When the stress is on I blog.

Another Major Posting Test is looming in the horizon. Just 5 more days to another gruelling long case- viva session. Yesterday amid the distraction of the championship playoff finals, I managed to read through epilepsy, nephrotic syndrome, End stage kidney disease, cerebral palsy and spina bifida.
Yet I still have 6 write ups to complete tomorrow and the day after. Maybe I can even start later. It is usually times like these that I update my blog.
The disappointment of losing at the Champions League final is great. It has really been our aim year after year and everytime there was just empty handed sadness and thoughts of what could have been. I have always from the onset of the appointment of Grant thought that he would be incapable of bringing Chelsea any silverware. That belief was strengthened by loss in the carling cup final and exit in the FA cup at the hands of barnsley. This perception of mine changed in recent weeks as my team grew from strength to strength and produced some stirling results. It was not to be as draws against wigan and bolton tore apart our premiership dreams and the draw against Man U 4 days ago resulted in a collective broken blue heart.
Now he has been sacked. The message on the Chelsea website said that Mourinho and Chelsea has decided to part ways after mutual agreement. For Grant, it reads : Chelsea FC has decided to terminate Avram Grant's contract and will focus her efforts on locating a new manager.
It is sad that at a club of such stature, we are still firing our managers at whim even when they have contributed enormously to our sucess. I am talking about Mourinho of course. We finished 2nd on three fronts and given time I think Grant might win something with Chelsea. I have seen the improvement in him. Maybe it is his purchase Anelka who went on to become so ineffective in every sense of the word that cost him his job. I would have rather played Shevchenko in extra time because of his experience and of course he has indeed improved this season.But still no one had the confidence in him.
Given Mourinho's imminient appointment at Inter Milan, there will be talks of a mass exodus of players to the Italian champions. Rightly also with such a capable manager, next season they will definitely be billed as one of the few top contenders for the Champions League Trophy. That alongside with Man U, Real and Chelsea. Maybe Drogba will really leave Chelsea for good and with him our era of the 1st russian revolution has come and gone.
The other players who might not be around would be Belletti, Pizzaro, Shevchenko, Sidwell and Ben Haim. The strikers mentioned above do have the potential to add value to the Chelsea side if their confidence can be improved and I really do not wish to see Drogba nd Shevchenko leave.
Our goalkeeper options are good as Cech has no rivals as a goalkeeper and HIlario and Cudicini are two safe pairs of hands. Of course somehow I think Hilario has better luck than Cudicini and perhaps he should play more often at the italian's expense when Cech is injured.
Ashley cole has been impressive in the big games and provided that he stays injury free we have no problems in left back. Wayne Bridge is an abled deputy and against tougher opponents maybe just another defender or a defensive midfielder should watch his back for him.
On the other flank, that is where our problematic area lies. We have bought Bosingwa, however he is still an unproven quantity in the premier league and against strong oppositions. It would be wise to bring in another player of real quality just in case he turns out to be another Boulahrouz. Perhaps Daniel Alves of Sevilla could be courted. He can also provide options as a right winger. He has the speed and skill to marshall our right side of the field and if played with Joe Cole, we can attack with lightning pace on that flank and cause some real probblems.
In central defense, Terry and Carvalho form a formidable partnership, and Alex is also good enough to play for Chelsea. However ALex has got to improve if he wishes to help Chelsea win more titles. Look at the goal from Bolton in almost the last minute which he failed to clear. Ben Haim definitely will have to leave after speaking out against Grant. You can play him against lower oppositions but look how he suffers when pitted against Fernando Torres. Bring in a young speedy defender like Steven Taylor of Newcastle or some hard tackling lad who is another Vidic, Agger or Skrtel.
Our midfield is still one of the strongest around. The only weakness I think would be our directness as our midfield aces are all central playmakers and defensive lynchpin. Defensively I think Makalele and Mikel are about as best as you can get. Makalele has impressed against the big sides as he has this ability to bring the ball out of dangerous situation. and his reading of the game is impeccable. Mikel is similar though not as good yet but he has the potential to become even better.
Then we have the evergreen Ballack who might just be at his peak or slightly weaning next season. I certainly hope it will be the former Lampard is also irreplaceable as he not only can make an incisive pass, he is a better goal threat when the ball is on the floor than Ballack. Perhaps Sidwell is not seeing as much play time as he would like and could be hankering for a move away from Stamford Bridge. We should bring in a capable player who might be able to challenge Ballack or Lampard. Kranjcar of Portsmouth or Nasri from Marseille might be good for the job. Of course there is Essien who can really infuse the whole of our midfield with endless energy. He has a good longshot and he is just able to hold onto the ball for so long while other players get into better position. Despite the 3 stars , we should have another lad who has the potential and desire to challenge them and perhaps be groomed as a replacement for Ballack eventually.
If only this season we have more effective wingers. Joe Cole and Kalou did well when they were playing but we miss Arjen Robben and Duff. They have the real pace and are real wingers and not Joe who may be trickier and more skillful but does not surge down the wings as Christiano Ronaldo does. I really cannot think of any wonderful wingers around who would join Chelsea. Perhaps save Ribery. That is if Bayern Munich are willing to let go of him. And at what cost? Malouda should be given another chance to prove himself as we have seen how capable he was in the French league.
Our attacking option is something we have to look hard and long at this season to ensure next season we can truly dominate the football scene. Robinho will arrive as a striker and a winger as he has the pace and skill to surge down the flanks and with the same qaulities he makes for a decent striker. I really hope this deal goes through and he becomes a Chelsea player before July. If Drogba goes and Shevchenko also returns to Milan, we are left with Anelka. I really hope he rises to the task and next season will prove to be his best ever. Still having said that, perhaps we should bring in another proven striker and Benzema of Lyon is really really welcomed in West London. He is probably the player I would like to see most being brought in. He has the abilty to trouble defences on his own and create something out of nothing. Just look at how wonderful Torres has been for Liverpool. I see Benzema being able to emulate the goal scoring feats and big game temperament. David Villa or Luis Fabiano should also be considered as they are likely to want to move to bigger clubs and they have outstanding goal scoring records. Of course Spanish strikers always seem to strike fear in EPL managers, at least the ones who manage them as these Spanish striker often fail to adapt to the pace and intensity. Just think of Morientes and Diego Forlan(Uraquay). Maybe Aguero Kun will also prove as successful as Torres.

