WHO LET THE DROG OUT?

END OF SEASON REVIEW

A fantastic season with only 2 defeats, sadly 1 in the Europa League final.

Eden Hazard deservedly won the English Footballer of the Year award.
Mata won the Players Player Award.
Hazard won goal of the season for his amazing solo effort against Man United.
Drogba was unsurprisingly voted Manager of the Year.
Falcao, Terry and Courtois were team of the season substitutes.


Abramovich injected £38.5m into the club to cover debt.
Drogba promised to be more frugal in the coming season.
Despite that, the board offered £36m as a transfer budget for the season ahead.
Drogba only had 1 transfer target in mind!

Sebastian Corchia had been excellent for Sochaux and Drogba was worried that Ivanovic and Azplicueta were too different to rotate the right back role.
On the 10th June Drogba signed his man for £17.5m.


On July 1st Francisco Ayesteran joined the club from Sporting Lisbon as Assistant Manager.
Drogba turned down the chance to succeed SAF at the Theatre of Dreams. An £80m transfer budget could not persuade him to leave!

Ashley Cole retired from International Football and Jan Kirchhoff capped an amazing 12 months by being named in the World Cup Team of the Tornament!


Pre-season update coming soon...
 
PRE-SEASON 2014

Drogba opted for a late start to pre-season due to the World Cup in Brazil so the squad had 4 weeks together.
A Training camp & tour to China & South East Asia went well with a good mix of youth and experience blending well.
The last friendly was 4 days before the Community Shield against Man United so a Reserve Team drew with Gladbach.

COMMUNITY SHIELD - CHELSEA 1 - 3 MAN UNITED 3

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David Luiz was preferred to JT in defence and Isco played in a more advanced role as Mata had broken his foot during the World Cup.
The 1st 30 minutes saw Chelsea dominate despite not scoring.
However, the next 15 minutes saw Leighton Baines score a trademark freekick & Kagawa score 2 from poor defensive clearances from corners.
Luiz, Belhanda and Isco woefully underperformed.


Not the ideal end to a decent pre-season.


Very little activity in with Corchia the only senior play to join. 2 Regen's joined & 2 more would join in 2016 from Brazil.


Loads of players exited when their contracts expired and the usual suspects left on loan.
Torres was considered surplus to requirements and joined Sevilla for £300k per month and a 20% wage contribution.
The transfer of Corchia was mostly funded by the sale of 30 year old Ivanovic to Man United for £15m cash upfront. He had started to decline as a footballer and he was increasingly desperate for a new contract so he was allowed to join their closest league rivals.
 
AUGUST 2014

Chelsea would commence the defence of their Premiership crown with a home game against promoted Wolves.
Gareth Barry was their key player in midfield.


Corchia made his competitive debut at right back. Cole got the nod over a tired Alaba and de Bruyne played left wing to cover the absence of the influential Mata.

CHELSEA 2 - 0 WOLVES​

A solid enough performance with the inevitable goals from Falcao and Hazard.
Corchia played ok but Chelsea had a lot of shots not hitting the target...


Next up was a visit to Old Trafford and the chance for Drogba to avenge the Community Shield humiliation.


Drogba stoked the fires before the game by reminding new United Manager that he was second choice behind him.
Would this aggressive verbal attack play dividends?


Once again there was no place for Ivanovic in the starting line up.
Ramires and Fellaini were the preferred central midfield partnership.
The very fluid philosophy adopted in pre-season was toned down for this game and the defensive line was set a notch deeper to take account of Terry's failing pace.

MAN UNITED 1 - 1 CHELSEA​

Both Managers declared themselves satisfied at the stalemate. Kagawa continued his good form against Chelsea this season with the opener. Kirchhoff rescuing a point from his usual near post header from an inswinging corner.


Chelsea continued to look for ways to improve the squad and these 3 players agreed terms.
The Italian would join immediately & the Brazilians in 2016.


The deals were part funded by Marko Marin's departure to Villarreal for £10.25m. There was no space in the squad for the erratic German and Drogba felt compelled to sell when Marin publicly stated he wanted to go on loan.


Liverpool next and then Spurs in September was a tough start to the season.
Jordan Rhodes would spearhead the Liverpool attack. Chelsea were unchanged.

CHELSEA 2 - 1 LIVERPOOL​

Chelsea raced in a 2 goal lead within 6 minutes from Falcao's cool finish and Belhanda's class freekick.
Liverpool initially struggled with Chelsea's attacking flair exploiting the right flank.
However, they finished the game the stronger team and were unlucky not to get a result.
Courtois had a marvellous game thankfully.


