Chelsea FC (The Blues) | Special Thread

[Rosh Hashannah]

Chelsea are on the verge of a major crisis

35 minutes ago Daily Mail

Roman Abramovich is famed for his quick trigger to axe underperforming managers.
Is Antonio Conte really going to go?

It seems the only question is 'when' Conte goes. Football's biggest open secret is there being absolutely no chance of the Italian being in the Stamford Bridge dugout next season. The relationship between Conte and his employers is at an all-time low. Add to this talk of players unrest with Conte's notoriously intense methods and it is easy why reports of former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique taking over or a return for Carlo Ancelotti are already surfacing.

How has it got to this stage?

First, a bit of perspective. This season is a far cry from 2015-16, where Jose Mourinho was dismissed with Chelsea in an appalling 16th place in the league. Conte's men are fourth – although the grip on that coveted spot is quickly slipping – still in the FA Cup, and face the daunting task of Barcelona in the Champions League. However, the problems on and off the pitch are clear. While terse relationships and a lack of clear structure hinder the club off the field, Chelsea are struggling all over the pitch.

So is it the manager, the players, or the club at fault?

All of the above. It seems ludicrous Conte is on his way out a year after winning the title with a team built in his image. The logical move would be to back him to the hilt in the knowledge that this season would need world class reinforcements. The club have completely failed to do this. However, Conte hasn't helped himself of late. Constant moaning, excuses, and finger-pointing weaken his hand. There also seems to be a huge lack of leadership on the field, while the new signings have by and large failed.

Why are Chelsea scrapping around for bargain buys?

While Man United were snatching Alexis Sanchez from Man City, City themselves breaking another club record to sign Aymeric Laporte, Liverpool making Virgil van Dijk the most expensive defender of all time and Arsene Wenger juggling Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea were looking at Andy Carroll. That embarrassing search for a striker has ended well with snapping up of Olivier Giroud. But it doesn't hide the fact Chelsea are nowhere near the top table when it comes to the transfer market – this is the main source of Conte's ire.

What happened to the Chelsea of old?

The great Chelsea sides of the Abramovich era were overspilling with international captains – Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Branislav Ivanovic, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel. This was a team that never knew when it was beaten. Anyone hoping for a repeat of the heroics of 2012 in the Nou Camp this time around is likely to be disappointed. Where are the characters, leaders and world class players in that mould in this side?

Source: Daily Mail.
Image: © Getty Images.

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

N'Golo Kante believes Olivier Giroud can 'score many goals' for Chelsea

3 hours ago Chelsea FC

Kante knows our new signing well from the France national team.
Kante said: "I know Olivier Giroud from the French national team.

"We all know what he did at Arsenal. He's a good striker who can score many goals.

"Emerson I don't know well, but from what I have heard he is a good player.

"We hope they can bring something to the team and help us achieve something this season and in the future."

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Five reasons why things aren't looking great for Chelsea

4 hours ago Real Sport 101

Antonio Conte suffered arguably the worst defeat of his Chelsea tenure as his stuttering side went down 3-0 to Bournemouth on Wednesday night.
Conte has alienated important team members

Diego Costa, Michy Batshuayi and David Luiz, however you view them, have probably had a greater impact on Chelsea's season by not playing than most of the other squad members have had by playing. With Conte remaining stubborn in his refusal to countenance either player at different points in the season, the Italian has negatively affected his squad in such a way that any hope of a healthy squad rotation system has been scotched.

Conte is on his way out

Remember the final days of Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City? With Pep Guardiola already anointed as his successor, the Argentine cruised through his final months at the club with only the Champions League really piquing his interest. Chelsea seem very much in danger of doing the same. The difference is that, these days, there is a top six rather than a top four. If the club aren't careful, they could find themselves out of Champions League football next year.

A flawed transfer policy

Considering Chelsea had a championship-winning side last season, the last year has seen their squad slowly erode away to the point that its hard to see what went wrong. With Cesc Fabregas getting older, Nemanja Matic leaving, the summer signing of Tiemoue Bakayoko failing to bear fruit, Chelsea have gone on to bring in a number of players who seem to have more of an air of desperation about them than anything else.

