How did you lot get so much for David Luiz....?

Probably because he looks like Carlos Puyol

Well done to JFH, just been promoted with Burton Albion.

 

Take note Les Ferdinand.

Well done to JFH, just been promoted with Burton Albion.

 

Take note Les Ferdinand.

And Sol Campbell.

Anyone know how Schurrle is doing at Wolfsburg? I see he's got 1 goal in 9 apps.

Struggling

He was very poor midweek in Europe

Struggling

He was very poor midweek in Europe

 

That goes for pretty much the whole Wolfsburg team.

That goes for pretty much the whole Wolfsburg team.

Yip although Schurrle has been poor for a number of weeks now

http://juanmata8.com/blog/en/i-feel-proud/

 

Hi everyone,

Today, as the title above says, I feel proud. I’m going to tell you why, but as you can imagine this has been a special weekend for me.
When we were leaving Stamford Bridge, to catch the train and go back to Manchester, I had mixed feelings. I was angry about the defeat, I was thrilled after seeing some old friends, but especially I was proud. Mainly for two reasons that I’m going to explain now… I felt proud of the game the team had played, keeping the ball possession, controlling the game and creating chances to score, and all this at Stamford Bridge against the leader… As our manager said after the game, we were loyal to our football idea, and despite the score didn’t show that, if we keep playing like this there will be many more wins than defeats, I’m pretty sure of that. Besides, the team showed personality by playing that way against such a tough opponent, who gave no space in their half of the pitch and defended with so many players. Obviously, we also made some mistakes we have to learn from in the future. But overall that was my feeling about the game we had played: pride.
The other reason, as you can imagine, is about the reception I was given from the Chelsea fans. It was really moving to feel the people’s respect and affection, and I will always be grateful for that… To them and also to the players. I thank them for such affection and I congratulate them for the title they are about to win, because it’s almost done… It was nice to meet them and chat with them after the game, and also the club’s staff, doctors, physios, etc., and feel their respect and friendship. Thanks to all and congratulations.

 

 

We know we have five finals ahead and we will try to win each of them to get to our goal. The first one is away against Everton, not an easy stadium. The last time we played against them we struggled a lot to win, but we will try to get the three points again.

On Saturday, since we were playing, I missed the main games in la Liga. The first three teams won. That includes Barcelona, who faced Valencia, a side that gave a lot of trouble to Barça in their previous game between the two and had won at the Camp Nou last season. Barcelona won three vital points to remain in the top spot because Real Madrid keep close behind despite the injuries of Bale and Modric, who may miss the next few games. By the way, I want to send a message of support to my team-mate in the Spanish national team David Silva after his worrying injury, when he was given oxygen and left the pitch on a stretcher. I hope he is fine and back to the football pitch as soon as possible. I think his cheekbone is not broken, so it all seems to be a contusion and a big scare.

 

 

I finished my Sunday watching some motor highlights, like Hamilton’s great win in Formula 1. Sadly, none of the Spanish drivers got points. In the motorcycling Grand Prix it happened the opposite way: the Spaniards were fantastic, as always, and Valentino Rossi celebrated his victory wearing a Maradona shirt on the podium. I’ve always thought this Italian guy is a genius…

Have a nice week! Hugs!

Juan

 

What a top guy. He just sounds so nice when he writes. 

Florent Malouda's Fantasy XI:
 

 

GOALKEEPER: PETR CECH
Cech is the man for the big occasions and the big games. The last one was the (Champions League) final in Munich. Preparing a goalkeeper's station is like mathematics - nothing is like an accident.

He is somebody in the dressing room with a big character and he's a leader as well.

RIGHT BACK: DAVID LUIZ
I know with this offensive mentality that I have in my team he won't be frustrated so I trust him to follow the manager's orders and stay in that right back position.

He's funny, but when it comes to reason, he is a guy that steps in and takes big responsibility in a team.

CENTRE BACK: LILIAN THURAM
He is a real defender with lots of experience. He is very, very solid when all the others will take the risk. I need two leaders.

CENTRE BACK: JOHN TERRY
The second one is the captain. I pick a team with a lot of characters. I needed somebody to lead them and JT is a natural born leader. I need a player like him to make the team perform.

LEFT BACK: ERIC ABIDAL
I wanted to pick Ashley Cole because we had a great time together and we had a great understanding, but I have to pick my close friend Eric Abidal.

I started to play with him during my time at Lyon. He's a little bit like David Luiz in the dressing room always having fun and joking around. He has this faith and to sacrifice himself to help you be a better player.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDER: CLAUDE MAKELELE
He is a leader and for me a tactical genius. He was the kind of guy telling you, 'be cool and and just stay in that position'.

MIDFIELDER: PATRICK VIEIRA
He is just a legend and makes things so simple. Playing with him was easy and that's the kind of guy when you train with them you learn a lot of things.

He's a fighter and you need that fighting spirit because not every game will be easy.

RIGHT MIDFIELDER: FRANK LAMPARD
In my team you're going for goals and Lamps is a great professional and a great example to follow. Arriving in this league I remember Didier Drogba telling me, 'watch (him) because you have to learn'.

