Posts Tagged ‘Chelsea v Crystal Palace’

Importance of Local Pre-Season Fixtures Underlined as Fans Revel in Carnival Atmosphere

For the second successive season, Chelsea scheduled at least one pre-season friendly, away from home against Championship opposition.

These games against Reading in 2009 and Crystal Palace this season took place relatively close to Stamford Bridge and attracted thousands of Chelsea fans eager for a return to any football after a summer without domestic football.

These normally low-key affairs have been transformed by the abnormally large turn out from the Chelsea faithful, singing loudly and with a veracity that belies the occasion, these games have taken on a carnival atmosphere.

This is increased by the fact that unlike most games during the season; almost any fan can get a ticket as demand from opposition fans is nowhere near enough to fill the ground.
Also unlike the games held overseas or during the season, these games are priced at under half the price of a normal CFC match ticket, meaning that families and those priced out of Stamford Bridge can afford a Chelsea day out.

Crystal Palaces are one of the teams that have been struggling financially recently, going into administration within the last 12 months this fixture against Chelsea attracted over 21,000 fans in a major cash life raft for the Championship side.

With these factors in mind I hope that next year without the shadow of a World Cup affecting the fixture planning, the club will merge the needs of the commercially driven overseas tour with the gesture of a local pre-season friendly that benefits Chelsea fans and the host club alike.

Essien and McEachran Star As Youth Takes Centre Stage Against Crystal Palace

Josh McEachran in Action for England U17's, he took his chance to shine today

 With the World Cup meaning that few of Chelsea’s experienced players were available for selection, the up and coming stars were given a chance to impress Carlo Ancelotti and the fans in the first pre-season friendly of the season.

The game had a typical pre-season tempo, with plenty of opportunity for players on both sides to pass the ball about and find their way into a game that in the end produced few clear cut chances.

Featuring a plethora of substitutions, Chelsea were able to secure victory through a classy piece of link up play on the edge of the area that included a nifty interchange between Franco Di Santo and Josh McEachran that allowed Michael Essien to slot home from 15 yards.

However the result was never the issue, the goalscoring return of Michael Essien is obviously going to grab many of the headlines, but there were many competent performances from the younger players on display.

This gives hope that maybe fewer new signings than expected are required to replace the departed vanguard of Belletti, Ballack and Joe Cole.

Player Selection and Performance Analysis

In goal there was little deviation as the three established goalkeepers were rotated so that each saw some action during the game. However in defence only Alex could be attributed as an experienced senior squad player, he was supported by Patrick Van Aarnholt, Jeffery Bruma and Ryan Bertrand all of whom displayed competence but were denied the chance to shine by the dominance of the Chelsea midfield.

The midfield was anchored by John Obi Mikel who was joined by Michael Essien and the developing talents of Nemanja Matic and Josh McEachran.

Apart from the assured return of Michael Essien it was senior team debutant Josh McEachran who stole the midfield show, looking assured, passing well creating chances and playing a key part in the Michael Essien goal.

Up front Daniel Sturridge looked lively with a clear desire to prove his worth to the management staff, Franco Di Santo did not have a bad game but did little to show that he should be challenging for a first team berth during the season.

As the game went on the substitutions came thick and fast, with 7 of last years reserve and youth teams getting a chance to impress.

The pick of these players was Scott Sinclair who after 3 years of bouncing around the Premiership and lower leagues on loan must feel that this season is his last chance to succeed as a Chelsea player. During his cameo he looked sharp and unafraid to take on defenders, it was this tenacity that should have won his side a penalty, with the referee erroneously deciding that during one mazy run he was tackled outside the penalty area, instead of the actual 2 yards inside the area where the incident took place.

Overall the game was hardly exhilarating, but that is not what such games are about, the players were given a chance to ease into the season, whilst many unknowns impressed during their first high profile appearance in front of the clubs global fan base.

Next up Ajax!