Posts Tagged ‘Didier Drogba’

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‘Pre-season’ mind games begin in Barclaycard Premier League!

July 25th, 2008

Even before the beginning of the Barclays Premier League 2008-09, the mind games have begun with Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, attacking London club, Chelsea. Stanford Bridge side was the only one that made life difficult for Manchester United in the previous season in all leagues.

He has straightaway said that the new manager, the world cup winning Brazilian coach Luiz Philipe Scolari, has no chance in bringing the level of success to Chelsea that was brought by previous coach Jose Mourinho, who was dismissed last November, much to the disappointment of many players, including striker Didier Drogba.

Ferguson has pointed that Chelsea have several players, who are at the wrong side of 30 years of age. In his opinion, due to the modern day fitness techniques, it is not a problem for older players to play but it is difficult to witness any ‘outstanding progress’ from an aging side.

However, he seemed kinder to other rivals, Arsenal and Liverpool, whom he expected to see in the top four this season.

United, who are right now on a pre season tour to South Africa, today defeated Orlando Pirates 1-0. Now, the Pirates and the Kaizer Chiefs will play in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, and the winner will get another match with The Red Devils.

This match was special for center midfield Lee Martin, who scored the winner for the Red Devils. Goalkeeper Ben Foster’s spirited performance today made Ferguson to say that he could even be England’s first choice goalie for years to come.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, Man U, Premier League

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Scolari accepts gamble to bring world-class football Chelsea

July 14th, 2008

Former Brazilian coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has admitted the fact that Chelsea has surely “gambled” by choosing him to be the new manager for the upcoming season. However, he also insisted that he will be striving hard for repaying the London based club by getting extraordinary football at Stamford Bridge.

Scolari was named successor of former Chelsea’s coach Avram Grant in the middle of the Euro 2008, when he was managing Portugal. Despite having some good records which includes the world cup victory with Brazil, people doubted Scolari on his lacking knowledge of the European clubs football in top flight.

The 59-year old Scolari have told the media that his focus will be confined on European success and has not chosen to cast his net wider. He continued to say that his pressure will not only be to win just Champions League, but to desire to be world class as always.

He added that he wants his players to get motivated to do good not only in Champions Cup, but also in other competitions like the FA Cup, Premier League and the Carling Cup. He insisted saying that he is not afraid of his job and will try his best to bring glory to Chelsea.

With his latest acquisitions including Portugal midfielder Deco and almost standing in front of the transfers of stars Didier Drogba & Frank Lampard from Stanford Bridge, he looks all set to make an impact in his first tenure with an English Club.

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Posted in Chelsea FC, General

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Lampard and Drogba to stay at Chelsea

July 10th, 2008

Chelsea F.C. coach Luiz Filipe Scolari has insisted that the club is not willing to sell its star players, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba. He added that both these players have a future with him at Stanford Bridge.

An official 7.95 million pound offer was made by Italian side, Inter Milan, for midfielder Frank Lampard, after former Chelsea Coach Jose Mourinho took their charge. In response, Chelsea have reportedly rejected this offer, saying that they are not willing to sell Lampard and have ‘no interest’ in any negotiations on this issue with Milan.

It has been said that Lampard, the player with most Chelsea caps and goals in the current squad, has told coach Scolari that he is happy staying at Stamford Bridge disregarding the statement issued by his agent, who stated that his future with the club remained ‘unresolved’.

Didier Drogba, Ivory Coast captain, was also pursued by Inter Milan’s rival AC Milan. According to Scolari, the blues are waiting for an offer just to reject it and keep the forward in their squad.

Although no words of confirmation have yet come from Drogba or his agent, still the 2006-07 Premiership Golden Boot winner and African Footballer of the Year has given enough indication for his desire to stay longer at Stamford Bridge.

New manager Scolari, who is also the 2-time South American Coach of the Year and known to have a friendly reputation with his players, looks to be all set for propeling Chelsea to a better and well-organized team, and henceforth, leading them to more success.

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Posted in AC Milan, Chelsea FC, General, Inter Milan, Premiership

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Christiano Ronaldo

June 20th, 2008

 Christiano Ronaldo: Inter also showing interest in United’s Star Winger

There has been a lot of speculation over the future of Manchester United and Portugal star, Christiano Ronaldo. There has been a rife all through this summer for the current FIFA Player of the Year. However, the major focus has tilted upon the debate in between Real Madrid and Manchester United, his current club.

Now there is another twist in the tale, as yet another European Club is seemingly in the race for this wonderful winger from Portugal.

Jose Mourinho, new manager of Inter Milan, is sure to start the coming season with some fresh faces and has Deco (Barcelona), Didier Drogba (Chelsea) & Frank Lampard (Chelsea) topping his wish list. Inter Manager might also add the name of the Portuguese winger, if the club will be offered big money from Nerazzuri, which has been in the news for long. However, it seems unlikely for him to sign the player, as Spanish Giants clear desire for him.

The only advantage with Mourinho is that he shares the same agent with Ronaldo, Jorges Mendes, who might simplify negotiations between Star of Old Trafford & former boss of Chelsea. Again, there are reports that both of them share respect for one another, which might encourage the move.

Manchester United is continuing to fervently deny their willingness for selling him. Still, with the massive bid from Real Madrid going along with another one from Inter Milan, it is very much unlikely to see Christiano Ronaldo in the Red Devil’s jersey this season.

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Posted in Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Football Transfer Market, General, Inter Milan, Man U, Premier League, Premiership

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2008 UEFA Champions League Final – Manchester united vs Chelsea: Match of the Year

June 9th, 2008

2008 UEFA Champions League Final – Manchester united vs Chelsea: Match of the Year

UEFA Champions League is believed to be the greatest football tournament of Europe with the best clubs of all European countries fighting it out for claiming the top spot in the continent. This year, two of the best clubs in UK and probably Europe, Manchester United and Chelsea, fought in the final at Moscow.

This was yet another enthralling encounter between these two giants, who had saw each other thrice before this match and were even on all grounds. With the Premier League in their pocket and an impressive outing in the Champions, Manchester United had the advantage. Still, Chelsea was not going to surrender easy

Manchester United dominated the first half with Christiano Ronaldo scoring within 30 minutes. However, Chelsea struck back with a goal from Frank Lampard going pass the outstretched hands of Edwin Van der Sar in the late moments.

Second half saw the United defense tumbling and the tide turned towards Chelsea for most parts. There were many opportunities missed by the latter, which could have sealed the game. However, the game moved into extra time with both teams tied 1-1.

It was visible that the situation was tensed in extra time and when Carlos Tevez through the ball out of hands, situation went out of hand. In a heated confrontation, Didier Drogba, star Chelsea striker, slapped Nemanja Vidic and was sent off. This was the probable turning point of the game, as he had been responsible for a late strike in another encounter between the two.

With no result possible even in extra time, the match went down to penalty shootouts and when Christiano Ronaldo missed a penalty, it spelled doom for United. However, with courageous goalkeeping by Van der Sar, who saved shots from John Terry, Mr. Chelsea, and Nicholas Anelka, along with brilliant penalties taken from United players, they did the inevitable and became the Champions of both UK and Europe.

Although United won, football, as a sport, was victorious. There is no doubt that until now, it is the ‘Match of the Year’.

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Posted in Champions League, Chelsea FC, EURO 2008, General, Man U, UEFA Cup

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