It seems likely Jose Bosingwa could have to wave goodbye to a defensive colleague this summer as Ashley Cole could be on his way out of the Chelsea.
When both fit, Cole and the Portuguese international would fill the left and right-back slots respectively of the Chelsea defence.
However, it is looking like they may not line up together again, as by the time Bosingwa returns from the long term knee injury that has kept him out of action since October 2009, Cole could be playing for another team.
Cole had been linked with a move to Real Madrid ever since former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho left Inter Milan for the hotseat at the Bernabeau, but there are signs the Special One could be close to getting his man.
A £30 million deal with the La Liga giants had been mooted in the press, and this speculation is likely to increase as Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has claimed it looks likely that Cole will be in Madrid for next season.
The club's Champions League odds suggest they are in with a good chance of tasting the glory which has eluded them in so long, and Cole could be a key man in their success.
Chelsea are likely to be determined to try and hold onto the 29-year-old England international, but it looks like Carlo Ancelotti could have to go into the transfer market for a new left back or rely on either Branislav Ivanovic or Yuri Zhirkov.
Casillas told The Sun: "From what I am hearing the signs look good. I have only briefly spoken to people at the club, but I am confident that he can be a Real Madrid player next year.
"I think it will be the right move for him both professionally and personally."
The football betting suggests Chelsea will challenge for the title again next season, but they can ill afford to lose one of their best players.
It remains to be seen whether he will be around to help Chelsea next season, and they start their campaign against West Brom on August 14th.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Friday, July 2, 2010
Chelsea squad set 2010/11 targets
Jose Bosingwa will be hoping to get back into the Chelsea first team next season and it seems the Blues players are dead set on defending their Premier League title.
The Portuguese right-back missed out on the majority of Chelsea's title-winning season last campaign after twice going under the knife with a knee problem.
He was out of action from October onwards and did not make enough Premier League appearances to get a winners medal, so that could be more motivation for the international to get back on the pitch and help Chelsea defend their title.
He also missed his side's attempts to upset the World Cup betting odds and lift the trophy in South Africa.
According to Bosingwa's team-mate Florent Malouda, the entire Chelsea squad has set their targets for next year and want to win both the Premier League and the Champions League after their domestic double last campaign.
"First is to defend the league. We were fighting last year to get the league back. We have to defend our trophy," he told Sky Sports News.
"After that [it's] the Champions League. I wish in my Chelsea career that I could touch that trophy and lift that trophy, but I won't give up, even if we fail next year, which I don't want, but I won't give up."
The football betting odds suggest they have every chance of achieving their goals.
If that is the feeling across Stamford Bridge, then that really could be seen as a booster to help Bosingwa get back on the pitch after a 9 months to forget and finally get his hands on a Premier League winners medal at Chelsea.
The Portuguese right-back missed out on the majority of Chelsea's title-winning season last campaign after twice going under the knife with a knee problem.
He was out of action from October onwards and did not make enough Premier League appearances to get a winners medal, so that could be more motivation for the international to get back on the pitch and help Chelsea defend their title.
He also missed his side's attempts to upset the World Cup betting odds and lift the trophy in South Africa.
According to Bosingwa's team-mate Florent Malouda, the entire Chelsea squad has set their targets for next year and want to win both the Premier League and the Champions League after their domestic double last campaign.
"First is to defend the league. We were fighting last year to get the league back. We have to defend our trophy," he told Sky Sports News.
"After that [it's] the Champions League. I wish in my Chelsea career that I could touch that trophy and lift that trophy, but I won't give up, even if we fail next year, which I don't want, but I won't give up."
The football betting odds suggest they have every chance of achieving their goals.
If that is the feeling across Stamford Bridge, then that really could be seen as a booster to help Bosingwa get back on the pitch after a 9 months to forget and finally get his hands on a Premier League winners medal at Chelsea.
Ashley Cole to join Mourinho at Madrid?
Much like Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa who has had injury problems, Ashley Cole hasn’t had the best time of late.
