Premier League
Leave a commentFrankie Lampard- Chelsea “legend”
From when Abrahamovich took over in the wee years of the millennium, the blues have overseen their most successful period over the past decade of which club legends Drogba, Lampard , club captain Terry and Petr Cech form the spine. While Drogba has left for pastures new (more money) to the Far East by his own willing, No.8 Frank Lampard is being ousted by Abramovich citing petty reasons like Financial fair play or not offering more than 1 year contracts to over 30 year olds.
Frank Lampard started the renaissance which made Chelsea the Global power they are today. He is their joint 2nd top scorer ever and a club Legend without a doubt. Moreover, Chelsea are going through a rebuilding period bringing in flair players, playing flamboyant football and they are going to need Lampard more than ever. Not only is his experience vital in overcoming premier league and European opposition, he can be a mentor to younger players coming in. There is a perfect example set at United & Liverpool in which more and more young players are plying their trade but it is not without the necessary experience in the squad. While United boast the likes of Giggs, Scholes, Ferdinand and the lot, Liverpool have home grown legends in the form of captain fantastic Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher who despite playing a bit-part role is set to sign an extended contract. These names are more than players to the club, they are icons and the club respects that, the managers too. The players have earned that arguably none more so than Lampard especially at a club like Chelsea where there is a paucity of Legends. They may be past their prime but they are the ones the young players look up to, who they aspire to be, it lifts the pressure of the young ones and when you reach the business end of the season, these hoary legends matter most.
The oligarch has not cared much about the Chelsea fans and the fans stick by him throughout because they understand that without him, they would be nowhere but it is time they voice their opinion. Football is about the fans and not the owners and whatever decision is made by the owner at Chelsea, the fans agree to it. It has been a decade now since Roman has taken over and still they are nowhere close to stability. The club is still a ‘project’. Buying foreign players has been a trend but the club’s soul was still English, the club’s soul was west london’ish. But with Lampard departing and Terry plagued with injuries, the world’s most hated club (according to a poll conducted last year) are going to be a club without a soul. It is very surprising that after a decade of watching English Football, Roman underestimates what values most – experience. Whoever they buy to accompany the likes of world-class talent of Hazard, Mata and Oscar they need a presence, one who understands the values of the club, a leader who they can look upto.
Not allowing the No.8 to sign a contract extension will surely affect the global image of the club, of how the club is run but the Blues fans from west-london still remain quiet, still remain satiated as the club are still continuing their run of trophies. But this I believe is going to hurt them more than they can imagine. Though Abramovich is not known for his club/man management skills but this seems to be going one step too far.
Aamer Aslam
TRASH CORNER – AVB FOR THE BIN
Andre Villas Boas at a tender age of 33 won a historic treble last term with Porto, a historical feat for a manager of any stature. There is no doubting that this man has the charisma to become a top-flight
manager but one should always know especially Roman Abramovich in this case that experience has no substitute.
Lets be fair the guy has just a year experience in European Football and he has to manage the likes of Lampard, Terry, Drogba, Anelka etc who are in and around the same age as the Portuguese Tactician. The likes of Anelka and Alex have already left the bridge with the future of Lampard and Drogba lies hanging by the thread. A disastrous season for Chelsea so far which seems to be getting worse by the day. The weekend defeat to Everton has also left them below the regular Champions League places and to finish fifth or below would be worse than a nightmare. As for Roman it is like a horrible dream from which he has still not awaken,it is high time the man gets the boot as he is not what Chelsea need at the moment.
FINAL VERDICT
As for me he is an inexperienced manager with no stature to lead the likes of Chelsea and it is already too late to mend the wounds of the Stamford Bridge outfit. Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti have made Chelsea Europe’s top Contenders and they need someone with adequate experience to steady the ship.They need a change in management and players at the earliest to make them the force they were under the Special One if not this season then the next.
Aamer Aslam
DERBY DAY – RED VS BLUE
1967-68, was the last time we saw the red and blue half of Manchester fighting for the premier division title with the blue half coming out on top on the last day by beating Newcastle Utd. 4-3 edging their city rivals to top
Chicharito and De Jong going for the ball
spot.Since then, success has been scarce for the citizens but here they are 43 years later right up there with the top dogs of English football.
City lie 5 points behind Manchester Utd. having played a game more but a win here over their city rivals would seriously strengthen their title credentials. City are going into this match with the best defensive record in the league together with Chelsea having conceded just 22 goals and United on the other hand have the best offensive record with 55 goals . City have been struggling of late with just 2 wins in 5 in all competitions and United having been handed their first defeat by Wolves last weekend both teams would like to get back on track with a win over their closest rivals.
Since the instantiation of the Premier League in 1993, United vs City has been just a fierce derby, a sense of pride for the fans but come lunchtime tomorrow there will much more at stake than pride.
PREDICTION : Manchester United 1 – 0 Manchester City – – – With the impressive home record i believe United will just have what it takes to edge their City rivals.
UNITED VS CITY (LAST 5 MEETINGS)
2010/2011 :Manchester City 0-0 Manchester United
2009/2010: Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United
2009/2010: Manchester United 4-3 Manchester City
2008/2009: Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City
2008/2009: Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United
AAMER ASLAM
MANCHESTER UNITED Vs PORTSMOUTH – Preview – 22nd Apr 09
Cristiano Ronaldo & Wayne Rooney celebrating after a goal
Manchester United can increase their lead at the top of the table to 3 points with a game in hand if they can leave the semi-final defeat to Everton behind and put up a performance against Portsmouth at Old Trafford wednesday night.
Stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Paul Scholes, Berbatov,Patrice Evra & Edwin Van der Sar are all set to return to the starting line-up along with Vidic & Ferdinand.Rooney faces a late fitness test of his ankle injury while Carrick is rated as highly Doubtful.
Portsmouth’s Niko Krancjar is likely to miss out on the trip to Old Trafford while Glen Johnson will return to his favourable right back position with Jermaine Pennant booking his place in the first team.Defender Yunous Kaboul is also a major doubt.
FORM GUIDE
Manchester United : W W L L W W
Portsmouth : L D W D D W
My Prediction – 3-0
CHELSEA Vs EVERTON – Preview – 22nd Apr 09
The Top Drog celebrating
Chelsea also will be looking to put pressure on Liverpool and go within a point of the mercysiders after they drew 4-4 to Arsenal in 1 of the games of the season.But the blue half of mercyside aren’t going to make the job any easy for the Blues of London.
Everton have pretty much the same injury list with Yakubu, Anichebe, Arteta & Defender Nuno Valente out for the season. Joe will be returning to the starting line-up after being cup tied against Manchester United on Sunday.
Chelsea would be hoping for Top Drog to continue his amazing goalscoring form.Except Joe Cole, Jose Bosingwa & Deco Guus Hiddink has full squad to chose from and are favourites to win wednesday night’s clash at Stamford Bridge.
FORM GUIDE
CHELSEA : W W W L W W
EVERTON : W D W L W D
My Prediction – 3-1
AAMER ASLAM
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