Chelsea

Chelsea

Significant Transfers: Juan Mata(from Valencia for 30 000 000 €), Raul Meireles(from Liverpool for 13 500 000 €), Romelu Lulalu(from Anderlecht for 22 000 000 €)

Significant Sells: Michael Mancienne(sold to Hamburger for 2 500 000 €), Yuri Zhirkov(sold to Andji Mahachkala for 15 000 000 €)

Analysis of transfers: The new Chelsea manager André Villas-Boas ahs shown good transfer politics after signing with the young talent Romelu Lukaku who is showing great performances in Belgium and scoring a lot of goal only on the age of 19(he became the goalscorer of the championship). Also he managed to take to London spanish Juan Mata who is in the national team and is amazing footballer. The last news of Raul Meireles's tranfer were the final of coach's selection. Now that he has a ballanced team of well known players he can add a few refreshments to the team to make it capable of fighting for the title for another season.

Start of the season: 2 out of 3... Not bad for a start but if you fight for the title you got to work more on the pitch for the points needed. That's the current situation in Western London - 1 draw and 2 wins. It is true that Chelsea is now involved in a process of rejuvenating the team but the performances on the pitcj need improvement. First a deuce was made against Stoke City on their stadium 0-0 with a lot of misses from "The Blues". Then came the tough victory over West Bromich with 2-1 with all goals scored in the second half(Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda) for Chelsea. The last round they conceeded a goal but again managed to win, this time with 3-1 against Norwich with the goal of Bosingwa, Frank Lampard and Juan Mata. Despite the good start of the season it is clear that there are still thing to work on in the club because all of their matches so far have been against average teams who can easily fight for relegetion at the end of the season. That's why the new players will need a lot of practices and concentration in the matches to take the 3 points, because now, despite the wins there is still room for improvement.

Here we come again!

Summer vacation is over and we are back with the start of the european football leagues in the old continent. Now that it's the pause for these leagues, due to the Euro Qualifications held in Poland and Ukraine for 2012, we can make a quick summary of some of the championships and their clubs respectively. Every day we will post a brief summary of one team from a league.

We will start with the most popular one, that gained the fame of the most thrilling in the last 5-6 years-England. Barclays Premier League has show us a lot great matches so far, and the start of the season is no exception. Stunning results, amazing performances, unique players... Yes, in a matter of 3 rounds we've seen all of this in a single tournament. But lets start to analyse each club separately to see how are things going in 2011/2012 season. Starting with last year's champion from Manchester we will come down to the novices who came from Championship.

Manchester United

Significant Transfers: David de Gea(from Atletico Madrid for 20 000 000 €), Ashley Young(from Aston Villa for 19 500 000 €), Phill Jones(from Blackburn for 16 500 000 €)

Significant Sells: John O'Shey and Wes Borwn(sold to Sunderland for a total of 5 100 000 €), Gabriel Obertan(sold to Newcaslte for 4 500 000 €)

Retirements: Edwin van der Sar, Paul Scholes

Analysis of transfers: Sir Alex Fergues show agains how wise can he be on the transfer market, buying class players only for the positions he needed. Without toо many transfers as usual he got what he needed- prosperous young goalkeeper substituting retiring Edwin van der Sar, who shows differents performances so far, making brilliant saves and at the same time stupid mistakes, Left Wing (Ashley Young) who so far is impressive and has a total of 3 goals and 2 goal passes, and Phill Jones who improves a lot the defence of the team.

