Coming to Am

I'm looking forward for tonight's game, specially for the two teams Mourinho will present. As people are pointing out, It all seems we're turning back to 4-3-3 (after trying to put Shevshenko and Ballack in a 4-4-2 diamond failed). It was a die-hard last season team, but creatively it never flowed.
I'm wondering who's going to be left out in a 4-3-3 formation. Of course the problem poses only for midfield and attacking players. For me, Mikel, Essien, Lampard and Drogba are always on the field against any team. But are we going to let Ballack out? Where does he fit in 4-3-3? In more attacking games Mourinho might put Essien at right-back and keep Mikel at the middle, giving Ballack space as a left centre midfielder. But in more even games against big teams, is he going to leave him out? Ballack could only fit in if changing, for instance, Essien to the middle, but that would leave Mikel out (and Mourinho stated he prefers him at that position because he's a slow paced player).
Another thing about 4-3-3. Doesn't it leaves our left wing overpacked? Aren't Robben, Malouda, Kalou and even Sinclair all preferably left wing players? Can't recall if Kalou played many games at the right last season, but what about Sinclair? For sure none of them is a centre forward to play alone at front, so... is Mourinho going to put Robben on the right, to compete with Joe Cole and SWP? Is he bluffing about re-editing Robben-Duff partnership now with Malouda-Robben? And where the hell does that leave Joe Cole? Competing with Robben for right wing forward or with Essien and Ballack for right center midfielder? [I haven't mentioned Lampard in all this, because I think Mourinho, rightly, is never going to leave him out.] Must confess I'm kind of puzzled with all this...

I feel chelsea will modify a 4-3-3 system to 4-3-2-1 with malouda&joe cole slotted behind drogba d central attacker&midfield maintains essien,lampard&mikel

I'll be there tonight. I can't wait.

Got at night to watch the game. Malouda seems to be a great signing for us. First game and he playes like he has been with Chels for ages.

Dias - I understand your concerns and I highlighted the same point in an earlier blog. I am afraid that the signing of Malouda will mean one of either SWP, J.Cole, Kalou or Robben will leave.

I am hoping that is Kalou as I prefer Malouda and Robben to fight it out fo left wing and J.cole and SWP for right wing.

But in a long season - maybe having 3 players (add Sinclair and Kalou) to fight for 2 places in not such a bad idea. Let's face it - Robben will only play 50% of the games and it is fair to think that both SWP and J.cole will get an injusry at some point in the season.

As for midfield, I think he will play Essien in DM and Ballack nad Lampard in midfield. Obi-wan will be their cover player. Sidwell will then come in during the african nations.

I'm very excited about the prospect of ditching the Diamond so let's hope this seasons see's us playing some attractive attacking football.

And even better news about the kiss and make up between Roman and Jose - who knows - he is now saying he wants to stay for eight years!! In my opinion - this is the best news we have had all summer.

Can't wait to batter the Red northern Scum and the Arse.

«Mourinho sent a warning to midfielder Michael Ballack, saying he is looking to ditch the diamond formation which best suits the German star.
"I want to go back to wingers and play attacking football," Mourinho explained. "The objective of having players like Robben, Cole, Malouda and Kalou is because we want to give width to our game, to give speed, to give creativity.
"I don't want to play football with a diamond any more.
"So I don't think it will be easy for Ballack. But he's a top player, a top personality and I think he's the kind of guy ready to fight for a place."»

Mourinho couldn't have been more clearer about it. He recover the diamond he used at Porto to make room for Ballack (more than Shevshenko). Since it didn't work... But still, it's incredible this irascible man stuck with his plan for the whole season and protected the player he had chosen (Ballack).

So, going back to 4-3-3 it's clearly Ballacks neck on the line. I mean, fighting for a spot with Essien!!! Ballack hasn't the speed required for that position now.
And I can't agree at all with TrueBlue on this. Mikel has won the DM spot completely. Unless he goes at some serious shitty behavior, Mourinho will never take him out of the first team. Mikel is a wonderful one of a kind player.

