honest he is a very Jose Mourinho type of player. The potential partnership with Ramires in a 4-2-3-1 should excite all Chelsea fans.
 
I rated him highly when he was in our youth team and stoked to say welcome home Nemanja! As someone said above it's the year of comebacks and if this one works out half as well as the other comeback we are in for a real treat!

Fantastic piece of business. Absolutely rapt with this.
 
Yes we let him go as part of the Luiz deal but lets be honest, there is no way he would have turned into the player that he did today kicking around our reserves or getting sent on loan all over Europe.
 
We used him to sweeten a deal to bring in one of the most outrageously talented centre backs around, who went on to give an absolutely immense display in the CL final not to mention countless moments of jaw dropping athleticism, skill and audacity (as well as a fair few heart attacks I guess with the odd defensive lapse). Matic went the other way and turned into one of the worlds leading midfielders and had all of Europe's elite sniffing around, he has now turned into a player with all the attirbutes that we so desperately need in our team, he is coming into the prime age of his career and let's be honest he is a very Jose Mourinho type of player. The potential partnership with Ramires in a 4-2-3-1 should excite all Chelsea fans.
 
I rated him highly when he was in our youth team and stoked to say welcome home Nemanja! As someone said above it's the year of comebacks and if this one works out half as well as the other comeback we are in for a real treat!

Only 204 more to break the record.

Read all the books. seen three episodes of the new season. Loving it as far as a show goes, slightly concerned with how they are differing from the plot of the books with a few storylines, most notably Theons.
 
Season one they absolutely nailed it, plot was very consistent with the book, second season went way off on a few things just hoping they keep it more in line throughout this season.

A column i frequently read on skysports talking about the lower leagues discussed Chalobah today. This is what they had to say:
 
However, Watford's Nathanial Chalobah, who can play at centre-half or centre-midfield is someone I would put in the England squad now. He is elegant, athletic and has a great temperament, while he has also excelled at all international age groups he has represented; he reminds me of a young Yaya Toure in that he can influence a game from any position. He is THE outstanding talent in English football and could POSSIBLY replace Frank Lampard in the Chelsea's engine rom next season but will DEFINITELY play for England.
 
http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,15231_8581114,00.html
 
Haven't seen much of the lad outside of highlights but been hearing so much praise and when you read things like that ^ its enough to really get excited.

A column i frequently read on skysports talking about the lower leagues discussed Chalobah today. This is what they had to say:
 
However, Watford's Nathanial Chalobah, who can play at centre-half or centre-midfield is someone I would put in the England squad now. He is elegant, athletic and has a great temperament, while he has also excelled at all international age groups he has represented; he reminds me of a young Yaya Toure in that he can influence a game from any position. He is THE outstanding talent in English football and could POSSIBLY replace Frank Lampard in the Chelsea's engine rom next season but will DEFINITELY play for England.
 
http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,,15231_8581114,00.html
 
Haven't seen much of the lad outside of highlights but been hearing so much praise and when you read things like that ^ its enough to really get excited.

Because hes a CFC player you plastic c**t. Im not going to pretend Im happy with his performance, but whenever he pulls on the shirt you can be damn sure Im supporting him and hope he does well....

We have to. No way we can beat the germans on penalties. Just hope that Bayern don't get too many good opportunities to score in extra time. Especially Robben....

The team coming home through Munich customs

Not really the appropriate thread for this but going to have a wee rant about it all the same. The problem with commentary, and espicially commentators like Tommy Smyth and Shaka Hislop is that they are always giving their opinions during matches and they have very strong opinions on certain matters.
In my eyes the job of the commentator is to discuss what is going on in the match and make observations on that as well state a few interesting facts, not sit there and talk nonsense for 90minutes. Some of the ESPN commentary during our CL run was so bad that I turned the tv onto mute

