Posts Tagged ‘Chelsea FC’

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Ferguson: No plan to retire in the near future

March 19th, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Boss, is not having any plans of calling time on his illustrious career in the immediate future.

Ferguson, who is widely recognized across the globe for being one of the greatest mangers in the game, has been toiling hard for the Red Devils since November 1986.

The wily Scot has accumulated an astonishing haul, when it comes to domestic & continental glories, in a career that has spanned 22 years. Even though he is in the latter part of his career, Ferguson is in no mood to leave the confident United dugout.

Red Devils have already won the Carling Cup & FIFA Club World Cup this season. They are even hot favorites for many to retain the League Title making it three in a row and eighteen overall.

His side has also advanced to the semifinal stage of the FA Cup where they will clash with Everton and are also in the last eight of the Champions League.

Even though he is not confident of seeing Manchester United achieve an unprecedented quintuple, his passion towards the game has not dimmed.

On being asked with regards to his retirement, Sir Alex Ferguson told The Guardian, ‘Not in the near future. Even though I am 67, I can feel the energy within me and even my health is good.’

‘I still have that energy, which was there when I started 22 years back. I can still hear the buzz arrive in our training ground.’

‘There is still that tingle of excitement in me when our team bus stops on away ground before every big match, whether it’s Chelsea, Liverpool or Arsenal.’

‘I do not know where I will stop, 2 years or even after that, but I hope to continue till I can feel the passion within me.’

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Hiddink: We are going to push United

March 18th, 2009

Guus Hiddink, Chelsea Boss, vowed of pushing Manchester United to the limit in the race for the Premier League title. He also wished for guiding the Blues to glory in the Champions League.

Since his arrival to the club, the Dutchman guided the Londoners to 4 consecutive wins in Premier League, which has allowed them to come at only 4 points from the League leaders.

The Stamford Bridge side was also encouraged by the 4-1 Liverpool victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, even though with a game in their hand, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side continues to stay in the driving seat.

While speaking to Russian Daily, Sovetski Sport, Hiddink said, ‘This is the task that we are pitted against. However, all of us know that it’s going to be extremely difficult achieving it.

‘Do not forget that United still has a game in their hand. Moreover, they’ve got a lot of experience when it comes to winning the League. All I can promise to the Chelsea fans is that we will fight till it is over.’

‘You already have an idea of the way I handle the side: Its all about hard work. This has been the method since the first day I landed in London.’

‘When I started, we were fourth in the League. Now, we stand only four points from the top of the table.’

Hiddink feels that his side is also looking to go one up on United after losing out the final of the Champions League on penalties.

‘Currently, we stand in the final eight clubs in Europe with each one harboring an ambitious plan and Chelsea can be no exception.’

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Red Devils get a well-deserved rest

March 17th, 2009

Manchester United squad was given a day off following their embarrassing 4-1 loss at the hands of Liverpool in Old Trafford. This break was a sort of punishment for the poor display shown by the entire team during the game at the Theater of Dreams.

Instead of being provided with some extra training, which used to be the formula for the Red Devils boss in the recent past, Sir Alex Ferguson opted for sticking to the original plan of using Sunday to be a recovery day following a hectic schedule in the past few months.

One of the officials at the club revealed, ‘It has been almost 3 games every week since we got back from our victorious World Club Cup campaign in Japan. Thus, giving some rest to the players before the game at Fulham was found to be more sensible by the team management.’

‘The main idea behind the whole scenario is to avoid the players from coming up with an excuse of their hectic schedule to be the reason behind any defeat.’

Even after receiving a terrible loss at the hands of Liverpool, Manchester United stay well placed above Liverpool and Chelsea with a game in hand.

Meanwhile, Manchester United finally came across some good news following their loss at the hands of Liverpool.

Midfielder Owen Hargreaves was taking positive steps along his long road for recovery.

The England International has missed almost the entire campaign due to his knee operation for curing his tendinitis problem, which has been bothering him for a long time.

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Robinho believes that City can win the Champions League

March 14th, 2009

Robinho, Samba King of Manchester City, believes that the Eastlands side can one day become as big as Chelsea, who they will face on Sunday at Stanford Bridge.

Brazilian Star, who joined Mark Hughes’ team as a summer signing from Real Madrid, was involved in a 33 million pounds deal, which is a current British-record.

