31st August 2000 Chelsea have done well on this one, and after the losses on Sutton they needed it - one superb central defender for another, and £4.5 million from the sale of Thome in the bank. Here's an idea: perhaps Chelsea could use the money to subsidise ticket prices ? Yeah, right. Good joke, Priesty. 29th August 2000 The atmosphere at Villa Park was non-existent, which won't have pleased Sky TV, although that's what they're going to get more and more often in the future as true fans (who are the ones who provide the atmosphere) stay away in droves because of the crazy admission prices in the Premiership, while the grounds increasingly fill up with the uncommitted who are only there because they've got a free ticket through corporate sponsorship. You may laugh at the idea, but I tell you it's coming. I'm irritatedly amused to see that Chelsea are already being written off, even in some of the so-called "quality" media, as a team of expensive imports who are too busy lining their own pockets to bother with football. This revelation comes after three games, only one of which has been at home ! It's clearly just a ruse, a way of selling newspapers and encouraging hits on web pages and has no factual basis whatever. It's contemptible. I sometimes wonder how these people get jobs as journalists, when in the main their only qualifications seem to be a breathtaking inability to read the sport they're supposed to be covering, coupled with an unlimited capacity for spouting hot air. As far as I can make out the only positive aspect of football journalism is the amazingly efficient way these people recycle old material, an obvious plus in an age of dwindling resources... 24h August 2000 On a lighter note, congratulations to Dr Les for being the first Chelsea fan in the four years this site has been running to send me negative feedback. He's throwing the toys out of his pram about my tribute to Paulo Di Canio in my West Ham preview last weekend, accusing me of being a "fucking turncoat", and stating that he is "beginning to worry" about me. The Estimable Doc goes even further, suggesting that instead of characterising Di Canio as "probably the most inventive, and certainly one of the most skillful players in the
Premiership today", I should change it to: "probably the most annoying player in the Premiership today. He
dives more than Frank Leboeuf and cries like a 4 year old if he doesn't get his own way. In short he is an
arsehole of the highest order." 23rd August 2000
Earth would be a good place for Gianluca Vialli and his high flyers to visit occasionally, judging by the usual piss poor show against what should have been inferior opposition last night; a 2-0 defeat at Bradford City brought back painful memories for Chelsea fans old and new. There can be no real complaints from Chelsea, as the Bantams were definitely the better team. Having survived a bright start from the Blues, they went on to show that they will be nobody's pushover in the Premiership, especially having been strengthened with some wise purchases over the close season, notably Benito Carbone and of course the great Dan Petrescu, bargain of the decade at £1 million. Dean Windass and Carbone scored for Bradford, from a free header and a viciously bending shot respectively. I've already predicted that Chelsea won't win the league this season, and I've given what I think are good reasons for it, one of them being the massive hurdle Chelsea always seem to create for themselves by seeming to struggle to produce their best football in "unglamourous" games. Although I'll be delighted to be proved wrong, the evidence of this old Chelsea malaise was there for all to see last night. With the quality of sides in the Premiership all chasing the title, Chelsea just cannot afford to lose these games. Having had a good moan about it, it would be ridiculous to say that Chelsea have blown it already, but for Christ's sake get a life, boys.. 17th August 2000 My Thoughts on Chelsea: Another problem was the lack of a prolific striker. Most observers would agree that although the once leaky defence put in a sterling performance with an unmatched twenty-six clean sheets, the lack of bite in the final third of the pitch proved Chelsea's undoing in the race for the title. Chris Sutton was an unmitigated disaster, his statistics reading one league goal for £10 million. We're well rid of him. The twat even had the nerve to ask for a leaving payment ! Chelsea have shown their commitment to putting the goals shortfall situation right by spending £25 million on new blood during the close season, and have been linked with just about every unsettled striker in Europe - mostly by the fantasists of the popular press, it should be pointed out. The signings of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Mario Stanic and Eidur Gudjohnsen were a positive move, but only time will tell whether spending all that money on three players will pay off. The omens are good: Hasselbaink and Stanic have both started well with their performances in pre-season games and in the Charity Shield. These high profile purchases have tended to overshadow the sale of Dan Petrescu to Bradford for £1 million, surely the bargain of the season. Petrescu, although flawed, is a fantastic player when in the right mood, and will be sorely missed at Stamford Bridge, as will the evergreen George Weah, deemed surplus to requirements. To sum up, I'm optimistic that we'll at least get a Champions League place come the end of the season, but don't bet on the league title. There's too much quality around in the other main contenders (Man U, Arsenal, Liverpool. Leeds ? No fucking chance). 