Real confirm Mourinho exit

Real Madrid have confirmed that they will part company with head coach Jose Mourinho next month.

The announcement further enhances the possibility of the 50 year old returning to Stamford Bridge for next season, with bookmakers now making The Special One a 1/20 chance to become the next Blues boss.

The news will be welcomed by top scorer Fernando Torres, who told the London Evening Standard that “every player” wants to play under Mourinho, who originally left the club in 2007.

Incidentally, Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola is next in the line with the bookmakers at a best price of 28/1, ahead of his Watford side’s participation in next Monday’s Championship play-off final against Crystal Palace at Wembley.

Meanwhile, Napoli forward Edison Cavani could move to Manchester City in a deal that would see Edin Dzeko and a fee move in the opposite direction.

Cavani has also long been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, but it appears that City currently have the edge.

Elsewhere, midfielder Florent Malouda has revealed that the will be moving on, having revealed that he will be playing first team football elsewhere next year.

The 32 year old spent the whole of last season in the reserves after a dispute with the clubs hierarchy.

Posted on May 21, 2013 by by

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Benitez signs of with a win to secure third place

Rafael Benitez‘s time as interim manager of Chelsea ended in victory as they beat Everton 2-1 at Stamford Bridge yesterday.

Juan Mata opened the scoring after just seven minutes with his twentieth goal of the season before Steven Naismith equalised for the Toffee’s, themselves playing under the guidance of Manchester United bound David Moyes for the final time.

Top scorer Fernando Torres then hit the winner fourteen minutes from time to secure all three points for the hosts, who end the season on 75 points, their highest total in three years.

The result clinched third place, and automatic qualification for the Blues, who will now continue their search for a new manager, though it is expected that former boss Jose Mourinho will be appointed accordingly.

Elsewhere in the Premier League, Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku ended a fine season on loan with West Bromwich Albion by hitting a second half hat trick to secure a remarkable 5-5 draw against Champions Manchester United in Sir Alex Ferguson’s final match as manager.

Lukaku finished the season on seventeen league goals, the best return by any player in the Premier League era for the Baggies, who are desperate to keep hold of the Belgian international for next season.

Posted on May 20, 2013 by by

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Lampard signs new contract

Rafael Benitez’s brief reign at Stamford Bridge comes to an end on Sunday as the Blues host Everton at Stamford Bridge.

Victory would seal third place for the Blues, whilst a draw should also be good enough, though if Chelsea’s game ends goalless and Arsenal win 2-1, then the sides would be level on points, goal difference and goals scored which would lead to play off for the first time in Premier League history.

Eden Hazard, John Terry and Ryan Bertrand, who all missed Wednesday evening’s dramatic Europa League final victory in Amsterdam, look set to miss out once again through injury.

Elsewhere, Frank Lampard has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal, ending months of speculation over his future.

The 34 year old has scored 17 goals this season, and last weekend became the club’s all-time top scorer.

Meanwhile, Lampard has been called up to the England squad for the forthcoming friendlies against the Republic of Ireland and Brazil, along with Gary Cahill and Ashley Cole, who will be presented with a golden cap to commemorate him reaching 100 international caps.

Finally, Juan Mata has been named Chelsea’s player of the year following a superb season which has seen him score 19 goals and register 28 assists across eight competitions.

Nathan Ake received the Young Player of the Year award, whilst Goal of the Season went to Oscar for his wonder-strike against Juventus in the Champions League.

Posted on May 17, 2013 by by

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Chelsea clinch dramatic Europa League victory

Branislav Ivanovic’s stoppage time header secured victory for Chelsea in last night’s Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam.

Fernando Torres gave the Blues the lead with almost an hour played, before Oscar Cardoza drew the Portuguese Primeira Liga side level with a deserved equaliser.

Petr Cech then pulled off a save at full stretch to deny Cardoza his, and his sides second before Frank Lampard rattled the crossbar at the other end.

Then, with extra time looking likely, Ivanovic rose high to meet Juan Mata’s corner and secure victory for Chelsea, who become the first side to have won all three of UEFA’s competitions.

The club will now turn their attention to Sunday’s trip to Everton in the final Premier League game of the season, where three points will secure third place, and automatic qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Elsewhere, Frank Lampard looks likely to sign a new contract at the club, which will keep him at Stamford Bridge for another year.

The England internationals future at Chelsea has been in doubt for much of this season, though he is now confident that an agreement can be reached, as talks with the club are on-going.

Lampard became Chelsea’s all-time top scorer following his brace at Aston Villa last weekend.

 

Posted on May 16, 2013 by by

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Demba Ba Signs For Chelsea Football Club

Chelsea Supporters Video clip Score: / five

Posted on May 16, 2013 by by

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Terry and Hazard ruled out of final

Frank Lampard will wear the captains armband for tonight’s Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam, after John Terry failed a fitness test.

The news is a huge blow to Terry, who also missed last season’s Champions League final victory after being sent off in the semi-final second leg against Barcelona at the Nou Camp.

Eden Hazard has also been ruled out with the hamstring injury he picked up in Saturday’s win over Aston Villa.

Ramires and David Luiz are both expected to feature against their former club, while Fernando Torres is expected to lead the line with Demba Ba cup-tied.

