Chelsea phá bĩnh Man City vụ James Milner

Thương vụ James Milner của Man City đang diễn ra êm xuôi, khi đội bóng của các tỷ phú Ả-rập ra giá 20 triệu bảng (có thể tăng thêm 5 triệu tùy phong độ và số trận ra sân của Milner). Chính tiền vệ chạy cánh đang nổi này cũng có những phát biểu cho thấy đang dao động trước lời mời. Tuy nhiên, ở thời điểm quyết định, bỗng chốc xuất hiện một kẻ phá bĩnh.

Kẻ “thọc gậy bánh xe” trong vụ câu kéo tiền vệ ĐT Anh và CLB Aston Villa chính là Chelsea - ĐKVĐ giải ngoại hạng. The Blues đã bất ngờ gia nhập cuộc đua giành chữ ký của cựu thần đồng bóng đá Anh, kể cả khi Man City đã chấp nhận nâng giá mua cầu thủ 24 tuổi lên thành 30 triệu bảng, cao hơn 10 triệu so với con số đề nghị ban đầu.

Milner tập luyện cùng ĐT Anh ở Áo.

Nếu so đọ về sức mạnh tiền bạc, Chelsea không thể sánh bằng Man City. Tuy nhiên, HLV Carlo Ancelotti vẫn nuôi hi vọng giành chiến thắng nhờ danh tiếng của CLB, cộng với tấm vé dự Champions League mùa giải sang năm, thứ mà Man City cũng như Aston Villa đều không giành được sau khi bị Tottenham đánh bật khỏi Top 4.

Ngoài ra, đội bóng Tây London còn hi vọng những John Terry, Frank Lampard và Ashley Cole, đồng đội của Milner ở tuyển Anh, sẽ cùng thương thuyết để cầu thủ chạy cánh này chuyển tới sân Stamford Bridge.

Milner đã trưởng thành vượt bậc trong mùa giải qua, anh có thể chơi tốt ở cả vị trí tiền vệ cánh phải lẫn hậu vệ phải. Bản hợp đồng hiện tại với mức lương 40.000 bảng/tuần của tài năng trẻ trưởng thành từ Leeds United còn 2 năm nữa mới kết thúc và HLV Martin O”Neill sẵn sàng mở một cuộc đàm phán gia hạn thêm ngay khi World Cup kết thúc. Chủ tịch Randy Lerner cũng kiên quyết giữ viên ngọc quý của Villa bằng tuyên bố: "Chúng tôi sẽ làm mọi thứ có thể để giữ cậu ấy”.

Tuy nhiên, Chelsea vẫn tỏ rõ quyết tâm trong thương vụ này. Sau khi để sổng Robinho 2 năm trước vào tay Man City, The Blues quyết tâm tậu một cầu thủ chạy cánh phải đẳng cấp, nhất là khi Joe Cole sẽ rời CLB sau một vài ngày nữa. Trên The Sun, một quan chức giấu tên của Chelsea cũng thổ lộ quyết tâm giành bằng được chữ ký của Milner.

James Milner muốn rời Aston Villa?
Phát biểu khi đang tập trung cùng ĐT Anh, chuẩn bị cho World Cup 2010, James Milner tỏ ra dao động trước những lời mời gọi của Manchester City. “Tôi không biết liệu tôi có chơi cho Aston Villa trong mùa giải sau hay không”, tiền vệ của Villa phát biểu tại Graz, nơi tuyển Anh đóng quân, chuẩn bị cho trận giao hữu với Nhật Bản vào ngày 30/5 tới.

James Milner đang dao động trước những lời mời gọi.

“Tôi vẫn tập trung cho Villa và giờ thì tôi hướng sự tập trung vào ĐT Anh. Tôi muốn chuẩn bị tốt nhất cho World Cup. Khi tôi kết thúc mùa giải với Villa, tôi đã nói sẽ cùng thảo luận khi World Cup kết thúc. Tôi thích quãng thời gian ở Villa. Đó là một đội bóng lớn, chúng tôi đã đi đúng hướng, có một mùa giải tuyệt vời và kết thúc với điểm số cao hơn so với mùa giải trước”, James Milner kết luận.