Start of the season: Manchester United won their first three matches with a goal difference of 13-3(the best in the league). First came the tough visit against West Bromich won with 2-1 with an opening goal from Wayne Rooney and a late goal of Ashley Young. Next weekend the "Red Devils" won with 3-0 against Tottenham Hotspur on the "Teather of Dreams" with all goals scored in the second half(Dani Welbeck, Andeson and Wayne Rooney). In the last round, playing on Old Traford, the boys of Alex Ferguson smashed emphatically one of the best teams in England- Arsenal with a result 8-2. Goal were scored by Wayne Rooney(3), Ashley Young(2), Nani, Welbeck and Park. Now the team is currently first and shows all prospects of being challenger for the first place at the end of the season.

de Gea - the next goalkeeper of Manchester

The administration of Manchester United decided who will be the next goalkeeper of Manchester after Erwin van der Sar retires at the end of the season. According to "Daily Mail" this will be the goalkeeper of Atletico Madrid David de Gea. His age is a huge advantage for him, because he is just 20 years old and choosing him would be a long-term investition. The money needed for the transfer will be about 15 million pounds and if everything goese as it is supposed to, after the end of the season de Gea will be the newest member of the English soccer team.

Milner - we'll do everything to beat Man Utd

James Milner is a member of the English club Manchester City and of the English national team. He is looking forward to the derby against their opponents from the same city. He expects that they'll be the winners and that his team will make a spectacular derby during one of the most tense games in the Premier League.

"We are confident and we have world-class players all the way through the side. We have younger players and older players and it's a good mix here." said the midfielder of Man City

Milner went on saying: "We know we can keep improving and we will do that. We work hard in training and we have great scope to go on and become even better. I think that's the main thing, to move forward as a team"

Right now Manchester City is 3rd with 49 points while their opponents are leading the Premier League. Gaining 3 points in this game may be vital for both teams. It will be a difficult match and as Milner said: "It's obviously a massive game. It's one everyone wants to win. It will be a tough game and it's up to us to go there, perform and try and get a result"

Evra - Arsenal is "a football training centre"

The Manchester United's left wingback and part of the French national team Patrice Evra said after his match with Arsenal that his words that Arsenal is 'A Football Training Centre' proved right. He made this statement during the last round of the Barclays Premier League. "For me Arsenal is a football training centre. You watch the match, you enjoy it, but are you going to win a title afterwards? That’s what people remember." His words were actually right, because Arsenal does some very good games and their beautiful style of playing is remarkable, but after all their last title was many years ago.

Manchester Utd 1:0 Arsenal

Manchester United won with 1 to 0 in front of Arsenal their field Old Trafford in the last game of the 17 th round of the Premier League. Goals for the Reds' said Park Ji Sung in 41 minutes. Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov wasn't playing for Man Utd this time stood on the bench of his team throughout the match and even though the "Red Devils" won. Wayne Rooney did miss a penalty for the hosts in 74 minutes.

The victory allowed the Red Devils to come out on top in the standings. Manchester United has 34 points and is followed by Arsenal 32, Manchester City with 32 and Chelsea 31. United has a game in hand.

Sight of the former Manchester United star David Beckham and rescued some time ago Chilean miners who were specially invited for the derby, the team Sir Alex Ferguson hit the ground with a pure striker in the face of Wayne Rooney. On top of the attack even began Moroccan Londoners Marwan Shamak. The captain of Arsenal Cesc Fabregas, who recently healed injury, was recorded among the reserves, but appear in the game in the second half. Its inclusion didn't help Arsenal to avoid defeat. Among the holders of Arsenal were the goalkeeper Wojciech and young Shchesni that shifts in the starting eleven suffering from injury Lukasz Fabianski.

In the 74-minute Manchester United could decide the match in their favor. Team Sir Alex Ferguson is entitled to a penalty after Clichy game with his arm in the criminal field. The decision of the Web to indicate the white point, however, likely to trigger discussions. Rooney stood behind the ball, but 25-year-old shoots the ball very poorly and profucha above the door. The hosts, however, remained calm and kept handy for their result. Even 86 minutes Rooney was close to make up for missed penalty as a beautiful shot try to transfer Shchesni but the goalkeeper saved. Literally in the last seconds of the 4-minute period of extra time reserve Theo Walcott volley shoot inaccurately and Arsenal failed to wrest point at the last possible moment.