His much publicised personal problems were followed by a humiliating World Cup campaign for England and many world cup final betting pundits are suggesting that a fresh start might be in order for the Chelsea man.
With reference to this, it is worth nothing that Real Madrid are reportedly ready to step up their interest in Cole. It is understood that they have already made a £25million bid for him and are willing to push this fee up some more if necessary.
With Cole being one of the best left-backs in the World, Chelsea obviously want to keep hold of him, but you have to consider that he will be tempted to move abroad.
At 29-years-old, he is at the peak of his career and if he doesn’t take the opportunity soon, he might not get another one. His frustration at the media invading his private life are clear to see, so maybe he thinks a new life in Spain will help him concentrate on his football.
Real Madrid manager Mourinho signed Cole from Arsenal in 2006 too, so the pair know each other well and like many Chelsea players, Cole would have enjoyed working with ‘The Special One’.
Nothing will happen for a while though. At the moment, whilst you start thinking about your potential 2010 world cup semi final bet, Cole is on holiday for three weeks.
Much more will be known when he returns to pre-season training. How well he settles back into life at Stamford Bridge will have a major influence on the England man’s future.
His much publicised personal problems were followed by a humiliating World Cup campaign for England and many world cup final betting pundits are suggesting that a fresh start might be in order for the Chelsea man.
With reference to this, it is worth nothing that Real Madrid are reportedly ready to step up their interest in Cole. It is understood that they have already made a £25million bid for him and are willing to push this fee up some more if necessary.
With Cole being one of the best left-backs in the World, Chelsea obviously want to keep hold of him, but you have to consider that he will be tempted to move abroad.
At 29-years-old, he is at the peak of his career and if he doesn’t take the opportunity soon, he might not get another one. His frustration at the media invading his private life are clear to see, so maybe he thinks a new life in Spain will help him concentrate on his football.
Real Madrid manager Mourinho signed Cole from Arsenal in 2006 too, so the pair know each other well and like many Chelsea players, Cole would have enjoyed working with ‘The Special One’.
Nothing will happen for a while though. At the moment, whilst you start thinking about your potential 2010 world cup semi final bet, Cole is on holiday for three weeks.
Much more will be known when he returns to pre-season training. How well he settles back into life at Stamford Bridge will have a major influence on the England man’s future.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Chelsea go home
Chelsea were well represented going into this World Cup, 14 members of the last season’s first team squad travelled with their national sides to South Africa. Michael Essien and John Obi Mikel only missed out on the World Cup due to injury.
As we go into the world cup quarter finals , all of those player are either already home or are coming home in the next few days after early exits.
Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Deco were the last Chelsea players left in the tournament, they were sent packing by Spain in the last second round game.
Chelsea’s England boys had a World Cup to forget, the French connection were even worse, Nicolas Anelka was expelled from the squad and Florent Malouda struggled to make an impact.
Branislav Ivanovic’s Serbia went against all world cup odds to beat Germany but failed to qualify from Group D. Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou represented the Ivory Coast, who battled bravely in their Group G. Despite drawing with Portugal and beating North Korea, the African side went out on goal difference. Michael Essien’s Ghana have reached the quarter-finals, as the only African nation left in this World Cup. While they have missed midfielder Essien, they have done exceptionally to get this far without their talisman.
Some good may come out of this poor showing for the EPL Champions though; the early exits for the Chelsea boys will give them more time to recover from this summer’s tournament. Plus many in the Chelsea squad will have something to prove when the season kicks off on the 14th of August, against promoted West Brom.
As we go into the world cup quarter finals , all of those player are either already home or are coming home in the next few days after early exits.
Ricardo Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira and Deco were the last Chelsea players left in the tournament, they were sent packing by Spain in the last second round game.
Chelsea’s England boys had a World Cup to forget, the French connection were even worse, Nicolas Anelka was expelled from the squad and Florent Malouda struggled to make an impact.
