Posts Tagged ‘Chelsea FC’

Why Chelsea Should Never Leave Stamford Bridge!

Some Chelsea fans feel that the club should move from Stamford Bridge to a new larger stadium.

They think that moving to a venue in Earls Court or Shepards Bush would allow the club to develop and compete with rivals such as Arsenal and Manchester United.

 Teams with huge stadiums that generate millions is additional revenue at each home game. 

However the majority of Chelsea fans that I have spoken to disagree and on this issue I have to side with the masses.

Despite the jealous and petty taunts from rivals our club has a rich history.

Chelsea are one of the few clubs to have never moved from Stamford Bridge in our 105 year history and this is something that means a lot to me as I am sure it does to others.

This is a ground where Bobby Tambling, Ron Harris, Peter Osgood, Dennis Wise and Gianfranco Zola inspired generations with their football.  

This is a ground that has hosted internationals and an FA Cup Final.

This is a ground that has seen its fair share of glory and despair during the history of the club that calls it home, this must count for something, right?

As fans we do not want to see our club go the way of Arsenal at the Emirates a soulless corporate machine, money is important in the game.

Yet the battle between heritage and chasing the money a compromise must be found that keeps the club at Stamford Bridge.

This may be a sentimental view but what iss wrong with sentiment or being proud of where you are from?

In my mind only bureaucratic belligerence stands in the way of redevelopment and a compromise that would suit everyone.

Stamford Bridge has changed a lot over its history and maybe it is time to push the council and safety inspectors, to convince them that it is time to allow the ground to morph once agaom to allow the club to expand whilst maintaining its heritage.

Stamford Bridge is the home of Chelsea Football Club and should remain the home of Chelsea Football Club.

Mr Abramovich sir, please find a way to let us stay where we belong.

Chelsea FC A Brief History – 1993-1996 The Hoddle Years

Gavin Peacock the Star of The 1993/1994 Cup Run

When Chelsea sacked manager Ian Porterfield in February 1993 they earned the distinction of becoming the first club to sack a manager in the Premier League.

Despite a slow start, this turned out to be one of the best decisions that Ken Bates made during his tenure as Chelsea chairman as the club appointed Glen Hoddle as player/manager following a caretaker spell from David Webb.

First Season

Despite victories against Liverpool and Manchester United at home, Chelsea had a torrid start to Glen Hoddle’s first season at the club, looking like serious relegation candidates in the run up to Christmas.

However the signing of Mark Stein was the turning point as the striker went on to set the record for number of consecutive games on the mark in a row, which allowed Chelsea to scramble their way to Premier League safety.

One of the other factors behind the turnaround was the confidence of a long overdue major cup run as Chelsea overcame Barnet, Sheffield Wednesday, Oxford United, Wolves and Luton to reach the final of the competition for the first time since 1970.

Despite losing the FA Cup Final 4-0 to Manchester United a match covered later in the series, the club found its confidence for the first time in a generation and hope returned to the Bridge.

Rebuilding

Glen Hoddle spent his time at the club rebuilding the squad and capturing the historic signing of Ruud Guillit, that led to the development of a passing style that was to become part of the mantra of the club for the next decade.

The squad developed under Hoddle reaching the European Cup Winners Cup Semi-Final in 1995 and able to beat anyone on their day. Although league finishes of 14th, 11th and 11th in his three seasons at the club may not be impressive in regards to today’s standard, they brought stability to the club.

1996 and Beyond – Hoddle Leaves for England Job

When Hoddle left for the England job in 1996 having taken the club to a European Semi Final as well as the FA Cup Final the club was in good shape.

The rest they say is history, the revolution had begun when Glen Hoddle’s marquee signing Ruud Gullit became player/manager, star names starting coming to the Bridge en masse and things started to take shape.

Within a couple of years a team of journeyman and functional players had been transformed into a cosmopolitan side that played with flair as well as passion.