I've seen so many times (Lampard) score winning goals.

LEFT MIDFIELDER: ZINEDINE ZIDANE
I would give him the freedom. Everytime you are stressed, everything is in slow motion for him. My team will play with style and class with Zizou.

STRIKER: THIERRY HENRY
I remember when I arrived in 2004 (in the national team), he welcomed me. I never even knew Thierry Henry even knew me.

He loves the game so much and he's an Arsenal legend.

STRIKER: DIDIER DROGBA
I met him when we first played together in the second division in France at Guingamp.

Watching him get to the world class level when he scored that header coming out of nowhere in Munich. Then he had that opportunity with that last penalty. He gave us the Champions League which made me so, so happy.

He's a striker for the big occasions and big games.

 

High praise for our players. Also, spot on with David Luiz.

Congrats to Jokanovic (remember him?) for taking Watford up... a good year for ex-Chelsea players turned managers.

Fantastic job to take a club with limited resources up to the pl

Frank Lampard is following Drogba, Hazard, Cahill, Terry, Jody Morris and Juan Mata on instagram, and not a single City player.

Apparently he sat with the Chelsea lads last night too.

Frank Lampard is following Drogba, Hazard, Cahill, Terry, Jody Morris and Juan Mata on instagram, and not a single City player.

 

Not even Milner?

Speaking of Frank, this says it all (about what he really feels and how holly willoughby's biggest asset is not her brain)

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/row-zed/manchester-city-legend-holly-willoughby-5586015

Edited April 27, 201511 yr by The Brit

Mark Bosnich charged with reckless driving after hitting a cyclist:

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32492827

A massive congratulations to all my old teammates and friends at @chelseafc for winning the Premier League. A huge achievement and well deserved by everyone at the club. Also to all those fantastic fans that I had the pleasure to play for for 13 years. I know how much it means to you all! Enjoy the celebrations in West London tonight!@johnterry.26 @cesarazpi @garyjcahill @didierdrogba @hazardeden_10@morriskid

 

Frank Lampard on instagram. ^

 

Legend.

Our former striker, Jimmy Greaves has had a major stroke and is in intensive care. Get well soon, Jimmy.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32580282

Nice gesture for Bobby Tambling

 

http://www.chelseafc.com/news/latest-news/2015/05/tambling-presented-with-england-caps.html

 

Ahead of Sunday’s game against Crystal Palace, club legend Bobby Tambling was presented with the three England caps he won during his time with the national team in the 1960s.

Tambling, our former striker, made 370 appearances for the Blues and scored 202 goals during his time at the club. He was our all-time highest goalscorer until Frank Lampard surpassed his tally in 2013.

Having also played for Crystal Palace after leaving Stamford Bridge, Sunday’s game was the perfect occasion for Tambling to be presented with the caps.

Former England striker Gary Lineker made the presentation in the directors’ box prior to kick-off, with Tambling, a guest of the club at the game, visibly shocked.

‘It’s a very emotional day,’ he told Chelsea TV. ‘We thought it would be because of what could happen today with Chelsea, but what I’m holding in my hands are the three England caps I won back in the early 1960s, which unfortunately were destroyed.

‘Now they’re back in my hands again, I never thought I’d see them and I’m so proud to have them again.

‘It was a complete surprise. I can’t believe it, I’m still in shock and shall treasure these now. I received a golden boot from the Chelsea Foundation last year and that was the best trophy I ever received.

‘People ask if I won any England caps and I say I won three, then they look around the house and ask where they are. My youngest son took them and had an accident with them, but now I’ve got them back it’s a really happy day.’

Tambling made his England debut in a 4-0 win against Wales in 1962, before going on to play in further games against France, where he scored his one goal for the Three Lions, and Yugoslavia.

He was delighted to see Jose Mourinho’s side secure the Barclays Premier League title on Sunday courtesy of our 1-0 win over Crystal Palace.

‘They deserve it more than anybody else,’ he said. ‘They’ve been so consistent and deserve to be where they are. It just shows you how marvellous the manager is, this is the second team he’s built and it’s in its early days.’

Hmm... Respect to the FA if they're responsible.

I readily admit my ignorence, but what are these caps? I thought it was just a figure of speech -"to win a cap". Is it a physical object that they give you every time you play for your country? An actual cap maybe?

I readily admit my ignorence, but what are these caps? I thought it was just a figure of speech -"to win a cap". Is it a physical object that they give you every time you play for your country? An actual cap maybe?

 

Indeed!

 

I readily admit my ignorence, but what are these caps? I thought it was just a figure of speech -"to win a cap". Is it a physical object that they give you every time you play for your country? An actual cap maybe?

Took me ages to figure that out. When do players receive the actual cap, after the match? Do the FA pop it in the post? What is the point of caps to begin with?

Dave beasant is on the bench for Stevenage tonight, he must be in his late 50s.

Took me ages to figure that out. When do players receive the actual cap, after the match? Do the FA pop it in the post? What is the point of caps to begin with?

Ha! I always assumed it meant C(ountry) Ap(pearance) for some odd reason.