Branislav Ivanovic’s Serbia went against all world cup odds to beat Germany but failed to qualify from Group D. Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou represented the Ivory Coast, who battled bravely in their Group G. Despite drawing with Portugal and beating North Korea, the African side went out on goal difference. Michael Essien’s Ghana have reached the quarter-finals, as the only African nation left in this World Cup. While they have missed midfielder Essien, they have done exceptionally to get this far without their talisman.
Some good may come out of this poor showing for the EPL Champions though; the early exits for the Chelsea boys will give them more time to recover from this summer’s tournament. Plus many in the Chelsea squad will have something to prove when the season kicks off on the 14th of August, against promoted West Brom.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Joe Cole backs Lampard to improve
Jose Bosingwa may not be involved in any world cup 2010 prices but that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any Chelsea connections in South Africa.
Looking specifically at the England squad, there is heavy Chelsea involvement with John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard. Joe Cole – who has recently been released by the club – is part of Fabio Capello’s 23 players too.
It is Lampard that has received the most attention since England’s opening draw with Algeria though. Many have criticised the Chelsea man for not offering enough in the centre of midfield.
This comes after Lampard came under fire for his performances in the 2006 World Cup and it seems certain that expectant England fans want more from a man who so often turns on the style for Chelsea. Some may have bet on World Cup matters involving Lampard and they will want more from him.
Joe Cole is backing up his England team-mate though. He says that Lampard is simply a ‘victim of his own high standards’ and that he has ‘nothing to prove’ to those who have questioned his displays for the national team.
Cole continued by saying that Lampard ‘is the best in the World for what he does’. He clearly thinks that Lampard will use the game against Algeria tomorrow as a platform for a decent tournament for himself and the team.
As for Lampard himself, he has admitted that the 2006 World Cup didn’t go well, meaning that he is ‘determined to enjoy’ the current tournament, especially considering that it is probably his last World Cup.
The 31-year-old would certainly love a goal tomorrow to settle his nerves. You get the feeling that Lampard does lack a little self-belief when playing for England, but a goal against Algeria could change all of this.
Looking specifically at the England squad, there is heavy Chelsea involvement with John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard. Joe Cole – who has recently been released by the club – is part of Fabio Capello’s 23 players too.
It is Lampard that has received the most attention since England’s opening draw with Algeria though. Many have criticised the Chelsea man for not offering enough in the centre of midfield.
This comes after Lampard came under fire for his performances in the 2006 World Cup and it seems certain that expectant England fans want more from a man who so often turns on the style for Chelsea. Some may have bet on World Cup matters involving Lampard and they will want more from him.
Joe Cole is backing up his England team-mate though. He says that Lampard is simply a ‘victim of his own high standards’ and that he has ‘nothing to prove’ to those who have questioned his displays for the national team.
Cole continued by saying that Lampard ‘is the best in the World for what he does’. He clearly thinks that Lampard will use the game against Algeria tomorrow as a platform for a decent tournament for himself and the team.
As for Lampard himself, he has admitted that the 2006 World Cup didn’t go well, meaning that he is ‘determined to enjoy’ the current tournament, especially considering that it is probably his last World Cup.
The 31-year-old would certainly love a goal tomorrow to settle his nerves. You get the feeling that Lampard does lack a little self-belief when playing for England, but a goal against Algeria could change all of this.
Could Bosingwa have another battle on the horizon?
Jose Bosingwa could face increased competition when he returns from injury as Chelsea have been linked with a new right back.
Barcelona's Brazilian defender Daniel Alves has been a rumoured target for the Stamford Bridge side for many years, but he has now rejected a new contract offer at the Nou Camp so could be on his way to England.
Portuguese defender Bosingwa has been out of action for since October with a knee problem which needed two operations and kept him out of Chelsea's Premier League title winning season and also the World Cup.
The defender is undoubtedly chomping at the bit to get back to action and help his side defend their Premier League title, but the news that Alves could be on his way to Stamford Bridge could be a bitter pill to swallow.
According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, the one bit of good news for Bosingwa could be the fact that Manchester City are also interested in Alves.
The Brazilian defender is rumoured to be available for £35 million, which would be no problem for City's owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. With Alves currently playing for the World Cup favourites in South Africa, he could attract even more attention soon.