Eden Hazard would miss the next 3 weeks through injury and the Spurs game at The Lane.

Transfer Deadline​

Drogba had 2 spaces in his squad if the right homegrown player became available.
Arsenal had failed to qualify for the Champions League the last 2 seasons and Jack Wilshere was restless. He was 22 years old and wanted to get back into the highest footballing stage.
He had been scouted thoroughly and the latest report indicated he would join and the fee would be £33m upwards.
Drogba's initial bid was turned down but £35m with £12m upfront secured the deal and Wilshere swapped North London for West.
£80k a week plus £20k per appearance was a good weekly wage too.
Ryan Bertrand moved to Southampton for £11.75m cash so the cash balance remained.


The early table actually showed Arsenal top of the league from City & Chelsea but it's early days yet
 
SEPTEMBER 2014

The month began with Destro and Kirchhoff ruled out for 7 & 3 weeks respectively before the trip to the new Hoddle Arena to take on Spurs.

For the 1st time ever in a major game Drogba had neither Mata or Hazard. How would the team cope?

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SPURS 1 - 1 CHELSEA​

Things looked tough as the excellent Bale scored after 8 minutes and Azpilicueta had to be redeployed as a defensive full back to cope.
Thankfully Falcao was still available to equalize and a second away draw against tough opposition was earned.


The welcome return of the Champions League was next up & a trip to Valencia's Mestalla.
Bocchetti was recalled as he was not registered in the League. Destro's injury would keep him out!

VALENCIA 1 - 6 CHELSEA (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCHDAY 1)​

Valencia were smashed by Chelsea who were by far the better team despite the even possession & chances.


Jack Wilshere off the mark with 2 goals in another emphatic win!
4-0 up after 14 minutes.


Drogba had failed with a last minute attempt to sign Inigo Martinez on transfer deadline day but Sociedad lowered the price and he was snapped up for January for £16.75m
However this guy would be avoided at all costs!

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CHELSEA 2 - 0 BURNLEY (CAPITAL ONE 3RD ROUND)​

A routine win with Chalaboah starting and regens coming on in the 2nd half for debuts!

NEWCASTLE 1 - 2 CHELSEA​

Newcastle were back in the Premiership and almost pulled off a draw.
The returning Mata was on the pitch for a minute and won the game when he met a near post cross.

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CHELSEA 4 - 1 APOEL (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MATCH DAY 2)​

Apoel took a shock lead but The Blues were too good for their Cypriot Opponents.


Kalas (on loan at promoted Derby) won Young Player of the Month again & Chelsea had moved upto 2nd in the league, level on points with City.
 
A DOMESTIC DEFEAT!

A short month with only 5 fixtures due to International week.

Local rivals QPR arrived at The Bridge as 2nd played an overachieving 3rd place Rangers.
Drogba chose a stronger team than he would have liked against his opponents.

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CHELSEA 0 - 0 QPR​

QPR didn't manage a shot on target which was not helped by Cisse's red card. Falcao had a bad game and Chelsea couldn't break down a resolute Rangers defence.


2 weeks later Southampton were the next opponents.

CHELSEA 4 - 1 SOUTHAMPTON​

Hazard was still out so Isco was pushed further forward.
1-1 at half time and luckily Jack Wilshere had his shooting boots on in the 2nd half as Chelsea ran out comfortable winners.

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CHELSEA 4 - 1 DYNAMO KYIV​

The top 2 in the group clashed next. Llorente was played as an out and out target man rather than a hybrid poacher and he seemed to enjoy the role and would have had 2 goals but for a questionable OG.
Oscar also played well in an increasingly rare opportunity.

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READING 0 - 4 CHELSEA​

Sturridge started down the left but it was Falcao who was MOTM with a hat-trick to take the points away from The Madjeski.

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DERBY 2 - 1 CHELSEA (CAPITAL ONE CUP 4TH ROUND)​

Drogba was aware that promoted Derby were a threat and picked a strong team hoping to be able to play youngsters in the next round.
Cahill & Terry were identified as needing match fitness and they were selected at the centre of defence.