Mark Hughes, Gianfranco Zola, Frank Lebeouf, Gianluca Vialli arrived at the club and in his first season in charge the club finished 6^th in the table and won the FA cup for the first time in 30 years.

This was followed by the club lifting the League Cup and Cup Winners Cup trophies with a Gianfranco Zola goal in Stockholm making Chelsea the last club to win the now defunct competition

By the end of the decade, the club had qualified for the Champions League for the first time, but it was 1993-1996 where the Chelsea revolution was born.

Follow the Chelsea FC A Brief History Series

1969 – Chelsea v Arsenal

1994 FA Cup Final

View From Matthew Harding Stand As Alex Scores Free Kick Stunner Against Arsenal

 Alex scores a thunderbolt free kick against Arsenal to seal the game and celebrates in an understated fashion.

Check out this Alex free kick video taken from the Matthew Harding Upper

Chelsea Find A New Way to Play Without Injured Frank Lampard

After losing to Manchester City those with less confidence than an Englishman taking a penalty may have been inclined to feel the honeymoon start to Chelsea’s season was well and truly over. However as the Premier League reaches the 7 game itch, all is rosy in the garden as the club sits top of the table.

In the Champions League the club recorded a second successive victory in the group leaves us most in a strong position on both fronts and suddenly the media have decided the title race is over and we can all concentrate on the battle for 2^nd.

This is not really the case; the sensationalism of the media aside there are still 31 games to be played and four points is about as secure as the Greek economy.

Playing to our Strengths

Our last two victories have been lessons in playing to your strengths and adopting your game to the weaknesses of your opponent. Without the finesse of Frank Lampard in midfield we looked to other strengths to overpower are rivals.

A solid defence and midfield screen allow the team to sit back and soak up pressure whilst having the firepower to punish teams just as they think they have a chance of making headway. Even the game at Manchester City could have broken the other way as chances were created.  

Style of Play

It is not great to see your side under pressure but in the last two games the team seems to thrive on it, Mikel, Ramires and Essien provide a solid midfield screen in front of the defence. Whilst, Nicholas Anelka, Drogba and Florent Malouda do not see as much of the ball but when they do defences are opened up as Ashley Cole and Branislav Ivanovic spring forward in support.

It may not be all out attack, but the team has a goal difference that is off the charts averaging three goals a game, winning and goalscoring football, now that’s entertainment.

Chelsea vs. Arsenal Player Ratings

Starting XI:

Petr Cech – 8

Made a stunning save from a Arshavin shot in the first half and did everything well as Arsenal pressured during the second half.

John Terry -8

Solid defensive display in partnership with Alex to keep the Gunners at bay

Alex – 9

Amazing in defence and the quality of his goal is difficult to put into words

Branislav Ivanovic – 6

Strong defensively but as against Manchester City and Marseille he was often caught out of position as Arsenal broke

Ashley Cole – 8

Strong, solid and denied a goal, he defended majestically and provided the cross for Drogba to score the opening goal.

Ramires – 7

His best game in a blue shirt so far, his crunching tackle in the build up to the opening goal was inspirational. He still has a tendency to give the ball away needlessly but a much improved performance

Mikel – 8

Great performance protecting the back line from the Nigerian as Arsenal just could not break down a resolute defence

Michael Essien – 7

Solid performance from the Ghanaian as he played his role in the victory

Florent Malouda – 8

Fine form continues as he was everywhere on the pitch and threatening on the counter attack always providing an output

Nicholas Anelka -8

Should have scored from a chance of his own making after a poor back pass, however with Didier Drogba and Florent Malouda he looked at home as Chelsea played counter attacking football

Didier Drogba -8

Took half an hour to get started but loves playing against Arsenal, sublime finish from a difficult angle to boot

Substitutes

Paulo Ferreria – 8

Did a fantastic job coming off the bench in the final quarter of the game

Sturridge and Zhirkov - Little time to make an impact

Heroes and Villians

Chelsea Heroes - Everyone so hard to find a poor performance, but who was your man of the match?

Chelsea Villian - N/A