Sabtu, 30 Mei 2009

Joe Cole



Name: Joe Cole
Nationality: English
Date of Birth: 08/11/1981
Height:5' 9" (176cm)
Weight:11st 7lbs (73.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:West Ham Utd
Position: Midfielder

When supporters voted Joe last season's Player of the Year, it was a mark of affection and appreciation for one of their own, for the top appearance maker of the campaign and for a mature player who has not lost his creative and entertaining edge.

It was a pleasing bounce-back following his most frustrating year at Chelsea when two spells of lengthy injury ate away the months during the 2006/07 season.

He returned for the final two months and played the first-half of the Wembley 2007 FA Cup win over Man United.

When the two sides met again at the same venue for the Community Shield, Joe was an emergency centre-forward but then found himself an odd man out as the league campaign kicked off without him.

He was back starting for the final two games of the Mourinho era and then scored in Valencia and played arguably the pass of the season for Didier Drogba's strike in the same match. It kicked off a 16-game unbeaten run that lasted through to December and Joe didn't look back.

Influencing games like two seasons earlier, Joe scored important winners against West Ham and Blackburn, as well as goal of stunning technique in the Carling Cup at Everton to guarantee another Wembley appearance, although he was not used until the 98th minute of the Final against Spurs.

In total last season he scored 10 in 45+10 appearances, passing 200 games for the club as he played more than anyone.

The injury problems of the year before had begun in pre-season, just weeks after Joe had been one of Chelsea's four players in England's 2006 World Cup squad, scoring the side's best goal of the tournament in an otherwise lacklustre team display.

Joe had turned his long-admired potential into genuine achievement during the previous two seasons at Chelsea. Regularly played on the left or right of an attacking three, he weighed in with crucial goals and assists.

A born Londoner, Joe watched Chelsea from the stands as a boy but it was to West Ham he went as a junior where the spotlight found him at a ridiculously early age.

This was due in part to his showings for England Youth but also had much to do with a reported interest from Alex Ferguson.

However Joe remained at Upton Park where his much awaited first team career began gently before it was halted altogether by a broken leg.

On his return he progressed steadily to become a club regular and an occasional face for England.

A determined attitude won him the West Ham captaincy in the 2002/03 season but his spirit was not enough to prevent relegation - making a transfer away inevitable for the good of his career and for the Hammers' finances. Chelsea paid £6.6 million.

His first season here, under the management of Claudio Ranieri, included a run of games out wide - but it remained unclear where Joe's best position was or how his ball skills could be used to dangerous effect within the team's overall shape.

After a year playing for José Mourinho, the answers became a lot more clear.

Joe was part of the England squad for both the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2004 and on his return from the latter he was given a run of games by Mourinho as part of an attacking three.

With a return to fitness of Damien Duff and Arjen Robben, his chances became more limited and mostly from the bench, but he contributed crucial, match-winning goals as Chelsea's 2004/05 championship season grew in momentum.

A fresh opportunity presented itself when Robben was further injured and Joe grabbed it with the best form of his career.

He was named Premiership Player of the Month for March 2005 and drew special praise for his maturity from then England manager Sven-Göran Eriksson.

At international level, Joe became the best answer to the perennial left-side question.

The 2005 Carling Cup Final brought his first winners' medal with the Premiership title then added. Mourinho had instructed and Joe had listened well.

The 2005/06 season continued with goals and more managerial praise, Joe developing into one of Chelsea's very top performers, whether it be on the left- or right-hand side.

His dazzling goal on back-to-back championship-winning day versus Man United was his favourite for the club so far and signed-off an excellent season in the perfect way. He had played 26+8 of the 38 Premiership games, scoring eight times.

Avram Grant continued to favour Joe playing wide, the role he had developed into under Mourinho. The player's ball skills now become available to a manager well accustomed to accommodating flair in his teams, and the player was immediately appreciative.

It took just 12 minutes for Cole to make his mark on the 2008/09 campaign as he opened the scoring against Portsmouth, following it up with strikes against Bordeaux and Aston Villa before a series of niggling injuries took their toll.

Allowing time for them to clear up properly, Cole was absent for three weeks in October and another fortnight at the end of November before a big blow struck at the start of the new year, Joe rupturing a cruciate knee ligament at Southend in a cup tie. He will miss the remainder of the 2008/09 season.

Season 2008 - 09

Competition Apps
(as sub)
Goals Yellow
Cards
Red
Cards
League 14 (0) 2 2 0
FA Cup 2 (0) 0 0 0
Euro Cups 4 (0) 1 1 0


Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub)
Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08League 28 (5) 7


FA Cup 2 (1) 0


League Cup 2 (3) 1


Euro Cups 12 (1) 2
Chelsea 2006 - 07League 3 (10) 0


FA Cup 2 (0) 0


League Cup 1 (1) 1


Euro Cups 3 (4) 1
Chelsea 2005 - 06League 26 (8) 7


FA Cup 3 (3) 2


League Cup 0 (1) 0


Euro Cups 5 (1) 1
Chelsea 2004 - 05League 19 (9) 8


FA Cup 3 (0) 0


League Cup 4 (2) 0


Euro Cups 8 (1) 1
Chelsea 2003 - 04League 18 (17) 1


FA Cup 2 (1) 0


League Cup 2 (1) 2


Euro Cups 3 (6) 0
West Ham Utd 2002 - 03League 36 (0) 4


FA Cup 2 (0) 1


League Cup 2 (0) 0
West Ham Utd 2001 - 02League 29 (1) 0


FA Cup 3 (0) 1
West Ham Utd 2000 - 01League 24 (6) 5


FA Cup 4 (0) 0


League Cup 2 (0) 0
West Ham Utd 1999 - 00League 17 (5) 1


FA Cup 1 (0) 0


League Cup 2 (1) 1


Euro Cups 2 (3) 0
West Ham Utd 1998 - 99League 2 (6) 0


FA Cup 0 (1) 0
Franco Di Santo



Name: Franco Di Santo
Nationality: Argentinian
Date of Birth: 07/04/1989
Height:6' 4" (193cm)
Weight:13st 1lbs (83.0kg)
Position: Striker