Theo VTC





 

Nâng cúp vô địch, Terry chê bai sân Wembley

Chelsea cùng với HLV Carlos Ancelotti đã ghi tên mình vào lịch sử CLB khi nâng cao chiếc Cúp FA trên sân Wembley vào tối nay (15/5) bằng chiến thắng sát nút 1-0 trước Portsmouth. Đây là danh hiệu FA Cup thứ 6 cho Chelsea, đồng thời cũng là lần đầu tiên trong lịch sử CLB thành London, một HLV giành được cú đúp ngay trong mùa bóng đầu tiên cầm quân.

Phát biểu trên kênh ITV1, John Terry tự hào nói: "Thật đáng kinh ngạc. Nó chưa từng xảy ra trong lịch sử CLB và cảm giác đạt được FA Cup cùng với Chelsea thực sự là một cảm giác đặc biệt khó tả. Tôi nghĩ vận may đã bỏ rơi chúng tôi nhưng bàn thắng của Didier thật là tuyệt vời”.

Ngoài ra, trung vệ Terry cũng than phiền về chất lượng mặt sân cỏ ở Wembley. Anh tuyên bố thẳng thừng trên BBC: “Mặt sân cỏ xuống cấp hết sức trầm trọng. Thực sự đây là mặt sân tồi nhất mà chúng tôi đã từng thi đấu. Rõ ràng chất lượng sân cỏ ở sân Wembley đã không thể đáp ứng được yêu cầu. FA phải hành động ngay nếu coi đây là sân bóng đá hoặc SVĐ tổ chức các sự kiện lớn”.

Các cầu thủ Chelsea bảo vệ thành công VĐ FA Cup.

Nói về chức vô địch FA Cup, trung vệ ĐT Anh không giấu được niềm phấn khích tột độ: “Thật khó tin. Một ngày đáng ngạc nhiên. Lý do duy nhất giải thích tại sao chúng tôi giành cú đúp ở Ngoại hạng Anh và FA Cup bởi vì Chelsea là đội bóng mạnh nhất, nghị lực và quyết tâm cao nhất”.

Chung vui cùng đồng đội, thủ thành Petr Cech cũng góp công lớn khi cản phá thành công quả penalty của Kevin-Prince Boateng vào phút thứ 56 đầu hiệp Hai. Anh tâm sự: “Tôi biết mình đã lựa chọn sẽ bay người về hướng nào dựa vào động tác cơ thể khi anh ấy chạy đà sút bóng về phía tôi. Nhưng thật may mắn, chân tôi lại cản phá thành công”.

“Tôi lặng người đi bởi chung kết FA đêm nay tràn ngập quá nhiều cảm xúc. Chúng tôi rất khao khát trở thành đội bóng đầu tiên ở Chelsea giành cú đúp Premier League và FA Cup và hơn thế là bảo vệ thành công FA Cup mùa giải trước. Chức VĐ FA năm nay thực sự có ý nghĩa rất sâu sắc”, ehủ thành người Cezch bộc bạch.

Chelsea 8 - 0 Wigan

Anelka is mobbed by jubilant team-mates after Chelsea's early opener

By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea recaptured the Premier League title in emphatic fashion as Wigan Athletic were thrashed at Stamford Bridge.

Carlo Ancelotti's side needed victory to end Manchester United's three-season reign as champions - and once Nicolas Anelka gave them the lead after only six minutes there was never any doubt they would reclaim the crown.

Chelsea were then able to put the gloss on their triumph with another dazzling display of attacking football that ensured Ancelotti's first season in England ended with the biggest domestic prize in his grasp.

After putting seven past Sunderland, Aston Villa and Stoke City in a season that has seen them score more than a century of goals in the league, they celebrated by going one better against Roberto Martinez's hopelessly outclassed side.

The thumping win is the biggest in their 105-year history and also saw them break the record for the most league goals in a Premier League season with 103.

The previous best was the 97 Manchester United scored in the 1999/2000 season.