^ Maybe don't get too pissed off. It's only a football discussion.
As it happens, I agree with you, it would be absolute lunacy to get another striker, assuming we buy Hulk, who can fill in in that position and give us another option, i.e. a more physical one, thereby also allowing Lukaku to go out on loan, as he needs to do.
The bottom line is this ..
We spent £50m on Torres, so there's no point signing someone for big bucks that might threaten his position, unless you sell him of course, which we're not going to do.
As back-up for Torres we have Sturridge, who has waited patiently at Chelsea for his shot of playing up front. What, are we going to make that wait entirely futile? No, we're going to make him Torres' back-up, as he deserves to be, so what's the point of signing someone with a big reputation that takes that shot away from Sturridge? Sturridge is going to surprise a lot of people, in fact, by the end of the season, I wouldn't be surprised if he's established himself as our number one striker. He has pace (far more than Torres), he has skill, he has an eye for goal, finishing, and he has that bit of arrogance every striker needs. His selfishness won't be such a problem when he plays his rightful position, which is up front. He may not be the finished article, but he has played precious little competitive football when you break it down, and he can only develop if he plays games. He will give Torres competition and that's healthy, so signing someone else is a no-no.
Last season, Torres and Drogba alternated as our front man, next season it will be Torres and Sturridge with Hulk as back-up, and that's sufficient. People say we had Kalou, Drogba, Torres, Sturridge and Anelka last term, but Anelka left straight away, and neither Kalou or Sturridge played up front. We will be fine with 3 strikers, and if something occurs, like an injury for example, we can always sign someone else in the winter, but we probably won't need to.
Right now, we should leave the front positions well alone, and that's an order.

I watched the game again yesterday for the first time, and without emotion getting in the way, I was surprised how well we played in the second half!
If you believed the press we played like a bunch of tossers and got lucky at the end, not so!
Champions of Europe COYB!

What a match and what a cup run this has been, nothing short of phenomenal. Was at my uni pub watching the match and was on my knees just absolutely numb when Drogba slotted home his penalty, the culmination of so much work and pain for the longest time, just the most amazing feeling.
Thoughts on the match, firstly absolute brilliance by Robbie D regarding Bertrand, was shocked to see it at the start and no doubt a huge risk but it made a lot of sense, a really defensive minded left winger just to help and shackle robben down that flank and he also provided a good attacking outlet.
Next the performance of some of the players, Mikel, Drogba, Cole and Cech espicially were just absolutely immense. Mikel was a monster in the middle of the park and made an absolute mockery of all the people who have been calling for him to get sold for the last few seasons, Was great work by Robbie D to bring him back into the fold after AVB had frozen him out and he has repaid him 1000 times over. Ashley Cole proved that he does have a real claim to being called the best left back in the history of the game not just the current era, his consistent high level of performance over such a large period of time defies belief and during this cup run he has been nothing short pf phenomenal.
Drogba and cech I dont really think anything needs to be said. The big moments in big matches and these guys contiunally come up with the big plays. Just think of the FA cup final in 2010, petr saves a penalty then moments later Drogba fires in a free kick. It is time and time again, both absolute Chelsea legends and this final was the perfect example of this.
Luiz and Cahill were also nothing short of miraculous in this. Their first match in weeks, the pressure is just huge and they were so resilient. I saw one moment from Cahill where he could so easily have been mistaken from JT the way he threw his body on the line and I think we really have a great player on our hands here. The fact they managed to get through 120minutes is just from sheer determination and willpower.
