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Free FA Cup Winners eBook – LAUNCHED TODAY

I love the FA Cup and whilst the “magic” may have dimmed for many neutrals, but it is still a special thing in my footballing life.

Some of my greatest and most painful memories have been in the FA Cup, whether they be the Di Matteo wonder goal after 43 seconds or the defiant “Chelsea are back” chanting after the final whistle at Wembley in 1994.

Wembley is our second home to the point where we have our own favourite/regular pubs around the ground and our own rituals.

To celebrate our 2012 victory we are publishing a free ebook on the 16^th of May

• Round by Round Match Reports and Analysis
• Pictures from Wembley From The FA Cup Final
• FA Cup Around The World
• Our Favourite FA Cup Stories
• Much much more!

To get your free ebook simply email cfc_kris@hotmail.co.uk with the subject ebook

You can also download our iPhone/iPad or Android app

Chelsea Premier League Review 2011/2012 – The Bad

Following on from the bright spots of the 2011/2012 campaign it is now time to look at those who have underperformed.

Andre Villas Boas

I was one who welcomed the appointment of the young Porto manager who had achieved success both domestically and in Europe, however after only a few short months it became clear that he was losing the battle for the dressing room.

Inheriting an experienced squad that would require careful management he alienated Frank Lampard and a few other senior players for telling them the writing was on the wall as he chased his “project”.

The project may be needed but he managed it poorly and results on the pitch reflected the poor morale and lack of tactical options at his disposal.

A 1-0 defeat at West Brom sealed his fate and whilst its regrettable that it didn’t work out the players reaction to the arrival of Roberto Di Matteo showed how bad morale had got.

Jose Boswinga

I really rated Jose Boswinga under Carlo Ancelotti but he seems more of a liability in the Premier League this season.

He is still good going forward but has been exposed defensively countless times, losing his place to the reliable Branislav Ivanovic when the Serbian is not required in the centre.

This may be his last season at the Bridge and this would not disappoint me too much.

Raul Meireles

Raul Meireles has talent and can play at this level, yet it seems he is unable to do it consistently which may have been ok at Liverpool but will not get you a regular game at a club chasing trophies.

He has scored some great goals and played well on occasions but on others has looked second rate, he has had a mixed fan reaction and will need to step up next season.

Florent Malouda

An enigma throughout his Chelsea career, his form has declined rapidly in the last two years and he is a shadow of his peak under Carlo Ancelotti.

An often distracted and unmotivated player, he should be the first player set aside in the summer, thanks for the service Florent but it is time to move on.

Daniel Sturridge

It may be controversial for our top league scorer to make this list but that is sometimes the way the cookie crumbles.

He makes this list due to his inconsistency, he started the season with a bang and was our top scorer but he still has a lot of growing up to do before he can be considered a regular starter.

He has the makings of a great player and he is someone I like but the selfishness is beyond what you would want from a striker and when he is not in the mood he is simply awful.

I want him to stay but he needs to focus for next season.

2011/2012 Premier League Review – The Good

For this year’s season review we will start with the positive points that can be taken from a difficult and painful Premier League campaign.

Juan Mata

The signing of the season he has been a revelation in his debut season in the Premier League his creativity was a breath of fresh air, even if in some games he was underutilised due to the heavy handed tactics of the opposition.

A travesty that he was not nominated for Premier League accolades, particular the team of the year,  at least Chelsea fans appreciated his performances, as he became a debut season fans player of the year.

At just 24 he has plenty of seasons left in him and has the potential to be a Chelsea great and a deserving fans player of the year.

Mata Stats

PL Games: 34

Goals: 6

Assists: 13

Ramires

It took him six months to settle but his form this term has been exemplary bringing strength and style to the right hand side of our midfield.

An injury meant he missed a couple of months of the season but he came back with a bang.

He has been a beacon of light in a disappointing season and he could not have been far away in the fans player of the year awards.

Ramires Stats

PL Games: 30

Goals: 5

Assists:1

Branislav Ivanovic

An established Chelsea hero since his Champions League brace against Liverpool a couple of years ago, versatile as ever he has been a rock this season.

A no-nonsense player he has been consistently brilliant for Chelsea and is in my mind the first name on the defensive teamsheet these days, dare I say it ahead of John Terry.

Ivanovic Stats

Games: 29

Goals: 3

Assists: 1

Petr Cech

He has simply been back to his best this season, with some match winning performances that often get lost in the other game action.

A brilliant shot stopper he has improved the other areas of his game and the confidence seems to be well and truly back.

Next season will be his 8^th for Chelsea and with Thibaut Courtois waiting in the wings he will have to be at his best again next season.

Petr Cech Stats

Games: 34

Saves: 84

Clean Sheets: 10

Cup Run Cannot Hide League Disappointment

This season Chelsea Football Club will finish 6^th in the English Premier League.

A fact that 15 years ago would have been an achievement is a deep disappointment given modern expectations around the Bridge.

This season has seen us lose another manager and reunite with an old friend in Roberto Di Matteo but if it was not for two cup runs this season could be described as an abject failure.

It feels if now our season and future hangs on the events in Munich next Saturday.

Where Did it All Go Wrong

There will be time for a post mortem in good time but in just a few sentences.

This season we have been one dimensional and lacking in inspiration, we have lost that killer edge we had under Mourinho and our opponents are taking advantage.

We have conceded more goals in the last ten minutes of a game than we have during my time watching Chelsea and struggled for goals, whoever gets the full time job will have to make sweeping changes.

As we go into the game today thoughts will untouchably be elsewhere, but let’s hope we can end the season on a high.

Chelsea v Blackburn: The Youth Players I Want To See

Today is our last game of a disappointing season in the league and as we can only finish sixth and Blackburn relegated this is the definition of a pointless fixture.

Therefore it is time to throw caution to the wind and play where practically possible our youth team, give them experience of playing in front of 40,000 people and the honour of playing for our football club.

This should obviously be balanced with the needs of keeping the squad fully fit for the match against Bayern Munich so I would still expect to see key players get some pitch time, particularly those who cannot play in the Final.

Therefore I would like to see a mix of youth and experience.

My Chelsea XI

Blackman, Bertrand, Chalobah, Terry, Hutchinson, Ramires, Meireles, Essien, Feruz, Torres or Romelu Lukaku, Piazon

Jamal Blackman

A youth team goalkeeper who has sat on the bench on a number of occasions this season and been the rock between the sticks in the successful FA Youth Cup victory.

He is tall, with great shot stopping skills, he is a real talent and I would love to see him pitched into action.

Ryan Bertrand

Having already played a handful of Premier League and cup games already this season his inclusion is a no-brainer with Ashley Cole likely to have a tough time of it in Munich.

He has impressed so far, lets hope it continues.

Islam Feruz

A youth team striker signed from Celtic he impressed in the FA Youth Cup and has been labelled the “Scottish Wayne Rooney” in some circles.

A real talent it would be great to see him given some time with the situations of Florent Malouda and Soloman Kalou next season beyond uncertain.

Lucas Piazon

Lucas Piazon has settled in quickly at Stamford Bridge after gaining his international clearance after moving from South America.

He is scoring goals for fun in the reserve/youth teams so I would love to see him feature.