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Michezo magazetini leo...
Michezo magazetini leo...
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Salomon Kalou unsung or simply not that good?
Date: 8th December 2010 at 1:05 pm | Written by Anthony Williams
image © Action Images
Its easy to forget that Salomon Kalou is just 25 years of age. The man is a Premier League winner, champion of three FA Cups and one League Cup. He has also scored goals not only at the Home of Football (Wembley), the Theatre of Dreams (Old Trafford) and, um, the Stadium of Light (Sunderland), but also on perhaps the three biggest stages of them all, the Olympics, the World Cup and the UEFA Champions League (including a penalty in the shoot-out in Moscow).
He is, in the current Chelsea squad, 3rd top goal-scorer behind Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba and 7th longest-serving player. Most astonishingly is a statistic that seemed to have passed everyone by, including most Chelsea fans. This was that, after his goal against Wolves at the end of October, he had scored 9 goals in 9 games, against Inter Milan, Aston Villa, Wigan x2, Stoke, Blackpool, Man Utd, West Ham and Wolves.
However, despite these impressive statistics and accolades, Number 21, Salomon Kalouuuu has a frustrating inconsistence, a flattery to deceive that sees the pendulum of his performance swing from laudable to laughable, often within minutes. You only need to go as far as last Sunday where, but for Kalous goal, Chelsea would have found themselves point-less at St James Park. This is over-looking the fact that, but for his second-half miss, with the goal gaping, Chelsea would have left St James Park as league leaders.
See also his performance versus Atletico Madrid last season, which saw him fluff an opportunity at 0-0 but ultimately, score 2 goals in a 4-0 win. No-one will ever forget, nor let Salomon forget, the Worst Miss Ever In An FA Cup Final, which came at Wembley in May. Im sure I dont need to go on with examples of his exasperating execution, as anyone who visits Stamford Bridge on your average Saturday is bound to be baffled by Chelseas apparent Ivorian-Irishman OKalou, such is the regularity of the cries of woe and anguish from the Shed and Matthew Harding faithful.
Nevertheless, I feel that our bewildered-looking, Bambi-on-ice impersonator is a vital member of our squad. Lets recall some of the better times: a hat-trick against Stoke, a standout performance at the San Siro which included a goal and a stonewall penalty that was not given and the winning penalty in the Community Shield last year and Chelseas only goal in the same fixture this year. Focusing on last season, which is only fair in my opinion as the 2010 version of Salomon Kalou is a different player to the wet-behind-the-ears 2006 version, the 37 appearances he made show just how worthy a squad player he is for Carlo Ancelotti. Its also worth mentioning that he would have enjoyed more pitch-time for Chelsea, had he not been in battle at the African Cup of Nations. If anything, his value to the team and to Ancelotti has become even greater this season, with the side so often left with a youthful and inexperienced substitutes bench after 2 seasons of sparse arrivals and frequent departures. He has 6 goals from 6 Premier League starts (and 5 substitute appearances), and has arguably (or perhaps not) been on better form that Chelseas supposedly 2nd senior striker, Nicolas Anelka.
Possibly Kalous best attribute is his lack of injury proneness; the Ivorian can almost always be trusted to play any role in any game, and his unwavering determination and enthusiasm to help the Chelsea cause whenever he pulls on the shirt should, in my eyes, be given more credit that has previously been given. This is a family man with a squeaky clean image who lives with his sister, who learnt how to play football the hard way at the astoundingly successful Académie Jean Marc Guillou, funded by ASEC Mimosas (aka ASEC Abidjan), which has more than 10 alumni now playing in top-flight European leagues (with one of them reportedly earning £220k per week at an infamously wealthy Manchester club). Given his development while he has been plying his trade in West London, it is not ridiculous to think that, with a continuance of loyalty and willingness to learn and improve, the Ivorian will one day be more than just a handy squad player.
Date: 8th December 2010 at 1:05 pm | Written by Anthony Williams
image © Action Images
He is, in the current Chelsea squad, 3rd top goal-scorer behind Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba and 7th longest-serving player. Most astonishingly is a statistic that seemed to have passed everyone by, including most Chelsea fans. This was that, after his goal against Wolves at the end of October, he had scored 9 goals in 9 games, against Inter Milan, Aston Villa, Wigan x2, Stoke, Blackpool, Man Utd, West Ham and Wolves.
However, despite these impressive statistics and accolades, Number 21, Salomon Kalouuuu has a frustrating inconsistence, a flattery to deceive that sees the pendulum of his performance swing from laudable to laughable, often within minutes. You only need to go as far as last Sunday where, but for Kalous goal, Chelsea would have found themselves point-less at St James Park. This is over-looking the fact that, but for his second-half miss, with the goal gaping, Chelsea would have left St James Park as league leaders.
See also his performance versus Atletico Madrid last season, which saw him fluff an opportunity at 0-0 but ultimately, score 2 goals in a 4-0 win. No-one will ever forget, nor let Salomon forget, the Worst Miss Ever In An FA Cup Final, which came at Wembley in May. Im sure I dont need to go on with examples of his exasperating execution, as anyone who visits Stamford Bridge on your average Saturday is bound to be baffled by Chelseas apparent Ivorian-Irishman OKalou, such is the regularity of the cries of woe and anguish from the Shed and Matthew Harding faithful.