And also about ditching Kalou. I think Mourinho likes this young (and somewhat still erratic) player very much. Furthermore, it's curious he doesn't even mention SWP in his statement about fighting for places on the wings. Cause he's actually going to have six players for just two wing spots, even if J.Cole can make a right midfield position.

It seems last night Johnson played the whole game. Perhaps Mourinho's testing him before deciding whether to buy a new right-back. I think now this is the soft spot of the team. You have four players (Ferreira, Johnson, Diarra, Essien) capable of doing that position, but none stands out at it. I guess Alves should come. But, if Alex also comes, that makes two Brazilians. In Portugal, Brazilian players are known to unbalance the locker room. And Mourinho's a Portuguese (please don't forget).

Just one more thought. What I think will happen a lot of games this season is playing with just three defenders for the second half. Then, Ballack or a second striker could fit in...

I was really impressed with Malouda. I think he's going to add a lot to the team, and will work well with Robben, Kalou, Cole, and Drogba in terms of creating chances.

"The romantics met the pragmatists in the final of the Copa America.
Brazil's 3-0 win means that it was a resounding triumph for the pragmatists."It has been written on BBC LINK After it I think we shouldnot worry aboutthese allegations of boring football.

Mourinho elucidate us on SWP's future saying he tried him at RM and that actually he always plays "very, very well" at the middle. In 4-3-3, at least, that's just stating he's another candidate for Ballacks place, isn't it? Malouda also had a go at LM (Lampard's place).
For all these complications, perhaps Mourinho should come up with a totally new scheme of play :)

Alex had a good game as CB for Brazil yesterday against Tevez in Copa America's final. He seemed very good at intercepting crosses in the area, something fundamental for the Premiership. But with the reported interest in Cannavaro, will he ever come?
Daniel Alves was very impressive, but attacking, as he was playing at midfield. He made the cross for Ayala's own-goal and score one himself. Not bad for a RB. I still think we need him, but his price went up, surely.

Despite recognizing I find Manchester United's forward line quite fearful (Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez), specially in counter-attack, it should be noted that it completely lacks height. Seeing Messi and Tevez uselessly going against Brazil's overpacked defence, got me hoping ManU will have the same problem this season.

Good stuff Andre, thanks. Think Alex is a cert, but can't see Alves as a Mourino player.

I do really think the upcoming season will be magnificient compared to the previous ones, not just in terms of attraction football but also in terms of results (champions league and barclays premier league and may be one cup on the top of that).

A. Concerning the attracting football, we got plenty options with each positions having double players at least. But the more interesting thing it's the option to play two attacking formation: 4-2-3-1 and 4-4-3 or even 4-1-1-2-2.
1.For the first formation (4-2-3-1) this might be the following:
----------------Cech-------------------
Johnson(ferreira) carvalho terry ashley cole
-----essien mikel-----------------
--robben lampard malouda--
-------------drogba---------------
This system is better in terms of securing both attacking football and more cover for stopping counter attack from the opponent. When we'll be defensive position, Mikel will pass the ball quickly to essien, given he's a bit slow, the latter will lead the counter attack by passing to either flank and try to feed drogba or lampard for the final third, even though the winger can score themselves. As for counter opponent attack you already see how it will work. just as it did again united in the fa cup final. the only difference is the way we ll play in attacking position.
2. For our old 4-3-3 system
we know all about that
we could have as much as formation we want given the depth of our squad but i'll prefer the following formation:
----------------cech--------------------
jonhson carvalho terry a.cole
robben-----lampard----malouda
----------------drogba-----------------
3. That's the interesting formation to be experimented this year. The 4-1-1-2-2. It's the one which doesn't offer enough defensive protection. This means Essien will play as second cover with Lampard the first one. But in terms of attacking football, it will be more of Barcelona than anything else, a real attacking football to pressure opponents in their own half and create lot of chances with at least 6 attacking players or 8 with full backs along with lampard playing cover to Essien when we attacks. As a result, we'll surely score more goals and so on... The advantages with that system is to find two strickers for the reception of wingers' crosses. That's very interesting and my proposed formation is as follows:
-------------Cech--------------------
jonhson carvalho terry a.cole
---------------essien---------------
-------------lampard---------------
robben------------------malouda
--------drogba--scheva---------

