By AVI CREDITOR
In the aftermath of crashing out of the Champions League, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is rumored to be making a wish list in hopes of renovating the team for next season.
Abramovich, who reportedly lit into his players with a Premier-League-title-or-you're-out rant, is considering luring the biggest of names to Stamford Bridge during the summer transfer window.
Among the players rumored to be headed to London are Liverpool's Fernando Torres, Bayern Munich's Franck Ribery and Atletico Madrid's Sergio Aguero.
Joe Cole and Michael Ballack's contracts expire at the end of the season, but Abramovich has made it clear that it doesn't take an expiring deal to be shown the exit.
In other Thursday soccer news:
FABREGAS TO RETURN FOR ARSENAL
Arsenal's lineup with get a boost this weekend with the expected return of captain Cesc Fabregas. The Spanish midfielder has missed time on various occasions this season with a hamstring issue.
Most recently, he missed the Gunners' Champions League second-leg match with Porto and their Premier League tilt with Hull City. Arsenal won both games, but will happily welcome its skipper back for Saturday's match against West Ham.
Arsenal is tied with Chelsea for second place in the Premier League, two points behind Manchester United. The Gunners and Red Devils have each played 30 league games; Chelsea has played 29 and has two matches this week.
CAHILL CLOSE TO COMEBACK
Bolton defender Gary Cahill, a potential member of England's World Cup squad, is close to returning from what was originally thought to be a season-ending injury.
Cahill has been out since Feb. 6 with a blood clot in his left arm and was enjoying a fine season for the Bolton back line. If he can regain his form and fitness, he could provide the necessary depth to England's defense.
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Does Chelsea need a complete makover? Do you think Arsenal can win the Premier League with a healthy Fabregas? Think Cahill belongs in England's starting defense?
Share your thoughts below.
It’s funny how Abramovich chucks a load more money at them every time they fail. Of course, they did have that period when they couldn’t buy anyone so he’s probably playing catch-up.
I do not want to see Torres leave Liverpool. I know there have been talks of him being sold off if we fail to finish fourth but I just dont see those being true. If he is sold I dont think it would be to chelsea. I would see him making a move back to Spain.
I can understand not liking Ballack, but comparing him to Frankie Hejduk is hitting below the belt, don’t you think?
maybe he did well in the Bundesliga (that was what 5-6 years ago?) but ever since he came to the EPL he has been good for nothing more than nasty fouls and complaining to the referee. But you are right, I’m sure any MLS team would love to have him because the shirt and ticket sales.
As far as replacing Donovan: NOT EVEN CLOSE.
Roman Abramovich scares me.
I have seen him play and he scores and sets up goals both for club and country…its not hype. I’ll agree that he hasn’t been at his best since the move to Chelsea, but as someone who follows the Bundesliga and watched him play there, I can say he is a quality soccer player. He just needs to find the right team.
I bet a bunch of MLS sides would love to have him in the midfield. As a Galaxy fan I’d love to see them unload Beckham and bring in Ballack (though I know it won’t happen).
Ok, North Ametican then, He’s still AN MLS LEGEND & DESERVING OF MILLIONS.
Wouldn’t the EPL want this great a player???
Noooo. No Ballack to MLS. Don’t believe the hype. Watch him play and make your own decision. The guy just plain blows.
We don’t need over hyped egotistical hacks. We need quality soccer players.
Ballack has never seemed competely comfortable at Chelsea, but I could see him being a great fit for several other clubs, not the least of which would be Manchester United. Beckenbauer remarked when Ballack made the move to England, that Ballack would actually fit better in an Alex Ferguson side. Plus if he is a free transfer Man U. wouldn’t have to spend a ton on him.
Ives, what are the chances of Ballack coming over to MLS?
I say get rid of mikel he sucks, anelka needs to go, honestly though if their academies areso great like everyone is saying why aren’t they bringing anybody through the system? I would love for them to get torres, I’d rather they have snjeder or robben over ribery, but whatever,they need to improve in the wide positions more than anywhere else.
I can’t see Arena letting Gordon or Buddle leave.
He might pay them from his own pocket.
I’m hoping Brown and Foster make their first 11.
Very true. I would have to agree with you on that as well PetedeLa. It’s a fair point to make. For years I held Ballack in high regard and he was a monster of a player for club and country. I think it’s a shame to see him perform the way he has been the past few seasons.
excuse me, I meant to say provided he doesn’t make any more music (I got distracted watching the b-ball games on tv).
