Posts Tagged ‘daniel sturridge’

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.

The Rise and Rise of Daniel Sturridge!

If last season was Daniel Sturridge’s break out season in the Premier League this season has been his coming of age as a Chelsea player.

Under AVB he has been given opportunities at the tip and on the right hand side of a 4-3-3 attacking formation and he has stepped up to the challenge.

Despite missing the first three games due to suspension, he is our top scorer so far this season with an impressive seven Premier League goals to his name. This has not gone unnoticed with him winning his first England call up and cap.

Whilst all is looking rosy now at one point it looked like Sturridge may not break through at Stamford Bridge at all! Under Carlo Ancelotti he found himself struggling to get games and convince the manager of his worth.

He was not really in contention under Carlo Ancelotti with Nicholas Anelka and Soloman Kalou preferred so he was sent on loan to Bolton.

Like he did for Jack WIlshere, Owen Coyle worked wonders with Sturridge restoring his confidence and his form, with a return of 8 goals from just 11 starts.

His return in the summer saw a new manager at the helm who saw his potential making it clear he was in his thoughts and would not be allowed out on loan again.

After a frustrating wait (due to suspension) he made a lightning start to the campaign and  it seems unthinkable that Soloman Kalou or Nicholas Anelka could be seen as ahead of him in the pecking order.

In fact such is the faith that AVB has in Sturridge that Anelka has been told he is surplus to requirements and will be gone in January.

A fantastic year for Daniel Sturridge continued last night as he turned in a man of the match performance against his old employers, keep up the good work Studge!

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Internationals Over – Are You Optimistic About The Liverpool Game?

The international break is now over and Ireland and Chelsea alike have had a decent week. Frank Lampard scored and Daniel Sturridge made his debut whilst the Irish qualified for Euro 2012.

So if you are an Irish Chelsea fan, congratulations you are having a good week.

Let us hope that this continues through to the weekend.

As our player fly back to England, let us hope that all our players return to Cobham without any injuries and full of confidence for the busy November/December period ahead.

Next up is Liverpool at home, a key game for us and we seek to prove our title credentials and ensure we keep in touch at the top.

There is also our increasingly bitter rivalry with Liverpool and the fact that a boasting Liverpool fan is almost more unbearable than a boasting Manchester United fan.

I am not overly confident but then I am a pessimist, rest assured I will be behind the team at the weekend.

This weekend winning is more important than most for more than one reason.

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Chelsea Players In England U21 Squad

Three Chelsea players have been called up to the England U21 squad this week;

Jack Cork (on loan at Burnley)

Daniel Sturridge (on loan at Bolton)

In addition to these players Josh McEachran has been called into the squad for his second call up by Stuart Pearce’s.

Having made a string of substitute appearances for the Chelsea first team he has also made a start in the Champions League and has impressed both Chelsea fans and the media with every performance.

Congratulations to Josh, Jack and Daniel, whilst none are established in the first team at Chelsea, I hope they will feature for England and Chelsea more in the future.

Chelsea 2011 Transfer Coup – Torres and Luiz Sign

There are two new player in blue

Well it has been a nervous 24 hours or so as the liklihood of both deals were both off and back on again but it is official.

Chelsea have signed Fernando Torres and David Luiz in the January 2011 transfer window, in what has been the most exciting transfer window for Chelsea fans since the 2004 close season when Abramovich first opened his wallet.

So what do you think of our transfer activity in this window? Have we overpaid and does it matter?

Transfer Window Summary

In

Fernando Torres (Liverpool) – £50m

David Luiz (Benfica) - £21m + Nemanja Matic

Both players will be available for this weekend’s fixture which in poetic justice is against Liverpool no less should be some good territory to wind up the Scousers at the Bridge on Sunday!

Out

Jacob Mellis (Barnsley) – Loan

Daniel Sturridge (Bolton) – Loan

A note on Daniel Sturridge’s loan a good move for all I think do you agree?