Terry targets double after title win

Wigan's cause was not helped by the first-half dismissal of defender Gary Caldwell. He was sent off for a foul on Frank Lampard that led to the England midfield man effectively wrapping up the title from the spot before half-time.

The second half was exhibition stuff with Salomon Kalou and Anelka on target again before Didier Drogba added the Golden Boot to Chelsea's title with a rapid-fire hat-trick to take his total to 29 in the league this term. Ashley Cole's crisp strike for number eight on the stroke of full-time provided a fitting finale.

Chelsea's celebrations were suitably flamboyant - a reflection of their delight at ending the Old Trafford spell of supremacy in league combat.

It also marked a personal triumph for Italian Ancelotti, brought to Stamford Bridge by owner Roman Abramovich to redefine the style of Chelsea's team and put them back among the major trophies.

Chelsea's feat in becoming the first top-flight team to score 100 goals in the league since Spurs in 1963 was a reflection of the attacking intent Ancelotti has brought, especially on home territory. The ghost of Jose Mourinho, who won the league in 2005 and 2006 to end a 50-year barren spell, may not be banished completely, but Ancelotti has made an indelible mark.

Ancelotti hails 'fantastic' Chelsea team

He was loudly acclaimed by Chelsea's fans throughout the second half - and let his normally impassive mask slip as he responded with a fierce clenched-fist salute to an ecstatic Stamford Bridge.

And Ancelotti can now set his sights on history as Chelsea go in search of their first league and FA Cup double when they face Portsmouth at Wembley next Saturday.

For now, however, the Premier League title will do for starters and the respect for Ancelotti was obvious in the way his players and staff raced to embrace him at the final whistle.

Chelsea's early nerves - if indeed there were any - were settled as Anelka put them on the way to the title after only six minutes.

Wigan failed to clear Drogba's free-kick and when Florent Malouda, from a suspiciously offside position, chested the ball into Anelka's path he drilled a finish past Mike Pollitt at his near post.

Despite Wigan enjoying plenty of possession and territory without posing any serious threat to Petr Cech's goal, Chelsea scored the second goal that sealed their title win 13 minutes before half-time.

606: DEBATE Deserved title, very well done. Ignore all the bitter comments flying around from rival supporters, you deserved the title 100%, enjoy it Rafael and Fabio - Perfect Combination

Lampard raced on to Drogba's flick and was hauled down by Caldwell as he closed in on goal. The Wigan defender was shown the red card by referee Martin Atkinson and Lampard scored from the spot with his customary expertise.

As Stamford Bridge celebrated there was one unlikely dissenter in the shape of Drogba, who appeared unhappy that he had not been allowed to take the penalty as he battled with Manchester United's Wayne Rooney for the Golden Boot.

It was a huge over-reaction from the superbly gifted, but on this evidence high-maintenance, striker - with Lampard rightly reasoning the title still needed to be won and came before personal honours.

Chelsea emerged early for the second half and went into a team huddle, before putting their stamp on the title in superb style.

Kalou banished any lingering doubts that this would not be a day of celebration for the west Londoners when he exchanged passes with Lampard before beating Pollitt. And two minutes later Anelka started to put the gloss on another goal glut with a perfect right-foot volley from Branislav Ivanovic's cross.

It was the signal for Ancelotti to send on Joe Cole for what might have been his final Stamford Bridge appearance as a Chelsea player, with a new contract still unsigned.

No team has been as ruthless as the Blues at punishing stricken opponents, and they set about putting Wigan to the sword as the home fans revelled in the slaughter.

Drogba revels in beating Rooney to golden boot

Drogba finally got the goal he so obviously craved when he headed Chelsea's fifth from Lampard's cross - their 100th league goal this season.

The Ivorian striker was at it again for number six after 68 minutes when he finally got to take a penalty after Mario Melchiot fouled Ashley Cole. Lampard stood to one side as Drogba scored via a post - followed by elaborate celebrations that even involved a touchline hug for Ancelotti.

And they made it another seven-goal show with 10 minutes left as Drogba turned home from close range after Pollitt could only parry Joe Cole's shot.