The formation doesn't work so much

Last season, Conte was hailed as a tactical genius for shifting Jose Mourinho's 4-2-3-1 into a 3-4-3. This season, the former Juventus boss has been caught between continuing with the 3-4-3 and making a 3-5-2 work. Time is running out. Conte will need to utilise all of his tactical ingenuity to pick a formation that works for the squad he has available to him. If he can't, then Chelsea's could go into freefall.

Hazard isn't around for ever

Unfortunately for Chelsea, their diminutive talisman has been their main source when it comes to chance creation this season and so the prospect of losing him will hardly be thrilling. With the combination of a badly-constructed squad, Chelsea fans may be worried that their club could struggle to attract a player of the same sort of quality as Hazard.

Agree with the suggestions?

Source: Real Sport 101.
Image: © Getty Images.

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Antonio Conte reiterates that finishing in the top four would be a 'great success' for Chelsea

4 hours ago Sky Sports

The Italian insisted he was getting the best out of his players.
Conte said: "We are doing everything and giving 120 per cent, and I am approaching this squad at their maximum level.

"But if someone does not agree that I am here then you have to accept every situation. I am relaxed about this because I know I am doing a great job.

"I think about the pressure and it is normal for a coach and manager. It is normal if you are Chelsea's coach.

"If we want only to dream and not see the reality, in this case I could tell you we can fight to win the title this season. But it is important to look at the reality and to know that it will be a great success to reach a place in the Champions League."

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

How Chelsea fare without Gary Cahill

2 hours ago WhoScored

Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has sensationally revealed the club targeted Cahill in their shock 3-0 win.
With Cahill in the starting XI in the Premier League this season

Played: 15

Won: 7

Lost: 4

Without Cahill in the starting XI in the Premier League this season

Played: 9

Won: 8

Lost: 1

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Cahill apumzike

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Former player Nigel Winterburn claims Conte could be sacked before end of season

5 hours ago Sky Sports

"I think there are frustrations within the transfers that they have made," Winterburn told Sky Sports News. "There seems to be frustrations from him within his team as well. They can't quite seem to keep that level of consistency they had last season, which has been highlighted even more by Manchester City's dominance.

"The way that Chelsea tend to react with their managers suggests that there may be a change come the end of the season and possibly before. It would be a huge statement to change your manager before the end of the season but when you start to question the board and Roman Abramovich, you don't tend to stay around too long."

"A lot of supporters are disillusioned with their teams at the moment because of the way that Manchester City are going. They have really upped the bar this season. It is very difficult to back up a real strong challenge at the title again. There seems to be that mental block for that following season."

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Hazard na Courtois wanachotaka kukifanya sasa hv Chelsea nadhani kilitokea muda sio mrefu Arsenal si kama hawapendi kusaini mkataba mpya ila inawabidi wakatae kuongeza mkataba kuokana na wachezaji wanaoletwa ktk team wote tunafaham kuwa Hazard na Courtois wana ndoto kubwa na wanataka kucheza ktk timu nzuri...

Sanchez & Ozil si kama walikuwa hawapendi kuongeza mkataba ila wachezaji waliokuwa wakiletewa kwa ajili ya kusaidiana majukumu walikuwa ni wachezaji wakawaida na wao wanataka timu yao ifike mbali zaid na pia wao thamani yao ionekane ila Arsene Wenger alikuwa anawaletea wachezaji wa kawaida na ndicho kinachotokea kwetu muda huu...

Unadhani alichokiacha Sanchez Arsenal kwenda Man U ni nn kama sio pesa kutokana Arsenal hakuna makombe na hata huko alpoelekea vile vile hakuna makombe bora ya Coutinho kafata makombe na soon atavaa medals...

