Chelsea Banter Archive December 31 2012

31 Dec 2012 18:59:50
To all the Eds, especially the ed-in-chief (Ed002), my heart's 'gladdened' with joy as I say a BIG THANK YOU for sticking with us all year long amidst all the provocations and troubles we often give u. Being so 'addicted' to this site has not only improved my knowledge, but the extra delight and 'fun' I get here (esp. on the L'pool page) is worthwhile to make my day. Anyway, New Year came so early in Nigeria and the biggest carnival in Africa, Calabar Carnival (u can check that), is happening live, and I'm just so happy to say Happy New Year to u and all posters on this site. U are appreciated.
Bas!cs. {Ed018's Note - same to you}

31 Dec 2012 21:20:02
why would atletico madrid not play Radamel Falcao in the europa league if they weren't gonna sell him until the end fo the season

Yes that it is a good question. Proitos

To save him for the league and later rounds of Europa.

Jordan

01 Jan 2013 05:24:15
To get maximum value for him from one desperate person - Roman Abramovich. U really think they don't wanna sell? Thank God we've realized...they can't hold us to ransome any longer to pay to ludicruous sums. That's why I'd be happy if we get Ba, 13 goals so far for a struggling Newcastle side to Falcao's 17.

They didn't need him to progress, he could stay rested, and to protect his value are my three biggest guesses. Also keep in mind many stalwarts (including coutouis) were also rested.

Tk

31 Dec 2012 18:13:09
I believe lamps/Ashley going could have something to do with the ffp obligations coming in but also what happened during the avb tenure, rumours were that they was a revolt from a few influential bad apples and when avb got relieved of his duties, Roman held the culprits solely responsible and that they would be sweeping changes come the summer. I might be wrong but I get a feeling there could be something in it.
the oak

Both the players were signed on vast contracts and at the time of Lampards signing I recall that the press were saying it was his last big contract. In reality the club was then in a different place in that we needed to make a statement about who we were and what our intentions, under RA, would be.
The truth is that we now hae FFP and both the players are in the twilight of their careers so to offer more than 12 months would be reckless as would offering them similar sums to their current deals.
People keep on about letting them go but I very much doubt that ever will be prepared to sign one year deals on similar sums that Giggs and Scholes are on.
I dont know how many of you have noticed but Ashley seems to have lost a yard of pace and whilst he gets away with it against a lot o teams he was exposed twice against Man U and again yesterday against Everton.
Terraloon

It is looking more and more likely that there is more than just a little substance behind this unfortunately.
Whatever did or did not go on under AVB you cant take away the fact that Frank, Ashley and Terry have all been at the centre of all our success under Abramovich.
They are still our best performers and in my opinion deserve at least one more year.
I hope the owner and the club are not so short sighted as to use such a pathetic reason to get rid of true legends.
I also find it worrying but not surprising that a manager like Benitez with a strong character is not allowed or too scared to voice his own opinions on the situation and just side steps the question.
Shows that he is not fully in control of footballing matters, which is precisely why the likes of Gaurdiola and Mourinho will not come hear to manage us.
Hopefully 2013 will bring some stability and no more scandals to our club.

DP

DP

Again, just about every Chelsea fan would love for these legends to finish their career here but its up to the players if they are willing to accept less money than they are getting now or less playing time. Same happened with Drogs last year and neither the media nor fans reacted the same.

31 Dec 2012 18:39:21
If Chelsea let Lampard and Ash go in January or the summer then it will be the start of a downhill ride. Mark my words. EVERY team needs 3/4 player of an age of 30+ to give experience. If we have a team of youngsters then It would be imminent until we crash and slowly burn..
TcBlue.

If we were to play a team of yougsters we'd be like liverpool! Dont get me wrong we have talented youngsters but they need experienced heads around them, we dont wanna be a laughing stock like looserpoool!

Ps HAPPY NEW YEAR GEEZERS :D

pEDS

As a regular starting we were 6th last year in the prem with him.

31 Dec 2012 16:31:16
happy new year lads!

who would you rather have in your squad?

Zola or Drogba? (obviously both in their prime)

DannyTrueBlue (26)

Zola all day long....no contest.

