Chelsea Goalkeeper Review – November 2011
With nearly a third of the season already in the history books, now seems like a good time to see how the squad is performing.
We start at the back with our three main goalkeepers and how they have fared so far this season.
Petr Cech –
Despite a defence that has leaked goals and a shaky performance against Arsenal, the Czech shot stopper has been back to his best this season.
In his seventh season at the club, he has regained the confidence that Stephen Hunt stripped of him and is now a commanding presence with amazing reflexes and a new found penalty saving prowess that proves he is back at the top of his game.
He has lost the fear that seemed to blight him, he earned plaudits against Blackburn where he had a good game and showed his toughness by refusing to come off after breaking his nose.
In this form his performances will probably be worth 5-10 extra points at the end of the season.
Highlight – Man of the match substitute performance against Everton which included a penalty save
Rating – 7.5 out of 10
Henrique Hilario
Injuries to Petr Cech have given the 36 year old two rare starts in the Premier League and he performed sufficiently to restore some confidence, avoiding any major mishaps.
Despite this he is in the twilight of his career and appearances are likely to be limited if Petr Cech remains fit, meaning that like Turnbull this is likely to be his last season at the club.
Highlight – Getting to start two Premier League games
Rating – 6 out of 10
Ross Turnbull – 4/10
Having only started one game this season he managed to get himself sent off against Everton in the Carling cup, yet another setback in a mediocre Chelsea career.
His future at Chelsea is not too bright having failed to secure the number two spot he was signed to occupy, therefore he may not have long left as it is doubtful anyone sees him as a potential number one at the club.
Highlight: Getting a red card v Everton that allowed Petr Cech to steal the show
Rating: 4 out of 10
Honourable Mention – Jamal Blackman
Eighteen year old Jamal Blackman made the bench for the first time in a senior fixture against Arsenal
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Categories: Uncategorized Tags: Chelsea player ratings, Henrique Hilario, Hilario, Petr Cech, Quarterly Review
Petr Cech – Back in the Hunt for Title of Best Goalkeeper in the World
Petr Cech signed for Chelsea in 2004, after two seasons he was arguably one of the best goalkeeper’s in the world.
However in October 2006 Cech was injured in a collision with Stephen Hunt that nearly cost him his life and kept him out the game for three months with a depressed skull fracture.
The arguments of whether the injury was deliberate are not are for a different day but initially there were fears that he would never play again. Indeed when he did return in the January of 2007 against Liverpool he did so wearing the now infamous head gear that he wears in every match to this day.
The injury however had longer reaching effects than an injury layoff and protective headgear, whilst still a talented performer, the injury seemed to affect the goalkeepers confidence, particularly when collecting crosses or challenging in the air.
The confidence that had catapulted the Chelsea star to international fame, now seemed to allude him and at times he looked vulnerable and not the rock that the fans had become accustomed to.
Performances were not what they were, but the Chelsea faithful and successive managers kept their faith in the Czech shot stopper, who despite a drop in performance was still a top class performer. Last season he won the golden gloves in the league so despite not being his best he was still the best in the league.
This faith however has been rewarded in the last six months we have seen the return of the greatest goalkeeper in the world at Stamford Bridge.
It has taken two years of relative mediocrity (compared to his previous best), but at the back end of last season where he was instrumental in our double and this season where he has conceded fewer goals than any other goalkeeper in the league with some sparkling displays playing a large role in our successes over Arsenal, Wolves and Blackburn.
He is confident in the air and does not duck a challenges and it seems that the incident with Stephen Hunt is now behind him, a distant memory, only rekindled by the Chelsea faithful who carpet the Irishman at every opportunity.
On behalf of Chelsea fans across the world, I would like to say, Petr it’s great to have you back.
Categories: CFC Opinion Tags: Petr Cech, Petr Cech Injury, Petr Cech Stephen Hunt
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!