A 1st competitive domestic defeat in over a year. Chelsea didn't play badly but after taking the lead through Fellaini they switched off and were 2-1 down within 10 minutes.
A poor defeat but probably well overdue as Chelsea had ridden their luck previously.
With the Champions League knock out stages starting when the final was due Drogba was not too disappointed but wanted to bounce back immediately against Fulham

So top of the league and 100% in Europe but last years domestic treble would not be replicated.
Victor Moses was injured against Derby and would be out for the season with cruciate ligament damage.
Despite the cup defeat Drogba was MOTM and Kalas was once again Young Player of the Month on loan at Derby.
 
NOVEMBER 2014

A busy month containing 8 fixtures!

FULHAM 1 - 3 CHELSEA​

Fulham have established a strong team and Drogba gave them respect by playing a counter attacking style which paid dividends as goals from Fellaini, Mata and Sturridge sealed the points.


Back to the Champions League next for Match Day 4 and a long trip to Ukraine.
Drogba rotated and played David Luiz in the DLP role.

DYNAMO KYIV 2 - 3 CHELSEA​

A fantastic game with a late flurry of goals.
Chalobah thought he had won the game with a brave header from open play but the impressive left winger, Yarmolenko, equalised after 87. A draw would have been a good result but up popped Isco after 93, cutting inside from the right to rifle home & maintain their 100% record and ensure qualification to the knock out stages.


The Top 2 met at The Bridge for the early kick off.
Llorente kept his place in the starting 11 ahead of Falcao. Otherwise it was a strong Chelsea team still missing Hazard.

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CHELSEA 2 - 1 MAN CITY​

An important win for Drogba's team. Llorente's inclusion paid dividends with a smart lob for the opener.
The 2nd half started with Mata doubling the lead and although Aguero pulled one back, City could not find a way through a resolute Chelsea defence.


Off to Goodison next for a tricky away game against Everton.

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EVERTON 4 - 1 CHELSEA​

For the 1st time since September 2013 Drogba tasted defeat in the Premier League. It had started well as Mata opened the scoring. Oviedo equalised and with Ashley Cole and Falcao underperforming, Chelsea didn't score again.
Everton extended their lead 3 times to record an excellent win. Merseyside had been the scene of Chelsea's last defeat 46 games ago!


Drogba demanded an immediate return to winning ways in front of the Sky cameras against rivals Arsenal.
Changes were made to the starting eleven with Llorente restored and he continued with his counter attacking philosophy to attempt to shore up the defence.

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CHELSEA 2 - 0 ARSENAL​

A much better performance with the game settled within the opening 15 minutes.
Mata and Belhanda both scoring from wide positions as Arsenal didn't get going.

STOKE 0 - 3 CHELSEA​

Drogba decided that a different approach was required and went with a narrow formation to beef up the midfield.
Both Falcao and Llorente started as a pair up front.


Falcao returned to form with 2 goals and Mata continued his good form with the 3rd.
In a typically physical battle, Fellaini was stretchered off and would miss 4 months with a broken pelvis :(

The big football news was that Real Madrid decided the Special One was no longer that special and sacked him!

CHELSEA 2 - 1 VALENCIA (MATCHDAY 5)​

Drogba continued with the same formation for the home tie against Valencia. Although it was a much closer game than the away leg, Chelsea played well in the absence of key players.
Llorente and a delightful lob from Sturridge were enough to keep the 100% run going.


Real Madrid made an approach for Drogba offering a £54m transfer budget and a 50% wage increase to £120k per week. Drogab declined. He still had unfinished business at Chelsea.

CHELSEA 3 - 0 ASTON VILLA​

A 3rd straight 4-3-1-2 starting formation and Oscar was finally starting to play well consistently.
You didn't wanna arrive late to this game as Chelsea were 3 up after 15 minutes with Llorente, Falcao and Oscar all scoring.


The month ended with Chelsea top of the league in an increasingly likely 2 horse race. United post Fergie were drawing too many games and nobody else was consistent enough.
Kalas won Premiership Young Player of the Month for the 4th consecutive time. Surely, he had done enough to be a 1st team regular next season.

 
DECEMBER UPDATE

1st up was a home game against Wigan who continued to defy the odds by remaining in the Premier League.

CHELSEA 4 - 1 WIGAN​

2 goals from Hazard and 1 each from Mata and Oscar all in the 1st half. A comfortable victory.

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APOEL 0 - 5 CHELSEA (MATCHDAY 6)​

A pleasant trip to Cyprus from some winter sun. Chalobah started in his favoured centre back position.
Chelsea dominated and 5-0 flattered the hosts.