The latest youngster to progress from reserves into the first team squad, the 19-year-old Di Santo joined Chelsea in January 2008, having previously played for Chilean side Audux Italiano La Florida.

Franco quickly made himself at home in England, after signing a four-and-a-half-year deal, and went into the reserve team squad.

There he flourished, scoring seven times in eight games, turning around a winless streak of 11 matches into six games undefeated.

Two penalties and a superb volley registered a hat-trick away at Tottenham, while he also put away an important equaliser at Arsenal.

A tall and industrious striker, the Argentine under-20 international describes his style as similar to that of former Blue and countryman Hernan Crespo.

Taken on the club's pre-season tour to China this summer, Franco showed his potential with goals on his first two first-team appearances, against Guangzhou Pharmaceutical and Chengdu Blades.

There is no doubt though that Di Santo remains one for the future, as new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari explained while in Asia.

'He is a new player, and needs to learn with other players and play more games, train more with us and we are starting to build a player for the future but now he is not ready to play for Chelsea. He is one option for the future,' the Brazilian said.

He clearly influenced Scolari while away though, and was presented with the number 9 jersey for 2008/9, after Steve Sidwell's departure.

This season was always going to be a learning curve for Di Santo, but he has shown glimpses of his quality since making his debut as a sub against Tottenham. Seven substitute appearances were made in 2008 before a torn hamstring against Burnley ruled him out for around six weeks.


Season 2008 - 09

Competition Apps
(as sub)
Goals Yellow
Cards
Red
Cards
League 0 (8) 0 0 0
FA Cup 0 (3) 0 0 0
League Cup 0 (2) 0 0 0
Euro Cups 0 (3) 0 0 0

Rabu, 27 Mei 2009

Frank Lampard





Name: Frank Lampard
Nationality: English
Date of Birth: 20/06/1978
Height:6' 0" (183cm)
Weight:14st 2lbs (90.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:West Ham Utd, Swansea City (loan)
Position: Midfielder

Months before committing to a new five-year deal, Frank's dramatic equaliser in the Champions League Final in Moscow took him to the 20-goal milestone for the third season-in-a-row. It also gave him 80 goals in four seasons. And all from midfield!!

Eyebrows raised over an original £11 million transfer fee paid seven years ago have long been forgotten now Frank has an impressive collection of winners' medals; is Chelsea's top scoring midfield player ever; is the club's seventh highest scorer of all-time and is only the second player to win 50 international caps while a Chelsea player.

In 2006/07, his 62 games was the highest total by any Chelsea player in a single campaign and although last year was affected by two rare injuries and bereavement, Frank continued to drive Chelsea on from midfield game after game after game.

No-one of his age has enjoyed more Premier League football and no-one plays more often at Chelsea.

When in December 2005, he finally missed a game due to a virus, it brought to an end a new Premier League record of 164 consecutive appearances.

Ironically, Frank's ever-present habit was one of the reasons why he was under-appreciated by some at the club that nurtured him.

With Frank's father the West Ham first team coach, sections of the support at Upton Park cried nepotism over young player's regular place in their side. He was ever-present in the Hammers team that finished fifth in '98/'99 and was capped for England the next season.

When manager Harry Redknapp and Frank senior were sacked from Upton Park, it was time for our Frank to move on.

After a quiet start at the Bridge, he bloomed into one of Europe's finest and in 2003/04, Frank's phenomenal form was only beaten by Thierry Henry when English football's individual awards were handed out.

He was well worth his place in the Euro 2004 team and was voted the England team's Player of the Year.

The top performances continued to come, as did the goals, Frank's powerful shooting firing Chelsea to the 2004/05 Championship as he top-scored from midfield with 13 in the League and 19 overall.

He created more goals than any Chelsea player in recent memory and there was no-one more appropriate to score the magical goals at Bolton to clinch the title.

The Sportswriters' Footballer of the Year that year (only the second Chelsea winner in over 50 years) and runner-up in the European and World Player of the Year voting for 2005, Frank continued to prove as close to indispensable as can be found in modern squad-based football as his team duplicated the Premiership success in 2005/06.

Again the vice-captain was top scorer, this time with 20 goals. His 16 in the League was the highest total ever by a Premiership midfielder.

That made it all the more surprising when Frank failed to register on the score sheet in the 2006 World Cup in Germany, despite shooting more frequently than anyone.
It drew outside criticism, his years of incredibly consistent achievement seemingly forgotten over night.

He needed to prove himself to no-one at Chelsea and last season he went one better again with his goal tally of 21. Only Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba among top flight players had scored more over the three seasons, and both of them were strikers.

Midfielder Frank also continued to create goals at a rate unrivalled at Chelsea, leading former boss José Mourinho to simply describe him as unique.

