Drogba leaves Chelsea – Goodbye Didier, We will miss you

The journey that started in 2004 has come to an end. Didier Drogba will leave the club as a legend, which is probably a fitting send-off given his service to the club. Didier Drogba has had an incredible amount of highs and lows during his eight-year stint at Stamford Bridge. However, for him to go out having won the biggest prize of all in the form a Champions League title is the fitting reward, although I believe that Drogba should have stayed for one more year to help us win the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.



Over the years, Drogba came extremely close to leaving the club – none more so than after the exit of José Mourinho. His decision to stay, though, has reaped rewards, which might be tough to better in the future. His trophy haul – three Premier League titles, four FA Cups, one Champions League, two League Cups – in the last eight years is nothing short of amazing.

The greatest strength of Drogba has been that he can adjust to every way of playing. He has power, pace, skills, and finishing that can be used in any conceivable way, although that has not been the case with the managers up until Roberto di Matteo. Almost every one of them has used Drogba as a lone target man up front.

It was quite conceivable during one stage that Didier Drogba would have been remembered as someone who was on the floor for most of the match. However, his last appearance in a Chelsea shirt has surely put him amongst the likes of Peter Osgood and Kerry Dixon. The fact that he has helped Chelsea win the Champions League almost single-handedly will forever live in the memory of Chelsea fans. We have relied on his goals so much so that it will certainly be an interesting few months ahead at Chelsea in the transfer market.



It is almost as if his presence at the club has not allowed any striker to make a name for himself at Stamford Bridge. Perhaps, with him gone, it may be time for Fernando Torres to shine. No matter what happens with the Spaniard, Didier Drogba will be remembered as one of the greats in our history.

In many ways, it almost feels like Drogba is forced out of Chelsea because the club are so desperate to see the £ 50 million signing Fernando Torres succeed. Even if it is the case, Drogba can leave with his head held high. Goodbye Drogba, but we hope to see you at Stamford Bridge in the future.

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Chelsea are the 2012 Champions League Winners

After years of disappointment, I can finally say that Chelsea are the Champions of Europe. Yes, Chelsea are the winners of the 2012 Champions League final. It still seems unbelievable given the season we have had. I had a feeling during the two Barcelona matches that it was going to be our year. The excitement, sense of relief, and the joy at the final after Didier Drogba's penalty cannot be explained. It is a memory that will last more than a lifetime. Roman Abramovich can finally say that his team are the best in Europe and it has taken him nine long years to do so.


Sure, there have been teams that have gone longer without winning the Champions League, but it would be tough to find a team that has come close on numerous occasions like Chelsea in these nine years. From the ghost goal by Liverpool to the rain drenched memories of the 2008 Champions League final when we lost on penalties to Manchester United, Chelsea have surely been the unluckiest team in the Champions League.

However, it is this bad luck that has turned good for Chelsea this season.
In terms of creating chances, we have been extremely bad in the semifinals against Barcelona and in the final against Bayern Munich as well. However, when your name is on the trophy, no one can stop it and it has proved today.

It feels ironic that we never won the competition when we were clearly the better team, but come back to win it when clearly there are better teams in the competition – or is it? Bayern Munich may have all the striking options and we might have defended for most of the match.

However, apart from a few close chances I can't remember Cech making a lot of saves from open play. It was all wayward shooting from Bayern Munich. It was remarkable defensive display once again by Chelsea. This season shows that winning the Champions League is one of the toughest aspects of the season. You may be the best team in the world, but you need a slice of luck to be the Champion of Europe. Chelsea have certainly had that this season under Roberto di Matteo and I feel justice is done.


Many would forget the three times we hit the post against Manchester United in the 2008 Champions League final – I said we would be back, but here in the 2012 Champions League final, it was our turn. John Terry will be relieved man; Didier Drogba will be relieved man. Once again, the Ivorian has proved that he is the man for the big occasions.

Chelsea celebrations after winning the 2012 Champions League final still seems unbelievable to me when I think back of the 3-1 defeat which suffered against Napoli in the last 16 stage. However, Chelsea fans have to believe and recognise that this is just the start of a new era for Chelsea.

Drogba will be gone and so do a number of other important players, but it is important to remember that Chelsea are the 2012 Champions League winners. Yes, we are the Kings of Europe – at last.

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Chelsea vs Blackburn Rovers Match Preview

Chelsea and Roberto di Matteo had the pleasure of watching Bayern Munich field a full strength team against Borussia Dortmund in the final of the DFB Polkal Cup. This match also saw the defence of Bayern Munich exposed to the full extent, thus giving Chelsea manager a great insight into the team ahead of the match between the two clubs next week, in which Bayern Munich are the favourites according to the football odds. However, it will be relegated Blackburn Rovers this week. Roberto di Matteo revealed prior to the match that he will be making lots of changes to the team.

