SoccerBlogs

Great news today that will no doubt become somewhat overshadowed by Mr Hazard, is news of Petr Cech signing a new deal at Chelsea, keeping him here until 2016!.

The news was confirmed on the Chelsea website this afternoon with quotes from Cech and Ron Gourlay.

Speaking of his new deal, Cech said:

'I am really happy to be part of this great club for another four years.

It's another big, big game for Chelsea tomorrow night and a game we simply have to win. Our form is good, we are scoring goals and with one defeat in all competitions in fifteen games, our confidence is high.

Newcastle come to the Bridge with aspirations of fourth place themselves but after having taken a beating from Wigan, they have to be wary of another defeat against us.

It's been a week now since that momentous night in Barcelona. A week since we knew that we would have a second chance at winning the Champions League.

Now as you can imagine there will be plenty of video's being put together around the Internet to document our story so far.

News has broken today that Chelsea have signed Werder Bremen midfielder Marko Marin 24, on a five year contract. It's a surprise to say the least as we have hardly heard anything about him.

So who is Marko Marin? I went onto YouTube to see what I could find and here is a video that has been posted here and shows his goalscoring and creating abilities.

After the midweek performances of both clubs the rumour regarding potential business between Chelsea and Real Madrid has emerged again.

Gonzalo Higuain who is a proven goalscorer looks have become second fiddle to Karim Benzama in recent weeks and looks a frustrated character.

Higuain's strike record is impressive.

So we now know that Chelsea will face Bayern Munich on Saturday May 19th in the Champions League Final. I think you would have been hard pushed to find anyone neutral when asked, if they would have picked our two sides to make it.

We are there and it looks like it's going to be a great game.

If someone asked me how many times I have gone back to the TV coverage and replayed the moment Fernando Torres broke free, controlled the ball with a fabulous first touch, moved towards goal and then rounded Valdes to stroke the ball into the empty net to wrap up the game at the Nou Camp, I couldn't tell you - I have seen it that many times.

Yes I am asking that question! We are in the Champions League Final on May 19th and it's still unbelievable!.

The thing is now we have to look at tonight's game and decide who would we rather face in the final? Do you want Bayern Munich or do you want Real Madrid?

The fairytale would be Madrid and to take on Jose Mourinho.

Forget all the comments being made and focus on Didier Drogba and his "diving" or so they call it at Stamford Bridge ahead of tonight's game. Make no mistake. Barcelona are scared of Drogba and are more than worried about the big man.

He has proven over the years to be the scourge of Barcelona with important goals against them.

Let's be realistic here for a minute. We travelled to the Emirates against an Arsenal side who have a good record at home (apart from the Wigan result last Monday) and with eight changes to the side that started against Barcelona, have come away with a decent point.

The good thing is that Spurs lost so we are now only a point behind them.

For the neutral football supporters on Sunday, It looks to have the makings of a cracker as Chelsea take on Tottenham at Wembley. With games between the teams already this season being evenly matched and the points shared on both occasions, it really is too close to call.

Next up on my build up to Sunday's FA CUP semi final against Tottenham is another of the official videos from FATV and this time it's an interview featuring Gary Cahill.

He speaks of the game ahead of us, the painful memory of this time last season and signing for Chelsea.

I personally don't think Cahill has got anywhere near the credit he deserves for coming into the club and putting in the level of performances in he has been doing up till now as he tries to establish himself at Chelsea.

Frank Lampard has spoken of the task ahead of us on Wednesday night shortly after Chelsea beat Spurs and is keen to point out that any team is beatable and that Chelsea have to take them on to beat them and he believes that we can do it!.

He said:

"From the start of every game, it's 50-50.

There will be plenty to write and speak about in the coming days as Barcelona come to town. Some of the Barcelona players and some pundits out there are already speaking about the game.

What better way to follow up my Messi post than to post than to get you people in the mood and excited for Wednesday even more than you are already.

Sometimes in football you don't need to say anything to the players as they are sitting there in the changing room waiting to head out for a big game. In this particular instance Gareth Bale, speaking ahead of tomorrow, has given an interview and has stated that he thinks that they "have a better team" than Chelsea.

After posting my scouting report of the Barcelona weaknesses I have uncovered here, it was also good to hear RDM speak of weakness in their game that he has also seen after watching hours of Barca footage in recent weeks.

He said:

"You look at the way you can hurt Barcelona and create them difficulties.

After a fantastic performance yesterday at Wembley against Spurs, This morning Roberto Di Matteo and his players will quite simply forget that one and move onto Barcelona on Wednesday.

I will be taking an in depth look at Barcelona over the next couple of days to see if there are any weaknesses that Chelsea can exploit (just like I did ahead of the Spurs game which proved me right too!