In 2007/08, having missed September with a thigh injury, his return to the side in early October coincided with a gradual climb up the league table. He contributed 11 goals before his other thigh was strained on Boxing Day. Another six weeks were missed.

That was unfortunate but genuine tragedy struck in April with the death of Frank's mother. His courage and nerve in scoring a vital Champions League semi-final penalty against Liverpool on his return from compassionate leave, followed by his Moscow goal, were among the season's strongest images.

Even Frank's harshest critics began to re-evaluate their opinions.

Before the start of the current season, he ended long-running negotiations by signing a new five-year contract, opening the possibility of setting records that might never be broken.

At the age of 30, his football continued to improve and the goals continued to flow, Frank adding a number of headed efforts to his tally. After a run of 10 goalless games from November through to December, he rediscovered his touch in front of goal, contributing three in two games against West Brom and Fulham.

As results began to wane, Lampard's football remained consistent, and he earned sympathy for a wrongly-awarded red card at Anfield in February. It was against Liverpool in April that he again showed his importance, striking twice to earn a 4-4 draw and send us through to the Champions League semi-finals where Barcelona awaited.

Despite 19 Chelsea goals to this point in the season, Frank was left off the PFA Player of the Year shortlist, and even more strangely did not make the Premier League Team of the Season, yet all at Stamford Bridge continue to recognise his importance to the Chelsea side, and he is a frontrunner for the Blues' Player of the Year award.

Season 2008 - 09

Competition Apps
(as sub)
Goals Yellow
Cards
Red
Cards
League 37 (0) 12 3 1
FA Cup 6 (0) 2 0 0
League Cup 1 (1) 2 0 0
Euro Cups 11 (0) 3 1 1


Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub)
Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08League 23 (1) 10


FA Cup 1 (0) 2


League Cup 3 (0) 4


Euro Cups 10 (1) 4
Chelsea 2006 - 07League 36 (1) 11


FA Cup 7 (0) 6


League Cup 3 (3) 3


Euro Cups 11 (0) 1
Chelsea 2005 - 06League 35 (0) 16


FA Cup 4 (1) 2


League Cup 0 (1) 0


Euro Cups 8 (0) 2
Chelsea 2004 - 05League 38 (0) 13


FA Cup 0 (2) 0


League Cup 3 (3) 2


Euro Cups 12 (0) 4
Chelsea 2003 - 04League 38 (0) 10


FA Cup 4 (0) 1


League Cup 1 (1) 0


Euro Cups 13 (1) 4
Chelsea 2002 - 03League 37 (1) 6


FA Cup 5 (0) 1


League Cup 3 (0) 0


Euro Cups 1 (1) 1
Chelsea 2001 - 02League 34 (3) 5


FA Cup 7 (1) 1


League Cup 4 (0) 0


Euro Cups 4 (0) 1
West Ham Utd 2000 - 01League 30 (0) 7


FA Cup 4 (0) 1


League Cup 3 (0) 1
West Ham Utd 1999 - 00League 34 (0) 7


FA Cup 1 (0) 0


League Cup 3 (0) 2


Euro Cups 10 (0) 4
West Ham Utd 1998 - 99League 38 (0) 5


FA Cup 1 (0) 0


League Cup 2 (0) 1
West Ham Utd 1997 - 98League 27 (4) 5


FA Cup 6 (0) 1


League Cup 5 (0) 4
West Ham Utd 1996 - 97League 3 (10) 0


FA Cup 1 (0) 0


League Cup 1 (1) 0
Swansea City 1995 - 96League 8 (1) 1
West Ham Utd 1995 - 96League 0 (1) 0


source : www.chelseafc.com
Ricardo Carvarlho




Name: Ricardo Carvalho
Nationality: Portuguese
Date of Birth: 18/05/1978
Height:5' 11" (181cm)
Weight:12st 4lbs (78.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:Porto
Position: Defender

An important part of Chelsea's rock-solid defence in his first two Chelsea seasons when back-to-back championships were won, Ricardo has taken his personal performances onto a new level the last two campaigns and was voted Players' Player of the Year for the 2007/08 season.

Rising to the challenge of a holding together a rearguard during John Terry's unfortunate two year run of injuries, he has consistently been outstanding in defence while also making vital contributions on striding further up the pitch.

However last year was an unusual one for Ricardo, his first without a trophy for five years. Four seasons of title wins at Porto and Chelsea had been followed by the 2007 Carling Cup success although a knee injury in the final month of that season ruled him out of Wembley FA Cup glory.

Ricardo was originally part of a big Portuguese influx at Chelsea that came with José Mourinho's arrival for the 2004/05 season.

A central defender was needed to takeover from the departing Marcel Desailly and the new Chelsea manager went for what he trusted.

Ricardo had played a key part in Porto's remarkable two years packed with domestic and European honours. Desailly's place was taken by another proven winner.

The new man's reputation as a central defender dominant with both feet and head was enhanced at Euro 2004 when he was selected for Uefa's All-Star Squad of the Tournament.

His anticipation and interception skills have long been admired and Ricardo's playing days began at Leca before joining Porto as a teenager although after one appearance, he was sent away to Vitória Setubal and then Alverca on loan.

However when the long-established Jorge Costa left Porto on loan to Charlton, Ricardo's door to trophy success and international recognition had opened.

He played every minute of Porto's Champions League-winning campaign and took Fernando Couto's place in Portugal's Euro 2004 team after an opening game defeat by Greece. The host nation made the Final.