Team for 2008/09
Goalkeepers:
1. Petr Cech
2. Hilario
3. Cudicini

Left Back:
1. Ashley Cole
2. Wayne Bridge

Right Back:
1. Bosingwa
2. Ferraira
3. Daniel Alves

Central Defenders:
1. Terry
2. Carvalho
3. Alex
4. Steven Taylor

Defensive Midfield:
1. Makelele
2. Mikel

Central Midfield:
1. Lampard
2. Essein
3. Ballack
4. Nasri/Kranjcar/Lulinha

Right-Left Midfield/ Wingers:
1. Joe
2. Malouda
3. Kalou
4. Ribery/Robinho

Strikers:
1. Anelka
2. Benzema
3. Aguero
4. Villa

And if only Drogba and Shevchenko will stay.

That brings the total number of players to around 26. Peter Kenyon wants 22 outfield players and 3 or 4 goalkeepers. Just about right.

John Terry

John Terry has written an open letter to Chelsea fans following the Champions League Final.

The Chelsea captain wrote:

'To all the Chelsea fans, all my team-mates, the manager and staff at the club.

I am so sorry for missing the penalty and denying you the fans, my team-mates, family and friends the chance to become European champions.

Many people have told me I don't need to say that but I feel I need to, that's just me. I have relived that moment every minute since it happened. I have only slept a few hours and wake up every time hoping it's all been a bad dream.

I have had some amazing support from fans, current and ex-players, family and friends and I need to thank everyone for that. But I am a big man and I take responsibility for us not winning.

I am and ALWAYS will be Chelsea through and through. I will give my all on and off the pitch to win this trophy as a player and one day as a manager. And I am sure we will win it.

That night in Moscow will haunt me forever and I feel I have let everybody down and this hurts me more than anything. I am not ashamed about crying. This is a trophy I have tried so hard year after year to win and it was just an uncontrollable reaction, I wear my heart on my sleeve, everybody knows that.

The road to Rome starts here, we have to try and turn this experience to our advantage. I am very proud of how far we have come this season with everything that has gone on.

Thank you for all your support for the team this season.'

Cooking

Yesterday I bought the ingredients for an apple crumble, crayfish stew, golden mushrooms bacon wrap and fried shitake mushrooms. I have been dishing up chicken nuggests, ready made pizzas and clam chowder for sometime. I guess it should be time for a foray into a higher and more delicious plane of gastronomy.

picture blues

Drogba: Champs League final appearance overdue

Two-goal hero Didier Drogba was ecstatic after firing Chelsea to the Champions League final with a 3-2 victory over Liverpool.



GettyImages
Didier Drogba celebrates at the final whistle as Chelsea head to Russia.