If the game required the perfect finish, Ashley Cole provided it with a low finish past the shell-shocked Pollitt - before joyous scenes engulfed Stamford Bridge at the final whistle.

Ancelotti khuyên Joe Cole quên ý định đến Tottenham

Phát biểu với báo giới ngày hôm qua, HLV Carlo Ancelotti đã lên tiếng khuyên tiền vệ Joe Cole hãy quên ý định gia nhập Tottenham để tập trung vào 2 trận còn lại cùa mùa giải.

Theo thông tin trên tờ The Sun, tiền vệ đội tuyển Anh đang có ý định gia nhập Tottenham trong kỳ chuyển nhượng mùa hè này, sau khi hợp đồng của anh và Chelsea kết thúc. Phản ứng trước thông tin trên, HLV Ancelotti khẳng định Joe Cole vẫn sẽ ở lại Stamford Bridge trong mùa giải tới.

Joe Cole muốn chuyển đến Tottenham.

"Cậu ấy vẫn sẽ ở lại với chúng tôi. Sau trận Chung kết FA Cup, chúng tôi sẽ nói chuyện với cậu ấy về việc gia hạn hợp đồng. Ngoài ra, chúng tôi cũng đàm phán với những cầu thủ sắp hết hợp đồng với CLB khi mùa giải kết thúc”, chiến lược gia người Italia khẳng định.

Tuy vậy, ưu tiên hàng đầu của HLV Ancelotti lúc này là trận đấu ở vòng cuối giải ngoại hạng Anh giữa Chelsea và Wigan hơn là việc đi hay ở của các cầu thủ trong mùa hè này. Đội bòng thành London phải chiến thắng ở trận đấu diễn ra vào Chủ Nhật này mới chắc chắn giành chức vô địch Premier League. Vì thế, chiến lược gia người Italia tỏ ra rất thận trọng trước trận đấu quan trọng này.

"Để giành chức vô địch, chúng tôi cần phải chơi như trong các trận đấu trước Stoke City và Liverpool. Ở hai trận đấu đó, các cầu thủ của chúng tôi đã chơi rất tập trung và với tinh thần rất cao. Nếu mắc sai lầm trong trận đấu tới, chúng tôi sẽ không còn cơ hội để sửa chữa”, HLV 51 tuổi nói.

Trong trận đấu lượt đi của mùa giải này, Wigan đã bất ngờ đánh bại Chelsea với tỷ số 3-1 và HLV Roberto Martinez của đội bóng chủ sân DW tin tưởng đội bóng của ông sẽ một lần nữa đánh bại The Blues trên sân Stamford Bridge vào tối Chủ Nhật này. Tuy nhiên, Ancelotti cho biết Chelsea sẽ quyết không để lặp lại sai lầm ở lượt đi.

"Ngó lơ" MU và Liverpool, Joe Cole chọn Tottenham

Đoạt vé dự Champions League quả thực đã, đang và sẽ mang lại cho Tottenham nhiều thứ: tiền bạc, thế lực và cả sức hút đối với những ngôi sao. Có lẽ vì lý do đó mà Joe Cole đã chọn Spurs, ngay sau khi đội bóng hàng xóm của Chelsea giành chiến thắng quyết định trước Man City.

Hợp đồng của Cole với Chelsea sẽ hết hạn cuối mùa này và anh sẽ là người tự do theo luật Bosman. Nắm bắt lợi thế, rất nhiều CLB đã tranh nhau mời mọc tiền vệ 28 tuổi, trong đó có Man City, Tottenham, Man United, Liverpool và cả đội bóng cũ West Ham. Nhưng cuối cùng, Cole đã chọn Spurs.

Joe Cole muốn sang Bắc London để gia nhập Spurs.

Thực tế, Cole đã đưa ra lựa chọn này từ trước khi trận đấu giữa Tottenham và Man City diễn ra. Nếu đến White Hart Lane, anh sẽ được nhận mức lương 120.000 bảng/tuần, đúng với yêu cầu của Cole mà ông chủ Roman Abramovich đã từ chối. Ngoài ra, anh sẽ được ở lại thi đấu ở London để chăm sóc cho cô con gái mới sinh (Tottenham có thể là CLB thứ 3 ở London mà Cole từng gia nhập) thay vì di chuyển lên phía Bắc nếu nhận lời của MU hay Liverpool.