16th August 2000 Leboeuf is also alleged to have complained to French reporters that Vialli didn't back him after the Leeds game last season when he had "problems with the referee". If you remember, the "problems" Frank had with the referee were directly related to his sending off for stamping on that little turd Harry Kewell. In my view Vialli was right not to back him, whether the incident was provoked or not, which, of course, it was. Colin Hutchinson was dignified and diplomatic, as we have come to expect from him, saying on the official Chelsea web site (and this is fact, as opposed to the guff that's been spouting from the fantasists of the popular press) that some of Leboeuf's comments may have been mistranslated, and that he will wait for Leboeuf's explanation before passing judgement, but he also said: "If Frank has said these things then it is totally unprofessional and out of order. Also when he brings other players into it he is being disparaging to them and I dare say some of his teammates will not be too happy with him", adding: "it is very disappointing if these quotes are correct as we really don't need this sort of distraction just before the start of the season. "Frank has won 6 trophies with Chelsea and has a lot to be grateful for to English football and Chelsea. Of course he's got a part to play but he has to realize the intense pressure he is putting on the club by making comments such as these." I have to say that I agree one hundred percent. Leboeuf tends to forget that before he came to Chelsea virtually nobody outside France had ever heard of him. 14th August 2000 Keane was sent off, and should miss the opening three games of Man Ure's season, which he richly deserves. Gus is still having ice and other treatment on his bandaged leg, and is understood not to be badly injured, although these things are relative: my source tells me he was limping and in a lot of discomfort last night. It's worth pointing out that if the incident had taken place in the street instead of on the football field Keane would have been looking at an assault charge. Perhaps the FA should think about reporting these incidents to the police in the future, then sportsmanship might have a better chance of returning to the game. Chelsea comprehensively outplayed the League Champions, although they shouldn't start thinking they're going to walk away with the Premiership on the back of this win. It means nothing in the great scheme of things. It's all very well beating the likes of Liverpool, Man Ure, etc., but as we know so well it's against the Leicesters and Coventries of this world (no disrespect to them) that they need to produce the results, then I might begin to believe that they can do it. I'm distressed to hear that Albert Ferrer has expressed a wish to return to Spain rather than fight for his place against Christian Panucci, on loan from Inter Milan. Ferrer is the best right back we've had thirty years, make no mistake about that. He would be a great loss, and I pray that we don't lose him as well as Dan Petrescu. 4th August 2000 The bill could amount to an estimated £18,000. If a club ever wanted a way of guaranteeing a ten-year-old kid's loyalty to his team, Hadji's selfless actions would do it. It's rare to see such an example of integrity in today's world of football, and other players and club officials would do well to take note. Nice one, Mustapha. 3rd August 2000 Casiraghi - The End ? There have been accusations in the media that Chelsea have treated Casiraghi badly, and dignified counter claims from Chelsea's Colin Hutchinson, a man I have come to respect, that they haven't. In my opinion it's one of those unfortunate situations where neither side can come out with much credit, no matter what the good intentions. I don't believe that Chelsea did wrong by Casiraghi; it was in their interests to get him back to health as soon as possible, and they have paid his full wages and medical bills for nearly two years while he's been laid up. In any business, especially the money-dominated football industry, the brutal bottom line is that you have to cut your losses when the cause is seen to be lost. Whatever the truth of the story, on a purely human level I'm incredibly sad and genuinely sorry that Casiraghi won't play again. It's a great loss to football. I'm sure that not only Chelsea, but all lovers of football will join me in wishing him the best for the future. July stories
© 1996-2002
Priesty's Chelsea FC Refuge.
Bogarde Buggers Up The Media
Fantastic news this afternoon, as Chelsea sign 29 year old Dutch International defender Winston Bogarde on a free transfer from Barcelona. Incredibly, the muppets of the British football media got no sniff of the deal until well after it was done, which is one in the eye for them. Bogarde has a proven track record and will be a good signing for the Blues, particularly as Emerson Thome was sold this morning to scally apehead Peter Reid's Sunderland. I'm sorry Emerson is going, and I wish him well.