A sidenote in the middle of talking about the match, really struggling to see why so much of the media and people on twitter have a problem with JT getting into his playing gear. He made a unbelievably stupid move in Barcelona, he has paid the price dearly for it but without him we would not have been in this final, he is our club captain and he deserved to be out there celebrating and in my opinion he can do it any damn way he wants to.
As far as extra time goes, I hate to say it but that was a penalty on Ribery, he went over very easily but his ankle was certainly caught. however mere moments before that i'm 100% sure that Torres got brought down for a penalty as well and only the fact that he got straight to his feet and tried to carry on stopped this turning into a big incident. Thought fernando was actually very good, had some very important moments defensively and was quite the livewire with some of his runs. Quite disappointed with this whole outburst (which the media is blowing way out of proportion) If these things need to be said best keep it in house and if it is going to happen publicly maybe just time it a little better. I can understand where he is coming from, seeing bertrand get the nod in the starting 11 whilst he had to take his place on the bench must have been a real blow but he is an absolute proffesional and he performed very well when he got his chance. Here's hoping there is a lot more good times ahead for him in blue in the coming seasons.
As far as the shootout went, watched it about 20 times over since then but I just had so many flashes of deja vu to not just Moscow but nearly every chelsea shootout of the last 2 decades. The fact that it was also down Bayern's end and they had first shot makes it all the more impressive. Lahm scoring and mata missing jsut felt like a nightmare and when they were 2 up and Luiz is starting his run up from the other end of the staidum I could just see it getting blasted right over the bar. But it was a highly impressive penalty as it also was by Lamps (of course his was perfect), Cole (wow what a penalty) and then lastly Drogba. To have another chelsea legend miss a penalty that could have won us the cup was more than my poor heart would have been able to bare, however there was no risk of this with Didier Drogba stepping up. Ice running through his veins he dispatched it so cooly it almsot makes me wonder why i was nervous about what the outcome would be.
That feeling when it went in was just phenomenal, I was on my knees, could barely cheer just absolutely numb and teary and the feeling of pure ecstasy. Was one of the most fantastic moments and the type of thing you only dream about.
This season has certainly been a mixed bag, once more manager coming in, manager going. Worst domestic campaign in god knows how long, some terribly shocking performances in the league but along that a cup run that just defies belief and makes you truly believe in a higher being, God sitting up there in the clouds, Drogba jersey on, Chelsea scarf draped around his broad shoulders just helping us with one divine intervention after another. Going back to the group stages and conceding that late penalty to Valencia, losing that matchin injury time to Leverkusen, drawing with Genk for heavens sake!! Having to go into that last round of fixtures needing a win (where who else but drogba scores a brace). Then we venture onto Naples and that crushing loss, where if it hadnt been for Ashleys glorious intervention we would have been facing a gigantic mountain to make it to the quarters. Even the quarters was a struggle with the tie up in the air for the last 5minutes.
That leads onto Barca and if i went into detail on that I would be sitting here for a very long time typing and then the final, to have gone through all this and fallen short just would not have seemed fair considering Chelsea fans must have aged around 10-15 years each through all the other matches. Not only did we win it but we did it in a fashion that seemed so fitting with everything else we went through. Provided ultimate vindication for our precious golden oldies and absolute redemption for that horrific night in Moscow.
So proud to support this club, Chelsea has been a part of me since I was 5 years old. Back then we were 11th in the league and I could never even begin to comprehend the success that would come and this amazing path that we have trodden, So much to be thankful for and just so proud to be a blue.
KTBFFH
European Champions!!!!!!!!!