Babu Wenger baada ya kuacha ubahili na kusajili wachezaji wanaoeleweka mbona Ozil mwenyew kaongeza mkataba wa miaka mitatu hii ni kuonyesha wazi wachezaji walikuwa wanataka kuondoka kutokana na aiana ya wachezaji waliokuwa wanaletewa na hata kwa upande wetu mchezaji kama hazard unamletea Giroud acheze nae pale mbele ilihali Arsenal wanasafisha timu yao kwa kusajili wachezaji wenye uwezo wale ambao hawana mahitaji nao ndiyo wanatupa sisi alafu mchezaji huyo huyo aje a compete na Morata ambae nae vile vile anamatatizo makubwa ndani yake...

Na ndyo maana hata haikuwa tatzo kwa upande wa The Gunners kukubali dau letu la pauni milion 18 kama ada ya uhamisho wa Giroud kutokana kwa wao kule kwa muda huu hana tena nafasi kutokana tayari washamsajili Piere-Emeric Aubameyaung kama Striker wao mpya...

Njia pekee ya kuwafanya hao akina Hazard na Courtois kusaini mkataba mpya ni kuongeza nguvu katika kusajili wachezaji wenye uwezo mkubwa ktk kikosi chetu nikiwa namaanisha *World Class* players linafahamika siku zote Chelsea tatzo ni hatuna Striker mzuri ila tunasajili Giroud na kukubali kumtoa Batshuayi kiukweli kwa mtu mwenye uelewa lazima ashangae yan ni bora wote wangekuwepo ila kosa n kumwachia aondoke klabuni kwa mkopo kwenda Dortmund...

Kwa sasa naona lile tatzo tuliokuwa tunalia nalo kila siku kuhusu board yetu halijaondoka tena ndiyo kama limezidi bora hata huyo Michael Emenalo alivyokuwepo ilikuwa afadhali kidogo lazima kwenye upande wa pili ukweli uzungumzwe ktk mazuri aliyofanya Emenalo lazma tuseme ukweli kuliko huyu Maria anachokifanya muda huu...

Kocha utakuta anamtaka Alex Sandro analetewa Emerson Palmeira ambae amekaa muda muda mrefu nje kutokana na majeruhi.
kocha anamtaka Vidal analetewa Ross Barkley
kocha anamtaka Aubameyang analetewa Olivier Giroud na hapo penyewe sijui alipewa majina ya kuchagua na board yupi aletewe akaona bora Giroud (Carrol, Croach, Dzeko, Barnes, Sliman & Giroud) itakuwa board ilimleteta haya majina ya mafoward achague mmoja Conte akaona bora Giroud kidogo anafaa ....

Alafu uje kumlaumu kocha kweli maana wachezaji anowataka hapewi analetewa wakina Drinkwater alafu ufanye vizuri tumeona Man City licha ya kuwa juu ya msimamo wa ligi kwa kwa point zaid ya 15+ lakini bado anafanya usajili mkubwa kuongeza nguvu ktk kikosi chake sasa sisi tunhali ngumu bado tunajifanya tunasajili wachezaji ili kuleta ushindani kwa wale wa kikosi cha kwanza wakati hata yule foward no 9 mwenyew anabidi apate wakumweka bench...

 

[Smart boy Shewedy]

FUSO umeongea vizur sana

Kabisaaaa

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Chelsea back in training today. WIllian and Giroud both involved and should feature against Watford.
Michy Batshuayi called Sevilla's chairman to apologise for not moving there after all was agreed. He was keen on the move but Chelsea wanted him at Dortmund which then made the move for Giroud possible. [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Nine potential replacements for Antonio Conte at
Chelsea.
Conte could leave the Blues at the end of the
season – or even before.
Luis Enrique, Massimiliano Allegri, Diego Simeone, Maurizio Sarri, Brendan Rodgers, Zinedine Zidane, Guus Hiddink, Marco Silva, Frank Lampard

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Next Expensive Managerial Puppet Please