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BURNLEY 2 - 2 CHELSEA​

A vist to Turf Moor is not as easy as you would think. Chelsea switched off for a minute after 70 and conceded 2 goals.
Terry rescued a point for the visitors.


Chelsea draw Sporting Lisbon in the Round of 16 in the Champions League.

DERBY 0 - 3 CHELSEA​

Back to Pride Park for the 2nd time and this time the visit was victorious. Drogba matched Derby with 2 up top and dominated the game.
Luiz, Falcao and Terry as Chelsea made set pieces count!

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CHELSEA 2 - 0 NORWICH​

A routine win but Falcao would miss the next 7 weeks. Sods law as Destro had been offered for loan in January and 17 year old wonderkid joined Sporting Lisbon for the remainder of the season on loan.
Sturridge & Mata could play up top if required!

WOLVES 1 -2 CHELSEA​

Llorente with both goals as the easy fixtures continued. Luiz played in midfield.


So an undefeated month which saw Chelses end the year 1 point ahead of fellow big spenders City!

This young chap was snapped up for 2016 when he would be old enough!


Cristiano Ronaldo finally won the Golden Ball & World Player of the Year ahead of Messi and Gotze.
Chelsea players won sweet FA which shows that the Champions League means everything in Euro club football.
 
HAPPY NEW YEAR

Another busy month with 7 fixtures and some tough games within that.

CRYSTAL PALCE 0 - 2 CHELSEA (FA CUP 3RD ROUND)​

A young Chelsea team commenced their defence of the Cup.
Destro, Traore, Deak (Regen) and Chalobah all started for the Blues.


Sturridge had a poor game but goals from Destro and the improving Oscar sealed safe passage to the 4th Round.

LIVERPOOL 1 - 3 CHELSEA​

Chelsea were back to full strength and were too good for The Reds.
MOTM Llorente with 2 goals and substitute de Bruyne made it 3-0 before a late consolation for the home team.

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CHELSEA 2 - 0 MAN UNITED​

Struggling United were the 1st visitors to The Bridge of 2015 and their under pressure manager received no sympathy from Drogba in the pre-match press conference!!


£44m record signing Shaqiri made his debut for United and was dangerous, however they were already 2 down as early goals from Ramires and Luiz from set pieces sealed the win in an otherwise even game.

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CHELSEA 1 - 1 SPURS​

The end of a tricky run of fixtures culminated in the visit of Spurs and the war of words between the Managers continued pre and post match.


At 1-0 Llorente had a perfectly good goal disallowed. Unfortunately Drogba and his team failed to notice this and made changes to rest key players for the next game.
Even when Dembele equalised the hapless manager didn't realise until the final whistle. What a tool.
Still we got a point and City lost so it was actually a good evening.

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SOUTHAMPTON 1 - 2 CHELSEA (FA CUP 4TH ROUND)​

Inigo Martinez started in defence as Drogba rotated. It was the only competition he would eligible for until the end of the season.
Oscar would miss the next 6 weeks through injury but a good victory with Isco & Sturridge scoring before Ben Arfa pulled back a consolation.

SWANSEA 1 - 1 CHELSEA

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The front 4 just did not perform. Llorente and Sturridge were particularly ineffective and it took an equaliser from Chalobah who was on for the injured Terry to gain 1 point.
However, City were falling apart and this was another point gained although Arsenal were on an excellent run.


Terry would miss the next 3 weeks as the injury list grew. Teams were definitely upping their tackling ferocity against us.

CHELSEA 2 - 1 NEWCASTLE

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Again we created chance after chance that were either squandered or hit the woodwork. At least the misfiring Llorente scored after a pep talk from his Manager but it took a 94th minute winner from Hazard to secure the win.
Drogba was looking far too worried for a man 5 points clear at the top of the league.


Kalas was once again Young Player of the Month.
Man United spent £58m to try and secure Champions League football for the forthcoming season.
The table showed Arsenal closing quickly on City. Would the 2 horse race become 3 or 1 in February.
 
FEBRUARY 2015

Chelsea would have 3 different trophies to play for during the month.
An easier month for fixtures in the League so Drogba was expecting maximum points.

QPR 1 - 2 CHELSEA


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A strong Chelsea team travelled the short distance to Loftus Road. Chelsea dominated the game but only managed to score twice through Ramires & Wilshere. Hazard's missed penalty was not too costly.