A remarkable 2004 was capped by the winning of Uefa's European Football Award for Best Defender.

The manner in which he adapted to the demands of the Premier League and became an important part of Chelsea's rock-solid rearguard following a £19.85 million move confirmed his status.

A broken toe brought a two-month interruption during the winter of the 2004/05 season but Ricardo returned for the Carling Cup Final win and the triumphant championship-winning climax.

The 2005/06 season began with the player speaking to the media when he failed to make the early team selections.

Mourinho reacted publicly and strongly. Lessons were learned and Ricardo continued on as a regular choice in Chelsea's frequently impenetrable defence.

He capped another memorable campaign with a break from the back and emphatic finish in the championship-sealing victory over Man United.

One of the many Chelsea World Cup 2006 participants, Ricardo was the innocent party against England in a Wayne Rooney sending-off incident but conceded the penalty that saw Portugal eliminated by France in the semi-final.

Following the departure of William Gallas that summer, Chelsea's fortunes relied even more on Ricardo maintaining good form in the heart of the defence, and that was before lengthy injuries to John Terry and Petr Cech.

He answered the call and when his own injuries have kept him out, he has been missed.

Euro 2008 was less memorable than four years earlier with Portugal falling to Germany at the last eight stage. Now Ricardo works with his former national coach on a day-to-day basis having already signed up to spend the rest of his peak years at Stamford Bridge.

Once again, his form has been impeccable, although injuries robbed him of much of the first half of the season. Knee and then hamstring trouble limited to just a handful of appearances, and after returning fit and raring to go in the New Year, he limped off again with a hamstring injury against Ipswich.

Since then there have been just four appearances for Carvalho, with further setbacks ruling him out of most games, including the FA and Champions League semi-finals. He will be hoping he can still play a part in the final few weeks of the campaign.

Season 2008 - 09

Competition Apps
(as sub)
Goals Yellow
Cards
Red
Cards
League 11 (1) 1 2 0
FA Cup 2 (0) 0 0 0
Euro Cups 3 (1) 0 1 0


Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub)
Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08League 21 (0) 1


FA Cup 2 (0) 0


League Cup 4 (0) 0


Euro Cups 10 (0) 0
Chelsea 2006 - 07League 31 (0) 3


FA Cup 5 (0) 1


League Cup 4 (0) 0


Euro Cups 10 (0) 0
Chelsea 2005 - 06League 22 (2) 1


FA Cup 3 (0) 0


Euro Cups 8 (0) 2
Chelsea 2004 - 05League 22 (3) 1


FA Cup 1 (0) 0


League Cup 3 (0) 0


Euro Cups 10 (0) 0
Porto 2003 - 04League 30 (0) 2


Euro Cups 14 (0) 1
Porto 2002 - 03League 10 (0) 1


Euro Cups 5 (0) 0
Porto 2001 - 02Euro Cups 9 (0) 0



source : www.chelseafc.com

Michael Essien




Name: Michael Essien
Nationality: Ghanaian
Date of Birth: 03/12/1982
Height:5' 10" (177cm)
Weight:13st 6lbs (85.35kg)
Previous
Clubs:Lyon, Bastia
Position: Midfielder

When transfer speculation grew up around Michael early in the summer of 2008, his representatives reacted with speed, declaring publicly the player's happiness and certainty to stay. Action followed words with the signing a new five-year contract during the pre-season tour, committing Michael to Chelsea until 2013.

And so the story at Chelsea continues into a fourth season for the man voted 2007 Player of the Year by supporters. Unfortunately his playing contribution was paused following a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in September on international duty.

Recovery took several months, but what a return for the all-action midfielder. A first start against Juventus in the Champions League was rewarded with a goal, as was his Premier League return against Manchester City. His strength and stamina have provided a welcome selection boost for Guus Hiddink, who has the luxury of the man nicknamed 'The Bison' that Luiz Felipe Scolari had to do without during his short spell in west London.

The new contract signed on Scolari's pre-season tour had recognised not just Michael's trademark steam train performances in midfield but also his ability to provide solutions to a multitude of problems elsewhere on the pitch.

Michael followed up an outstanding performance in central defence during a clean sheet 2007 FA Cup Final display with his selection at right-back in the Champions League Final a year later, selected ahead of two specialists in the position.

The occasion in Moscow completed a season when Michael was again in the top four appearance makers although with 15 less starts than the season before. Included last season was his 100th Chelsea game.

That was partly due to an African Cup of Nations campaign in which he was outstanding as host nation Ghana reached the semi-finals. He was voted into the team of the tournament.

In common with other African participants, his form was briefly affected on his return, not helped by a touch of illness, but the season finished strongly with regular games and three goals.

In midfield he was more likely to be found as a forward runner ahead of Claude Makelele or John Mikel Obi than the anchor role he has also played - and it was so deployed that he enjoyed one of his standout games - the 6-0 thrashing of Manchester City when scoring one and creating two.

Memorable goals are part of the Essien repertoire. His equaliser against Arsenal in December 2006 was voted that campaign's Chelsea Goal of the Season and was nearly matched a charge forward and angled drive in Valencia that sent the Blues into the 2007 Champions League semi-final.

It was in that competition for French club Lyon that Michael had caught the eye of many in England. A protracted transfer, that dragged on almost as long as the 2005 close season, finally came to an end when his former club accepted a then Chelsea record fee for their star midfielder.

