Archive for June, 2011

Luka Modric: Would he be a good signing?

After having an initial bid of £22million rejected, many Chelsea fans have been wondering whether or not signing Croatian playmaker Luka Modric would be a good thing. Following our disappointing season, the re-building process now begins and many big money signings are to be expected over the next couple of months. 

If you ask any Tottenham fan, or even any football fan (except Arsenal fans for obvious reasons), you will get high praises and many positive reviews. Having been voted Tottenham fan’s player of the year, it shows that Modric must have done something right to earn this award.

Modric was seen as a vital player in Tottenham’s impressive league and European run. Sitting in the middle of the park, Modric is also able to play behind the main striker or a deep-lying playmaking role. The Croatian is seen as the balance between the midfield and the forwards and is like a puppeteer pulling all the strings. Modric was recognized as the second best passer in the league by Opta, with a pass completion rate of 86% only second to our Michael Essien (87%). 

However, some Chelsea fans feel that buying Modric would be a mistake. With Chelsea poised to increase their offer, they feel that any bid in excess of £25million for a player with a limited number of goals in him, may be too much money and a high risk. Some also feel that Modric may not suit our formation or style of play, especially as we are looking to build around Torres. 

Although he is 5ft 7in in height and may carry a large price tag, Chelsea fans should be encouraged should we sign Modric. His vision and superb ball distribution makes him an ideal signing for us.

He can thread the ball through to the forwards and help control the balance between the midfield and the attackers. Last season we craved balance in our midfield and should we sign Modric, we can play him along with Michael Essien and Frank Lampard to bring about this balance.

The Croatian is seen as the ideal replacement to fill in that creativity midfield role that we had missed at times last season.

midfield role that we had missed at times last season. But to bring in a player of that calibre would cost a lot of money. 

In my own opinion, I feel that Chelsea will benefit hugely should we sign Luka Modric as he may potentially hold the key to unlock Torres and help us win back the Premier League title once again.

Finally Some Chelsea Transfer News

I would not get your hopes up though, the player to put pen to paper is unlikely to make a single start next season, warming the bench or languishing in the reserves.

I am of course talking about our third choice goalkeeper Henrique Hilario who has decided that third choice at a top club is better than seeking first team opportunities elsewhere.

The club have confirmed that the thirty five year old has signed a one year extension that will keep him at the club until the end of the forthcoming season.

Hardly the exciting news that many fans crave but at least it signals that some business is being done at Stamford Bridge.

This announcement will have little consequence on Chelsea’s campaign next season but Hilario is experienced and does not complain about being third choice and when called into action has done a reasonable job.

A Brief History of Chelsea: Remembering Les Stubbs (1929-2011)

This week eChelseaFC remembers Les Stubbs a member of the clubs first ever Championship winning side who died in February this year.

The Essex born centre forward was signed from Chelsea by Ted Drake in 1952 and spent six years at the club making 123 appearances and scoring 34 goals.

Described by the club as aggressive, direct knowing where the goal was he wrote his name into the history books as part of the 1954/1955 Chelsea side that won the Championship.

The 1954/1955 season saw Wolverhampton Wanderers the main rivals to Chelsea’s title ambitions and it was in a fixture against this club that Stubbs scored the most important of his thirty four Chelsea goals.

In the game at Molineux, Stubbs scored a late equaliser which set up Roy Bentley to go on and score an injury time winner in a thrilling 4-3 victory.

Although not the most famous name in the side and often behind Sean O’Connell and Roy Bentley in the pecking order he played an important role in the club’s first success.

After this season he had intermittent success in holding down a regular place in the side and was eventually sold back to Southend.

Thanks for your contribution to the club Les.

Arnesen CFC Reserve Team Raids Continue But No Threat To Youth Development

Since leaving Chelsea at the end of the season Frank Arnesen has wasted no time plundering the Chelsea Reserves on behalf of his new employers Hamburg.

So far Jacopo Sala and Michael Mancienne have followed the Dutchman to Germany and it is rumoured that Gokhan Tore may be on his way to Hamburg as well.

On first glance this may worry Chelsea fans seeing so many young players on their way out of the club, however no matter how much fans crave more first team action those being targeted were unlikely to establish themselves at Chelsea.

Therefore we should happily allow Arnesen to target these players as those with a chance of success at Chelsea are unlikely to move as they would not want to and the club would never agree.

What it does show is that Arnesen still backs the work he did at Chelsea and his own scouting talents. He will no doubt be desperate for one of those on the move will go on to great things to prove his strategy at Chelsea was justified.

It is always sad to see youth players leave as everyone wants to see players they have tracked through the youth ranks develop.

For those who don’t such as Mancienne and Sala I would like to wish you all the best, unless you are playing Chelsea of course.

Is Sam Hutchinson On The Brink of A Dramatic Injury Comeback?

Last season Sam Hutchinson admitted defeat in his battle against recurring injury problems and announced his retirement from football.

The talented defender had been on the brink of the Chelsea team and had impressed during his solitary start and three substitute appearances for the club.

However Chelsea site TalkChelsea.net are reporting that the defender has been rehabilitating with support from the club and may have returned to training with an eye on a comeback.

Having been involved with the club since his retirement with a view to a coaching career it could be that the craving for a playing career has been too difficult to ignore and all involved with the club would be ecstatic to see him playing soon.

Best of luck to Sam everyone is rooting for you.

For the full story please see TalkChelsea the site who broke the story.