What do you think of my suggestions? I don't think we need Alves? I have a good confidence in Glen Johnson and Ferreira, even the cover of Diarra or Essien. They can do the job we need to just show them enough confidence. That's it. Look at how Ferreira played the end of the season when being confident. So Alves, even though good enough and very talented he's overpriced, we can cope without having him given the number of options we got on the wings.
I am every exciting to see this new season coming.
The future's bright , the future's blue

Come on the Chels'

I forgot to mention the expected results by swifting to those three formations.
I think all formations suit europe. I got a little doubt about that. As for the Premier league, I think , given the high level of the squad of premier league's teams we should opt for the 4-2-3-1 and 4-3-3 because they offer both security in defense and attacking football compared to the 4-1-1-2-2 which only provides total football play by Ajax, we'll use it more in Europe to score boom boom boom boom once the whistle blew.lol
I don't think these strategies will fail because they can be turned into rigid 4-4-2 when needed. This will guarantee us Champioons League and Premiership by playing attracting and nice football. As for the other domestic cups, we could have one of them. That's for sure, the future's bright, the future's blue... Come on the Chels

Hi Guys
Don't know how much truth there is in these comments.

Alex is unenthusiastic about a move to Chelsea.
The Independent says Alex has told friends he does not want to move to Chelsea after all. It is understood that the PSV Eindhoven central defender has misgivings as to how many games he will play next season.

If that is the case and Alex doesn't arrive,all we have done is swap Khalid Boulahrouz for Ben Haim.With the possibility of him playing at left back due to the injuries we have,any injury to JT or Carvalho will leave us in the same situation as last season.

By all accounts a comfortable win last night,I think we'll know more when we play European opposition,ie Rangers,Feyenoord.

Please can the Robben saga be over soon,I want him to stay but the constant reports about him leaving is becoming very tiresome.

Lynn,

Interesting story that. Alex would be great cover, but he'll never replace JT or Riccy C as first choice. We were desperately short of CB cover last season so it would make sense for him to be signed. But if he doesn't want to, do we end up with another Gallas on our hands ???

The Independent story also alludes to us having signed Drenthe from Feyernoord. He was class in the U21 matches I saw, but I couldnt really tell whether he was playing at LB or LM half the time. I guess with Robben seemingly on his way, and Bridge our for a few months he would be an ideal signing (despite Malouda covering at LB last night).

On to last night. Always nice to win pre-season, no matter who the opposition (for instance, my hometown club Norwich won 12-0 against a semi-pro side last night, and all the fans are crowing on about promotion to the Premiership !!!).
Nice to see Drogs picking up his scoring form, the team played reasonably well and I am happy to see some youngsters getting their chance. I'm convinced Sinclair has a part in Jose's plans this year.

It was interesting to see Hilario play the second half. I cant recall if Carlo is in the States, but part of me wonders if we shouldn't be looking for a new number 2 goalkeeper, maybe someone a bit younger than Carlo and Hilarious ???

Finally, someone needs to tell Kalou that flourescent orange boots and a flourescent yellow kit dont go. And never will. Maybe in the Eighties when they were sock colours, but not now.

Afternoon sports fans,

We ideally need Alex, although we won't start to many in theory, JT or Riccy could get injurred walking their daogs for all we know. Alves would be a quality RB, much better then Glenny or Paulo, i thought we was a winger first time i saw him play! I guess i like attacking football too much (ask the lad at Hurlingham).

I'm quite confident we'll come away with Prem and Champs this season. I can feel it.

I can't comment on the games as i haven't got Ski and am feeling a little left out. Not for long though...