The young player had grown to become one of hottest properties in Europe in his two years playing in France's second city, with dominant performances as the team won back-to-back league titles and twice reached the Champions League quarter-finals (losing to José Mourinho's Porto on the first occasion).

A powerhouse player who finds no difficulty in getting around the pitch, he earned the nickname 'The Bison'. Mourinho used the word 'multifunctional' and the reported £24.4 million price tag reflected this versatility. He is the most expensive African footballer in the world.

Michael grew up Accra, capital of his homeland Ghana, and the city that also gave the world Marcel Desailly.

Unlike the former Chelsea captain, Michael remained in Africa into adulthood, playing for his country at junior levels and beginning his club football at Liberty Professionals.

His profile was raised by a third-place finish for Ghana in the Under 17s World Cup which led to a trial at Man United. But it was to Corsica he went, signing to play in the French league with Bastia.

At first he was used to fill a variety of positions across the defence but could not hold down a regular place. Then injury left a vacancy in midfield and Michael never looked back.

Bastia reached the French Cup Final in 2002 and the following summer he made the move to league champions Lyon for 7.8 million euros.

He was voted Player of the Year in France while at the club and shone as Lyon became one the Champions League's most feared teams, but he made no secret of his desire to move to the Premier League.

Michael's Chelsea debut came as a sub against Arsenal in August 2005, the start of an understated first season in London.

An impressive World Cup in Germany followed, where he was Ghana's best player and unfortunate to be suspended for the defeat by Brazil.

Season 2008 - 09

Competition Apps
(as sub)
Goals Yellow
Cards
Red
Cards
League 10 (1) 1 0 0
FA Cup 1 (1) 0 0 0
Euro Cups 5 (0) 2 1 0


Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub)
Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08League 23 (4) 6


FA Cup 1 (1) 0


League Cup 3 (1) 0


Euro Cups 11 (1) 0
Chelsea 2006 - 07League 33 (0) 2


FA Cup 4 (1) 1


League Cup 6 (0) 1


Euro Cups 10 (0) 2
Chelsea 2005 - 06League 27 (4) 2


FA Cup 3 (1) 0


League Cup 1 (0) 0


Euro Cups 6 (0) 0
Lyon 2004 - 05League 33 (1) 5


Euro Cups 10 (0) 5
Lyon 2003 - 04League 25 (9) 3


Euro Cups 7 (1) 0
Bastia 2002 - 03League 29 (0) 6
Bastia 2001 - 02League 23 (1) 4
Bastia 2000 - 01League 4 (8) 1


source : www.chelseafc.com
Ashley Cole




Name: Ashley Cole
Nationality: English
Date of Birth: 20/12/1980
Height:5' 9" (176cm)
Weight:10st 6lbs (66.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:Crystal Palace (loan), Arsenal
Position: Defender

The 2008/09 season is the third at Chelsea for a player signed on transfer deadline day in August 2006.

At the time of his arrival, he took the total of England internationals in the squad to six and the number of England left-backs to two.

The Blues lost a world class defender in William Gallas to Arsenal on the same day but made sure that move was adequately compensated by signing the player frequently described as the best in his position in the world.

A product of the Arsenal youth system, Ashley was born in east London and made his debut for the Gunners at the age of 18 in the Worthington Cup.

He spent a three-month loan period at Crystal Palace at the end of the 1999/2000 season, making 14 appearances and scoring one goal.

His progress was rewarded with his first Arsenal Premiership appearance in the final league game of the same season.

By the end of the following campaign, Cole had taken over as first choice left-back from the Brazilian, Silvinho, and the next season was handed his first winners' medals as Arsenal secured the Premiership and FA Cup double.

He played all 90 minutes of Chelsea's 2-0 defeat by our London rivals in the Cup Final in Cardiff and made a total of 33 appearances in the two victorious competitions.

Cole was to taste the other side of a Chelsea v Arsenal result when on the losing side in our famous Champions League triumph at Highbury in April 2004, but by then the player had won a second FA Cup Final, in 2003 against Southampton.

He was also well on the way to his second Premiership title (playing 32 times in Arsenal's unbeaten league season of 2003/4) and had become an England international.

Having played for England at youth and Under 21 levels, Cole was named in Sven-Göran Eriksson's first squad and made his full international debut against Albania in March 2001.

He played all five England games at the World Cup in 2002 and for many people, was one of his nation's star performers during Euro 2004 in Portugal. He was named in the all-star squad for the tournament.

A third FA Cup win was added in 2005, Cole scoring in the deciding penalty shoot-out against Man United.

Although his final Arsenal season saw him hampered by injuries, he recovered to start their Champions League Final defeat by Barcelona and was an ever-present in England's run to the 2006 World Cup quarter-finals.

His athletic goal-line clearance against Ecuador was an enduring image of a low-key England campaign.

He made his Chelsea debut against Werder Bremen at Stamford Bridge in September 2006. His transfer had involved £5 million plus William Gallas going the other way.

As Chelsea increasingly switched to a narrow diamond midfield in that first season, surging runs from full-back were an important ploy but it was when defending against Cristiano Ronaldo at Old Trafford that Ashley enjoyed his finest Chelsea game of his opening campaign.

A fabulous athlete who loves to go forward, he admitted at the season's end that Blues fans had yet to see him at his very best, a series of injures having hindered the settling process. Healthy competition with Wayne Bridge for the Chelsea left-back shirt had ended with a roughly even share of games.

An ankle operation in the summer cleared the way for an uninhibited start to the 2007/08 campaign and with Bridge injured, Ashley got off to a flyer until the same ankle was damaged on England duty in October.