 

However, it should not lead you into thinking that the team will be comprised only of young players and reserve team players. The interim manager has said that he would be fielding the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Fernando Torres, who still can compete for a place in the starting line-up next week. As a result, one can expect a mixture of youth and experience when they take on Blackburn in the final match of the season. Of course, the players who were suspended from next week's match will also be involved.

 

Speaking ahead of the match in the Friday's press conference, Roberto di Matteo said,

 

"It is going to be a mix, one or two youngsters and some of the other guys that need a game as well. We have to find a balance, there are also going to be players who are going to be involved next Saturday."

 

It has been a very tough season in the last few months with games regularly coming up within three days. The effect really showed in the second half of the FA Cup final against Liverpool. Some may say that Andy Carroll was the reason for Liverpool's dominance in the second half, but according to me, the tired midfield was the reason for Chelsea being unable to keep the ball. One can expect Chelsea to be at the top of Blackburn today given that Roberto di Matteo will be making massive changes.

 

I for one would wish to see Romelu Lukaku start the match. The Belgian almost scored against Liverpool, and he displayed everything from pace to power at Anfield. He has not been given the necessary chance to show his skills this season, but he will surely get a run out against Blackburn. Ryan Bertrand has also established himself as the backup to Ashley Cole. Expect him to start against Blackburn as well.

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Arsenal vs Chelsea: Match Preview, 21st April, 2012

Revenge was certainly mentioned a lot ahead of the meeting with Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final. Even though the aftermath of the immense victory over the Spaniards has reduced the attention, one should also look at the match with Arsenal in the same context. Despite being highly successful against Arsenal over the past couple of seasons, we head into the match at the Emirates Stadium having been defeated 5-3 earlier in the season. True, we're much better team now than under AVB, but this crop of Chelsea players still have a lot to prove before they head into the Euro 2012. A lot of people interested in Euro 2012 England betting will be keen on this match due to the number of English players involved.

Roberto di Matteo suggested during the pre-match press conference that he will be utilising more of the squad on Saturday, which means that one can get to see the likes of Essien, Malouda, Bosingwa, and Ferreira all get a piece of action.

Chelsea's Chief executive Ron Gourlay appeared to suggest that finishing in the top four was far more important than winning the Champions League or the FA Cup. However, it seems that di Matteo already has the Barcelona match in mind. I too would have chosen this decision because the Champions League hopes is still in our hands, while the prospect of finishing in the top four certainly is not.

A high line against Arsenal in the 5-3 defeat helped Theo Walcott make the most out of John Terry’s lack of pace, but Roberto di Matteo is unlikely to repeat the same mistake. In many ways, this match could actually be a preparation for the Barcelona match. Arsenal's style of play and the size of the pitch are in many ways similar to that of Barcelona.

The biggest advantage in terms of a top four finish is the fact that both Tottenham and Chelsea play only after we have finished. It is also easy to forget that Arsenal are also in the race as well. The defeat at the hands of Wigan has certainly changed their outlook on the top four finish.

Arsenal, though, will be delighted at the prospect of not having to face Didier Drogba, who has been the nemesis for Arsene Wenger on numerous occasions in the past. The striker is more likely to be rested having played two games in such a short span of time and also with the Barcelona match in mind.

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Match Preview: Chelsea vs Bolton, 25th Feb, 2012

Prior to appointing Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich would have hoped that Chelsea would be at least better than Bolton Wanderers in terms of form. However, Chelsea's recent form is actually worse than the 19th placed team in the Premier league table. It is not surprising to know that Bolton are rated highly by the Betfair Football Odds this weekend.


Chelsea have no victory in the last five matches, and it is going to be a month without a victory for Villas-Boas if they fail to beat Bolton this weekend. Despite struggling down at the bottom of the table, Bolton have two wins in their last five matches.

John Terry's absence at the back is certainly working against Andre Villas-Boas and his tactics. As good as Gary Cahill may be, he is certainly not going to be a substitute for John Terry. Chelsea's captain has been ruled out for up to 4 weeks.

One of the biggest advantages Chelsea have this weekend in the context of the Premier league table is the fact that Arsenal do not play until Sunday. Further, they'll be heading into the North London Derby against Tottenham in the worst possible fashion. There is every chance that Arsenal might lose the match, but Chelsea need to be ready in order to take advantage of any slipup from Arsenal.

After the 3-1 defeat against Napoli, the FA cup seems to be the only hope for a trophy this season. However, Chelsea should not take eyes away from the fact that there is still a competition left for the fourth spot. Chelsea, Arsenal, Newcastle United, and Liverpool are the competing teams.

Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were dropped by Andre Villas-Boas for the Napoli match. There have been reports of a fallout between Ashley Cole and Andre Villas-Boas. It remains to be seen if the manager and the player can sort out their differences by the time the match kicks off.

Trying to clear out of the players, who were extremely influential in the José Mourinho, is all well and good, but one should also try to get results in between. This is something that Andre Villas-Boas has clearly lacked in, while he has also not displayed the authority needed to oversee a transitional phase.

Perhaps, it is a job not to be meant for a 34-year-old with just one year of managerial experience at the top level.

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