Drogba award talk

Drogba has been nominated again for the African footballer of the year award, which last year he said he wants nothing to do with.  So we shall see if he wants anything to do with it this year.

Bridge in

Looks like Wayne Bridge is certain to get the nod tomorrow night in Belarus which like I said before is great for us that he picks up a game before the weekend as it looks like we might be heading to Boro with a skeleton squad.

The internet on JT

There have been stories all over the net today about people sceptical of John Terry's future as the string of injuries start to have long term effects.  Obviously a human body can only take so much but I believe this is a knee jerk reaction to him missing two national team games.  There will come a time when he has to start slowing down but he is still just going to be 28 in December.

Ballack injury

Ballack picked up a calf injury in Germany's win on Saturday and is now a doubt for their match against Wales on Wednesday after missing training today. 

Drogba book signing

Drogba will be signing copies of his new book, that a features a forward by Mourinho, Thursday October 16, 2008 at the megastore at Stamford Bridge from 5 to 6pm.

WAYN: Claude Makelele

Claude Makelele born February 18, 1973 in Kinshasa, Zaire joined Chelsea on September 1, 2003 from Real Madrid for 16.6 million pounds.  He is a defensive midfielder that rarely got his name on the score sheet anywhere he played.  He had scored 1 goal in 172 appearances for Real and handed in a transfer request when his request for an improved contract was denied.  Upon his arrival at Stamford Bridge he was hailed to become the Battery of the team and did make a major impact.  His ability in this role saw the forwards allowed more time forward and he was pivotal in the two Premiership titles.  He left to Paris St Germain on a free transfer July 21, 2008 but will always be remember as one of the great Chelsea playmakers.  His final Chelsea stats 217 appearances and 2 goals.

Wembley Boo Boys

I have been thinking about this and we talked about it last night at the pub and I can't help but think maybe club allegiances are out weighing national unity.  We all know that we are one of the most disliked clubs in the Premiership, England and European competitions for what people say was buying success amongst other things.  Is it then no coincidence that it has been two of our players, Frank and Ashley, that have been the targets of the Wembley Boo Boys?

WAYN: Hernan Crespo

Hernan Crespo born July 5, 1975 in Buenos Aires, Argentina joined Chelsea on August 26, 2003 from Inter Milan for 16.8 million pounds.  He is a striker how had an amazing goal record in Argentina and three Italian clubs before joining Chelsea.  In his first season he did not have a sure starting place making just 31 starts in all competitions and was loaned out to AC Milan for the 2004/2005 season.  He returned to Chelsea for the 2005/2006 season but never really settled in London and requested to go back to Italy.  He was granted his wish and was sent out on a two year loan to Inter August 7, 2006 and when his Chelsea contract expired July 3, 2008 he joined Inter on a free transfer where he still plays.  His final Chelsea stats were 73 appearances and 25 goals.

Drogba and his wandering mind

In the November Chelsea magazine Drogba gives and interview where he admits that his mind wanders while on the pitch, in all fairness to him he also says it happens to everyone.  Of course I have always wondered about his level of focus on the pitch and I have no doubt that his level of focus on the game when he is not in it is completely lacking.  I remember seeing him on the bench last season against Wigin, ipod in his ears and taking SWP hat from his head.  It is one thing to have fun but game day is his job he gets paid very well for and should act professional in my opinion.

JT and Ashley OUT

JT has failed to train today so has been released from the squad still the same back problem.  The other bad news out of the England camp is Ashley has been ruled out with a hamstring injury which isn't great news for the team.

The only possible upside is now if Ashley is out for the weekend at least Wayne Bridge should now pick up a game before the weekend for some match fitness.

Lampard on Becks

Lampard has spoken of his admiration of Beckham achieving 106 caps for his country and has said he adds a lot mentally to the squad even if he is not starting games.

Decision on JT fitness to be made tomorrow

The FA will decide whether JT flys out with the squad on Tuesday after the final training session on Monday, lets hope he is fit.

Cech Injury

Petr Cech picked up a thigh injury in the defeat to Poland on Saturday and it now seems he will not feature in the Wednesday game.  Unsure of the seriousness and hopefully he is release back to the club for assessment.

WAYN: Alexei Smertin

Alexei Smertin born May 1, 1975 in Barnaul, USSR signed for Chelsea on August 25, 2003 for 3.5 million pounds from Bordeaux.  He is a central/defensive midfielder and was immediately loaned out to Portsmouth his first season at Chelsea.  In 2004/2005 he played a small part in the team on the way to the championship due to the high level of competition for a place in the midfield.  He was then loaned out to Charlton for the start of the 2005 season, in January 2006 a 1 million pound transfer to Dynamo Moscow was agreed and he completed the switch March 13, 2006.  He has singe been released from Dynamo in January 2007 and was signed by Fulham where he played until he was released in September 2008.  His final Chelsea stats 25 appearances 5 goals.

WAYN: Adrian Mutu

Adrian Mutu born January 8th, 1979 in Calinesti, Romania joined Chelsea on August 14th, 2003 from Parma for 15.8 million pounds.  He is a Striker who can also play attacking midfielder and as noted before on this blog he started out at Chelsea with 4 goals in 3 matches.  Then as we discussed earlier his contract was terminated for testing positive for cocaine use, as a result of that he had his contract terminated and has been ruled to pay Chelsea 17 million euro compensation.  He was sacked on October 29th, 2004 and on January 12th, 2005 he signed a 5 year contract with Juventus even though he was banned until May 2005.  Fiorentina then paid 8 million euro for his services on July 8th, 2006 and he still plays there.  His final Chelsea stats 38 appearances and 10 goals.