Robinho and all his teammates in the City lineup are slowly but surely overcoming their poor start to the league season. Not only are they climbing up the table in the Premier League, they are even progressing well in the UEFA Cup.

Ahead of the trip to Stamford Bridge in the coming weekend and with all things looking better for Manchester City, Robinho has gone on and predicted even better things for Hughes’ men in the future.

Speaking to Setanta Sports, Robinho said, ‘With the players and officials in our club being very ambitious, people have been underestimating us.’

‘We might not be counted amongst the biggest club in the world yet, but you should not forget what was Chelsea 4 years back.’

‘We have the composition to do as good as they have been doing in the recent years.’

‘Manchester City is after big things. We are looking forward to be at the top of the Premier League and win the Champions League once.’

‘I have been very pleased with the way things have gone on at the club thus far.’

‘I know achieving the path to glory is not going to be easy, but guess what: I am a Brazilian and used to such pressure.’

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Drogba getting back into the groove

March 9th, 2009

Didier Drogba, Chelsea striker, is looking for a strong finish to the season, after seeing a drop in form during the earlier games.

In the span of five games, Ivory Coast Captain has bagged three goals, which include the one he scored on Saturday at Coventry in the FA Cup encounter.

Drogba feels that Guus Hiddink has shown confidence by selecting and not just singled him up for some special sort of treatment.

In an interview to The Sun, Drogba said, “There is no need to speak to every player each day. I am in the team and it really means a lot for me more than anything else.”

Speaking on Guddink, he said, ‘He has done his job by getting what he think is the best side. f I am a part of his plan, all I need to do is execute my job properly and not let him down.’

‘At this moment, I am getting opportunities and making full use of them, which is doing my confidence a world of good.’

Drogba admitted the fact that he was finding the pressure difficult to handle in the early part of the season, but is now relaxed and looking to get on top of his form soon.

‘I found it difficult after coming back from a long layoff. But, that’s football. You can see everyone backing you up during good times, whereas bad times will always see the same people pointing a finger at you and asking ‘Why’.’

‘At this moment, I need to walk a bit more and get myself back into full fitness, if I want to give more to the club and see them eclipse Manchester United & Liverpool in the league to lift the title.’

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Mourinho eyes replacing Ferguson in the future at Old Trafford

March 8th, 2009

Jose Mourinho feels that he has got what it requires for taking over the job at Old Trafford when Sir Alex Ferguson finally decides to call it quits.

Mourinho’s Inter Milan, who are topping the tables in Serie A, will be traveling to United on Wednesday for their return leg in the Champions League.

With a 0-0 draw at San Siro in the first leg of last 16, Inter will be fancying their chances and looking towards creating a major upset by beating Manchester United, who won the competition in Moscow last May.

If this result does take place, there are possibilities that Mourinho will be in the spotlight again and may be the next one to take the charge of the Red Devils.

During an interview, Mourinho said, ‘I’ve got big jobs left in me, but do not know which ones to commit.’

‘If you are looking to rule me out of ever getting an opportunity as the Manchester United Manager, I cannot.’

‘Special managers are required by special clubs and hence there is a possibility for me to get a stint. However, in football nothing can be predicted.’

‘England offered me the job for coaching their national side, which I believe is the biggest show of approval of my prowess.’

‘So, I’m sure that whenever Sir Alex is going to hang up his boots, they’ll be looking for the best in the world and I fall in that category.’

In spite of all the rumors revolving around other manager, there is no doubt that the former Chelsea Manager can be a perfect replacement for Sir Alex Ferguson. Even defender Rio Ferdinand believes that no one can do the job better than Mourinho.

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Ashravin: Russia will be a different team without Hiddink

March 7th, 2009

Andrey Arshavin, Arsenal midfielder, admits that Guss Hiddink can leave the Russia National side for his commitment to the Chelsea Club, which will come as a matter of distress for him.

Arshavin is not very certain that Hiddink will leave Stamford Bridge following the summer to take a full control of Russia. However, in his undertaking since February, Chelsea has been undefeated in the Premier League.

While speaking to BBC’s Football Focus, Ashravin said, ‘Everyone in the Russian National Team loves him a lot and want to be led by him.’

By getting Hiddink, Chelsea has become a stronger opponent for other teams. Thus, the Russian International is concerned that if Guss moves ahead, then Russian team will be gone as well with him.

Arshavin admitted that at the start of his life in the Premier League with Arsenal, it hardly takes time for him to join the pace of the English top flight.

