Archive for August, 2011

Chelsea Pre-Season Review: A Case For the Defence

Chelsea start the 2011/2012 season on Sunday against Stoke with a bit of a temporary defensive crisis as Alex, David Luiz and Branislav Ivanovic are unlikely to be available.

With Jeffrey Bruma on loan and the Slobodan Rajkovic saga still ongoing we will be relying on Nathaniel Chalobah and Tomas Kalas as back up which is mildly concerning but a great opportunity for the pair.

Overall however our defensive line will start the season in good shape, with strength and depth.

Left Back

We still have the best left back in the league Ashley Cole as our first choice which is a remarkable strength.

He is supported by two very talented young players in Patrick Van Aanholt and Ryan Bertrand who will both be hoping to prove to Andre Villas Boas that they can be his long term successor.

I have confidence that if Ashley Cole was injured either could step into his shoes.

Centre Back

We are currently spoilt for choice at centre back.

With John Terry, David Luiz and Alex we have three of the best central defenders in the league at our disposal.

Versatile defender Branslav Ivanovic also provides further cover and bar an injury crisis we should be in an excellent position.

Right Back

Right back is probably the weakest part of our defensive line up but still adequate to our needs.

The two main players in this area are Jose Boswinga who is good going forward but poor at the back and Branislav Ivanovic who is conversely strong defensively but not as adventurous going forward.

Recommended Signings

Possibly a back up defender if Slobodan Rajkovic cannot get a visa or a right back if the correct opportunity came along.

Win a Chelsea Shirt -Fantasty Premier League CFC Fans Private League

To celebrate the start of the season and the free Fantasy Premier League, eChelseaFC have set up a mini league just for CFC fans with the winner earning a brand new Chelsea shirt.

This means you can win a Chelsea shirt just by proving your knowledge of the Premier League.

To sign up all you have to do is

1) Go to http://fantasy.premierleague.com

2) Sign up and enter a team

3) Go to the”Leagues Tab and select “Join League”

4) Select “Join a Private League“

5) Enter the league code 1198849-278555

Chelsea Goalkeeper Pre-Season Review

Follow the link to download this Petr Cech wallpaper

As part of our pre-season review, we will start by looking at the Chelsea goalkeepers and our readiness in this position as the 2011/2012 Premier League is less than two weeks away.

The first signing of the Andre Villas Boas reign may have been goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois but our new manager is unlikely to have any doubts about who will be his number one next season.

It is the back up positions that are concerning, with neither Henrique Hilario or Ross Turnbull filling fans with confidence. On the handful of occasions that they deputised last season neither was impressive with Turnbull very disappointing.

With Hilario ageing and Turnbull lacking the ability to replace Cech, the recruitment and subsequent loaning of Courtois is a clear indication of the clubs long term view for this position.

Petr Cech

After a serious injury in a collision with Stephen Hunt in 2006 Cech lost his confidence, aerial prowess and total control of his penalty area. Despite this he still managed to hold his position as one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Last season saw him blow away the cobwebs and finally put the memories of one painful evening in Berkshire behind him and recapture the form and become arguably the best goalkeeper in the world. He is critical to our chances next season with it no exaggeration that trophies could be won or lost on his fitness as his counterparts are not fit to be metioned in the same sentance as this great of the game.

Ross Turnbull

This season will be a pivotal one for Turnbull and his last chance to prove that he belongs at Stamford Bridge.

Although once a first choice goalkeeper in the Premier League with Middlesbrough, Ross has shown little to the Chelsea faithful to suggest that he is a reliable and deserving number two.

If given any first team action this season he must appear calm and controlled and eliminate silly mistakes from his game to win over the fans and earn the right to stay.

Henrique Hilario

A decent third choice goalkeeping option but I am hoping that he will not be needed in any position but warming the bench.

This may be his last season at the Bridge but he is not upto scratch for the Premier League.

Yossi Benayoun Showboating Fail

In the first game of pre-season Yossi Benayoun showed us some silky skills to score against Wycombe, sadly against Kitchee he also showed us a prime example of a showboat fail.

Fortunately this was only pre-season and the Israeli international has had an excellent build up to the season, but this video is truly painful/entertaining to watch.