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Chelsea FC: The Blues Brief

Article by Robert Wake

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e-Chelsea Weekly News Round Up

24 January – Chelsea U18’s 5-0 Norwich City U18’s – Chelsea’s Youth team recorded a resounding victory over Norwich City to remain on top of the Under-18 Premier League. Chelsea led 2-0 at the break thanks to goals from Hubert Adamczyk and Kyle Scott. Second half goals from Miro Muheim and a brace from substitute Tammy Abraham secured the victory.

24 January – Chelsea 2-4 FC Bradford City – Chelsea suffered an embarrassing defeat at the hands of League One Bradford City at Stamford Bridge in the FA Cup fourth round. Jose Mourinho classed the defeat as ‘A sporting disgrace’, and it is hard to disagree. The Blues, coasting at 2-0 ahead midway through the first half, through goals from Gary Cahill and Ramires, appeared to switch off, and allow their lower league opponents back into the game. To their credit, the visitors from West Yorkshire didn’t need a second invitation, and halved he arrears four minutes before the interval through veteran Jon Stead. Despite the goal, Chelsea failed to heed the warning, and incredibly, Bradford levelled the score on 75 minutes through former Chelsea youngster Filipe Morais. At this point, Mourinho introduced Eden Hazard, having already called on Willian and Cesc Fabregas in an attempt to change the course of the game. It was to no avail though. The script had been written, the magic of the FA Cup had sprinkled some more stardust on a rank outsider, and Bradford, showing enormous spirit, and no little skill, booked their place in the fifth round with late goals from Andy Halliday and Mark Yeates.

27 January – Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool (AET) – Chelsea reached the Capital One Cup final at Wembley after a hard fought (at times literally) battle against a much improved Liverpool side. The visitors had the better of the first half, and Thibaut Courtois once again underlined his growing importance to The Blues with fine stops from Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson to keep the scores level. Midway through the half, Chelsea had strong claims for a penalty when Martin Skrtel clearly impeded Diego Costa. Chelsea improved after the break, and this time it was Courtois’ International team mate, Simon Mignolet to impress with two excellent stops from Costa, while Eden Hazard shot wide after a penetrating run had left four players in his wake. Despite late pressure from the hosts, the game went into extra time. Just four minutes into the first period, Branislav Ivanovic rose unchallenged in the area to power a header past Mignolet from Willian’s free kick. The game had a spiky edge over the two legs, with the second leg producing 9 bookings, including Costa. The Spaniard was later to be charged on video evidence following an alleged stamp on Emre Can. Though there was definite contact, it appears to me that Costa treads rather than stamps on Can, and intent is impossible to prove. Despite this, and Costa’s appeal, I fully expect the FA to impose a 3-match ban. The incident and over-zealous press coverage overshadowed an intense, classic, old-fashioned cup tie, that Chelsea, as they so often do, found a way to win.

27 January – Capital One Cup Final Ticket Update – Chelsea will receive 31,689 tickets for the Capital One Cup final, which takes place at Wembley on Sunday 1st March. Adult tickets are priced £100, £90, £72, £56 and £40 with seniors (Over 65) and juniors (Under 16) charged 50 per cent of the adult price in the equivalent area. We have been allocated the West side of Wembley stadium.

28 January – Diego Costa charged with violent conduct – The Football Association have charged Diego Costa with violent conduct following the incident with Emre Can during the Chelsea v Liverpool Capital One Cup tie last night.

28 January – Chelsea U18’s 6-0 Swansea City U18’s – Chelsea Under-18’s will travel to the north-east to face either Newcastle or Sunderland in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, following a comprehensive victory over their Swansea counterparts at Aldershot on Wednesday night. In form Tammy Abraham struck twice before the break, and strike partner, Dominic Solanke added a third just after the restart. Abraham completed his hatrick, and substitute Kasey Palmer added a fifth, before Solanke got his second and Chelsea’s sixth to complete a very good night for the youngsters.

30 January – Transfer Window Update – Chelsea have reportedly agreed a fee with Fiorentina for Colombian winger Juan Cuadrado. The 26-year old is likely to complete his move to Stamford Bridge before the transfer window closes on Monday night. German International, Andre Schurrle, seems set to leave Chelsea having reportedly agreed personal terms with Wolfsburg. Chelsea are believed to have interest in West Ham pair Enner Valencia and Diafra Sakho, and could use Loic Remy in a part-exchange deal should The Hammers give any encouragement before Monday’s deadline.

30 January – Diego Costa banned for three matches – As expected, the Football Association have rejected Diego Costa’s appeal against a charge of violent conduct. Costa will begin a three match ban with immediate effect, ruling him out of games against Manchester City, Aston Villa and Everton.

31 January – Chelsea v Manchester City – The top two go head-to-head on Saturday in a heavyweight contest at Stamford Bridge. Both sides have key players unavailable. City are still without Yaya Toure and new signing Wilfried Bony who remain on duty with the Ivory Coast, while Samir Nasri may only be fit enough for the bench as he returns from injury. Chelsea are missing Diego Costa through suspension, and have injury concerns with Cesc Fabregas, Filipe Luis, Jon Mikel Obi and Branislav Ivanovic doubtful. Since their Boxing Day defeat at Tottenham, The Blues have taken a maximum six points from comfortable victories over Newcastle and Swansea, scoring seven times without reply. By contrast, City dropped two points at Goodison Park, having been ahead, and were then beaten by Arsenal at The Etihad to leave them trailing Chelsea by five points going into this weekend’s encounter. This is likely to be a close contest, but I’m taking Chelsea’s superior defence to be the difference here in a 2-1 win.

Looking Ahead

Saturday 07 February, 15:00hrs, Aston Villa v Chelsea, Premier League, Villa Park.

Wednesday 11 February, 19:45hrs, Chelsea v Everton, Premier League, Stamford Bridge, live on BT Sport.

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