Steve

Wow such a difficult question. Zola is the best ever player in a Chelsea shirt in terms of ability.
But for me I'd choose Drogba.
I have never seen a player as strong, people used to fall on the floor trying to unbalance him, he was a MASSIVE game player. 9 cup finals, 9 cup final goals.

A11

Zola every time.

K

Its a tough one but steve i wouldnt say Zola hands down

What a choice. Both wonderful, legends. Zola more consistently and uncomplainingly excellent, and didn't roll around on ground when no need to, as DD obviously did at times. But if you mean who would I have in current squad...given presence of Oscar/Mata/Hazard, reckon need for Drogba-in-prime is considerably greater. Will win you those matches against other top clubs/key occasions. Obvious to all that this season we've lacked physical presence and threat in striker berth.

Luiz has helped in terms of physical presence in midfield, and many of us hoped he would be tried at DM some time ago. Lamps wins ball too, and outstanding yesterday of course.

Ba would help upfront, no brainer.

We need winners/leaders like FL and JT, and on his day Drogs was another. Hope club puts question of leadership into calculations re. team for rest of season and 2013/14.

OK, have rambled on too long in response to simple question, getting much of mind before partying tonight!

Happy New Year to all (and thanks for all the work Eds 2 and 18 -- hope you have something good planned for this evening!). VBS

I think it is a contest cos didier was just awsome in his prime but id have to say zola
bluekaz(63)

31 Dec 2012 13:05:47
Is it true Lampard is going to liverpool?

Yes. On a day trip. I believe he is taking a course to learn how to hot wire cars.

IB.

31 Dec 2012 12:49:06
Hi ed the price tag on Fernando Torres will that have any effect on bringing in another striker for instance other strikers that are targets for us must be thinking they paid 50million for Torres and now Benitez is there going to be hard for anyone to get in front of Torres even tho he not playing well as Benitez won't drop him {Ed002's Note - No.}

31 Dec 2012 11:28:12
Rumour has it BA representatives were trying to get 100k per week.. CFC wanted 70k per week, on to the next rumour then..

Apparently his agent will coup aload of money if he moves, far too greedy for a average player. im glad. BLUEBOY1

31 Dec 2012 07:40:57
25 Nov 2012 18:58:58
Luiz was brilliant.The rest worked very hard.Torres cannot score out of thin air, so stop slagging him and most of the time he was alone against distin and jagielka tried very hard so did Mata, RAMIRES and Hazard
The defense looks rock solid.RDM's side lacked defensive organisation and something was just not right with the system.
While I do not like Rafa, it is clear to see what good organisation can do .Luiz was awesome as a result.So if Rafa builds on this defensive performance and gets his attackers to play together I think we will do very well this season.
So we may not like the guy but now he is working for us so I will support him and the team.There are worse guys out there like some of the media, commentators and journalists who do not like us and taking great pleasure slagging us and they would like nothing better than for us not to support our whole team.So lets stop these brainless protests and get behind the manager and the players.In the end they play for us and do their best for us all they need is our support.So lets get behind Rafa for he is a Chelsea manager and not a Liverpool manager now.I bet we will do very well this season.


Aron

31 Dec 2012 08:38:42
And finally someone realizes Rafa is now a Chelsea manager. Yes, he said some nasty things in the past, but who wouldn't do so...Fergie, Mourinho? Rafa said so many things to many clubs...he even once said Everton is a small club. Just stop the hate and support the club. He's done well so far and has significantly improved all our players. Keep up Rafa the Gaffer!

He was right about Everton too

Puzzled

Exactly, Torres might not have scored but he set up one of the goals. Even one of the commentators said at one point that Torres hadn't had any opportunities to score(this was around the 60 minute mark)

When was the defense rock solid? When they scored after 2m and then proceeded to hit the bar and the crossbar? We gave them far too much space around the box and could have conceeded 3 or 4 on a less fortunate day.

K

The only thing im a little annoyed at torres with was the horrible miscontrol of luizs pass that would have been a goal. but your right this was a game where he was feeding off scraps and at least you could see him working