Ngay sau khi có vé dự đấu trường số 1 lục địa già, chủ tịch Daniel Levy của Tottenham đã lên kế hoạch tăng cường lực lượng cho Spurs để chuẩn bị cho mùa giải mới. HLV Harry Redknapp đã đưa Steven Pienaar, Craig Bellamy vào danh sách cần mua. Nay với Joe Cole, BLĐ câu lạc bộ đã buộc phải nâng mức lương hứa hẹn lên bằng với con số mà Cole muốn để có anh.

Người hưởng lương cao nhất ở White Hart Lane lúc này là đội trưởng Ledley King với "chỉ" 70.000 bảng/tuần và vài tháng trước, ông chủ tịch còn muốn cắt giảm quỹ lương để đảm bảo nguồn thu. Nhưng được dự Champions League đã khiến các sếp lớn phải nghĩ xa hơn và phóng khoáng hơn.

Harry Redknapp, người đã phát hiện ra Joe Cole từ khi anh mới 14 tuổi, chưa bao giờ nghĩ rằng mình sẽ có cơ hội được gặp lại và dẫn dắt cậu học trò cũ, người đã trở thành một ngôi sao đẳng cấp thế giới dưới màu áo Chelsea. Nhưng khi Cole đã mời gọi, chẳng lẽ Redknapp lại từ chối?

Chelsea FC - Records

Chelsea's highest appearance-maker is ex-captain Ron Harris, who played in 795 first-class games for the club between 1961 and 1980.^[46] This record is unlikely to be broken in the near future; Chelsea's current highest appearance-maker is Frank Lampard with 460.^[47] The record for a Chelsea goalkeeper is held by Harris's contemporary, Peter Bonetti, who made 729 appearances (1959–79). With 116 caps (74 while at the club), Marcel Desailly of France is Chelsea's most capped international player.

Bobby Tambling is Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer, with 202 goals in 370 games (1959–70).^[46] Eight other players have also scored over 100 goals for Chelsea: George HilsdonGeorge Mills (1929–39), Roy Bentley (1948–56), Jimmy Greaves (1957–61), Peter Osgood (1964–74 & 1978–79), Kerry Dixon (1983–92), Frank Lampard (2001–) and Didier Drogba (2004–). With 193 goals, Dixon is the only player in the club's recent history to have come close to matching Tambling's record. Greaves holds the record for the most goals scored in one season (43 in 1960–61). Lampard is the top scorer currently at the club with 151.^[47] (1906–12),

Officially, Chelsea's highest home attendance is 82,905 for a First Division match against Arsenal on 12 October 1935. However, an estimated crowd of over 100,000 attended a friendly match against Soviet team Dynamo Moscow on 13 November 1945.^[48] The modernisation of Stamford Bridge during the 1990s and the introduction of all-seater stands mean that neither record will be broken for the foreseeable future. The current legal capacity of Stamford Bridge is 41,841.^[1]

Chelsea hold numerous records in English and European football. They hold the record for the highest ever points total for a league season (95), the fewest goals conceded during a league season (15), the highest number of Premier League victories in a season (29), the highest number of clean sheets overall in a Premier League season (25) (all set during the 2004–05^[49] and the most consecutive clean sheets from the start of a league season (6).^[50] season),

The club's 21–0 aggregate victory over Jeunesse Hautcharage in the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1971 remains a record in European competition.^[51] Chelsea hold the record for the longest streak of unbeaten matches at home in the English top-flight, which lasted 86 matches from 20 March 2004 to 26 October 2008. They secured the record on 12 August 2007, beating the previous record of 63 matches unbeaten set by Liverpool between 1978 and 1980.^[52][53][54] Chelsea's streak of eleven consecutive away league wins, set between 5 April 2008 and 6 December 2008, is also a record for the English top flight.