Drogba - the hope of Chelsea...

Drogba missed to score a penalty at the very end of the derby Chelsea vs. Tottenham. The hero of Chelsea became a reason for disappointment and after a tense game the result remained equal. Drogba made a terrible mistake after he missed the chance of gaining the 3 points for his team in the 92nd minute. This minute was the most important for the team, becausae it could have gainead them temporarily the first place. Drogba is currently one of the best players of Chelsea and the fact that he missed was a terrible shock for the fans and supporters of the team. Even after the bad game the hope is still alive. Drogba will have to prove himself against Manchester United on the 19th, which is the derby in England. Chelsea still have a great chanace to win the first place, but the next matches will be really dificult.

Chelsea vs Liverpool

A quick word with John Terry, Ashley Cole and Co would soon back that up after the Liverpool hitman tore them to shreds - and blew the title race wide open into the bargain.
At this rate all those body-language experts who have been so quick to put the boot in are soon going to be out of business!
A week ago, Hodgson found himself having to defend Europe's deadliest finisher once again after a toothless show at the Reebok.
While the world and his dog were jumping on the Torres bandwagon, Kop boss Hodgson was adamant the Reds golden boy was close to hitting top form.
Well, if the last laugh is indeed the loudest, you would have heard the guffaws from the manager's office echoing all the way across Stanley Park last night.
Rivalled only, in fact, by the bellows of delight along the M62 as Alex Ferguson raised a glass of the finest red in honour of his fiercest rivals.
If the Manchester United chief was already on Cloud Nine at Arsenal's defeat, it will take a week to get his feet back on the ground after Chelsea followed suit.
Yes, the champions were indeed truly awful as they lost it in the first half. But that was more down to Liverpool's own magnificence than their own clangers.
And tormentor in chief, as he has been so often against them in the past, was Torres, with two finishes that stuck two fingers in the face of all those hinting he was on skid row.
Strike one came after only 11 minutes, with a goal that had Carlo Ancelotti tearing his hair out at its simplicity.
Dirk Kuyt's long crossfield ball drifted over the head of Terry, and Torres - after taking one touch to control - slipped it easily past Petr Cech.
It certainly brought a smile to the face of John W Henry in the directors' box - although co-owner Tom Werner had to rely on TV replays after getting to his seat 60 seconds after the opener.
Strike two came bang on half-time, with a sublime strike as good as you will see here all season.
The fact it arrived courtesy of a Cole cock-up only heightened the pleasure for Kopites. Heightened it, in fact, for just about everyone outside of Chelsea.
The England left-back slipped as he meandered into midfield, Lucas fed Torres and the Spaniard took one step to his right before unleashing an unstoppable shot into the far corner.
And that was effectively game, set and match even before they had taken a sip of the half-time cuppa - certainly the way Chelsea had played.
Outrun, outbattled and out-thought in just about every area of the pitch - but in midfield in particular. Brazilian workhorse Lucas - so often the butt of cruel jokes in his Anfield career - was only a gnat's you-know-what behind Torres with a magnificent display.
Yet naturally the Spaniard's heroics stole the show - and continued his own devastating record against the Blues as he did so.
Eight times the striker has lined up against them and six times he has found the net. If, as the mischief-makers have suggested, the Kop hotshot would eventually like to chance his arm at Stamford Bridge, he could hardly have written a better application.
But really this was far, far more than a one-man show.
There were 11 heroes in red and not far short of the same number of headless and weak chickens in blue.