He said that, ‘It’s a big difference between watching the Premier league on TV and being a part of it. Even though I have very little time in hand to make the difference, I will need to use it to create the maximum effect.’

Arshavin was influential in the Gunners 3-1 success over West Brom at the Hawthorns and gave a positive result to Gunners after four goalless draws on a trot in the league.

According to Arsene Wegner’s stratagem, former Zenit St. Petersburg midfielder will like to play in varied positions rather than playing it in a progressively favored position as in the Russian squad.

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Newcastle United Vs Manchester United: Devils survives early hiccup with 2-1 win

March 5th, 2009

Manchester United came on top even against Newcastle United after conceding an early goal and moved seven points ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool with one game in hand.

Red Devils were able to equalize a Lovenkrands goal through a flick from Wayne Rooney in the first half. Later on, a goal from Berbatov won the game 2-1 at St. James Park.

Even though the goal ended Van der Sar’s streak of clean sheet, former Netherland International made sure that he made amends by an error free display in the later part of the game.

At White Hart Lane, Tottenham Hotspurs killed of their submission to Manchester United in Carling Cup finals by romping to a 4-0 victory over Middlesbrough.

Robbie Keane scored his first goal following his return to the Spurs side and was followed by a brace from Pavlyuchenko and two from Lennon.

Manchester City continued their great run at home by trouncing Aston Villa 2-0 with goals from Elano and Shaun Wright-Phillips.

Mark Hughes’ side will be looking forward to continue their home form to some of their away games remaining in the season, which has been dismal to say the least.

Stoke City, another side hampered with a poor away form, rallied home to another home victory.

Stoke won the game against Bolton 2-0 with the former Sheffield Striker, James Beattie, scoring for the home side.

Meanwhile at The JJB Stadium, Carlton Cole allowed West Ham United to score a 1-0 victory over Wigan Athletic.

With this win, Hammers moved on to the seventh position in the league table six points behind Everton, who were held to a goalless draw by Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

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Cech: It is tough to achieve a quintuple

March 4th, 2009

Petr Cech, Chelsea goalkeeper, insisted that Manchester United is going to feel the strain in their bid for winning a quintuple.

Chelsea, who came on top over Portsmouth 1-0 at Fratton Park on Tuesday, narrowed their gap at the top of League table by four points.

Following an enthralling encounter, the Blues defeated Pompey on the back of a strike from Didier Drogba in the 79th minute. This is the fourth win in succession for interim manager Guus Hiddink.

With a game in hand, this Chelsea victory may not bother the Red Devils. However, Cech feels that in the midst of their quest for accomplishing glory on all fronts, their plans can backfire.

In 2006-07, Chelsea was right on course of getting a quadruple, but lost the track when it mattered the most and eventually had to settle with only FA & Carling Cup titles.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s team, who are going to face Newcastle later today, sounded confident of adding the Premier League title, FA Cup and the Champions league to their victories in Club World Cup and the Carling Cup.

However, Cech said, ‘It is hard when you are looking forward to win every competition. We know it, as we have been on the receiving end of such a situation.’

‘It takes not a bad day, but a bad shot or decision, which changes the complexion of your future.’

‘It is always going to be tough. You will require everything to go for you whether its momentum or luck, which in the current scenario seems impossible.’

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Ferguson: League is won or lost in this period

March 3rd, 2009

Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United Boss, guaranteed Red Devils’ fans that their squad member will not relax in any of the Premier League clashes remaining in the season.

United willpower has been responsible in seeing them getting so close of equalizing the League record of 18 Premier League titles.

It is difficult to visualize the Red Devils getting overhauled in the coming matches, as they have a game in hand and on top of that, a lead of seven points over Chelsea and Liverpool.

After winning 8 games out of 11, they know that their championship hat-trick will be completed if they continue moving at the same pace.

However, Ferguson is still optimistic and not looking far ahead. According to him, league is mainly won or lost in March and April. So, the wily Scot wished to see his side completely focused.

Ferguson said, ‘I have seen team lose from a strong position after performing badly in March and April. So it is important that we keep our composure and carry on with the performance that has helped us so far.’

Manchester United will next be looking to avenge the 1-1 draw (in the very first game of the season for the Red Devils) when they play Newcastle United at St. James Park.

‘Newcastle has recovered well after a poor start in the season and we are not going to take them lightly. Especially, after playing out the 1-1 draw against them in the very first game of the season.’

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