When even their pet Mail newspaper throws shade on the CFC
board`s behavior, you know it`s gone nuclear.
When even N`Golo Kante is finally underwhelmed by the sheer
averageness of players such as Bakayoko, Fabregas, Drinkwater
alongside him, you know something`s awfully wrong.
When the real big clubs overspend Chelsea by around £200
million net in a season, you know the game`s up.
Chelsea`s world-class football man, Antonio Conte, winner of
four - yes, that`s 4! - national championships in a row, has
always known exactly what he has needed to maintain Chelsea
at the top.
He has been denied those needs.
The players he wanted have not been bought, players he has
not asked for have been.
Two paragraphs from the Mail`s Charlie Skillen sum up Marina
Granovskaia`s complete and utter failure, and the extent to
which she has embarrassed CFC:
"While Manchester United were shocking neighbours City by
snatching Sanchez, City themselves breaking another club
record to sign highly-rated Aymeric Laporte, Liverpool going
some way to solving a crisis of theirs by making Virgil van Dijk
the most expensive defender of all time and Arsene Wenger was
looking at juggling Mkhitaryan and Aubameyang, Chelsea were
looking at Andy Carroll."
In a section of the article headed What happened to the Chelsea
of old? , Skillen reminds us that Frank Lampard recently urged
Chelsea to sign more high-quality players:
"When Chelsea signed Ballack, it pushed me on. It was great we
were bringing in a top player but I also knew I had to fight for
my place."
"How many of the current side have to fight for their places?
Conte`s frequent moan of squad depth rings true, and that
complacency leads to performances like Bournemouth."
As I keep reminding you, players read the newspapers too.
They know the board doesn't support the manager, so why
should they?
Well done CFC board. You win. Another world-class manager
crushed and spat out.

 

[Glycel]

Chelsea kwa ssa ni club ya kawaida sana

 

[lembu]

Chelsea are on the verge of a major crisis

35 minutes ago Daily Mail

Roman Abramovich is famed for his quick trigger to axe underperforming managers.
Is Antonio Conte really going to go?

It seems the only question is 'when' Conte goes. Football's biggest open secret is there being absolutely no chance of the Italian being in the Stamford Bridge dugout next season. The relationship between Conte and his employers is at an all-time low. Add to this talk of players unrest with Conte's notoriously intense methods and it is easy why reports of former Barcelona boss Luis Enrique taking over or a return for Carlo Ancelotti are already surfacing.

How has it got to this stage?

First, a bit of perspective. This season is a far cry from 2015-16, where Jose Mourinho was dismissed with Chelsea in an appalling 16th place in the league. Conte's men are fourth – although the grip on that coveted spot is quickly slipping – still in the FA Cup, and face the daunting task of Barcelona in the Champions League. However, the problems on and off the pitch are clear. While terse relationships and a lack of clear structure hinder the club off the field, Chelsea are struggling all over the pitch.

So is it the manager, the players, or the club at fault?

All of the above. It seems ludicrous Conte is on his way out a year after winning the title with a team built in his image. The logical move would be to back him to the hilt in the knowledge that this season would need world class reinforcements. The club have completely failed to do this. However, Conte hasn't helped himself of late. Constant moaning, excuses, and finger-pointing weaken his hand. There also seems to be a huge lack of leadership on the field, while the new signings have by and large failed.

Why are Chelsea scrapping around for bargain buys?

While Man United were snatching Alexis Sanchez from Man City, City themselves breaking another club record to sign Aymeric Laporte, Liverpool making Virgil van Dijk the most expensive defender of all time and Arsene Wenger juggling Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea were looking at Andy Carroll. That embarrassing search for a striker has ended well with snapping up of Olivier Giroud. But it doesn't hide the fact Chelsea are nowhere near the top table when it comes to the transfer market – this is the main source of Conte's ire.

What happened to the Chelsea of old?

The great Chelsea sides of the Abramovich era were overspilling with international captains – Frank Lampard, John Terry, Didier Drogba, Petr Cech, Ashley Cole, Michael Ballack, Branislav Ivanovic, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel. This was a team that never knew when it was beaten. Anyone hoping for a repeat of the heroics of 2012 in the Nou Camp this time around is likely to be disappointed. Where are the characters, leaders and world class players in that mould in this side?

Source: Daily Mail.
Image: © Getty Images.