I heard he’s going to rename it after the champaign–christal palace.
I don’t care what he does, providing he doesn’t make any more basketball.
Also, Onstad’s Canadian, you fool.
effective*
Running a lot doesn’t necessarily mean you’re effect (see Frankie Hejduk)
I see what you’re saying about Ballack, but the dude generally covers a ton of ground per game. I haven’t been keeping track of it lately, but when the stats guys tell you how many kilometers the players have been running he’s always at the top of the list.
It doesn’t look that way because he’s so tall and he has a lackadaisical running style, but he’s very important as a two way player.
Having said that, I’d love to see him replaced by someone like Dempsey, Arteta, Downing, Cahill (not gonna happen) and a host of others who are younger and better.
Personally, I think the best fit would actually be Dempsey. But that’s for Chelsea to decide, of course.
I completely agree, but I hope this phase of his career doesn’t tarnish his reputation as a great player for the German national team. Without him the German team would be absolutely directionless.
I’m still shocked he didn’t even apologize to Demichelis after almost taking out his eye.
Respektlos.
I think that you’re right in that Chelsea are lacking a bit more of a youthful, explosive edge that just goes with it, such as Robben or Ronaldo. However, I think their composure, tactical awareness, maturity, and professionalism(Drogba, Lampard, Ballack) has cleary taken them places. I think that Abramovich and Ancelotti might have actually noticed the lack of youthful energy and that might explain their interest in Donovan. He can give them the pace that would fit into their 4-3-3 on the flank or as the third forward in their 4-3-1-2, while still giving them a mature, professional, smart, hard working player.
check the Thursday Kickoff
I don’t know if signing trolls would help. They’re too short. Better off signing an MLS legend like Nick Garcia..but can Chelsea afford to pay a player of his quality? That’s the question
troll…
hey ives have you heard of this?:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1258847/P-Diddy-lining-shock-bid-Crystal-Palace.html
p diddy is considering buying crystal palace fc… because he likes the name. hilarious!
(SBI-John, it was part of the Thursday kickoff.)
Will Roman Abramovich’s makeover include new club colors, shield, and renaming the club after himself? Just sayin’.
Every time I see Ballack starting in the midfield for Chelsea I have to chuckle. Has he played a great game, ever, for Chelsea in his role? I feel like he’s been starting only to assuage his giant ego. I also don’t get why Kalou, who is incapable of scoring unless he’s 2 yards from goal (and even then it’s still a stretch) is still on the team, as well.
I don’t think Chelsea need a makeover, it’s difficult to construct a team that is vastly superior to all others and it’s an unrealistic expectation. Drogba and Anelka are a great pairing when they’re both motivated and if they had Lampard and Essien in the middle with two real wingers they’d be playing fine. That said, I despise them and will laugh at their expense as they continue to struggle.
In light of possible MLS players strike, will Chelsea be looking to bring over American soccer legends like Mike Magee, Allan Gordon & Nick Garcia? Pat Onstad perhaps?
Or are they just too damn good for the EPL?
Correct.
So England’s defense could involve a Bolton defender, you say?
Excellent!
Chelsea need youth, speed and creativity. They are a slow side built on power (Drogba, Lampard, Ballack).
They tend to lose out or grind their way through the CL because of this. You get a mobile side and it negates those players and without a second plan of action, it falls apart.
This is all very interesting, but we need to know how hot is Cahill’s WAG and is JT on her trail too?
Ballack is a whining cheater (in my opinion of course) 🙂
Absolutely. Completely a different team without Essien.
Chelsea could upgrade in the middle and at striker. Lampard, Ballack, and Mikel were dreadfully slow against Inter, and Anelka showed little interest in getting involved. The Special One took Chelsea out with aggression.
Need? Well, they don’t have someone who really lights defenses like Ribery or Aguerro. Cole and Ballack have been real disappointments — in Ballack’s case, I don’t think it’s his fault so much as the role he’s been given is too limiting and doesn’t take best advantage of his skills. If you bring in Ribery or Aguerro, they have to have freedom to create. IMO Torres actually plays more like Drogba than you might think, but he might be a better partner for him than Anelka, since he can do more on the dribble. Chelsea can become a more consistently dangerous side, but Essien’s return would do more than any of the above names.