Drogba rotated and played Corchia in an unfamiliar right wing position.
However, they were too good for a poor Reading team & early goals from Ramires again & Kirchhoff sealed the win.
Sturridge would miss the next month through injury.

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CHELSEA 1 - 1 ARSENAL (FA CUP 5TH ROUND)​

Inigo Martinez started in defence. Otherwise it was virtually the strongest team Drogba could pick.


Chelsea had the better of the game but could not take the lead after Kirchhoff equalised an early Arsenal opener.
Llorente was playing well without scoring and the team missed Falcao's clinical finishing.
It would be difficult to retain the Cup now and win it for a 4th successive season...

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SPORTING LISBON 0 - 2 CHELSEA (ROUND OF 16 1ST LEG)​

Chelsea's strongest team with Ashley Cole playing & captaining the only surprise.
Belhanda was viciously assaulted early in the 2nd half and would miss the next 6 weeks.
Hazard & Mata scored the goals in a fine away win.

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CHELSEA 1 - 0 FULHAM​

Another West London derby next against a Fulham team that plays a narrow formation.


Th excellent MOTM Hangeland marshalled the Fulham defence well and it took a moment of magic from Mata to secure the points after 75 minutes.

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SOUTHAMPTON 0 - 0 CHELSEA


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Traore made a rare start as Drogba had 1 eye on the FA Cup replay in the week.
A bore draw as Chelsea laboured and didn't deserve anymore than a point. A rare goalless game during Drogba's reign.

A decent month despite the last result however teams were definitely targeting Drogba's players with more aggressive tackling!
 
MARCH 2015

The month started with only 3 fixtures to be definitely played.
The FA Cup Replay at The Emirates was 1st up.


Falcao made a welcome return from injury.

ARSENAL 3 - 2 CHELSEA​

Falcao made a scoring return and Chelsea were looking good as half time approached. However a moment of madness from Mata with a red card for elbowing would make the 2nd half far tougher.
Arsenal piled on the pressure and deserved to win & set up an away trip to Middlesbrough in the next round.
There would be no Wembley trip for Chelsea this year.


Arsenal were inexplicably knocked out in the 6th round going down 2-0 to Boro.

CHELSEA 2 - 1 SPORTING LISBON (2ND LEG 4-1 AGGREGATE WIN)​

Sturridge made his return from injury as Cole, Terry and Cahill all played in defence.
Mata and Oscar securing passage to the next round.

Edit

MAN CITY 1 - 0 CHELSEA

As City were in the Europa League we had to play Sunday/Tuesday which isn't fair.
I didn't save any details of this game but a disappointing loss and we weren't scoring enough goals currently.

CHELSEA 4 - 0 EVERTON


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An excellent performance against a strong Everton team.
The big news of the weekend was Man United sacking their Manager as they languished in 5th place in the table.

That was it for the fixtures for the month due to International fixtures and a lack of domestic cup games.

Roy Keane was named the new Manager at Old Trafford.
Hazard was out for the season whilst once again injured playing for Belguim.
Belhanda came back from injury for the Reserves and was out for another month with a broken jaw.
Chelsea 5 points ahead at the top.


Lyon would be Chelsea's QF opponents in the Champions League which should mean another semi final against Barcelona.
 
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AVERAGE APRIL

Back to a busy month and if Drogba's team could secure victory away to Arsenal then Chelsea's fixtures looked kinder than the Wenger Boys for the Championship run in.


Drogba opted for his rarely used 4-3-1-2 formation as he tried to support the struggling forwards and beef up the midfield.
A lack of fit wingers also helped make the decision and also the return of Fellaini.

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ARSENAL 2 - 1 CHELSEA​

Arsenal played better and deserved it and Drogba was worried for the 1st time in his Managerial career as the team didn't have the same defensive steel and couldn't score for toffee.
Still, the destiny of the title is still in our hands.

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LYON 1 - 0 CHELSEA (CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QF 1ST LEG)


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FFS another injury this time to de Bruyne and we really miss Hazard as him and Mata swapping positions in free roles is undefendable most of the time.
A poor game and no away goal. All to play for in the 2nd leg but based on our lack of goals a clean sheet is imperative.

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CHELSEA 2 -1 STOKE​

Alaba and Chalobah started in midfield and we only won in the 90th minute as Oscar scored a dramatic and much needed winner.


Thankfully United smashed Arsenal 3-0 in front of 94,000 fans!!!
We were top again by 2 points!