What a match and what a cup run this has been, nothing short of phenomenal. Was at my uni pub watching the match and was on my knees just absolutely numb when Drogba slotted home his penalty, the culmination of so much work and pain for the longest time, just the most amazing feeling.
Thoughts on the match, firstly absolute brilliance by Robbie D regarding Bertrand, was shocked to see it at the start and no doubt a huge risk but it made a lot of sense, a really defensive minded left winger just to help and shackle robben down that flank and he also provided a good attacking outlet.
Next the performance of some of the players, Mikel, Drogba, Cole and Cech espicially were just absolutely immense. Mikel was a monster in the middle of the park and made an absolute mockery of all the people who have been calling for him to get sold for the last few seasons, Was great work by Robbie D to bring him back into the fold after AVB had frozen him out and he has repaid him 1000 times over. Ashley Cole proved that he does have a real claim to being called the best left back in the history of the game not just the current era, his consistent high level of performance over such a large period of time defies belief and during this cup run he has been nothing short pf phenomenal.
Drogba and cech I dont really think anything needs to be said. The big moments in big matches and these guys contiunally come up with the big plays. Just think of the FA cup final in 2010, petr saves a penalty then moments later Drogba fires in a free kick. It is time and time again, both absolute Chelsea legends and this final was the perfect example of this.
Luiz and Cahill were also nothing short of miraculous in this. Their first match in weeks, the pressure is just huge and they were so resilient. I saw one moment from Cahill where he could so easily have been mistaken from JT the way he threw his body on the line and I think we really have a great player on our hands here. The fact they managed to get through 120minutes is just from sheer determination and willpower.
A sidenote in the middle of talking about the match, really struggling to see why so much of the media and people on twitter have a problem with JT getting into his playing gear. He made a unbelievably stupid move in Barcelona, he has paid the price dearly for it but without him we would not have been in this final, he is our club captain and he deserved to be out there celebrating and in my opinion he can do it any damn way he wants to.
As far as extra time goes, I hate to say it but that was a penalty on Ribery, he went over very easily but his ankle was certainly caught. however mere moments before that i'm 100% sure that Torres got brought down for a penalty as well and only the fact that he got straight to his feet and tried to carry on stopped this turning into a big incident. Thought fernando was actually very good, had some very important moments defensively and was quite the livewire with some of his runs. Quite disappointed with this whole outburst (which the media is blowing way out of proportion) If these things need to be said best keep it in house and if it is going to happen publicly maybe just time it a little better. I can understand where he is coming from, seeing bertrand get the nod in the starting 11 whilst he had to take his place on the bench must have been a real blow but he is an absolute proffesional and he performed very well when he got his chance. Here's hoping there is a lot more good times ahead for him in blue in the coming seasons.
As far as the shootout went, watched it about 20 times over since then but I just had so many flashes of deja vu to not just Moscow but nearly every chelsea shootout of the last 2 decades. The fact that it was also down Bayern's end and they had first shot makes it all the more impressive. Lahm scoring and mata missing jsut felt like a nightmare and when they were 2 up and Luiz is starting his run up from the other end of the staidum I could just see it getting blasted right over the bar. But it was a highly impressive penalty as it also was by Lamps (of course his was perfect), Cole (wow what a penalty) and then lastly Drogba. To have another chelsea legend miss a penalty that could have won us the cup was more than my poor heart would have been able to bare, however there was no risk of this with Didier Drogba stepping up. Ice running through his veins he dispatched it so cooly it almsot makes me wonder why i was nervous about what the outcome would be.
That feeling when it went in was just phenomenal, I was on my knees, could barely cheer just absolutely numb and teary and the feeling of pure ecstasy. Was one of the most fantastic moments and the type of thing you only dream about.
This season has certainly been a mixed bag, once more manager coming in, manager going. Worst domestic campaign in god knows how long, some terribly shocking performances in the league but along that a cup run that just defies belief and makes you truly believe in a higher being, God sitting up there in the clouds, Drogba jersey on, Chelsea scarf draped around his broad shoulders just helping us with one divine intervention after another. Going back to the group stages and conceding that late penalty to Valencia, losing that matchin injury time to Leverkusen, drawing with Genk for heavens sake!! Having to go into that last round of fixtures needing a win (where who else but drogba scores a brace). Then we venture onto Naples and that crushing loss, where if it hadnt been for Ashleys glorious intervention we would have been facing a gigantic mountain to make it to the quarters. Even the quarters was a struggle with the tie up in the air for the last 5minutes.
That leads onto Barca and if i went into detail on that I would be sitting here for a very long time typing and then the final, to have gone through all this and fallen short just would not have seemed fair considering Chelsea fans must have aged around 10-15 years each through all the other matches. Not only did we win it but we did it in a fashion that seemed so fitting with everything else we went through. Provided ultimate vindication for our precious golden oldies and absolute redemption for that horrific night in Moscow.
So proud to support this club, Chelsea has been a part of me since I was 5 years old. Back then we were 11th in the league and I could never even begin to comprehend the success that would come and this amazing path that we have trodden, So much to be thankful for and just so proud to be a blue.
KTBFFH
European Champions!!!!!!!!!