.............................K.T.B.F.F.H.............................

BBC is reporting that the Robben has agreed terms with Real.

I am furious. I have always been loyal to Jose - but I cannot believe he is allowing Robben to leave. If Robben wants to leave it is because Jose has not managed him well enough over the last few years. Whenyou have a 23 year old star player you do not let him get disgruntled and leave.

What really bites my ass is that we paid 12m for him. We are selling him for a reported 15m!! Could you imagine ManUre selling Ronaldo for that little. What hurts even more is that Robben is 23 yet we just bought Malouda who is 27 for 13.5m!!

What the hell is going on at the bridge. Losing Robben is a big loss - even if we are signing Drenthe as a replacment. I'm worried he'll be another Kalou and will not have the impact that Arjen has.

If Robben goes - then my estimation of Jose will have dropped immensley. If he thinks that Sinclair and Drenthe will give us the same speed and killer instinct on the break then I think we are screwed. I will most liklely be proved wrong on this point (i.e. winning the PL back) but I love what Robben brings to the team and can't believe were selling him for so little.

utter bollcoks if you ask me - if I was a fan of any other team I would be laughing my tits off. Chelsea selling Robben for only a 3m profit and then buying an older replacement (Malouda) for 13.5m!! We are financial Geniuses!!

Sort it out Jose and Roman - stop the rot - get JT and Lamps to sign asap and get Drogs to stop talking about wanting new challenges. CFC buys the best - we do not sell them once we have made them stars!!!

Bollocks - I'm off to get drunk and drown my sorrows.

Very mixed feelings about the Robben rumour - howeve, the other week they had Lamps on his way to barca. The 5 Live boys are usually pretty good but everything is a "story" at the moment as the transfer market reaches its peak point. I do agree that Man U would not sell Ronaldo but his contribution to their success last year was far more than Robbens to ours , last year or previously. Apart from anything else Robben does appear to be made of glass and I can't say he did much for us last year. However, I'd want another season from him and if it repeats the previous 3 years then yes, let him go next year. I agree that Malouda at 27 is not a replacement for a 23 year old facing his best years. Buying another young Dutch player is also risky as although he may be good, he won't be near Robben for a while in terms of speed and danger.

In essence I hope Arjen stays for at least another year, but if he does go, then he wasn't good enough for us then! I still think one more BIG signing is coming our way.

Robben is a stroppy player! In the past he is made of glass, but as he's maturing he'll be much more consistant me thinks.

Real are obviously offering a huge amount in terms of salery, which we are not willing to match. This is not down to TSO but the board at Chelsea. From previous strops Robben has thrown the board obviously aren't willing to pay that much.

We must understand that Caulderon pledged to sign Robben, Cesc, Ronaldo and he must deliver one of them, Robben is the easiest target, and ifhe goes for financial reason maybe we're better off.

Drogs is now worrying me when mentioning the financial aspect is what could draw him from Chelsea. Please don't go Drogs.......

I take this all as a sign of our focus on self sufficiency by 2010 for the club. This will improve our bank ballance, but maybe not our medal cabinet.

.............................K.T.B.F.F.H.............................

Some people on here need to get a grip. If you bothered to check the official club site occasionally, you'd learn that Didi issued a statement rubbishing all the reports about him leaving Chelsea. He hasn't given any interviews, he signed a new deal last year, and he wants to stay at the club for several more. As usual, the press are talking complete bollocks.

As for Robben, Jose wants to keep him, Kenyon wants to keep him, and he himself said before that he was happy to stay a Chelsea player. We do have cover now, but I don't think we'll sell unless we get a really good offer. Until then, Real can eat our shorts and the press can bugger off and make up twattle about someone else.

Got a horrible feeling we're going to do a Gallas with Robben - JM wants to keep him, but the board don't want to start throwing huge wages around with two other key players looking for new deals.

Still not entirely sure he's going to go, but generally fell like Tony - would love to see another season from him, and if he lets us down again, fuck him.