Hawampi sauti ya usajili, wanamletea vimdoli halafu wanamlaumu. Conte kalalamika muda mrefu kuhusu aina ya wachezaji wanaopewa na huyo msajili asiyesikia la mkuu halafu wanataka kumtoa kafara, hii laana itaila Chelsea kwa muda mreefu mpaka watakapojirekebisha

 

[lembu]

How Chelsea fare without Gary Cahill

2 hours ago WhoScored

Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has sensationally revealed the club targeted Cahill in their shock 3-0 win.
With Cahill in the starting XI in the Premier League this season

Played: 15

Won: 7

Lost: 4

Without Cahill in the starting XI in the Premier League this season

Played: 9

Won: 8

Lost: 1

Carhill Carhill
Ila hapa kuna wafurukutwa wake wanaoamini kuwa ni beki bora wakati kashachoka

 

[lembu]

Hazard na Courtois wanachotaka kukifanya sasa hv Chelsea nadhani kilitokea muda sio mrefu Arsenal si kama hawapendi kusaini mkataba mpya ila inawabidi wakatae kuongeza mkataba kuokana na wachezaji wanaoletwa ktk team wote tunafaham kuwa Hazard na Courtois wana ndoto kubwa na wanataka kucheza ktk timu nzuri...

Sanchez & Ozil si kama walikuwa hawapendi kuongeza mkataba ila wachezaji waliokuwa wakiletewa kwa ajili ya kusaidiana majukumu walikuwa ni wachezaji wakawaida na wao wanataka timu yao ifike mbali zaid na pia wao thamani yao ionekane ila Arsene Wenger alikuwa anawaletea wachezaji wa kawaida na ndicho kinachotokea kwetu muda huu...

Unadhani alichokiacha Sanchez Arsenal kwenda Man U ni nn kama sio pesa kutokana Arsenal hakuna makombe na hata huko alpoelekea vile vile hakuna makombe bora ya Coutinho kafata makombe na soon atavaa medals...

Babu Wenger baada ya kuacha ubahili na kusajili wachezaji wanaoeleweka mbona Ozil mwenyew kaongeza mkataba wa miaka mitatu hii ni kuonyesha wazi wachezaji walikuwa wanataka kuondoka kutokana na aiana ya wachezaji waliokuwa wanaletewa na hata kwa upande wetu mchezaji kama hazard unamletea Giroud acheze nae pale mbele ilihali Arsenal wanasafisha timu yao kwa kusajili wachezaji wenye uwezo wale ambao hawana mahitaji nao ndiyo wanatupa sisi alafu mchezaji huyo huyo aje a compete na Morata ambae nae vile vile anamatatizo makubwa ndani yake...

Na ndyo maana hata haikuwa tatzo kwa upande wa The Gunners kukubali dau letu la pauni milion 18 kama ada ya uhamisho wa Giroud kutokana kwa wao kule kwa muda huu hana tena nafasi kutokana tayari washamsajili Piere-Emeric Aubameyaung kama Striker wao mpya...

Njia pekee ya kuwafanya hao akina Hazard na Courtois kusaini mkataba mpya ni kuongeza nguvu katika kusajili wachezaji wenye uwezo mkubwa ktk kikosi chetu nikiwa namaanisha *World Class* players linafahamika siku zote Chelsea tatzo ni hatuna Striker mzuri ila tunasajili Giroud na kukubali kumtoa Batshuayi kiukweli kwa mtu mwenye uelewa lazima ashangae yan ni bora wote wangekuwepo ila kosa n kumwachia aondoke klabuni kwa mkopo kwenda Dortmund...

Kwa sasa naona lile tatzo tuliokuwa tunalia nalo kila siku kuhusu board yetu halijaondoka tena ndiyo kama limezidi bora hata huyo Michael Emenalo alivyokuwepo ilikuwa afadhali kidogo lazima kwenye upande wa pili ukweli uzungumzwe ktk mazuri aliyofanya Emenalo lazma tuseme ukweli kuliko huyu Maria anachokifanya muda huu...

Kocha utakuta anamtaka Alex Sandro analetewa Emerson Palmeira ambae amekaa muda muda mrefu nje kutokana na majeruhi.
kocha anamtaka Vidal analetewa Ross Barkley
kocha anamtaka Aubameyang analetewa Olivier Giroud na hapo penyewe sijui alipewa majina ya kuchagua na board yupi aletewe akaona bora Giroud (Carrol, Croach, Dzeko, Barnes, Sliman & Giroud) itakuwa board ilimleteta haya majina ya mafoward achague mmoja Conte akaona bora Giroud kidogo anafaa ....