What a match and what a cup run this has been, nothing short of phenomenal. Was at my uni pub watching the match and was on my knees just absolutely numb when Drogba slotted home his penalty, the culmination of so much work and pain for the longest time, just the most amazing feeling.
Thoughts on the match, firstly absolute brilliance by Robbie D regarding Bertrand, was shocked to see it at the start and no doubt a huge risk but it made a lot of sense, a really defensive minded left winger just to help and shackle robben down that flank and he also provided a good attacking outlet.
Next the performance of some of the players, Mikel, Drogba, Cole and Cech espicially were just absolutely immense. Mikel was a monster in the middle of the park and made an absolute mockery of all the people who have been calling for him to get sold for the last few seasons, Was great work by Robbie D to bring him back into the fold after AVB had frozen him out and he has repaid him 1000 times over. Ashley Cole proved that he does have a real claim to being called the best left back in the history of the game not just the current era, his consistent high level of performance over such a large period of time defies belief and during this cup run he has been nothing short pf phenomenal.
Drogba and cech I dont really think anything needs to be said. The big moments in big matches and these guys contiunally come up with the big plays. Just think of the FA cup final in 2010, petr saves a penalty then moments later Drogba fires in a free kick. It is time and time again, both absolute Chelsea legends and this final was the perfect example of this.
Luiz and Cahill were also nothing short of miraculous in this. Their first match in weeks, the pressure is just huge and they were so resilient. I saw one moment from Cahill where he could so easily have been mistaken from JT the way he threw his body on the line and I think we really have a great player on our hands here. The fact they managed to get through 120minutes is just from sheer determination and willpower.
A sidenote in the middle of talking about the match, really struggling to see why so much of the media and people on twitter have a problem with JT getting into his playing gear. He made a unbelievably stupid move in Barcelona, he has paid the price dearly for it but without him we would not have been in this final, he is our club captain and he deserved to be out there celebrating and in my opinion he can do it any damn way he wants to.
As far as extra time goes, I hate to say it but that was a penalty on Ribery, he went over very easily but his ankle was certainly caught. however mere moments before that i'm 100% sure that Torres got brought down for a penalty as well and only the fact that he got straight to his feet and tried to carry on stopped this turning into a big incident. Thought fernando was actually very good, had some very important moments defensively and was quite the livewire with some of his runs. Quite disappointed with this whole outburst (which the media is blowing way out of proportion) If these things need to be said best keep it in house and if it is going to happen publicly maybe just time it a little better. I can understand where he is coming from, seeing bertrand get the nod in the starting 11 whilst he had to take his place on the bench must have been a real blow but he is an absolute proffesional and he performed very well when he got his chance. Here's hoping there is a lot more good times ahead for him in blue in the coming seasons.
As far as the shootout went, watched it about 20 times over since then but I just had so many flashes of deja vu to not just Moscow but nearly every chelsea shootout of the last 2 decades. The fact that it was also down Bayern's end and they had first shot makes it all the more impressive. Lahm scoring and mata missing jsut felt like a nightmare and when they were 2 up and Luiz is starting his run up from the other end of the staidum I could just see it getting blasted right over the bar. But it was a highly impressive penalty as it also was by Lamps (of course his was perfect), Cole (wow what a penalty) and then lastly Drogba. To have another chelsea legend miss a penalty that could have won us the cup was more than my poor heart would have been able to bare, however there was no risk of this with Didier Drogba stepping up. Ice running through his veins he dispatched it so cooly it almsot makes me wonder why i was nervous about what the outcome would be.
That feeling when it went in was just phenomenal, I was on my knees, could barely cheer just absolutely numb and teary and the feeling of pure ecstasy. Was one of the most fantastic moments and the type of thing you only dream about.
This season has certainly been a mixed bag, once more manager coming in, manager going. Worst domestic campaign in god knows how long, some terribly shocking performances in the league but along that a cup run that just defies belief and makes you truly believe in a higher being, God sitting up there in the clouds, Drogba jersey on, Chelsea scarf draped around his broad shoulders just helping us with one divine intervention after another. Going back to the group stages and conceding that late penalty to Valencia, losing that matchin injury time to Leverkusen, drawing with Genk for heavens sake!! Having to go into that last round of fixtures needing a win (where who else but drogba scores a brace). Then we venture onto Naples and that crushing loss, where if it hadnt been for Ashleys glorious intervention we would have been facing a gigantic mountain to make it to the quarters. Even the quarters was a struggle with the tie up in the air for the last 5minutes.
That leads onto Barca and if i went into detail on that I would be sitting here for a very long time typing and then the final, to have gone through all this and fallen short just would not have seemed fair considering Chelsea fans must have aged around 10-15 years each through all the other matches. Not only did we win it but we did it in a fashion that seemed so fitting with everything else we went through. Provided ultimate vindication for our precious golden oldies and absolute redemption for that horrific night in Moscow.
So proud to support this club, Chelsea has been a part of me since I was 5 years old. Back then we were 11th in the league and I could never even begin to comprehend the success that would come and this amazing path that we have trodden, So much to be thankful for and just so proud to be a blue.
KTBFFH
European Champions!!!!!!!!!