It has also been reported that Alves wants a wage packet which reflects his status at Barcelona and, as Chelsea have been looking to get some of their higher earners such as Joe Cole and Michael Ballack off their books they may baulk at the Brazilian's demands.
It remains to be seen who will line-up at right back for Chelsea next season as they look to retain their Premier League title, but there will be no man more motivated than Bosingwa when he returns to prove he is still one of the best in his position in the world.
Barcelona's Brazilian defender Daniel Alves has been a rumoured target for the Stamford Bridge side for many years, but he has now rejected a new contract offer at the Nou Camp so could be on his way to England.
Portuguese defender Bosingwa has been out of action for since October with a knee problem which needed two operations and kept him out of Chelsea's Premier League title winning season and also the World Cup.
The defender is undoubtedly chomping at the bit to get back to action and help his side defend their Premier League title, but the news that Alves could be on his way to Stamford Bridge could be a bitter pill to swallow.
According to Spanish newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, the one bit of good news for Bosingwa could be the fact that Manchester City are also interested in Alves.
The Brazilian defender is rumoured to be available for £35 million, which would be no problem for City's owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan. With Alves currently playing for the World Cup favourites in South Africa, he could attract even more attention soon.
It has also been reported that Alves wants a wage packet which reflects his status at Barcelona and, as Chelsea have been looking to get some of their higher earners such as Joe Cole and Michael Ballack off their books they may baulk at the Brazilian's demands.
It remains to be seen who will line-up at right back for Chelsea next season as they look to retain their Premier League title, but there will be no man more motivated than Bosingwa when he returns to prove he is still one of the best in his position in the world.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Chelsea stars face big World Cup test
Jose Bosingwa may be suffering from a World Cup nightmare this summer, but his captain at Chelsea, John Terry, is ready for South Africa and has been sent a chilling warning about the side he faces first.
The Chelsea right back is unable to play in the World Cup for Portugal as he has been out of action for many months with a knee problem which needed two operations.
But the Portuguese star's team-mates Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole are all included in England's 23-man World Cup squad and are all hoping to line-up for their opening game against USA in Rustenburg on June 12th.
The World Cup 2010 betting makes England favourites for the tie, but the Americans have been quick to warn Fabio Capello's men of the challenge they face.
Jozy Altidore, the USA forward, has said Bob Bradley's side are preparing to pull off a shock in that game and warned England that it would be a big mistake if they "think it will be easy".
"England are expected to win and that puts all of the pressure on them. We are ready to cause a surprise," the striker said.
Altidore's compatriot Maurice Edu has also warned Chelsea's England contingent that he thinks the USA can win Group C and "give anyone a game" at the World Cup this summer. It remains to be seen if they really can upset the 2010 World Cup odds.
He has said the USA area "good team" who are capable of making it to at least the quarter-finals in the competition. However, these ambitions could take a beating if the likes of Terry or Lampard can score against them in their opening game.
The Chelsea right back is unable to play in the World Cup for Portugal as he has been out of action for many months with a knee problem which needed two operations.
But the Portuguese star's team-mates Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole and Joe Cole are all included in England's 23-man World Cup squad and are all hoping to line-up for their opening game against USA in Rustenburg on June 12th.
The World Cup 2010 betting makes England favourites for the tie, but the Americans have been quick to warn Fabio Capello's men of the challenge they face.
Jozy Altidore, the USA forward, has said Bob Bradley's side are preparing to pull off a shock in that game and warned England that it would be a big mistake if they "think it will be easy".
"England are expected to win and that puts all of the pressure on them. We are ready to cause a surprise," the striker said.
Altidore's compatriot Maurice Edu has also warned Chelsea's England contingent that he thinks the USA can win Group C and "give anyone a game" at the World Cup this summer. It remains to be seen if they really can upset the 2010 World Cup odds.
He has said the USA area "good team" who are capable of making it to at least the quarter-finals in the competition. However, these ambitions could take a beating if the likes of Terry or Lampard can score against them in their opening game.
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