[Clan]

Now, heres a lad that has his priorities in order.

"The manager calls me his lion and so he told me 'I want to see the lion in you'.
"I am confident I can do it at this level and I hope this goal can lead to
bigger and better things for me. I've always wanted to play for the Chelsea first team, I have been so determined and it's paying off at the moment. Hopefully in the future I will do my best every time I go on the pitch because it's a club I love."
"I got scouted when I was 14 and I came through the ranks of the under-19
squad, did well with them and last season scored quite a few goals for the youth
and reserve teams and got promoted. I took the chance and scored at Middlesbrough so I am just trying to take it from there."
"The Chelsea players have given me lots of confidence, they say they have
lots of trust in me when I am on the ball and I am happy with that. I still see myself in the reserve team and learning from all these great players around me; it's a privilege to work with them at the moment because not a lot of 18-year-olds get to work with such quality."

[BridgeMonkee]

does this lad have a great future or what?

We have so many good strikers, it makes me feel unusually smug. Zola in his last season looking good. Forrssell recovering quicker than expected; a player who can almost be relied upon to come off the bench and score. The young goal machine Carlton Cole, indomitable lion, as mentioned above.
The bright and quick Leon Knight, on loan, but waiting to play his part (maybe after Zolas departure?). And, oh yeah, Guddy and Jimmy, the best goal scoring partnership around.

all we need now is to get that defence locked up and a little more speed and skill in the middle. The "lethargic one", formerly known as "Le ponytail" really has gotta shape up a bit. Are him and Big Des available against Man Yoo do you know? They have that important freindly with Tunisia on Wednesday.

[Clan]

Not sure on those two yet monkee-although after his performance against the addicks we won't be missing a whole lot if the hairless one doesn't play.
He had a shyte begining to last season and it was all put down to his lack of match fitness because he joined us late.

One season later and we are still in the same boat with this fella.
Moving De Lucas inside and bringing on Gronkjaer isn't really the answer and that is exactly what Ranieri has done now 3 tiimes--twice in Italy and against the addicks--as it takes away from De Lucas on the wing and also adds gronkjaer who is another great disappointment.

Keenan to get more time later in the season if Petit doesn't shape up right quick?

As for Dessa-well if Terry is fit then no worrys.

[fernb8]

what about all this talk involving Dino Baggio and Ambrosetti. If Le ex-Ponytail isnt getting it done, perhaps Ranieri will give him the Spanish Archer.

or we could all rely on the saviour, Jody Morris...

[Clan]

Morris...he he he he, maybe if we play aldershot again eh?

Thing about Ambrosetti is that he is yet another left sided player and with the current form of Zenden it is hard to include him in the squad if gronkjaer is in it.

I think the baggio deal died just before the season started, although i'll bet there is some movement going on behind the scenes as we are woefully lacking in depth in the middle of the field.

That being said though, we would be doing allright if we could build on the Zenden-Lampard-De Lucas trio if current form persists---ah, but theres that sprint thing again

[fernb8]

Zenden 24
Lampard 22
DeLucas 21

nice young midfield eh

throw in Gronk 25
and Keenan and that looks good for a few years

[Clan]

Wouldn't be so bad either if we were to get an older "harder" player for the middle.

Hopefully Petit will get it together though as i really don't see a move of any significance being done now that the season has kicked off.

[fernb8]

I wish he and Dessa would play at the international level they seem to find while representing France. Perhaps Claudio will do something crazy and bring Dennis back!!!

got to run Clan, talk to you later

[mst77]

I think bringing Wise back would be the last thing CR would ever do. Sure he is loved by the Chelsea fans but he doesn't have any qualities that Claudio seems to admire - namely youth and a willingness to adapt to new positions/formations. He also has the potential to poison the clubhouse and be distraction to the younger players like Morris. Nah, Dennis won't ever be back. He's made his dough already, I would love to see him return to Wimbledon and play for AFC Wimbledon.

[BridgeMonkee]

What is wrong with Manu? I mean he is a good player, he has even played well for us on occasion (Leeds away last season, FA Cup Final), but he just seems out-of-sorts since his failure at Barca. Even the new barnet is not helping him get focused. Perhaps him Dessa should retire from International football? I mean they are too old to be really involved in future WC squads. I feel that our lethargic little ponytail maybe suffering from depression. I sense some existentialist angst there in our midfield. I think he'll enjoy our new black away kit; maybe he could accessorize it with a beret?