As a plus, if he goes, it definately leaves us weaker in principle, but given how little he has produced in the last two seasons, perhaps not any worse off in practice.

Robben saga is a very interesting one.

Just a mention here that it is pretty good that Trueblue is not managing the club...falling to pieces over speculation...very interesting...at this rate you will be totally pissed throughout this year...

I do not believe that we are losing Robben or anyother player for that matter. The time factor comes into play and well the age as well...

Speculation is rife but I am not going to fall ino this trap...

Come on Chelsea
Come on Chelsea
Come on Chelsea
Come on Chelsea
Come on Chelsea

That is a cheer for all the cups am expecting us to win this season....hehehehehe

I do hope it's just specualtion - but my gut tells me that Robben will be playing for Real next season.

If that's the case - I pray we get over 20m for him (ideally 25m for a player of his calibre) and that Drenthe is able to cover.

Malouda looks ok in pre-season but is not a proven PL player. Seems like SWP is gonna play inside and we all know what Kalou is like on the wing.

If we are going back to wing play then Robben must be kept at all costs!!

Anyone else getting (or already) hacked off with sensationalist journalism this summer ??

Anyone would think JT had broken both legs the way this mornings stories are going on. He's got a broken toe FFS - he'll be in discomfort for a week or so, that's it. How they can attribute the latest injury to those he suffered last season is a joke. Get him smacked up on horse tranquilizers and he'll be fine.

Why dont they concentrate on the never ending yawnfest that is the Tevez saga. He's going to ManUSA and we all know it. Just let it be. No-one will come out of it looking good, they've all been tarnished in one way or another and frankly I'm glad it's making the FA and the Premier League look like a bunch of pre-school kids for the shocking way they've handled the whole thing.

Fifty

Agree with you 100%.
Any story regarding Chelsea is totally blown up to be headline news.Don't you think that if we were involved in Tevezgate,we would somehow be cast as the villains of the piece.
We all know that he'll end up at Manure,but it's quite fun to see them stressed out wondering if he'll sign before tranfer deadline.If by some miracle FIFA don't bow down to Manure and refuse to fastrack the situation,it will be interesting to see what they do next.

If by chance JT suffers any adverse reaction toe his injury,we DO need another centre half,if only as back up.

Jimmy Smith has been loaned to Norwich until the end of the year.

My Norwich supporting colleagues are wondering why only till the end of the year, but I'm guessing Jose will assess the squad before the African Nations Cup starts.

I've been sick of journo's for some years now! Some dufus at their desk dreaming up 'sources' to use as an excuse so they don't get sewed. The sad thing is alot of poeple buy the papers and it seems mainly liverpool fans beleive every printed word.

Alex is hopefully packing his bags now, it just goes to show we need the CB possition covered proper, along with every other position on the pitch.

.............................K.T.B.F.F.H.............................

Alex was said to have not wanted a move to the bridge...anyone buying into this???

Well am not...

I can understand Alex not wanting to come - he will play second fiddle to JT and Riccy. With Tal here as well - not a lot of games gonna go his way!

I like the new layout, took me by surprise initially but I like it.

Anyway.....

Man goes to the doc and says "I have a problem. After I masturbate I start
to sing 'You'll never walk alone'."

The Doc says "don't worry, lots of wankers sing that." ;-)

Thanks, Clive.

A new look for a new season, a refreshing change. It's not 100% finished - quite a few wrinkles to iron out - but it's usable. Let me know if you find any serious bugs or annoyances.

Now it's a case of finding the time to do some proper blogging. It's been a little too quiet round here of late.

Well, frankly speaking tonight's game is not anything special, just another American mediocre opposition. I am looking forward to Europe games it should be more interesting.

Wow! This is brilliant. I love this theme!

Guys! Pizarro will be there in the squad for the La Galaxy game. And Jose has revealed that it would be a 4-4-2 only but not a diamond, with Joe Cole and Malouda as the wide midfielders. Gonna be exciting!