Just over a month later, he returned to share duties and it was Ashley who received the nod for many major games, including all but three on the road to Moscow.

His first Chelsea goal was lashed in away at West Ham in March but the same month, he was caught up in a media storm after an incident at White Hart Lane involving Spurs player Alan Hutton and referee Mike Riley. Ashley quickly apologised for his part.

The close to the 2007/08 season saw him in his most consistent form since joining the Blues, the famous goal-line clearances continuing, and after surviving an injury scare in training on the eve of the Champions League Final, he recovered to put in one of the best displays on the night, including a successful shoot-out penalty converted.

His total games played in the campaign were 38+1, and his consistency has continued through to the current campaign. Again he faced competition from Bridge, but his form was enough to make the place unquestionably his own, and Bridge moved on in January.

Under Luiz Felipe Scolari, Cole was utilised far more than before in the opposition half, getting forward to add width to an already impressive attack, but with the arrival of Guus Hiddink, the full-back has had his wings clipped slightly, focusing more on defence, particularly when his opposite full-back has gone forward.

A model of consistency throughout the campaign, Cole looks to have put those lingering injury problems behind him, helping the side to the FA Cup Final with victory over his former side in mid April, his games tally already greater than either of his two previous Chelsea campaigns.

Season 2008 - 09

Competition Apps
(as sub)
Goals Yellow
Cards
Red
Cards
League 33 (1) 1 5 0
FA Cup 6 (0) 0 1 0
Euro Cups 8 (0) 0 3 0


Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub)
Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08League 27 (0) 1


FA Cup 1 (0) 0


League Cup 1 (1) 0


Euro Cups 10 (0) 0
Chelsea 2006 - 07League 21 (2) 0


FA Cup 4 (1) 0


League Cup 3 (0) 0


Euro Cups 9 (0) 0
Arsenal 2005 - 06League 9 (2) 0


Euro Cups 3 (0) 0
Arsenal 2004 - 05League 35 (0) 2


FA Cup 3 (0) 0


Euro Cups 7 (1) 0
Arsenal 2003 - 04League 32 (0) 0


FA Cup 4 (0) 0


League Cup 1 (0) 0


Euro Cups 9 (0) 1
Arsenal 2002 - 03League 30 (1) 1


FA Cup 3 (0) 0


Euro Cups 9 (0) 0
Arsenal 2001 - 02League 29 (0) 2


FA Cup 4 (0) 0


Euro Cups 6 (1) 0
Arsenal 2000 - 01League 15 (2) 3


FA Cup 5 (1) 0


League Cup 1 (0) 0


Euro Cups 8 (1) 0
Crystal Palace 1999 - 00League 14 (0) 1
Arsenal 1999 - 00League 1 (0) 0


League Cup 0 (1) 0


source : www.chelseafc.com
Branislav Ivanovic





Name: Branislav Ivanovic
Nationality: Serbian
Date of Birth: 22/02/1984
Height:6' 2" (188cm)
Weight:13st 8lbs (86.0kg)
Previous
Clubs:OFK Belgrade, Lokomotiv Mosc
Position: Defender

Signed from Lokomotiv Moscow on a three-and-a-half year contract, Branislav became then manager Avram Grant's second signing in the January 2008 transfer window, following on from the arrival of Nicolas Anelka.

The 23-year-old Serbian international is a versatile addition to the squad. He can play right back, centre back or defensive midfield, and has already shown his abilities in two of those three positions.

Having begun his career in his native Serbia at local club Sremska Mitrovica, he soon moved to the Serbian capital Belgrade to play for OFK Beograd where he remained for three seasons, joining Lokomotiv in the summer of 2006. He appeared for the Russian side in the Uefa Cup.

A star of Serbia's Under 21s in both the 2006 and 2007 European Championships, Branislav was voted into the Uefa Team of the Tournament for the more recent event, and has successfully graduated into a regular for the full national side.

He made his Serbia and Montenegro debut in June 2006, and is now a regular in the centre of the Serbian defence alongside Manchester United's Nemanja Vidic.

Branislav played twice for the Chelsea reserve team during the remainder of the 2007/08 season as he worked up to full fitness, ready to stake a claim for a place in the first team.

A debut came in the Carling Cup away at Portsmouth in late September, relieving Jose Bosingwa of right-back duties for the evening, before a lengthier spell in the heart of defence alongside John Terry, after injury to Ricardo Carvalho and Alex.

Now settled in London and his English steadily improving, Branislav has begun to show his true capabilities, while also earning cult status among Chelsea fans for his Champions League double against Liverpool in April.

Deployed at centre-half, the Serb went up for two corners and was almost ignored as the threat of Terry and Drogba was deemed more dangerous by Liverpool, allowing him to ghost in and crash home two headers.

He kept his place for a run of games afterwards, marking Thierry Henry in the Camp Nou, and while at first struggling with the Frenchman's raw pace, he adapted and made a number of important blocks, interceptions and clearances.