Liverpool back on form after deserved win againts Chelsea

Liverpool claimed the 9th place after a win over the champions Chelsea with 2:0. The match started very intense, but Liverpool were controlling the game more oftenly. At the 11th minute a brilliant pass given by Kuyt, was stopped by Torres, and the striker went on several meters before he scored and Liverpool were in front. Chelsea continued with their inconvinient play and in the 27th minute Chelsea's player played with hand in the penalty box, but the refferee didn't give a penalty. Liverpool continued with their strong play and in the 45th minute Fernando Torres received a ball at the edge of the box, and with a magnificent shot scored the second goal of the match, just before the first half ended. In the 61st minute Zhirkov shoot very preciselly, but Liverpool's goalkeeper kept his net clean. After 4 minutes Drogba couldn't score while he was 5 meters in front of the goal, and the ball hit the post. At the 75th minute Dirk Kuyt shot very dangerously towards Peter Cech, but the goalkeeper managed to save with his foot. In the 83rd minute Nicolas Anelka shot, and Reina partially saved, and the ball was off the post. The match went by and Chelsea didn't have many more chances to score. In the 93rd minute Maxi Rodrigez fell for penalty, but the refferee gave none. After this the match had ended and Liverpool claimed the 9th places, and Chelsea has advantage of only 2 points over Manchester United at the top of Premier League.

Liverpool and West Ham's desperate need for points

Liverpool will play against West ham in a match from the Barclays Premier League in England. Both teams are desperately fighting for a better league position after a disappointing season behind them. Liverpool almost lost their chances of winning the 4th position that will insure their participation in the Champion League next season. They recently imporved their results but still have some difficulties winning important games. Generaly this season is turning into disaster for them except for the 1/2 final in Europa league that they reached. Even though miracles happen very often in football it would be imposibly hard for them to reach that position. On the other hand West Ham are in a fight for the position that will insure that they will play in in this league next season. Their ambition were completely broken after the first half of the season and now they are under pressure. As far as for scoring goals they recently improved their position and start scoring more goals. Their forward Ilan is in great form and scores almost every match. Meanwhile, Liverpool has some general problems because of the injury of Fernando Torres. Still, both teams need these 3 points so Iexpect that many goals will be scored(over 2.5 goals). Surely the game will be interesting and Iexpect a draw of 1-1 or 2-2 and the end of the chances of Liverpool for reaching the 4th position.

Tottenham - Chelsea 17.04.2010

Tottenham Hotspur will have a very difficult game to play and most of their matches will be with teams from the first places. Right now Manchester City is just one point in front of them and 17th of April will be the most important game for the 4th place. Manchester City will have a match against their local opponent Manchester United. Both teams have very difficult games against the first and the second one in the Premier League. The coach of Tottenham Harry Redknapp said that they will beat Chelsea the same way as they did with Arsenal. For a reminder - the match finished 2:1 for Tottenham. Chelsea are the leaders in the Premier League with 77 points and 4 points ahead of Manchester United. On the other side Manchester are only 2 points in front of Arsenal and a game draw or a game lost will mean that they will lose the second place. This game will probably finish with a win for Chelsea and this means that they will definately win the first place in the Premier League

Chelsea with astonishing win with 5-0 as a guest to Portsmouth

In one of the most important matches for Chelsea FC they got what they came for with a win of 5-0 as a guest to Portsmouth FC. As you probably know the home playing team had financial problems which came to a crisis and the automatically lost 7 points. Now their chance of keeping their elite status is threatened by their almost lost possibility of maintaining a position among the best England clubs. On the field yesterday they didn't impressed their fans being humiliated with such an incredible result. In the other hand Chelsea FC seems to return to their winning streak. After being eliminated form Champions league from Inter they lost 2 precious points for the title in the Barclays Premier League by recieving a gaol in the last 20 minutes for 1-1 with Blackburn Rovers as a guest again. But as a proof for their magnificent form in this season was this win. Now they are 2nd just a point behing Manchester United and 1 point in front of Arsenal. The battle will be great not only because of their almost equal chance of winning the tournament but also the upcoming direct matches between these opponents. From now on every team will have to focus in each of the games left to gain as much point as needed for the title. Their greatest weapon will be their teamwork which will help each one for their aim-champions of England.