Alafu uje kumlaumu kocha kweli maana wachezaji anowataka hapewi analetewa wakina Drinkwater alafu ufanye vizuri tumeona Man City licha ya kuwa juu ya msimamo wa ligi kwa kwa point zaid ya 15+ lakini bado anafanya usajili mkubwa kuongeza nguvu ktk kikosi chake sasa sisi tunhali ngumu bado tunajifanya tunasajili wachezaji ili kuleta ushindani kwa wale wa kikosi cha kwanza wakati hata yule foward no 9 mwenyew anabidi apate wakumweka bench...

Probably you are right lakini pia yawezekana hao wanataka mshahara mkubwa unaoendana na kaliba yao wala sio timu. Hazard na Courtours wao wanatafuta green pasture kama alivyofanya Sanchez, we ulidhani Sanchez aliitaka Mancity? au alitaka mshahara mkubwa tu, mbona alipopewa na Man U alibadili msimamo na kuitelekeza Man city? wakati Man U ni kama tu Arsenal tu!!.

Kwa habari ya bodi mimi nadhani huo utaratibu wa kumnyima Kocha sauti kwenye usajili kama enzi za Jose Mounrinho ndio umeleta kiza yote hii. Marina yule best wake na Roman Abramovich ndie kasababisha yote haya, hakustahili kupewa madaraka makubwa kama aliyonayo katika usajili.

 

[kalou]

How Chelsea fare without Gary Cahill

2 hours ago WhoScored

Bournemouth striker Callum Wilson has sensationally revealed the club targeted Cahill in their shock 3-0 win.
With Cahill in the starting XI in the Premier League this season

Played: 15

Won: 7

Lost: 4

Without Cahill in the starting XI in the Premier League this season

Played: 9

Won: 8

Lost: 1

Mimi huwa naambiwa kuwa namchukia Cahill ila huyu jamaa ni majanga sana sijui kwa nini huwa anapangwa

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

[HASHTAG]#Antonio[/HASHTAG] Conte says he gave his opinion to the club in the transfer window and the club tried to make the best decisions. He adds that he is pleased the transfer window is closed and the focus must be to do the best on the pitch.☑
[HASHTAG]#Conte[/HASHTAG] reports that Morata remains out injured and that the first examination of Christensen's injury was positive, but he will miss Watford. He must check a couple of other players before that game.☑
[HASHTAG]#Conte[/HASHTAG] says the team did not perform well against Bournemouth for many reasons.☑
[HASHTAG]#Conte[/HASHTAG] says his desire is to respect the 18 months left on his Chelsea contract and continue his work here, despite speculation over the Italy national team job.☑
Michy Batshuayi called Sevilla's chairman to apologise for not moving there after all was agreed. He was keen on the move but Chelsea wanted him at Dortmund which then made the move for Giroud possible. [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
SKY SOURCES: Riyad Mahrez misses @LCFC training again. [HASHTAG]#ssn[/HASHTAG]
Conte on transfer business in January: "I repeated always the same concept for the period of the transfer market. I said, in every case, I give my opinion to the club and then the club try to make the best decision. I said in every case that I will be happy" [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on transfer market: "Now I am lucky because our transfer market has finished." He says Chelsea must now focus on the pitch [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on debuts for new signings: "We have to wait. Especially for Palmieri. We are talking about a player coming from a bad injury. He has played in only one game in the cup against Torino" [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte says Giroud is also joining Chelsea after injury and wants to be patient to give him a start as he's mostly played from the bench at Arsenal [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on Morata injury: "Alvaro is still out. I hope to be able to solve his situation, for a problem in his back, he is missing a lot of games. It is not a good situation for me or for the team. I hope in the future the medical department can solve this situation." [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on Christensen: "The first medical exam was positive but we have to wait. For sure he is out against Watford" [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on mood at Chelsea after bad loss: "The lesson is always the same, no easy games in this league. The lesson is always the same. We knew this but Bournemouth played a good game. I think for many reasons we didn't perform well." [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on his future and the Italy job: "I can tell that Costacurta is a friend and we played together in the national team in 1994 but maybe he forgot that I still have 18 months on my contract with Chelsea. My desire is to respect this contract" [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte adds that he hasn't spoken to Costacurta. [HASHTAG]#cfc[/HASHTAG]
Conte on his job: "From the start of the season, there is a lot of speculation and rumours around me. I think this. I still have an 18 month contract at Chelsea, my desire is to stay here" [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on why people talk about his future: "I don't know why. I repeat, my intention, my will is to respect my contract. We signed a three year contract." [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte says he is one of the best managers: "I trust in my work this is the only way that brought me to be one of the best managers. I trust only in my work." [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on speculation about his future: "It doesn't affect me." [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte adds he doesn't understand why people just question his future and not other top six managers but he thinks it is because he works for Chelsea (with their reputation for hiring and firing coaches) [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG] Nizaar Kinsella on Twitter
Conte on happiness now January transfer window is over: "I have relief only because you can change your questions." [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on Barcelona challenge: "Maybe we have to face the best team in Europe at the moment, apart from in England." He was talking about what will be a successful season, says top four would be a good achievement. [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Conte on team selection for Watford: "Willian maybe will be able." [HASHTAG]#CFC[/HASHTAG]
Looks like he will probably be involved and Giroud will be on the bench. Hazard false 9 with Willian and Pedro, I suspect. Nizaar Kinsella on Twitter
[2/2, 21:26] ‪Full press

