The Official Thread of Chelsea FC

[Norf Tyrone]

Van Der Sar is as good as there is, probably the best all round keeper in the league.  Reina is a good shot stopper, but not as good with the ball at his feet or at dealing with crosses as VDS is.  Cech has not been the same keeper since the injury, and as for Chelsea defending better this year, I definitely think they have been more vulnerable at the back than in previous years.  It's hard to rate keepers because as mentioned a keeper in a bad team will have a lot more work to do and can pull of more eye catching saves etc, whereas a keeper at a top team is ridiculed because they apparently dont have much to do.

Chelsea definately have been more vulnerable at times this year, but a lot of that stemmed from their inability to deal with set pieces. However that stat has improved dramatically since Alex returned to the side, and to a lesser degree a slight pick up in Cech's form.

I'd love to see what proportion of goals conceeded came from set pieces.

[Doogie Browser]

If VDS was that good he would be in the Dutch World Cup squad FFS...

[magpie seanie]

If VDS was that good he would be in the Dutch World Cup squad FFS...

I assume you're taking the piss with this comment?

[nrico2006]

If VDS was that good he would be in the Dutch World Cup squad FFS...

I assume you're taking the piss with this comment?

I really don't think he is. 

[bingobus]

Van Der Sar is as good as there is, probably the best all round keeper in the league.  Reina is a good shot stopper, but not as good with the ball at his feet or at dealing with crosses as VDS is.  Cech has not been the same keeper since the injury, and as for Chelsea defending better this year, I definitely think they have been more vulnerable at the back than in previous years.  It's hard to rate keepers because as mentioned a keeper in a bad team will have a lot more work to do and can pull of more eye catching saves etc, whereas a keeper at a top team is ridiculed because they apparently dont have much to do.

You joking right? Reina prob the best passer at Anfield

[nrico2006]

Van Der Sar is as good as there is, probably the best all round keeper in the league.  Reina is a good shot stopper, but not as good with the ball at his feet or at dealing with crosses as VDS is.  Cech has not been the same keeper since the injury, and as for Chelsea defending better this year, I definitely think they have been more vulnerable at the back than in previous years.  It's hard to rate keepers because as mentioned a keeper in a bad team will have a lot more work to do and can pull of more eye catching saves etc, whereas a keeper at a top team is ridiculed because they apparently dont have much to do.

You joking right? Reina prob the best passer at Anfield

With all due respect Bingo, that's not saying alot. 

[bingobus]

Van Der Sar is as good as there is, probably the best all round keeper in the league.  Reina is a good shot stopper, but not as good with the ball at his feet or at dealing with crosses as VDS is.  Cech has not been the same keeper since the injury, and as for Chelsea defending better this year, I definitely think they have been more vulnerable at the back than in previous years.  It's hard to rate keepers because as mentioned a keeper in a bad team will have a lot more work to do and can pull of more eye catching saves etc, whereas a keeper at a top team is ridiculed because they apparently dont have much to do.

You joking right? Reina prob the best passer at Anfield

With all due respect Bingo, that's not saying alot.

With all due respect, your comment was BS

[Minder]

Van Der Sar is as good as there is, probably the best all round keeper in the league.  Reina is a good shot stopper, but not as good with the ball at his feet or at dealing with crosses as VDS is.  Cech has not been the same keeper since the injury, and as for Chelsea defending better this year, I definitely think they have been more vulnerable at the back than in previous years.  It's hard to rate keepers because as mentioned a keeper in a bad team will have a lot more work to do and can pull of more eye catching saves etc, whereas a keeper at a top team is ridiculed because they apparently dont have much to do.

"Not as good with the ball at his feet" Are you taking the piss Nrico or is this just the usual bitterness from you?

[A Quinn Martin Production]

If VDS was that good he would be in the Dutch World Cup squad FFS...

Van Marwijk asked VDS to go to the World Cup but he declined the offer.

[Doogie Browser]

If VDS was that good he would be in the Dutch World Cup squad FFS...

Van Marwijk asked VDS to go to the World Cup but he declined the offer.

I had my tongue firmly in cheek AQMP, unlike nrico who has his tongue in between Slur Alex's cheeks.

[The Real Laoislad]

If VDS was that good he would be in the Dutch World Cup squad FFS...

Van Marwijk asked VDS to go to the World Cup but he declined the offer.

I had my tongue firmly in cheek AQMP, unlike nrico who has his tongue in between Slur Alex's cheeks.

Would there be room? What with all the Premier League referees and people like big Sam in there too...

[The Real Laoislad]

If VDS was that good he would be in the Dutch World Cup squad FFS...

Van Marwijk asked VDS to go to the World Cup but he declined the offer.

I had my tongue firmly in cheek AQMP, unlike nrico who has his tongue in between Slur Alex's cheeks.

Would there be room? What with all the Premier League referees and people like big Sam in there too...

I see the obsession shows no sign of abating even in the close season

[Norf Tyrone]

So within 8 hours or so the curtain will draw on another season of top flight entertainment. The big question for me is will there be a double, and some history, at the end of it?

The obvious answer is yes. However that is the worry today. Six days after annexing the Premier League, with the greatest goal scoring squad the Premier League has ever seen, it's time to refocus, and that'll be key.

No doubt there will be some members of the Chelsea goal scoring machine already thinking of Sarf Africa, and thinking 'it's only Portsmouth'. However Pompey aren't quite as bad as their record suggests, and they will have a squad of players in the shop window for next season today.

However if all goes to plan, Ashley Cole should have his record breaking 6th medal today. I am tipping 3-0 with Kalou or Malouda to star.

[A Quinn Martin Production]

NT...I'm old enough to remember Sunderland v Leeds in 1973 and Southampton v Man Utd in 1976 and to a lesser extent West Ham v Arsenal in 1980(?).  It's not over til it's over...

[A Quinn Martin Production]

Torres to Chelsea

From today's Guardian:

Chelsea are hopeful of luring Fernando Torres from Liverpool after making discreet inquiries, according to reports last night. Torres is reported to be one of Chelsea's key targets as they aim finally to win the Champions League. The coach, Carlo Ancelotti, and the owner, Roman Abramovich, are believed to agree that extra quality is needed to achieve their goal.  "I would like to play with Torres," Ancelotti said recently. "He is a very good player. But this is not an issue for now. He is a Liverpool player." The Spanish striker would likely command a British-record fee in any deal. Manchester City have also been linked with him, and have the resources to pay a huge fee, but their lack of Champions League football would be a drawback