CHELSEA 4 - 2 LYON (4-3 AGGREGATE)​

A return to goal scoring ways as Mata, Falcao 2 and Llorente earned us a straightforward trip to the final via Barcelona :)
We looked dead & buried at half time when 2-1 down but we overloaded 2nd half and deserved the 3 goals.

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ASTON VILLA 3 - 0 CHELSEA​

The worst display Drogba has had the misfortune to manage. We couldn't pass, tackle , defend or score and this is against Villa not Barcelona. The team was definitely good enough to win too. Bad times...


Luckily Arsenal lost again at home to Liverpool. Did anyone want to win this title?

CHELSEA 1 - 1 BURNLEY​

Obviously we didn't as once again we hit the woodwork 4 or 5 times. Thanks SI.


Chelsea were now only 2 points ahead and Arsenal had a game in hand.
The balance had swung in Wenger's favour.
 
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPECIAL

A pleasant late April evening welcomed the reigning Champions League winners to The Bridge.

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CHELSEA V BARCELONA​

After the Messi mauling 2 years ago, Drogba worked on paying Messi special attention to attempt to play him out of the game.

It didn't work. Chelsea had the better of the game but were 2-0 down before they started playing.
Messi set up Sanchez and scored himself.
Mata pulled one back to give The Blues hope but a 97th minute breakaway by Barca saw Iniesta virtually guarantee a 3rd successive final...


CHELSEA 1 - 3 BARCELONA



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2ND LEG



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BARCELONA 2 - 0 CHELSEA​

Drogba was concentrating on the league and played some fringe players like Traore in the return.
Therefore, it was no surprise that Chelsea went out with a whimper.
2-0 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.
We couldn't even be bothered to get a yellow card.


 
MAY 2015 - THE END OF AN ERA

Back to The Premiership and Drogba charged his faltering stars with maximum points to retain their Premier League crown.

WIGAN 3 - 1 CHELSEA


View attachment 302835​

Oh just **** off. How can you hit the bar 4 or 5 times a game. Anyway, no excuses as we were ****.
Ashley Cole showed why he wasn't worth another contract for £75k per week. Oscar once again failed to step up when needed.
3-0 down before we started playing.
Obviously retaining the League isn't worth fighting for...

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CHELSEA 3 - 0 DERBY​

Drogba would have resigned on the spot if this had been a defeat as relegation haunted Derby visited The Bridge.


Derby were woeful and Chelsea eased off at 3-0 up. Falcao scored 2 and Wilshere who was playing in a more advanced position.

Arsenal won so Chelsea needed them to drop points on the final game of the season home to QPR to win the League as they were 1 point ahead.

NORWICH 1 - 3 CHELSEA


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Ashley Cole would make his final appearance for the club and Terry had also not agreed terms on a new contract.
Chelsea took the lead through Belhanda on 51 minutes and this briefly sent Chelsea top as Arsenal left it late to beat QPR.
But win they did and for the 1st time since 2004 Arsenal were the Premier League Champions.

Drogba was left to reflect how Chelsea had imploded in the last 6 weeks off the season and how they would improve next.

 
END OF SEASON REVIEW

A disappointing season after the highs of the previous year.
Arsenal were just too strong in the run in & deserved to pip us to the crown.

Chelsea suffered too many injuries to key players and the replacements such as Oscar were not consistent enough.

Cole & Terry announced their retirements at the end of the season and with Cech looking to move on it was the end of an era at The Bridge with the Mourinho era now over in terms of squad players.

Drogba would look to trim the squad over the summer as he couldn't name all his senior players in the squad due to ages & a lack of home grown talent.

Cech, Bocchetti, Romeu (who had an impressive season on loan) Moses, Destro & Torres would be actively marketed to sell.
Home grown players and 20-21 year olds who do not need registering would be targeted but a quiet summer for inwards transfers was predicted to allow the finances to improve.

Players like Delac, Bruma, Kalas and Mceachran would be allowed to compete for the 1st team squad.

Lastly, veteran moaner Wenger retired from top flight football Management.
 
PRE-SEASON PLANNING

Luiz, Ramires & Falcao were all on Copa America duty when the squad returned for a 6 week build up to the new season.
All the key staff were retained over the summer. The U18 coaching staff would be interesting with Terry (awful managerial stats) taking over the U18 Manager post. He would be assisted by Zamora as his Assistant and Rio Ferdinand as his defensive coach lol.