Chelsea have recorded several "firsts" in English football. Along with Arsenal, they were the first club to play with shirt numbers on 25 August 1928 in their match against Swansea Town.^[55]Newcastle United on 19 April 1957,^[56] and the first First Division side to play a match on a Sunday, when they faced Stoke City on 27 January 1974. On 26 December 1999, Chelsea became the first British side to field an entirely foreign starting line-up (no British or Irish players) in a Premier League match against Southampton.^[57] On 19 May 2007, they became the first team to win the FA Cup at the new Wembley Stadium, having also been the last to win it at the old Wembley.^[58] After the conclusion of the 2007/08 season, Chelsea became the highest ranked club under UEFA's five-year coefficient system used in the seeding of European club competitions in the following season, the first English club to do so in the 21st century.^[59] Chelsea were the first English side to travel by aeroplane to a domestic away match, when they visited

Chelsea FC - Stamford Bridge

Chelsea have only ever had one home ground, Stamford Bridge, where they have played since foundation. It was officially opened on 28 April 1877. For the first 28 years of its existence it was used almost exclusively by the London Athletics Club as an arena for athletics meetings and not at all for football. In 1904 the ground was acquired by businessman Gus Mears and his brother Joseph, who had previously acquired additional land (formerly a large market garden) with the aim of staging football matches on the now 12.5 acre (51,000 m²) site.^[23]

Stamford Bridge was designed for the Mears family by the noted football architect Archibald Leitch.^[24] They offered to lease the stadium to Fulham Football Club, but were turned down. As a consequence, the owners decided to form their own football club to occupy their new ground. Most football clubs were founded first, and then sought grounds in which to play, but Chelsea were founded for Stamford Bridge. Since there was already a football club named Fulham in the borough, the founders decided to adopt the name of the adjacent borough of Chelsea for the new club, having rejected names such as Kensington FC, Stamford Bridge FC and London FC.^[25]

Starting with an open bowl-like design and one covered terrace, Stamford Bridge had an original capacity of around 100,000.^[23] The early 1930s saw the construction of a terrace on the southern part of the ground with a roof that covered around one fifth of the stand. It eventually became known as the "Shed End", the home of Chelsea's most loyal and vocal supporters, particularly during the 1960s, 70s and 80s. The exact origins of the name are unclear, but the fact that the roof looked like a corrugated iron shed roof played a part.^[23]

View from the West Stand, Stamford Bridge during a Champions League game

During the late 1960s and early 70s, the club's owners embarked on a modernisation of Stamford Bridge with plans for a 50,000 all-seater stadium.^[23] Work began on the East Stand in the early 1970s but the project was beset with problems and the cost almost brought the club to its knees, culminating in the freehold being sold to property developers. Following a long legal battle, it was not until the mid-1990s that Chelsea's future at the stadium was secured and renovation work resumed.^[23] The north, west and southern parts of the ground were converted into all-seater stands and moved closer to the pitch, a process completed by 2001.

When Stamford Bridge was redeveloped in the Ken Bates era many additional features were added to the complex including two hotels, apartments, bars, restaurants, the Chelsea Megastore, and an interactive visitor attraction called Chelsea World of Sport. The intention was that these facilities would provide extra revenue to support the football side of the business, but they were less successful than hoped and before the Abramovich takeover in 2003 the debt taken on to finance them was a major burden on the club. Soon after the takeover a decision was taken to drop the "Chelsea Village" brand and refocus on Chelsea as a football club. However, the stadium is sometimes still referred to as part of "Chelsea Village" or "The Village".

The Stamford Bridge West Stand – Entrance.

The Stamford Bridge pitch, the freehold, the turnstiles and Chelsea's naming rights are now owned by Chelsea Pitch Owners, a non-profit organisation in which fans are the shareholders. The CPO was created to ensure the stadium could never again be sold to developers. It also means that if the club moves to a new location, they could not use the Chelsea FC name.^[26]

The club plans to increase its capacity to over 50,000. Owing to its location in a built-up part of London on a main road and next to two railway lines, fans can only enter the stadium through the Fulham Road entrances, which places severe constraints on expansion due to health and safety regulations.^[27] As a result, Chelsea have been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge to sites including the Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Battersea Power Station and the Chelsea Barracks.^[28] However, the club have reiterated their desire to keep Chelsea at their current home.^[29]

