Too many African Cup of Nations tournaments will drive a player to distraction. The back-to-back competitions seem to have convinced several Ivory Coast players that they need to change their names in order to keep things fresh. Clearly jealous of team-mate Gervinho faux-Brazilian nickname, a couple of former Premier League players have rebranded themselves.
Florent Malouda In the last year, Chelsea have begun something of an evolution, moving on players such as Salomon Kalou, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Jose Bosingwa and Raul Meireles. Quite how Florent Malouda failed to be part of this exodus is beyond me, but Malouda has fallen out of favour at Stamford Bridge to such [.
Chelsea's transfer window: Roman splurges in pursuit of Premier League title - originally posted
on Soccerlens.com
Chelsea are going through something of a transitional period, as a number of older heads have
left Stamford Bridge to be replaced by young pretenders. Roman Abramovich splurged in excess of
£80 million in revamping the Blues' squad this summer, with the Russian oil tycoon conducting all
his business before the panic of transfer deadline day.
Chelsea's transfer window: Roman splurges in pursuit of Premier League title - originally posted
on Soccerlens.com
Chelsea are going through something of a transitional period, as a number of older heads have
left Stamford Bridge to be replaced by young pretenders. Roman Abramovich splurged in excess of
£80 million in revamping the Blues' squad this summer, with the Russian oil tycoon conducting all
his business before the panic of transfer deadline day.
With their Champions League hoodoo finally over, it's time for Chelsea to rectify their sixth
place finish from last season.
Finally installed as the permanent manager, Robbie Di Matteo has overseen the signatures of
three of the world's top talents. However, it remains interesting how Chelsea will cope without the
Didier Drogba factor.
Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel is aware that the European champions never quite hit the top
gear during their pre-season tour of the United States but expects his teammates to be fully
revived by the Community Shield on August 12.
This season's curtain raiser features defending Premier League champions Manchester City against
Mikel's teammates, who won the FA Cup after defeating Liverpool at Wembley in May.
Ashley Cole says that we really shouldn't be having this trial referring to a post match meeting
where John Terry met with Anton Ferdinand and both shook hands after agreeing there was nothing
more than "handbags".
Ferdinand re-considered his position after his girlfriend replayed You Tube footage of the Terry
incident on her cell phone where the Chelsea captain was seen mouthing off using racial epithets
which he does not deny using.
European champions Chelsea have released forward Salomon Kalou on a free transfer following
their signing of exciting Lille forward Eden Hazard who incidentaly will be replaced by Kalou at
the French club.
Kalou explained: "Lille's project, notably with the impending new stadium, is ambitious and
really pleased me.
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo took some time to reflect on his team's summer signings ahead
of today's pre-season training opening day, asserting that the new arrivals will only strengthen
the European champions.
The Blues lost experienced trio Didier Drogba, Salomon Kalou, and Jose Bosingwa this summer but
added future stars such as Marko Marin and Eden Hazard, both of whom the manager has backed to
shine in the Blues uniform.
European champions Chelsea have confirmed that forward Salomon Kalou and right-back Jose
Bosingwa have become free agents as of yesterday, July 1.
Kalou, 26, is likely to attract significant interest, with Liverpool perceived as a possible
destination in the past.
Looking back at the accomplishments of the Ivory Coast striker, who arrived at the club six
years ago as a young understudy to compatriot Didier Drogba, the Blues released the glowing
farewell statement below.
Free agent-to-be Salomon Kalou would be willing to move to Liverpool this summer, according to
agent Rodger Linse.
Kalou has been linked with the Reds in the past and with his contract set expiring soon, the
Ivory Coast international has also attracted interest from German side Schalke.
Speaking to Liverpool Echo, Linse confirmed that his client is more than willing to
enter any potential discussions with the Carling Cup winners if approached.
Newly appointed Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo has wasted no time in making it clear that his
team will be determined to build on the last season's laurels rather than resting on them.
Di Matteo guided the Blues to their first ever UEFA Champions League title only a fortnight
after helping them win the FA Cup against Liverpool at Wembley.
The 26-year old Ivory Coast international is out of contract at Chelsea and his agent has
confirmed that the striker would be interested in a move to Anfield.
Kalou's agent Rodger Linse, told the Liverpool Echo: "There are conversations going on, and of
course when that is happening then you must be careful what you say.
I did chuckle after reading a comment from Salomon Kalou's agent Rodger Linse, reported here on
Sky. When asked about claims that the new Liverpool Manager Brendan Rogers would be interested
in making a move for him on a free transfer this summer, his agent said:
"There are conversations going on, and of course when that is happening then you must
be careful what you say.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is hoping to bring a number of new faces to the squad over the
summer months and is believed to be interested in signing Chelsea forward Daniel Sturridge.
The former Manchester City striker started the season in superb form but struggled towards the back
end of the campaign as his chances in the first team became more limited.
Chelsea's newest winger Eden Hazard is excited about the team's prospects in the coming season
but has warned his teammates that the pressure will increase dramatically as they aim to defend
their Champions League and FA Cup crowns.
The Blues ended a disappointing Premier League season on a high note after claiming an
impressive double and then scooping for Hazard to send a statement to envious rivals.
