Because they can’t play Blackburn every week

Like a hospital patient on suicide watch, Chelsea won’t be allowed near the window any time soon. Yet despite thumping Blackburn Rovers on Saturday, Chelsea have confirmed that they will now appeal to the confusingly-ordered CAS (Court of Sport Arbitration,) over their year-long transfer ban. In so doing, the resultant delay ensures their ability to do business this January, but does risk an extension of the ban if the Court deem their appeal to lack foundation.

This risk demonstrates that Carlo Ancelotti has concluded that his team still need enforcing in January. Knowing his wallet may soon start to gather cobwebs, and needing to keep up with the Abu Dhabi crew up North, Roman Abramovic will be under big pressure to do some pretty heavy spending.

So who is Ancelotti eyeing? Goalkeepers will certainly be an area of interest, as might centre-half, due to the continuing problems of Petr Cech and Ricardo Carvalho respectively. The African Cup of Nations will certainly be in mind too, and hence backup for Drogba will be handy. Of course, the imminent transfer ban, that consequentially could even last beyond the original two windows should this appeal fail, will also be a factor. With a year of transfer famine potentially on its way, expect players to be hoarded like tamiflu in a house full of hypocondriacs, and possibly loaned back for six months, or even a year.  Arrivals could hence be staggered like the conventional transfer window system, even were Chelsea to play no part in it.

Chelsea fans - who would you like to see arrive in January? Let us know below…

“Great” striker praises his own selflessness

Since earning the Premier League Golden Boot in 2006/07, Didier Drogba has failed to ripple the net on as many occasions as Nicolas Anelka. One might put this down to the fact that he didn’t play as many games as his stroppy strike partner, but the Ivorian will have you believe its because he is so damn unselfish:

“I often sacrifice myself for the good of the team. I don’t look at my scoring statistics. Have you ever seen any other great strikers do as much defending as I do?”

Does Drogba defend quite as much as he is suggesting? Let us know your thoughts, Chelsea fans…

[Quote: The Telegraph]

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies

Xabi Alonso to Chelsea or Manchester City
The Spaniard’s oft-discussed transfer to Real Madrid appears to have stalled, and the Daily Mail believe at least two Premiership clubs are inquiring after his services. Manchester City and Chelsea have both reportedly been in touch with the midfielder’s agents, having first made contact a month ago.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Madrid are unlikely to match Liverpool’s £35m asking price, but neither Chelsea nor Manchester City would have such a problem. However, with Liverpool having a very decent shout at the title this year, we can’t really see Alonso moving to a Premiership rival.

Alberto Aquilani to Liverpool
In the event of Alonso’s departure, Senor Benitez may snap up Roma’s hot-headed midfielder. The cash-strapped Italians would reportedly demand no less than £18m for the 25-year-old.

My my, didn’t the London clubs do well last night?

Chelsea 2/ Inter Milan 0
In front of a huge crowd at Pasadena’s historic Rose Bowl stadium, Chelsea entertained their American fans with a win over the Serie A champions. Goals came from two of Jose Mourinho’s former lovers, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

SC Columbia 1/ Arsenal 7
Despite a very embarrassing slip up for the opener, the Gunners absolutely spanked minnows SC Columbia in Vienna last night. Braces from Nicklas Bendtner, RVP and Aaron Ramsey were topped off with an effort from William Gallas. 

… revealed in the fascinating trends and statistics below

The bookmakers seem to agree on the 15 leading contenders to be next season’s Premier League top-scorer. they are:

Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Wayne Rooney, Steven Gerrard, Michael Owen, Robinho, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor, Dimitar Berbatov, Jermain Defoe, Carlos Tevez, Andrei Arshavin, Frank Lampard and Roque Santa Cruz.

Through a process of elimination, our stat-lovin’ friends at chickendinner have discovered that Nicolas Anelka will not successfully defend his top scorer award, and the eventual winner is quite surprising.

Here it comes…

Over the last decade Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (2000-01) is the only player to have won it in his first season with a new club.
That rules out: Michael Owen, Carlos Tevez, Roque Santa Cruz

The last nine winners were all playing for a Big Four side.
That rules out: Robinho, Jermain Defoe

Cristiano Ronaldo is the only player to have been Premier League top-scorer without always playing as an out-and-out striker.
That rules out: Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Andrei Arshavin

The last British top-scorer was Kevin Phillips in 1999-00.
That rules out: Wayne Rooney

Still standing: Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Robin van

Also appearing on a computer near you…

NFL star Terrell Owens finds swimsuit model Joanna Krupa a pleasure to work with
[WithLeather]

Danijel Pranjic pays €700,000 of his own money to join Bayern Munich
[Dirty Tackle]

Chelsea may swap Didier Drogba for webcam fan Pat
[The Telegraph]

Joe Cole’s wife Carly Zucker defends her right to not contribute to society
[Kickette]

Florent Malouda signs a new contract
[Goal.com]

An Aussie rules player has been suspended for whipping his junk out live on TV
[SportsByBrooks]

Despite coming into contact with Paris Hilton, Cristiano Ronaldo has passed his Real Madrid medical
[The Guardian]

Also appearing on a computer near you…

One way to give the Confederations Cup meaning is to rub ice cream all over your face
[101GG]

Rio Ferdinand will spend a modest £5m on his wedding
[News of the World]

Roque Sat Nav Cruz is having a medical at Manchester City
[Daily Mail]

Mike Ashley hopes to sell Newcastle this week
[The Northern Echo]

Carlo Ancelotti hasn’t given up on Andrea Pirlo
[The Telegraph]

The Mirror believe Carlos Tevez will cost Manchester City £47.5m
[The Mirror]

Didier Drogba claims he and Samuel Eto’o would form Jose Mourinho’s dream strike force
[Setanta]

The latest transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies



Hurrah! The summer transfer roundabout has been set into motion! Kaka is on the brink of sealing a world record transfer to Madrid, Daniel Sturridge has become Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing and Manchester City continue to be linked to every player under the sun. Isn’t life wonderful? Here’s the latest from Transferland…

Cesc Fabregas to Barcelona
The Daily Star believe the Catalan giants will attempt to take back what was once theirs, and are preparing to pay £50m for the privilege. Real Madrid and Chelsea are also said to be interested.

The Spoiler truth-o-meter: Cesc has made no secret of his desire to play in La Liga, and Barca would undoubtedly be his club of choice, but we suspect he has one more season of Premier League football in him.

Didier Drogba to stay at Chelsea
As a reward for his disgraceful Champions League behaviour, constant diving and general petulance, Le Drog has been given a three-year