Season 2008 - 09

Competition Apps
(as sub)
Goals Yellow
Cards
Red
Cards
League 11 (5) 0 2 0
FA Cup 3 (1) 0 1 0
League Cup 2 (0) 0 0 0
Euro Cups 4 (0) 2 1 0


Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub)
Goals
Lokomotiv Mosc 2007 - 08League 3 (0) 0


Euro Cups 6 (0) 1
Lokomotiv Mosc 2006 - 07Euro Cups 2 (0) 1
OFK Belgrade 2005 - 06Euro Cups 1 (0) 1


source : www.chelseafc.com
Petr Cech






Name: Petr Cech
Nationality: Czech
Date of Birth: 20/05/1982
Height:6' 5" (196cm)
Weight:14st 6lbs (91.71kg)
Previous
Clubs:Sparta Prague, Stade Rennais
Position: Goalkeeper

The 2007/08 season was another stop-start one for Chelsea's back-to-back title winning goalkeeper.

Thankfully, there was nothing to match the very serious head injury suffered the previous campaign but Petr's 6ft 4in frame continued to suffer as it was afflicted by calf and hip problems, plus a nasty facial cut caused by a training ground accident.

As in the previous year, he recovered his fitness and was in good form as the club season reached the big climax of another cup final, this time the Champions League Final in Moscow.

An excellent double stop in that historic match kept Chelsea in the contest when under heavy first-half pressure and his penalty save from Cristiano Ronaldo, Petr's first in a shoot-out for Chelsea, set up a European Cup-winning chance, sadly not taken.

The number one choice between the posts for four seasons also had to adapt to a change oin goalkeeping coach. When Silvino Louro departed with José Mourinho, it was Christophe Lollichon, Petr's coach at his former club Rennes who came in.

Since the two last worked together, the pupil had established a name as the best keeper in the world, his reputation only enhanced by the remarkable way he had fought back to his best following an injury in October 2006 that had cast big doubts over the future of his career.

Showing the dedication and strong mind that had taken the Czech international to the top of his profession, Cech overcame a fractured skull to return just three months later.

Within weeks he had recorded a seven-game run for club and country without conceding a goal, all while sporting the skull protection that has become a trade mark. He was frequently outstanding for the rest of the 2006/07 season, not least in repelling a bullish Blackburn side in a semi-final at Old Trafford on the way to winning the FA Cup.

A new arrival in the summer of 2004 who at £7 million, cost more than all the past goalkeepers in Chelsea history combined, Petr was bought to provide serious and healthy competition to the older Carlo Cudicini.

He immediately caught the eye with his height, incredible reaction speed and confidence in leaving his goal-line and began his Chelsea career as José Mourinho's first choice. He had to be good to keep Cudicini out.

A precocious talent, Petr built his reputation at Sparta Prague where at the age of 19 he broke the national record for the longest spell without conceding a goal.

Equally hard to beat in the Champions League, over 1,000 minutes in all competitions passed without a goal.

That earned a move to Rennes in France where midway through his second season he agreed to join Chelsea for the next campaign on a five-year contract.

At Under 21 international level he was a major factor in the crowning of the Czech Republic as 2002 European Champions while at senior level, Euro 2004 brought five clean sheets, a semi-final and a place in Uefa's all-star squad of the tournament.

A clean-sheet laden first season at Stamford Bridge was statistically the most accomplished by any Chelsea keeper.

A run of 1,024 minutes without conceding a goal between December and March set a new English top flight record.

By the end of that season he had his first championship medal plus records for the fewest goals conceded and most clean sheets in an English top flight season.

It was recognised with the award of the Barclays Golden Gloves for 2004/05.

Though the 2005/06 version of the Chelsea defence was never quite as watertight as the season before, Petr continued to excel and was a major force in capturing of a consecutive Premiership title.

It was all the more admirable for the fact that he had been playing for 14 months in pain from a shoulder injury.

With the other shoulder also damaged during the season, Petr went under the knife as soon as the Czech Republic's low-key 2006 World Cup ended.

He missed the opening games of the 2006/07 title defence but returned in late August in full working order once more.

However, a dreadful collision with Reading's Stephen Hunt in October left Petr with the damaged skull and requiring immediate surgery, 30 stitches and much rest. That his season would resume so soon and end so well with two cup final wins, no-one would have predicted at the time.

In 2007/08, Petr's form remained consistent, a few uncharacteristic mistakes apart. His own staunchest critic, he took full responsibility for a costly missed corner away to Arsenal, as he did during Euro 2008 when a late dropped catch allowed Turkey back into the final group game and the Czech side were ultimately eliminated.

A consummate professional, Petr will be working hard to ensure no repeat in the 2008/09 club campaign. Frighteningly for all opposition, he has well over a decade of football ahead of him to further improve.

It looks as though the majority at least of that time will be at Chelsea too, as Cech signed a new contract with the club in July, committing him to Stamford Bridge until at least 2013.

The new campaign started well, and by the end of 2009 just nine league goals had been conceded, with Cech keeping 11 Premier League clean sheets by the halfway point. A dip in form over Christmas was to follow though, with the team's defending at set pieces coming under increasing scrutiny.

Such goals were conceded against Fulham, Manchester United, Southend and Ipswich before Luiz Felipe Scolari's departure in early February. Guus Hiddink's arrival brought a fresh confidence in the goalkeeper with a string of clean sheets before another crisis of confidence.

A storm in a teacup it may have been, but Cech himself was left bemused as to how he had managed to concede seven goals in just over 100 minutes at Stamford Bridge, Bolton and Liverpool ultimately leaving empty-handed in Premier and Champions League competition.

As was Cech's way though, he bounced back quickly and showed in Barcelona his true pedigree, making a number of top class saves to secure a goalless draw.

