Lampsie, JT and co are told not to make time for the fans
It’s the sort of thing that usually happens before the start of the season, but yesterday 8,000 Chelsea fans gathered at Stamford Bridge for an open day training session.
Such events are usually conducive to a positive and relaxed atmosphere, where lucky fans can get pictures and autographs with their heroes, who are not distracted by the pressure of a big matchday.
Not so at Chelsea. Supporters who made the effort yesterday were told over the tannoy system that the players would not sign anything, citing “safety concerns”. The club’s decision to protect their players from RSI and carpal tunnel syndrome was not well receieved:
A further helping of transfer gossip, rumours and damned lies
Andriy Shevchenko to Dynamo Kiev
Shevchenko could be set for a return to Dynamo Kiev, the club where he established himself as one of the best strikers in Europe. President Ihor Surkis claims that the 32-year-old was very interested in the Ukrainian club’s proposal, which would would see him offered a coaching role when he retires.
The Spoiler truth-o-meter: It looks like even Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t want Shevchenko to extend his stay in England and with AC Milan looking elsewhere, a return home seems plausible.
Jose Bosingwa to Bayern Munich
Another player still linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge is Bosingwa, with Bayern Munich confirming that they have no intention of
The bookmakers expect the Blues to miss out on Carlos Tevez
This is a huge transfer window for Chelsea - their chance to build on a strong end to the season by bringing in players who can freshen up the squad and thrust them back into title contention - but it hasn’t gone to plan so far.
With Manchester United losing two of their “Fab Four”, the Blues have a real chance to close the gap but they have already been snubbed by Glen Johnson, while Ricardo Carvalho wants to leave and Michael Essien’s agent has made noises about his client moving to Spain.
Whereas a few weeks ago they were linked with Franck Ribery, Sergio Aguero and David Villa, this morning it’s Charlton youngster Jonjo Shelvey and Ross
Should he move to Chelsea or Liverpool or stay at Portsmouth?
Peter Storrie has confirmed that Portsmouth have accepted an offer from Chelsea for Glen Johnson, meaning that the England international has a big decision to make. Should he:
a) Go back to Chelsea
Johnson would get to play Champions League football again and settling in wouldn’t be a problem because he already knows the club and many of the players. However, he has said that he fell out of love with football during his first spell at Stamford Bridge and there is a danger that could happen again.
b) Move to Liverpool
Liverpool were the first team to stump up the cash for Johnson and at Anfield he would have the chance to both play in Europe and make Chelsea regret selling him. Rafael Benitez isn’t very patient with new signings though - see Robbie Keane - and full-back is the least secure position at the club, as Steve Finnan harshly discovered last summer.
c) Stay at Portsmouth
He has rediscovered his love of football at Fratton Park and is guaranteed first-team football there, which is a necessity ahead of the World Cup. With a new owner and manager set to arrive, there is potential for the club to grow, although if it all falls through they could face another relegation battle
Let us know what you think he should do with a vote and comment below:
A chance to get excited months before anything actually happens
Tottenham have finally been granted their wish to kick-off a Premier League campaign at home but Liverpool will be the visitors for their first opener at White Hart Lane since 2004.
Spurs fans can take some comfort though from the fact Arsenal have been given a challenging away game on the opening weekend against Everton.
Wolves are the only promoted side who start at home - against West Ham - and the last five to have done so have avoided defeat. Every new arrival who has opened their campaign on the road over the last three seasons has lost and Birmingham and Burnley face tough trips to Man United and Stoke.
Ratboy turns up for Chelsea captains’ lap of honour
Several months ago, a small aggressive man with rat-like features went missing from the north east. His last known employer was Newcastle Utd football club, and he was last seen in the company of a rotund cockney. Thankfully, The Spoiler’s manhunt is now over*, as Dennis Wise was yesterday spotted on the playing surface at Stamford Bridge.
Following the victory over Blackburn, the world’s favourite person named Dennis Wise (well, second favourite if you count fictional ex-cons who run Baltimore boxing clubs) performed a lap of honour with John Terry, Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris and Roy Bentley. Chelsea’s most successful captains were honouring Bentley’s 85th birthday, giving the majority of the home crowd their first ever glimpse of players who played at Stamford Bridge before 2003.
*Technically, the manhunt was over in March, when the popular former Newcastle Executive Director made a public appearance in Swindon for the Christian Roberts Testimonial in a fetching pink kit. But let’s not get technical, OK?
Spoiler bonus:Here’s thirteen-year-old Wisey on Record Breakers.
According to yesterday’s poll, 41 per cent of Spoiler readers agree with Jose Bosingwa, believing hopeless Norwegian referee Tom Henning Øvrebø was acting “under orders” to allow Barcelona safe passage to the Champions League Final. News that has emerged inthis morning’s Sun will do nothing to quell suspicions of a big ol’ stitch up.
Apparently, the official UEFA website posted a “dummy” match report hours before kick-off, which stated the game would end 1-1. It also correctly predicted that the Spaniards would earn a late equaliser, and that Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Alex would receive bookings.
The Spoiler puts this down to an incredible coincidence, but the type of folks who wear tinfoil hats to keep the government out of their brains will certainly have some more fuel for their crazy conspiracy fire…
Here’s how we think Goose should line them up tonight. Mikel John Obi has played recently and done well, so perhaps there is potential for him to start instead of Anelka, with either Lampard or Essien moving to the right. However, the surly Frenchman looked on top form at the weekend, and proved that he isn’t wasted on the right when he came off the bench against Liverpool, setting up two goals that completely swung the tie in Chelsea’s favour.
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