What a match and what a cup run this has been, nothing short of phenomenal. Was at my uni pub watching the match and was on my knees just absolutely numb when Drogba slotted home his penalty, the culmination of so much work and pain for the longest time, just the most amazing feeling.
Thoughts on the match, firstly absolute brilliance by Robbie D regarding Bertrand, was shocked to see it at the start and no doubt a huge risk but it made a lot of sense, a really defensive minded left winger just to help and shackle robben down that flank and he also provided a good attacking outlet.
Next the performance of some of the players, Mikel, Drogba, Cole and Cech espicially were just absolutely immense. Mikel was a monster in the middle of the park and made an absolute mockery of all the people who have been calling for him to get sold for the last few seasons, Was great work by Robbie D to bring him back into the fold after AVB had frozen him out and he has repaid him 1000 times over. Ashley Cole proved that he does have a real claim to being called the best left back in the history of the game not just the current era, his consistent high level of performance over such a large period of time defies belief and during this cup run he has been nothing short pf phenomenal.
Drogba and cech I dont really think anything needs to be said. The big moments in big matches and these guys contiunally come up with the big plays. Just think of the FA cup final in 2010, petr saves a penalty then moments later Drogba fires in a free kick. It is time and time again, both absolute Chelsea legends and this final was the perfect example of this.
Luiz and Cahill were also nothing short of miraculous in this. Their first match in weeks, the pressure is just huge and they were so resilient. I saw one moment from Cahill where he could so easily have been mistaken from JT the way he threw his body on the line and I think we really have a great player on our hands here. The fact they managed to get through 120minutes is just from sheer determination and willpower.
A sidenote in the middle of talking about the match, really struggling to see why so much of the media and people on twitter have a problem with JT getting into his playing gear. He made a unbelievably stupid move in Barcelona, he has paid the price dearly for it but without him we would not have been in this final, he is our club captain and he deserved to be out there celebrating and in my opinion he can do it any damn way he wants to.
As far as extra time goes, I hate to say it but that was a penalty on Ribery, he went over very easily but his ankle was certainly caught. however mere moments before that i'm 100% sure that Torres got brought down for a penalty as well and only the fact that he got straight to his feet and tried to carry on stopped this turning into a big incident. Thought fernando was actually very good, had some very important moments defensively and was quite the livewire with some of his runs. Quite disappointed with this whole outburst (which the media is blowing way out of proportion) If these things need to be said best keep it in house and if it is going to happen publicly maybe just time it a little better. I can understand where he is coming from, seeing bertrand get the nod in the starting 11 whilst he had to take his place on the bench must have been a real blow but he is an absolute proffesional and he performed very well when he got his chance. Here's hoping there is a lot more good times ahead for him in blue in the coming seasons.
As far as the shootout went, watched it about 20 times over since then but I just had so many flashes of deja vu to not just Moscow but nearly every chelsea shootout of the last 2 decades. The fact that it was also down Bayern's end and they had first shot makes it all the more impressive. Lahm scoring and mata missing jsut felt like a nightmare and when they were 2 up and Luiz is starting his run up from the other end of the staidum I could just see it getting blasted right over the bar. But it was a highly impressive penalty as it also was by Lamps (of course his was perfect), Cole (wow what a penalty) and then lastly Drogba. To have another chelsea legend miss a penalty that could have won us the cup was more than my poor heart would have been able to bare, however there was no risk of this with Didier Drogba stepping up. Ice running through his veins he dispatched it so cooly it almsot makes me wonder why i was nervous about what the outcome would be.
That feeling when it went in was just phenomenal, I was on my knees, could barely cheer just absolutely numb and teary and the feeling of pure ecstasy. Was one of the most fantastic moments and the type of thing you only dream about.
This season has certainly been a mixed bag, once more manager coming in, manager going. Worst domestic campaign in god knows how long, some terribly shocking performances in the league but along that a cup run that just defies belief and makes you truly believe in a higher being, God sitting up there in the clouds, Drogba jersey on, Chelsea scarf draped around his broad shoulders just helping us with one divine intervention after another. Going back to the group stages and conceding that late penalty to Valencia, losing that matchin injury time to Leverkusen, drawing with Genk for heavens sake!! Having to go into that last round of fixtures needing a win (where who else but drogba scores a brace). Then we venture onto Naples and that crushing loss, where if it hadnt been for Ashleys glorious intervention we would have been facing a gigantic mountain to make it to the quarters. Even the quarters was a struggle with the tie up in the air for the last 5minutes.
That leads onto Barca and if i went into detail on that I would be sitting here for a very long time typing and then the final, to have gone through all this and fallen short just would not have seemed fair considering Chelsea fans must have aged around 10-15 years each through all the other matches. Not only did we win it but we did it in a fashion that seemed so fitting with everything else we went through. Provided ultimate vindication for our precious golden oldies and absolute redemption for that horrific night in Moscow.
So proud to support this club, Chelsea has been a part of me since I was 5 years old. Back then we were 11th in the league and I could never even begin to comprehend the success that would come and this amazing path that we have trodden, So much to be thankful for and just so proud to be a blue.
KTBFFH
European Champions!!!!!!!!!