Right up until around 1730 tonight (UK TIME) there will be all sorts of permutations about just who Roberto Di Matteo will select to start for Chelsea tonight against Spurs at Wembley with Wednesday against Barcelona in mind.

I personally think that Chelsea should take both games with the same level of importance and field the strongest possible line ups.

Shopping list as per the article on the Daily Mail's webstite this morning here
The Daily Mail this morning (linked in the description of the image above) have posted an article this morning stating that Roman Abramovich will present the new manager of the club with a list of high profile potential signings and to take his pick.

This morning, Chelsea and Adidas officially launched the new Chelsea home kit for next season and I have to say I like it!. Ever since Adidas took over the design of our shirts they have got better and better and although I really like this seasons offering, the new one is another step in the right direction for me.

This morning, Chelsea and Adidas officially launched the new Chelsea home kit for next season and I have to say I like it!. Ever since Adidas took over the design of our shirts they have got better and better and although I really like this seasons offering, the new one is another step in the right direction for me.

With news that Barcelona are putting together a bid of around £35m to tempt David Luiz into leaving Chelsea and heading off to Spain, Luiz was keen to reconfirm his intention to remain at Chelsea.

Speaking of the speculation, Luiz said:

"I'm very happy in London, I like London and Chelsea.

By Chris Wright

"I must go now, for my work here is done"

As some fella once said: Go out on top and always leave 'em wanting more. Didier Drogba has just confirmed via the Chelsea website that, after eight long years at the club, he is to leave Stamford Bridge on a free transfer when his contract dwindles to nothing on June 30th:

"I wanted to put an end the speculation and confirm that I am leaving Chelsea.

The New 2012/2013 Chelsea Home Shirt - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

Adidas have revealed the new Chelsea home shirt for the 2012/2013 season. The major change in the Chelsea kit from previous years is the gold trim according to adidas this is in celebration of the 2012 London Olympics (for which adidas launched their biggest UK campaign yet for Team GB earlier this month).

Chelsea have made an offer to buy the site of Battersea power station with a view to building "one of the most iconic football stadiums in the world".

It's no secret that Chelsea have been looking for a new stadium. Stamford Bridge is too small compared to Old Trafford, the Emirates and even the Nou Camp, meaning that Chelsea's rivals make millions more from each home game than Chelsea does.

I said in my match preview that Chelsea needed to take their chance to close the gap on Newcastle and they did exactly that with a fantastic performance against QPR at the Bridge this afternoon.

Chelsea beat QPR 6-1 in difficult conditions with goals from Danny Sturridge, John Terry, Florent Malouda and a hat trick from Fernando Torres.

With news of Newcastle losing away at Wigan yesterday, Chelsea have a massive chance to take three points and close the gap to a point with a victory at the Bridge this afternoon. However, with a defensive crisis today it will not be easy.

QPR come to the Bridge looking to three points as they look to establish their Premier League status.

Dr Mart is back in the house as he joins Chidge and the usual suspects, plus Beth from Chelsea in America, to discuss the Benfica, Wigan and Fulham games.

What a week! Squeaky bum time last Wednesday against Benfica, rescued by none other than ‘Tufty' Meireles to ensure our progress to the semi-final of the Champions League; the ‘Great Escape' against Wigan to keep us in the hunt for 4th in the Premier League, and then the damp squib on Monday night at Craven Cottage in the draw against the small club in Putney which dampened more than our spirits.

We have all seen the news that Pep Guardiola has decided not to renew his contract and will quit Barcelona at the end of the season. He has said that he wants to take time out, away from football and concentrate on other things while he recharges his batteries. It was a surprising announcement when the news broke but one you could understand.

Chidge is joined by a very hungover FanCast crew as the post-match celebrations in thrashing Sp*rs took their toll! Nevertheless, the boys and Beth from Chelsea in America relive the best moments of one of their greatest ever Wembley days out!

1, 2, 1,2,3,1,2,3,4,5-1!!! What a bloody day.

OF COURSE NOT! WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT!!!!

Why on earth would Roberto Di Matteo field a weakened side against Spurs at Wembley in the FA CUP SEMI FINAL when it's our most realistic chance of winning a trophy this season!.

Forget Barcelona for the time being, this competition is there to be won and Di Matteo WILL send a side out on Sunday to get the job done and to win the game.

Chelsea and Branislav Ivanovic were dealt a massive blow yesterday as the FA decided to charge him with violent conduct after an incident during the Wigan game last weekend.

Being caught on camera, there was no way that Ivanovic would have gotten away with what he did and now faces the consequences which could be a three match ban.