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Here is a list of his managers:

Claudio Ranieri (September 2000 to May 2004) Life under Abramovich: The first manager to spend
Abramovich's billions was under pressure from day
one amid rumours Sven-Goran Eriksson was being
lined up to replace him. 'Tinkerman' tag did not help
the Italian and, despite finishing second in the
Barclays Premier League and reaching the
Champions League semi-finals, he was sacked. Life under Abramovich: The first manager to spend
Abramovich's billions was under pressure from day
one amid rumours Sven-Goran Eriksson was being
lined up to replace him. 'Tinkerman' tag did not help
the Italian and, despite finishing second in the
Barclays Premier League and reaching the
Champions League semi-finals, he was sacked.
Life after Abramovich: Returned to former club
Valencia, immediately winning the European Super
Cup. But was sacked six months later and has won
nothing since, despite landing prestigious jobs at
Parma, Juventus, Roma, and Inter Milan. Currently
managing Monaco in France's second tier.


Jose Mourinho (June 2004 to September 2007)
Life under Abramovich: Declared himself a 'Special
One' and completely lived up to the moniker,
becoming the most successful Chelsea manager ever.
Immediately ended their 50-year wait for a league
title with back-to-back Barclays Premier League
crowns and also won the FA Cup and two Carling
Cups. Champions League glory remained elusive and
a power struggle with Abramovich eventually saw
him leave.
Life after Abramovich: Heavily linked with the
England job before eventually resurfacing at Inter
Milan. One of the most successful bosses in their
history, he became only the third manager to win
the European Cup with two different clubs. Now at
Real Madrid where he became the first man to win
league titles in England, Italy and Spain, although
Champions League success currently evades him in
the Spanish capital.

Avram Grant (September 2007 to May 2008)
Life under Abramovich: Less than two months after
arriving as director of football, Grant found himself
parachuted into the manager's hotseat. Speculation
was rife he did not have the backing of the dressing
room but still managed to get the club to their only
Champions League final. Also reached the Carling
Cup final and finished second in the Premier League
before sacking.
Life after Abramovich: History repeated itself as
Grant joined Portsmouth as director of football in
October 2009, once again becoming manager less
than two months later. Boosted reputation by
leading side to the FA Cup final despite
administration saga that saw them relegated.
Resigned and joined West Ham but was sacked after
they were also relegated.