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku has openly criticized the spending of owner Roman Abramovich,
questioning his own signing last summer as he wonders why he was left out of the Champions League
winner's side this past year.
"I don't like people talking to me about the Champions League. It wasn't me, but my team that
won," Lukaku said to the BBC.
According to Sky Sports, current Lille player and ex-Chelsea man Salomon Kalou has announced both Liverpool and West Ham are in search of his signature this January. Last summer, Kalou made his exit from Stamford Bridge to French side Lille on a free transfer and it seems as if he misses Premier League football.
The next manager to try and help the Netherlands finally meet expectations is a man who has
tried before.
Louis Van Gaal has replaced Bert van Marwijk as manager of the Dutch national team, taking the
same job he previously held from 2000 to 2001, when he led the Netherlands in a failed bid to
qualify for the 2002 World Cup.
New Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has urged the club's fans to keep their expectations down
regarding this summer's transfer activity, insisting that the media tends to link too many players
to the club.
Rodgers has already recalled midfielder Joe Cole from Lille and is considering a similar
decision regarding the future of Alberto Aquilani but the club has not unveiled any major signings
since the manager's arrival from Swansea.
Liverpool are believed to be interested in securing the services of Salomon Kalou after the
attacker became a free agent on July 1.
Chelsea did not offer the forward a new contract and he was eventually allowed to leave the club as
he looks for a new challenge after six successful years with the west London club.
Roberto Di Matteo finally delivered the Champions League, the one trophy Roman Abramovich
and Chelsea Football Club craved. Now he has been handed the job here full time, he now needs to
deliver the "sexy football" that Roman has wanted Chelsea to play for a while now.
There is an argument that in certain periods of the last few seasons, Chelsea have done exactly
that recording big wins with attacking flair.
Who do you think would be in our strongest eleven next season? It's an interesting question isn't
it.
Knowing we have already signed Eden Hazard and Marko Marin this summer and with it looking
like Jose Bosingwa and Salomon Kalou are due to leave us along with Didier
Drogba at the end of the month it will be interesting to hear your views.
Chelsea have had plenty of coverage on their summer signings haven't they. We wake up every day to
read even more coverage of two more potential signings as RDM oversees Roman Abramovich's second
revolution of the club.
With Victor Moses being touted as making the move to Chelsea before the window closes and a bid for
Cesar Azpilicueta following that, Chelsea would have signed SEVEN new players which takes us back
to the 2003-2004 season when Roman Abramovich first took over the club.
Recent News and Rumours – by JG Well, Arsenal fans can release a collective sigh of relief,
Salomon Kalou has signed a four-year contract with Lille in Ligue 1. All joking aside, this is a
perfect example of how the media can manipulate some fans so easily. There were hordes of people
commenting, saying things [.
Of all the Chelsea players, there is one that will divide opinion like no other and that's Danny
Sturridge.
We all know the immense talent he has, we all know the lightening pace he has to burn and we all
know he has an eye for a goal but the problem is he is too selfish.
Under Owen Coyle at Bolton first of all and then AVB at Chelsea, Sturridge was given a chance,
given confidence and fed off of that.
When Chelsea won the Champions League and even though Roman Abramovich told the players after the
game that "This is just the beginning", It will also mark the end of an era at Chelsea.
In a couple of days time and as the transfer window re-opens we all know there will be people
leaving and coming into the club.
Salomon Kalou would reportedly be open to a summer move to Liverpool, according to his agent Rodger
Linse.
The former Chelsea star, who left the club after six years of service, will be available on a free
transfer, after failing to agree terms over a new deal.
According to reports on Sky Sports, Kalou's availability is of interest to new Liverpool boss
Brendan Rodgers who worked with the Ivorian during his time coaching at Chelsea.
The rumour mill is really in full swing now isn't it and one story that keeps doing the rounds is
that Roberto Mancini, still reeling from the fact that Man City let Sturridge leave the club, is
keen to re-sign him.
Sturridge started last season well under AVB and looked to be full of confidence.
It's the 30th June and the day that contracts expire. After much speculation about whether or not
Salomon Kalou will be leaving the club, he has confirmed this morning on Twitter that his time has
come to an end.
I have written an article previously about Kalou and I think it's a fair judgement.
I would like to go on record to state that Salomon Kalou is one of the most frustrating players I
have watched over the past few years and I am sure some of you will agree with me.
The reason I get so frustrated? It's because he has everything in his locker, he has the skills,
the technique, the pace, an eye for a pass and an eye for a goal but one minute he's great and the
next he isn't!
Zlatan Ibrahimovic of PSG-Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images
On Sunday, Ligue 1 leaders PSG are set to do battle with 10th-placed Lille. PSG have won five of their past six matches in all competitions and will be looking to pick up the full three points at the Parc des Princes. Lille have lost their past two matches and have endured an underwhelming campaign to date, so taking even one point from this fixture would be seen as a positive for the side.
A combination of international soccer, U.S. Soccer, MLS and NBA stars will be out in New York
City tonight to take part in Phoenix Suns point guard Steve Nash's annual charity game.
The Steve Nash Showdown at Sarah D. Roosevelt Park in New York City (at the corner of Chrystie
St.
