By BlueBlood
September 17 2005

The top two in the Premiership go head to head this afternoon at The Valley. Both teams unbeaten, both teams yet to concede a Premiership goal and both teams celebrating their Centenary years. Happy Birthday.

Prior to the kick-off it is reported that 'The Special One' has been asked to present Charlton's manager Alan Curbishley with an award to recognise his achievements in managing Charlton in what would be his 601st game in charge today.

With Darren Bent picking up an award for Player of the Month, here's hoping that these are the only two awards that are given to the 'Addick's today.

Chelsea do not fair well at the Valley. Although they won 4-0 last season and 3-2 the season before that, Chelsea do have trouble containing the Red Red Robins. Simple philosophy today boys. Show Charlton the respect they deserve and fight and battle for those very important three points. With Arsenal not playing today a win will see the Stamford Bridge boys move twelve points clear of the near 'souled out' Corporate Stadium club from North London.

As Chelsea played in the Champions League on Tuesday night and do not have a midweek game next week, I expect Jose to start with the same team that started against Anderlecht.

So here we go:

Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Gallas, Makelele, Essien, Lampard, Robben, Drogba, Duff.

One player definitely missing the game is Alexey Smertin who is on a season long loan from Chelsea and under the terms of the loan deal is unable to play against Chelsea.

 

Yesterday Jose Mourinho poured scorned on newspaper reports that Joe Cole wants away from Stamford Bridge.

Jose said, "Maybe the words are too strong but for me it is rubbish journalism!" When you do a back page with an interview with nobody, I don’t understand that. Who is the guy in the interview?" Jose asked. "A source? A friend? A friend of a friend?"

"You think you can do a back page with quotes from a friend of a friend of Mourinho, saying that Chelsea is doing this or that? For me it is absolutely unbelievable. I have never seen this before," continued Mourinho, "For this to make the back page is amazing. For me it means nothing. I cannot talk with a player about something like this."

Mourinho explained that while he is prepared to listen to any player who genuinely is keen to leave, he would quickly point out that with over three months until the transfer window opens, the unhappy player should have spoken sooner.

On the suggestion that there may be no smoke without fire regarding the Joe Cole story, he said:

"If there is fire, it is a stupid fire! It is a fire that has to burn for three months, and with the rain in England, phizzz!"

This is the second 'rubbish' story about Chelsea players to hit the tabloids in recent days. The other was William Gallas' halting talks on a new contract and allegedly wanting pay parity with the likes of Terry and Super Frank. Again the same old story came up about Gallas' hating having to play at left -back. Funny how he doesn't complain when he plays in the same position for his country.

Its all media mischief!!

 

40 Years a Blue