As promised, the squad was trimmed with the following players sold.

Cech, Bocchetti and Romeu all joined Athletic Madrid who seemed to be linked with everyone!
Torres was ****** off to Southampton with a wage contribution of £84k per week for the coming season!
Moses & Destro were loaned out due to a lack of interested purchasers and the need to have a 25 man squad.

The tactics for the coming season would focus on pacy defenders so the defensive line would push up.
Due to several defensive midfielders emerging from the youth then a tactic to accommodate and anchorman was developed.

Abramovich whacked in another £28m cash injection and £36m was provided for summer transfers.
 
SQUAD REVIEW

In an attempt to get some interaction on here I thought I would look for comments on whether this squad is strong enough to compete:

I have 3 places available currently but any signings need to be Home Grown eligible.
I really need a Back Up Keeper and maybe a back up Left Back.

GK: COURTOIS (23)

RB: AZPILICUETA (25) CORCHIA (24)
LB: ALABA (23)

RCB: KIRCHHOFF (24) LUIZ (28) CAHILL (29)
LCB: MARTINEZ (24) BRUMA (23)

BWM: FELLAINI (27) RAMIRES (28)
DLP: WILSHERE (23) MCEACHRAN (22)

AMC/IF/WING: MATA (27) OSCAR (23) ISCO (23) DE BRUYNE (24) BELHANDA (25) HAZARD (24)

STR: FALCAO (29) LLORENTE (30) STURRIDGE (25)

My Homegrown players are
Cahill, Bruma, Wilshere, Mceachran & Sturridge so I can't sell any of them.

My overaged players I cannot register are:

Thorgan Hazard (accepted £1.1m bid) Lukaku (loan or transfer) Kalas (gutted as he had a really good season on loan) and Delac (again good season last year) so I may as well sell them.

Is this chap good enough to be my back up left back for the season ahead?

View attachment 302877

Otherwise I am pretty happy with my squad.
 
START OF THE SEASON

A successful pre-season,undefeated with a more attacking 4-2-3-1 and a defensive version with an anchorman tested and yielding positive results.

It was the tried & trusted 4-2-3-1 formation that Drogba elected to start with for the season opener at home to Wigan.



Arguably Chelsea's strongest line up with Inigo Martinez initially preferred over David Luiz to partner new club captain Kirchhoff in defence.

CHELSEA 4 - 0 WIGAN​

A comfortable opening day victory and Hazard could even afford to miss a penalty as Chelsea looked to regain the Premiership crown.


Drogba decided to rotate and try the new formation to combat the attacking flair of Schurrle and Kadlec.
It massively backfired.
Fellaini and Azpilicueta had bad games as Liverpool raced into a 3 goal lead, ironically by the players the formation was supposed to shackle.
An improved 2nd half performance saw Chelsea pull back 2 goals but Liverpool held on for a massive early season win!


Drogba was slammed in the press and by angry fans after the match for tinkering with such a successful formation.

CHELSEA 0 - 0 SPURS​

Drogba had an immediate chance to put things right in the local bank holiday derby against AVB's Spurs.
Drogba reverted back to his usual formation and Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Fellaini were benched after the embarrassing defeat.


This time it was Falcao who played badly and failed to convert any of the chances. With hindsight he should have been hauled off at half time as the team faired better with Llorente upfront.
However, 1 win in 3 and languishing in 9th was not what the Chelsea fans were expecting.


Man United were the early league leaders as Roy Keane seemed to be getting the best out of his expensively assembled squad.
Guardiola had replaced Wenger at Arsenal and had adapted to his new job well.


A much better September was required, especially with an away trip to Old Trafford looming!

Thanks for reading
 
TRANSFER WINDOW UPDATE

Drogba had to buy Home Grown or Under 21s.
There was not much strengthening required and the focus was on offloading players who would or could not feature this season.


For the 1st time ever Chelsea recouped more in fees than in purchases.


These 2 tasty looking Regens were nicked from Real Madrid's academy for low contract buy out clauses.
They were young enough to eventually count as Home Grown players in years to come!

A back up left back was secured via the season long loan signing of West Ham's Danny Potts.
Thomas Ince put a transfer request in and at 23 for a fee of £5.75m it was decided good value to bring him in for his versatility.

Delac could not be registered as Home Grown and Stoke swooped for £1.5m plus 50% of any future profits.

Man United spent £88m strengthening their team!!

 
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