Villa 1 Chelsea 1
Chelsea just fail to sneak a win at Villa Park, missing two great chances in the final minutes. "Quite boring, enlivened only by pitifully few moments of skill" would be the way I'd describe the game. On target for Chelsea was Marcel Desailly, who headed home from a corner after Luc Nilis had volleyed Villa into the lead.
Terry In, Harley Out
Congratulations to John Terry for his inclusion in the England U-21 team to face Georgia at Middlesbrough next week. The surprise is that Jon Harley didn't make the team, but he shouldn't be too concerned about it, because if one thing's certain it's that Jon will feature heavily for England in the years to come.
New Chelsea - Same As The Old ?
First, more apologies: I've been working in Edinburgh since last Friday, which has meant that I've been unable to update the site until today. I'm not happy about having had to miss the first home match, but it was unavoidable due to these work commitments. My reward will no doubt be in heaven, as there's precious little sign of it down here on Earth.
Life Does Have Meaning After All:
The Big Day approaches ! Chelsea's Premier League campaign begins on Saturday with a home tie against West Ham. I'm going to try out a new feature this season: match previews. Each week I'll be attempting to get the news and views from our rivals' point of view by asking the webmasters of their unofficial sites to contribute, and inserting my own views alongside. Please let me know what you think - I'll put a mail link on each preview page. Meanwhile you can check out the the first preview, for the West Ham game, here.
Last season's FA Cup campaign was a resounding success, as was the Champions League, although we were disappointed to go out at the quarter final stage having beaten the great Barcelona 3-1 in the first leg; a fantastic advert for European football that will go down in my memory as the greatest match I've ever seen involving Chelsea. In the Premiership, having promised much early on, Chelsea eventually trailed in a disappointing fifth. The old habit of turning in poor performances against teams that they should have beaten easily, while rising to the occasion against the stronger teams, was more in evidence than ever. Good examples of this frustrating trait were the 5-0 thrashing of Manchester United and the pathetic 1-0 away defeat to Watford.
Leboeuf Sur Le Carpet:
It looks like Frank Leboeuf may have run off at the mouth one time too many, as Luca Vialli and Managing Director Colin Hutchinson are reported to be rather cross about his alleged comments to the French sporting press while in training with his national side this week. He will be on the carpet when he returns, and may well end up on the transfer list if he hasn't got a good explanation for claiming that "Vialli has problems with everybody. It’s normal for a coach to get along with his lads, but not him".
Keane Not Giving To Charity This Year:
First of all, apologies for no updates recently. I've been away for a few days. Yesterday Chelsea won their first silverware of the season in the Charity Shield at Wembley against the hated Man Ure. They will soon be having to rename the trophy in view of the appallingly uncharitable way that the neanderthal Roy Keane, Captain of Manchester United, almost crippled Gus Poyet as "an act of retaliation". A Uruguyan friend of mine was a guest of Gus's at Wembley yesterday, and saw the results of Keane's attentions on the back of Poyet's leg. He was horrified at the sight of the stud marks from Keane's boot.
Hats Off To Hadji:
I am usually the first to complain about the way football clubs, and sometimes players, treat the fans, so I'm delighted to be able to reveal the other side of the coin for a change. My friend Dave Gomez has drawn my attention to the fact that Mustapha Hadji, one of Coventry's Moroccan internationals, has offered to pay for new replica shirts for the 400 or so fans who bought shirts with his name and number on when squad numbers were allocated. Unfortunately these people were left high and dry when Coventry changed his number after making him the new skipper.
Hillsborough Justice Campaign Troubles:
I've been informed that the Hillsborough Justice Campaign website that I asked you to visit (see earlier news) has been suspended following legal action taken by the Hillsborough Families Support Group. I don't know why, but I'll tell you when I find out.
After 10 operations to try to heal Gigi Casiraghi's wrecked knee, injured in a collision with Shaka Hislop at West Ham two years ago, it looks as though the end of the unfortunate saga is nigh. Chelsea have collected more than £4 million from their insurers on the basis that the injury is irrepairable. This means that Gigi won't be able to play top class football again, in spite of the defiant noises coming from his agent. Chelsea will stop paying Gigi's wages next month.
