Archive for August, 2011

John Obi Mikel’s Father Abducted – The Darker Side Of Money In Football

The story of the possible abduction of John Obi Mikel’s father, puts the game of football into perspective and highlights the risks that success can bring to players and their families.

Sadly whilst the money generated by the globalisation of football has been used to lift communities and even whole nations at times, it also has the power to bring out greed and criminality in humanity.

It is worrying and disturbing that violent criminals may have sought to extort the family of a footballer for personal gain.

Whilst such an act has never happened in Britain, John Obi Mikel may have joined the growing list of high profile footballers who have suffered the ordeal of a family member being targeted by kidnappers.

The Brazil national team, has seen some of its highest profile names including Romario, Robinho and Luis Fabiano targeted by these gangs, fortunately whilst a harrowing time for the players and their families, all the relatives of these players relatives were returned safely.

In the Premier League Tottenham player Wilson Palacios was not so fortunate as his brother was the victim of a tragic kidnap in the players native Honduras. After a long ordeal ended the defenders brother was found murdered.

Such acts are disturbing and highlight how fame and fortune can make anyone a target, in this case it is laudable that upon hearing the news, Mikel decided to play the season opener against Stoke delivering an impressive performance.

Our thoughts are with John Obi Mikel and every fan regardless of club will be hoping that Mikel’s father is returned home safely soon.

Chelsea Season Analysis – Unbalanced Attacking Dilemna

Watching the first game of the Andre Villas Boas reign confirmed my thoughts that Chelsea need to buy some wingers before the transfer window closes or abandon the 4-3-3 formation.

A lack of goals should not be a problem this season given the embarrassment of riches that we have available in attack at the moment however we lack a surge of pace and creativity in our attacking play that makes us easy to figure out and defend against.

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View From The Away End – Chelsea v Stoke

For the first time since Stoke were promoted to the Premier League CFC_Kris will not be at the Britannia Stadium today to watch Chelsea at one of the most atmospheric grounds.

Due to an economy in the toilet and the incompetence of the national rail network I am unable to go today so I  thought that I would post the view from the Chelsea end from last season.

View from the away end at Britannia

Pre-Season Review: Is the Chelsea Midfield Creaking?

The 2011/2012 season kicks off tomorrow and whilst the goalkeeping and defensive positions seem settled, the Chelsea midfield and attacking set up concerns many fans.

I feel that we are still in need of two new players to complete our midfield, especially if a 4-3-3 formation is going to be deployed.

The pre-season has been dominated by the courtship of Luka Modric, however Andre Villas Boas may be forced to focus on other targets as Tottenham seem unwilling to sell the want away creative midfielder.

The situation is not helped by the loss of Michael Essien, who has been ruled out for at least six months with an anterior cruciate ligament injury. This injury will be a real battle for the Ghanaian international to recover from and could see Andre Villas Boas requiring a long term replacement.

There has been one signing Oriol Romeu from Barcelona who will compete with John Obi Mikel and Ramires for the defensive midfield berth.

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A Brief History of Chelsea – Mario Stanic Opening Day Wonder Goal (2000)

In the spirit of our first game of the season I thought it would be appropriate to show the video of Mario Stanic scoring a wonder goal against West Ham in August 2000.

It was the midfielders debut and despite an injury ridden career that followed he certainly made an opening day impression on Chelsea fans.

Enjoy!