Chelsea's training ground is located in Cobham, Surrey. Chelsea moved to Cobham in 2004. Their previous training ground in Harlington was taken over by QPR in 2005.^[30] The new training facilities in Cobham were completed in 2007.^[31]

Chelsea F.C. - History

Chelsea were founded on 10 March 1905 at The Rising Sun pub (now The Butcher's Hook)^[7], opposite the present-day main entrance to the ground on Fulham Road, and were elected to the Football League shortly afterwards. The club's early years saw little success; the closest they came to winning a major trophy was reaching the FA Cup final in 1915, where they lost to Sheffield United. Chelsea gained a reputation for signing big-name players^[8] and for being entertainers, but made little impact on the English game in the inter-war years.

Former Arsenal and England centre-forward Ted Drake became manager in 1952 and proceeded to modernise the club. He removed the club's Chelsea pensioner crest, improved the youth set-up and training regime, rebuilt the side, and led Chelsea to their first major trophy success – the League championship – in 1954–55. The following season saw UEFA create the European Champions' Cup, but after objections from The Football League and the FA Chelsea were persuaded to withdraw from the competition before it started.^[9]

Chart showing the progress of Chelsea's league finishes from 1905–1906 to 2007–08

The 1960s saw the emergence of a talented young Chelsea side under manager Tommy Docherty. They challenged for honours throughout the decade, and endured several near-misses. They were on course for a treble of League, FA Cup and League Cup going into the final stages of the 1964–65 season, winning the League Cup but faltering late on in the other two.^[10] In three seasons the side were beaten in three major semi-finals and were FA Cup runners-up. Chelsea were FA Cup winners in 1970, beating Leeds United 2–1 in a final replay. Chelsea took their first European honour, a UEFA Cup Winners' Cup triumph, the following year, with another replayed win, this time over Real Madrid in Athens.

The late 1970s through to the 1980s was a turbulent period for Chelsea. An ambitious redevelopment of Stamford Bridge threatened the financial stability of the club,^[11] star players were sold and the team were relegated. Further problems were caused by a notorious hooligan^[12] In 1982 Chelsea were, at the nadir of their fortunes, acquired by Ken Bates for the nominal sum of £1, although by now the Stamford Bridge freehold had been sold to property developers, meaning the club faced losing their home.^[13] On the pitch, the team had fared little better, coming close to relegation to the Third Division for the first time, but in 1983 manager John Neal put together an impressive new team for minimal outlay. Chelsea won the Second Division title in 1983–84 and established themselves in the top division, before being relegated again in 1988. The club bounced back immediately by winning the Second Division championship in 1988–89. element among the support, which was to plague the club throughout the decade.

After a long-running legal battle, Bates reunited the stadium freehold with the club in 1992 by doing a deal with the banks of the property developers, who had been bankrupted by a market crash.^[14] Chelsea's form in the new Premier League was unconvincing, although they did reach the 1994 FA Cup Final. It was not until the appointment of former European Footballer of the Year Ruud Gullit as player-manager in 1996 that their fortunes changed. He added several top-class international players to the side, as the club won the FA Cup in 1997 and established themselves as one of England's top sides again. Gullit was replaced by Gianluca Vialli, who led the team to victory in the League Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup in 1998, the FA Cup in 2000Claudio Ranieri, who guided Chelsea to the 2002 FA Cup Final and Champions League qualification in 2002–03. and the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals in 2000. Vialli was sacked in favour of another Italian,

Chelsea reached their first UEFA Champions League final in 2008.