The Ivory Coast striker scored the first and third goals as the Blues sealed a showdown with Manchester United in Moscow in extra-time.

Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel netted for the Reds but it was Chelsea's night.

Drogba told Sky Sports 2: 'It is something amazing. Today we did very well. I am really pleased for the club because we've been looking for this final for too long.'

The former Marseille forward was accused before the game of diving by Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez and Drogba admitted he was 'disappointed' by the Spaniard's comments.

'It's difficult as I said,' Drogba added. 'Benitez is a fantastic coach and I was a bit disappointed but I think he felt his team was not strong enough and Chelsea were going to beat them. I am just happy for my team and I don't want to think about others.

'It's not good for my image. I'm giving my best to put my team at the top and I think it's not fair but it's finished.'

Blues captain John Terry admitted he had not fully absorbed the scale of his team's achievement.

'It's fantastic, I think we've fully deserved it over the years, we've had our chance but I thought we made it hard for ourselves at the end.

'It has not sunk in properly. We'll enjoy tonight but it will take 24 hours to sink in.'

Frank Lampard scored a penalty and Terry paid tribute to the England midfielder whose mother died last week.

'What a character Lamps is.

'It has been a terrible week for him. I'm sure Frank will dedicate that goal to his mum.

Drogba fires Blues to final

Chelsea will face Manchester United on 21st May
Chelsea will face Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League final after a 3-2 extra-time victory over Liverpool in a thriller at Stamford Bridge.



A brace from Didier Drogba and a penalty from Frank Lamprad ensured that strikes from Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel proved to be nothing but consolations for the Reds.


Chelsea looked bright from the off and tested Pepe Reina with long-range efforts throughout the first-half.


Liverpool on the other hand appeared to lack ideas and found it difficult to bring talismanic front man Torres into the game.


The hosts looked the most likely to find a breakthrough, and duly obliged on 33 minutes when Drogba rifled home.


Salomon Kalou broke clear on the right, although he appeared to be offside, and when his curling effort could only be parried by Reina, Drogba was on hand to rifle home the rebound from a tight angle.


After dominating large periods of the first-half, Chelsea allowed Liverpool back into the game during the second period and were made to pay when Fernando Torres levelled things up on 69 minutes.


Yossi Benayoun was able to break through a couple of challenges as he snaked in field and laid a perfectly weighted ball into the path of the Spanish striker to stroke calmly into the corner.


Neither side could produce a second during normal time, despite numerous opportunities at both ends.


It took just five minutes of extra-time for the game to spring back to life.


Michael Essien thought he had restored Chelsea's lead after taking advantage of some shaky Liverpool defending to blast home. However, he was denied by a linesman's flag.


Four minutes later though the Blues had the lead when Lampard coolly dispatched a penalty after Michael Ballack had been felled by Sami Hyypia.


After appearing to be sailing safely into the final, they were made to sweat when Babel rocketed a 30-yard effort past Cech, but Avram Grant's men eventually managed to hang on.

Terry's final delight

Chelsea captain John Terry was delighted to have guided the club into their first ever UEFA Champions League final.



Terry was part of the Chelsea side which has previously lost three semi-finals - but they made no mistake on Wednesday evening with a 3-2 win over Liverpool on the night which gave them a 4-3 aggregate success.


The game had gone to extra-time after Fernando Torres had levelled Didier Drogba's opener.


In added time Chelsea took control with Frank Lamprad slotting home a penalty and Drogba firing home before Ryan Babel's late strike gave Liverpool some hope - but it was too little, too late for Rafa Benitez's men.



Delight


Terry was ecstatic to make the final - which takes place in Moscow in three weeks time.


"Fantastic, I think fully deserved over the years," Terry told Sky Sports.


"We made things very difficult for ourselves, last night was tight this one also, these games are always tight.


"I am delighted for myself, the club, the fans and the players."


Terry found time to hail team-mate Frank Lampard who returned to the side despite the recent death of his mother.


"What a character Lamps is," he beamed.


"To come in on Sunday and train, and try and block out what has been a terrible week for Frank and everyone close to him. I think he will dedicate that goal to his mum."



United clash


The Chelsea skipper is also looking forward to facing Manchester United - who they are still battling the Premier League title with - in Russia.


"It has not sunk in properly yet, we will enjoy tonight but perhaps it will take 24 hours but an all English final I think we will look forward to it," he said.


"They have been very good in the league, but we matched them here the other week and managed to beat them. I think all in all they are playing well but we are at the top of our game and in three weeks time it is going to be a very tough game."