Luiz Felipe Scolari (July 2008 to February 2009)
Life under Abramovich: Billed as the man to inspire
Chelsea to take final step in Champions League,
World Cup-winner Scolari enjoyed a flying start but
things soon began to go wrong amid rumours of
dressing-room unrest. The timing of the Brazilian's
sacking after just seven months still came as shock.
Life after Abramovich: Made surprise decision to
move to Uzbekistan and join champions FC
Bunyodkor, although the salary reportedly made him
the one of the highest paid managers around. Left
after less than a year and returned to former club
Palmeiras, but recently lost his job.

Guus Hiddink (February 2009 to May 2009)
Life under Abramovich: Still revered by players and
fans for rescuing Chelsea's season while combining
Russia job with a caretaker role at Stamford Bridge.
Won the FA Cup and desperately unlucky not to
reach the Champions League final, Hiddink lost only
one game in charge.
Life after Abramovich: Continued as Russia boss until
June 2010, leaving after failing to lead them to the
World Cup. Became Turkey manager but left in
November after losing another play-off, this time for
the European Championships. Persistently linked
with a return to Chelsea after Carlo Ancelotti was
sacked before joining mega-rich Russian club Anzhi
Makhachkala in February.

Carlo Ancelotti (June 2009 to May 2011)
Life under Abramovich: Recruited largely because of
two Champions League successes at AC Milan,
instead delivered Chelsea's first ever double in
maiden season. Nevertheless damaged by losing in
the Champions League last 16, and a trophy-less
season followed.
Life after Abramovich: Linked with several jobs in
England and abroad, December saw him appointed
manager of big-spending Ligue 1 leaders Paris St
Germain.


Andre Villas-Boas (June 2011 to March 2012)
Life under Abramovich: Arrived in London to a
splash of publicity and dubbed as the 'new
Mourinho' after a stellar spell in charge of Porto
which took in domestic and European titles. Cracks
soon emerged, though, with senior players
reportedly baffled by his methods and unhappy with
his selection policy. He was sacked after a defeat at
West Brom.
Life after Abramovich: Returned to English football
in the summer when he replaced Harry Redknapp at
Tottenham. Domestic form has been mixed, with a
memorable victory at Manchester United the
highlight and punishing derby defeats to Arsenal
and Chelsea the lows.

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Carlo Ancelotti (June 2009 to May 2011)
Life under Abramovich: Recruited largely because of
two Champions League successes at AC Milan,
instead delivered Chelsea's first ever double in
maiden season. Nevertheless damaged by losing in
the Champions League last 16, and a trophy-less
season followed.
Life after Abramovich: Linked with several jobs in
England and abroad, December saw him appointed
manager of big-spending Ligue 1 leaders Paris St
Germain.

Andre Villas-Boas (June 2011 to March 2012)
Life under Abramovich: Arrived in London to a
splash of publicity and dubbed as the 'new
Mourinho' after a stellar spell in charge of Porto
which took in domestic and European titles. Cracks
soon emerged, though, with senior players
reportedly baffled by his methods and unhappy with
his selection policy. He was sacked after a defeat at
West Brom.
Life after Abramovich: Returned to English football
in the summer when he replaced Harry Redknapp at
Tottenham. Domestic form has been mixed, with a
memorable victory at Manchester United the
highlight and punishing derby defeats to Arsenal
and Chelsea the lows.

 

[Rosh Hashannah]

Giroud, 31, completed his £18m move from Arsenal to Chelsea on deadline day, putting pen to paper on an 18-month deal at Stamford Bridge.

Lampard said: "I wouldn't say it's a Plan B, well, he's been almost a Plan B for Arsenal, for a year or two.

"So it's definitely a different idea for Chelsea. He's not going to go straight in their team when they've paid £60m for Morata.

"I think it's a good signing the fact you're getting a experienced, good target man, if Chelsea get balls into the box with their wing-backs. He can play in the Champions League. I think one thing you can't criticise... I've got some friends who are Arsenal fans and they wish him well.

"Not in the bad sense that 'you're going to Chelsea', they actually respected the fact that when he got used over the last two years he came on and gave everything, scored important goals for them, I think he'll be useful for Chelsea."