JT Stays

The longest running and noisiest saga of the summer is finally over and so much has been written that I have little to add. Whatever finally happens with JT and his contract there is probably no doubt that he should be the highest paid player at he club given his influence. Could he have come out with his statement earlier - sure, has he been badly advised - definately, have Man City been outta line with their approaches - probably (but who hasn't). Frankly I'm just glad its all over.

BBC Report here

Zhirkov eventually signs

Finally the Zhirkov saga has come to an end and the "Russian Ronaldo" has joined the Blues

Click here for BBC report

So Chelsea eventually get one of their (lesser) targets but to my earlier posts will we actually get any of the marquee targets we're chasing. Given the state of the euro v the pound, UK tax laws and the behaviour of Real Madrid or new money boys Man City - I'm not holding my breath.

Will we actually sign anyone ?

Maybe I'm just getting a bit paranoid, but I'm starting to worry if we're actually going to sign anyone of substance in this close season.

After a largely frustrating season that was only saved by Guus and a great day at Wembley, we were all buoyed up a few weeks back with the news that Roman was going to loosen the purse strings and refresh our aging squad. As usual, when this news "leaks out" we get linked with everyone even though those money bags at Madrid and Maine Rd can completely out spend us. Anyway the list was interesting; Kaka, Pato, Villa, Ribery, Aguero and Zhirkov were all pretty mouth watering pospects along with the English contingent of Sturridge, Young and even Glenn Johnson.

Now roll the clock forward a few weeks and things don't smell so sweet. Real Madrid seem to be buying up the planet with gay abandon despite having already landed Kaka and all of a sudden Man U are flush to the tune of some £62m profit having off loaded "perma-tan" Ronaldo.

From our original list;

• Kaka has gone - though apparently we didn't bid
• Pato wants a chat with our new boss but his current one says he's "untransferable"
• Villa doesn't want to leave Spain and is already in talks with Madrid
• Ribery doesn't like the climate in the UK and would prefer Barcelona
• Aguero wants more cash as his "salary" than Gordon Brown threw at RBS

....even Zhirkov has now said he'd prefer Barcelona (so Romans had to pop over to Mother Russia for a quick word)

Now we hear that Glenn (wouldn't champions league footie be nice) Johnson has actually decided that the lure of squillions from Man City is too great - well you could buy loads of toilet seats with all that cash :-) and Sturridge would kick in a £10m compensation payment.

Worse still, the old man brigade of Gatuso and Pirlo are being talked up as wanting to be reunited with their Don Carlo - hang on, I thought we were looking to reduce the age of the squad and frankly who could they replace anyway !!

I hope I'm wrong but this does not look good.

Maybe, just maybe, there's a deal to be done with Byern involving Bosingwa that could sweenten a Ribery move - but I'm not holding my breath. Otherwise, Aguero is a possibility if the salary can be sorted and Zhirkov might happen if Roman threatens him with exile in Siberia.

Am I the only one who's worried ??

So long Guus - Ciao Carlo

The statment from Stamford Bridge this morning reads...

Ancelotti is New Chelsea Manager
Posted on: Mon 01 Jun 2009

Chelsea Football Club is delighted to announce that Carlo Ancelotti has agreed to become our new manager.

He has signed a three year contract and will start on July 1, 2009.

Carlo was the outstanding candidate for the job. He has proved over a long period his ability to build teams that challenged for, and have been successful in, major domestic and European competitions.

He also had a highly successful playing career in those competitions and therefore brings unparalleled all round experience to the job.

We are sure everybody at Chelsea will give him a warm welcome and we are all looking forward to working with him.

Now Roman, about those new signings - Ribery, Zhirkov, Villa etc maybe even Tevez

Chelsea 2 - 1 Everton - 2009 FA Cup final

When John went up to lift he FA Cup - we were there, we were there



Thanks Guus - you'll be sorely missed

Chelsea 2 - 0 Blackburn

Guus puts out a full strength side (the same team that thumped Arsenal) and signs off at home with a win as the crowd chat "Guus Hiddink - we want you to stay" and "Roman, Roman sign him up".

It was a pretty open match that could have ended 6 - 2 to the Blues but a bullet header from Malouda in the first half and and a sweet low drive from Anelka in the second were the only efforts that made the score sheet. By the hour mark it had pretty much become and exhibition match and the singing - mainly from the Mathew Harding - matched the mood on pitch. But for some appalling refereeing Guus would be leading the Blues out in Rome and at Wembley and such is the warm felt between crowd and manager that midway through the second half he even got up from the dugout to acknowledge the chants and bow to the crowd.

Full time heralded the now obligatory "lap of thanks" and again the chats rang out for Guus to stay. Alas, I believe it's a futile gesture as this man has huge integrity and will no doubt honour his commitments to the Russian team. After that - who knows

Match report here from the BBC.

Arsenal 1 - 4 Chelsea

Off to the Emirates for a difficult away game particularly after the disappointment and injustice of Wednesday night. Guus opts for pretty much the same team with the only change being the Jedi in for Ballack. Somewhat surprisingly Drogba starts.

Its a torrid opening 15mins with Walcott looking very lively and the Blues seem to be still suffering from Wednesday nights exertions. Walcott plays a neat one-two with van Persie but his shot goes way over and a second attempt from a narrow angle is well saved by Cech. Its all Arsenal as Diaby connects with a Walcott cross but hits it wide. Slowly the Blues are waking up. On 20mins Ash slips in Malouda but he soots straight at Fabianski with the goal begging. We dont have to wait long for a goal though as the Drog floas a free kick into the Arsenal box and no-one rises with any conviction to challenge Alex who heads home. Its 0-1 to the Blues with 28mins on the clock. Malouda's having one of his better games and within 10mins its 0-2 as Anelka picks up the ball midway in the Arsenal half and runs unchallenged before unleashing a swerving shot from 25yrds. Its nearly 3 in added time as Malouda again sets Anelka free in the box but he shoots straight at Fabianski from 10yrds out.

The second half's underway and in less than 5mins its 0-3 as Toure stabs the ball into his own net from a cross/shot from Ashley Cole. Arsenal are having lots of possession and playing pretty football but nothing threatening so on comes Bendtner with an hour gone. Bozzy hits two chances over the bar in as many minutes before letting Bendtner have a free header on 70mins from a Sagna cross and its 1-3. Guus has seen the danger and Bozzy is replaced by Ivanovitch on 77mins. With 8mins left a goalmouth scramble sees Cech save from Silvestre whilst on his backside but its the only scare of he half as the Blues break quickly with Anelka who hits the post only for Malouda to net the rebound.

So it ends 1-4 and the Blues respond in the best possible way. In reality, after the first 15mins it was men against boys. That's 3rd place sewn up and a guaranteed Champions League birth - now, is it possible to clinch the runners up slot ?? Come on U Blues