If the Blues are victorious, they will become the first English club to have won the three recognised UEFA competitions; they clinched the now defunct Cup Winners Cup in 1971 and 1998 along with last season’s Champions League triumph.

Meanwhile, the Blues could face the prospect of yet another fixture in an already extensive season if results fall a certain way in the final round of Premier League games on Sunday.

If Chelsea draw 0-0 with Everton, and Arsenal beat Newcastle United 2-1, then both London sides will be tied on points, goal difference and goals scored, and will have to play off to see who finishes third in the division, thus avoiding the qualification round of the Champions League.

 

Posted on May 14, 2013 by by

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Terry and Hazard travel to Amsterdam ahead of Final

John Terry and Eden Hazard have travelled with the Chelsea first team squad ahead of Wednesday evening’s Europa League final, despite concerns over their fitness.

Both players were injured in Saturday’s win at Aston Villa, but have been included in the 25 man party, along with Jon Obi-Mikel, who has recovered from a hip injury.

Meanwhile, reports in Germany claim that Kevin De Bruyne has agreed personal terms on a five year deal with Borussia Dortmund.

Representatives of the Champions League finalists were at Villa Park on Saturday, where they were believed to also be watching Villa’s Christian Benteke as a potential replacement for Robert Lewandowski, who has been linked with a move to England.

Elsewhere, reports in Italy claim that the Blues are close to finalising a deal for Napoli striker Edison Cavani.

The reports come after Chelsea’s number one attacking target Radamel Falcao is believed to be moving to Monaco, who with all of their millions, have recently been promoted back to France’s Ligue 1.

Finally, Jose Mourinho, widely believed to be returning to Stamford Bridge in the summer, is the second favourite behind Malaga’s Manuel Pellegrini to become Manchester City’s new manager, after Roberto Mancini was sacked yesterday.

Posted on May 14, 2013 by by

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Lampard breaks goal scoring record

Chelsea came from behind to take all three points at Aston Villa, and all but secure Champions League football for next season.

The win means only a combination a huge loss for the Blues and an equally emphatic victory for Tottenham Hotspur would halt Chelsea’s progress, whilst Arsenal would also need to win their final two games.

Saturday’s game saw Frank Lampard overtake Bobby Tambling’s goal scoring record of 202 goals for the club.

Christian Benteke gave Paul Lambert’s men a first half lead before Lampard levelled just past the hour mark, and the veteran midfielder had the final say when he rounded off an impressive move to give his side all three points, and rewrite the record books.

The club will now turn their attention to Wednesday evenings Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, David Luiz has told the Metro that Wayne Rooney would be welcome at Stamford Bridge.

The England international has handed in a transfer request at Manchester United; something which has been confirmed by outgoing manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Elsewhere, Jose Mourinho reportedly wants to take German international midfielder Sami Khedira with him to Stamford Bridge in the summer, should he return as manager.

Posted on May 13, 2013 by by

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Rooney a target for Chelsea

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Manchester United’s want-away striker Wayne Rooney.

The England international has reportedly requested to leave the Premier League champions after nine years at Old Trafford; something that has alerted a host of clubs including the Blues, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.

The revelations came just hours after the news that Sir Alex Ferguson will end his tenure as manager, with David Moyes appointment being confirmed yesterday.

The England international’s future at United has been under scrutiny throughout the second half of this season, with doubts originally being raised following his absence from the starting line-up of United’s Champions League last sixteen second leg against Real Madrid.

The former Everton man is also said to be frustrated at being played out of position, with Robin Van Persie being used as the clubs first choice centre forward.

Meanwhile, the club are preparing for their crucial tie with Aston Villa tomorrow lunchtime, where three points would all but secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Victory would see Chelsea move six points clear of fifth place Tottenham Hotspur with far superior goal difference.

Eden Hazard and Victor Moses are both doubtful for the game, with Frank Lampard expected to start as he looks for the goal which will equal Bobby Tambling’s record of 202 for the club.

Posted on May 10, 2013 by by

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Chelsea draw with Spurs to remain on course for the Champions League

Chelsea missed the chance to all but confirm their place in next seasons Champions League as they drew 2-2 with Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge yesterday evening.

Oscar gave the hosts the lead after just ten minutes; before Emmanuel Adebayor’s sublime finish drew Spurs level.

Ramires then restored the Blues lead five minutes before the break, and looked to be heading towards victory though substitute Gylfi Sigurdsson gave Andre Villas Boas’ men a share of the spoils.

Chelsea remain in pole position to qualify for Europe’s top competition ahead of both of their London rivals; Arsenal are two points behind in fourth place, whilst Spurs are a further point off the Blues in fifth.

Victory at Aston Villa on Saturday lunchtime will again all but wrap up a top four finish for Rafael Benitez’s side, who end the season by hosting Everton four days after the Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam.

Meanwhile, Jose Mourinho remains favourite to take charge of the Blues next season, despite being linked with the Manchester United job following yesterday’s announcement that Sir Alex Ferguson will call time on his 26 year tenure at Old Trafford.

David Moyes is the bookmakers favourite to replace Ferguson at the Champions.

Posted on May 9, 2013 by by

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