In June 2003, Bates sold Chelsea to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich for £140 million, completing what was then the biggest-ever sale of an English football club.^[3] Over £100 million was spent on new players, but Ranieri was unable to deliver any trophies, so he was replaced by Portuguese coach José Mourinho. Under Mourinho, Chelsea became the fifth English team to win back-to-back league championships since the Second World War (2004–05 and 2005–06),^[15] in addition to winning an FA Cup (2007) and two League Cups (2005 and 2007). In September 2007 Mourinho was replaced by Avram Grant,^[16] who led the club to their first UEFA Champions League final, in which they lost on penalties to Manchester United. Grant was sacked days later^[17] and succeeded by Luiz Felipe Scolari in July 2008.^[18]

Scolari spent only seven months in the job before being dismissed after a string of poor results.^[19] Russia coach Guus Hiddink was appointed caretaker manager until the end of the 2008–09 season,^[20] and guided Chelsea to a second FA Cup triumph in three years.^[21] Two days later former Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti was confirmed as Chelsea's new manager.^[22]

Chelsea F.C.

Chelsea Football Club (pronounced /ˈtʃɛlsiː/) are an English professional football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions three times, and have won the FA Cup five times, the League Cup four times and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup twice.^[2]

The club had their first major success in 1955, winning the league championship. Chelsea won several cup competitions during the 1960s and 1970s, but after that did not win another major title until 1997. The past decade has been the most successful period in Chelsea’s history, capped by winning consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006, and reaching their first UEFA Champions League final in 2008.

Chelsea's home is the 41,841 capacity^[1] Stamford Bridge football stadium in Fulham, where they have played since their establishment. Despite their name, the club are not based in Chelsea, but in neighbouring Fulham. In 2003, they were bought by Russian oil magnate Roman Abramovich.^[3]

Chelsea's traditional kit colours are royal blue shirts and shorts with white socks. The club crest has been changed several times in attempts to modernise or re-brand; the current crest, featuring a ceremonial lion holding a staff, is a modified version of one first adopted in the 1950s.^[4] The club has sustained the fifth highest average all-time attendance in English football.^[5] Their average home gate for the 2008–09 season was 41,464, the fifth highest in the Premier League.^[6]

Frank Lampard would relish Chelsea title win at home

Chelsea's Frank Lampard would love to seal the Premier League crown on home turf at Stamford Bridge on Sunday but is not taking victory for granted.

The midfielder scored in the 2-0 weekend win at Liverpool, with the title battle going down to the wire.

Chelsea face Wigan and only need to match or better Manchester United's result against Stoke to win the league.

"It would be nice to do it in front of our own fans," said Lampard, before insisting the title was not yet won.

"Obviously Manchester United have a tough game but we'll never go that far, we have a big game next week.

"But we knew the Liverpool game was huge for us. We knew if we had dropped points we would have given the momentum to United."

The lead has changed hands numerous times throughout the season but Chelsea ensured that they go into the final day in pole position with victory at Anfield.

"We've definitely had a couple of moments in the season where we haven't been at our best and we've dropped points, and the momentum went back with Manchester United but in the last 10 games our performances have been fantastic," stated Lampard.

"We've got a bit of a head of steam up now and we're in a good position."

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti would admit that getting all three points at Liverpool was potentially decisive in the title race.

"It was the key game I think for the fight for the title and we played very well," said the Italian. "We deserved to win. It was a little bit difficult in the first half but in the second half we did better.

"It was an important performance. There was a lot of pressure on this game and on us but we had good control of our emotions.

"The team is fit, mentally very good and we have to have confidence for the next game. We have to stay calm, train well like we did the last week and prepare well. Nothing special."

Manchester United beat Sunderland 1-0 on Sunday to stay within one point of Chelsea, with a home game against Stoke to come next week, but manager Sir Alex Ferguson conceded that it might be "clutching at straws" to hope Wigan can hold Chelsea.

And the Scot could not hide his disappointment at the manner of Chelsea's opening goal on Sunday, with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard sending a dreadful backpass straight to Didier Drogba.

"I just saw it after the game," commented Ferguson. "It was a great gift. There's nothing we can do about it now, we just have to get on with it."

United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar was downbeat about his side's chances of overhauling Chelsea on the final day of the season.

"It will be difficult, of course, but you have to believe in it," said the Dutchman.

"I don't think we lost it today, I think we lost it earlier on, and maybe some decisions going in their favour in the last couple of weeks has made it difficult for us.

"It's the last home game and the last couple of years we've been used to lifting something. Maybe that's going to be different but you never know."

Theo BBC