Season 2008 - 09

Competition Apps
(as sub)
Goals Yellow
Cards
Red
Cards
League 35 (0) 0 0 0
FA Cup 5 (0) 0 0 0
League Cup 1 (0) 0 0 0
Euro Cups 12 (0) 0 1 0


Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub)
Goals
Chelsea 2007 - 08League 26 (0) 0


FA Cup 1 (0) 0


League Cup 3 (0) 0


Euro Cups 9 (0) 0
Chelsea 2006 - 07League 20 (0) 0


FA Cup 6 (0) 0


League Cup 2 (0) 0


Euro Cups 8 (0) 0
Chelsea 2005 - 06League 34 (0) 0


Euro Cups 7 (0) 0
Chelsea 2004 - 05League 35 (0) 0


League Cup 2 (0) 0


Euro Cups 11 (0) 0
Stade Rennais 2003 - 04League 33 (0) 0
Stade Rennais 2002 - 03League 36 (0) 0
Sparta Prague 2001 - 02Euro Cups 12 (0) 0


source : www.chelseafc.com
CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB



Nickname
The Blues

Formed
1905

Stadium Capacity
41,841

Pitch
103 x 67 metres

Training Ground
The training ground is at Cobham in Surrey but sessions are not open to the general public. Special open days are organised at Stamford Bridge when fans can see the team train.

Creche
Chelsea operates a creche during the match on home weekend matchdays and caters for children from 1 - 5 years-old. The service is free but donations for equipment are appreciated. Bookings are taken on 08719 841905.

Chelsea Matchday Programme
If you wish to advertise in the Matchday Programme call Profile Sports Media on 020 7332 2000

Hooligan Hotline
Chelsea Football Club works in partnership with the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham and the Metropolitan Police Service in our endeavours to create a safe enviroment for supporters and the local community.

If you have any information concerning football hooliganism, please forward your concerns to the National Hooligan Hotline on 0800 515495. This is a confidential line which will not appear on your phone bill.

Should you have any information concerning ANY crime, this may be confidentially reported to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

If you wish to receive information about a career within the Metropolitan Police Service as a Police Officer; member of the Civil Support Staff or voluntary service within the Special Constabulary then further information may be found on the Metropolitian Police website (www.met.police.uk) and the Crimestoppers website (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).


Chelsea Customer Charter
If you would like a copy of the charter you can download it by clicking here or write to Customer Charter, Call Centre, Chelsea Football Club, Stamford Bridge, London, SW6 1HS.


Ground Regulations
Chelsea Football Club's ground regulations apply to anyone entering the stadium. A copy can be requested from the club.


Fighting Racism
Chelsea Football Club practices a zero tolerance policy towards racism at Stamford Bridge and takes a leading role in all the major anti racist campaigns such as Kick Racism Out of Football, Show Racism the Red Card and all UEFA backed Europe wide campaigns.

click here for full details.


CLUB PERSONNEL

Chelsea FC plc is the company which owns Chelsea Football Club.

The ultimate parent company of Chelsea FC plc is Chelsea Limited and the ultimate controlling party of Chelsea Limited is Roman Abramovich.

CHELSEA FC plc BOARD :
Chairman: Bruce Buck
Directors: Peter Kenyon and Eugene Tenenbaum.


CHELSEA FC plc BOARD BIOGRAPHIES:

Bruce Buck, Chairman:
Born in New York, Bruce has been a Chelsea supporter since coming to London in 1983 and has been a season ticket holder since 1991. He is a shareholder in Chelsea Limited, the ultimate owner of the club, and the company used by Roman Abramovich for the takeover in 2003 and is managing partner in Europe for the US law firm Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom.

Peter Kenyon, Chief Executive:
Joined in February 2004 after a period of "gardening leave" following his resignation as chief executive of Manchester United the previous summer. He is one of the best known executives in world football and holds senior positions at UEFA on the new strategic board, competitions committee, new media committee and European Club Association.

Eugene Tenenbaum, Director:
Born in the Ukraine but moved to Canada at an early age, Eugene is one of Roman Abramovich's closest associates and was formerly chief financial officer at Sibneft, the oil company sold by Mr Abramovich in 2006. Eugene is now director of Millhouse Capital UK, Mr Abramovich's investment vehicle.

The day to day running of Chelsea is undertaken by the football club's Executive Board headed by Chief Executive Peter Kenyon:

EXECUTIVE BOARD BIOGRAPHIES:
(in alphabetical order)

Chris Alexander, Finance Director:
Trained as a chartered accountant with Price Waterhouse and has 20 years financial experience in different industries. Prior to joining Chelsea in March 2003 he worked in France as the FD of a construction related business where he completed an MBA at one of Europe's leading business schools.

David Barnard, Director / Club Secretary:
Joined Chelsea in July 2002. Has overall responsibility for the day to day administration of the Football Department. Has just completed 30 seasons in football. Previous clubs Fulham, Colchester and Wimbledon. Also a member of the Football Club board which oversees football policy for the club.

Ron Gourlay, Chief Operating Officer:
Joined Chelsea in May 2004 from his role as Commercial Director of Manchester United Merchandising. Prior to that, Ron enjoyed 16 years at sports brand UMBRO latterly as Business Development Director. Now responsible for Stamford Bridge and matchday operations as well as commercial and marketing.

Simon Greenberg, Communications and Public Affairs Director:
Joined Chelsea in July 2004. Has overall responsibility for external and internal communications, media relations and new media strategy, public relations, public affairs, community and corporate social responsibility. Was a sports journalist before coming to Stamford Bridge.

source : www.chelseafc.com
 

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