Nevertheless, I feel that our bewildered-looking, Bambi-on-ice impersonator is a vital member of our squad. Lets recall some of the better times: a hat-trick against Stoke, a standout performance at the San Siro which included a goal and a stonewall penalty that was not given and the winning penalty in the Community Shield last year and Chelseas only goal in the same fixture this year. Focusing on last season, which is only fair in my opinion as the 2010 version of Salomon Kalou is a different player to the wet-behind-the-ears 2006 version, the 37 appearances he made show just how worthy a squad player he is for Carlo Ancelotti. Its also worth mentioning that he would have enjoyed more pitch-time for Chelsea, had he not been in battle at the African Cup of Nations. If anything, his value to the team and to Ancelotti has become even greater this season, with the side so often left with a youthful and inexperienced substitutes bench after 2 seasons of sparse arrivals and frequent departures. He has 6 goals from 6 Premier League starts (and 5 substitute appearances), and has arguably (or perhaps not) been on better form that Chelseas supposedly 2nd senior striker, Nicolas Anelka.
Possibly Kalous best attribute is his lack of injury proneness; the Ivorian can almost always be trusted to play any role in any game, and his unwavering determination and enthusiasm to help the Chelsea cause whenever he pulls on the shirt should, in my eyes, be given more credit that has previously been given. This is a family man with a squeaky clean image who lives with his sister, who learnt how to play football the hard way at the astoundingly successful Académie Jean Marc Guillou, funded by ASEC Mimosas (aka ASEC Abidjan), which has more than 10 alumni now playing in top-flight European leagues (with one of them reportedly earning £220k per week at an infamously wealthy Manchester club). Given his development while he has been plying his trade in West London, it is not ridiculous to think that, with a continuance of loyalty and willingness to learn and improve, the Ivorian will one day be more than just a handy squad player.
Rutashubanyuma
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Drogba Likely To Be Restored To Chelsea Line Up for Key Man Utd Tie
By Sam Darby on 16/12/2010 16:33
Chelsea have now fallen three points behind Man Utd and have played an extra match than rivals so a win here really is key, as much to continue their resurrection as to close the gap on Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
Didier Drogba was brought on at half time against Spurs and the decision to start him on the bench appeared to be rewarded when he equalised for Chelsea, although he did go on to miss a last minute penalty. Defenders Jose Bosingwa and Alex are still out of action with hamstring and knee injuries respectively whilst Yuro Zhirkov is also out with a calf strain. Drogba is likely to come in for Salomon Kalou with Anelka reverting to his role on the right.
Man Utd may welcome back Paul Scholes for this match, he was expected to return from his groin injury against Arsenal but wasn't quite ready. Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to pick the more industrious players again which is likely to see Dimitar Berbatov sit out once again, the likes of Park and Anderson could continue in midfield. Michael Owen, Owen Hargreaves and Antonio Valencia all remain on the sidelines.
As important a game to the title race as any this season, Man Utd will see this as an opportunity to open up a real gap on all of their rivals. This season's title race is so open that every point counts, a draw is unlikely to do either side many favours but could actually prove the best bet. Man Utd are yet to lose this season and have drawn six of their last seven away outings.
By Sam Darby on 16/12/2010 16:33
Chelsea have now fallen three points behind Man Utd and have played an extra match than rivals so a win here really is key, as much to continue their resurrection as to close the gap on Sir Alex Ferguson's men.
Didier Drogba was brought on at half time against Spurs and the decision to start him on the bench appeared to be rewarded when he equalised for Chelsea, although he did go on to miss a last minute penalty. Defenders Jose Bosingwa and Alex are still out of action with hamstring and knee injuries respectively whilst Yuro Zhirkov is also out with a calf strain. Drogba is likely to come in for Salomon Kalou with Anelka reverting to his role on the right.
Man Utd may welcome back Paul Scholes for this match, he was expected to return from his groin injury against Arsenal but wasn't quite ready. Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to pick the more industrious players again which is likely to see Dimitar Berbatov sit out once again, the likes of Park and Anderson could continue in midfield. Michael Owen, Owen Hargreaves and Antonio Valencia all remain on the sidelines.
As important a game to the title race as any this season, Man Utd will see this as an opportunity to open up a real gap on all of their rivals. This season's title race is so open that every point counts, a draw is unlikely to do either side many favours but could actually prove the best bet. Man Utd are yet to lose this season and have drawn six of their last seven away outings.
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Drogba has mixed day in draw
Didier Drogba came off the bench to earn Chelsea a point in a 1-1 draw at Tottenham, but squandered the chance to take all three by missing an injury-time penalty.
By PA 11:10AM GMT 16 Dec 2010
It was a bright opening and Tottenham went ahead with their first real attack after 15 minutes. Jermain Defoe, who looked to be offside, fed Pavlyuchenko and the Russian striker superbly created space for himself and fired low past Petr Cech into the bottom corner.
Salomon Kalou brought a good save out of Heurelho Gomes with a 12-yard header and it was Kalou who went close again when his glancing header flashed wide as Chelsea looked to get back in ir.
Drogba, who came on at the interval, began to threaten and tested Gomes with a drive from distance but after 69 minutes the Ivorian ended his drought by firing a fierce volley through the hands of Gomes, who would have been disappointed not to keep the shot out.
And Gomes` afternoon got even worse after his clumsy challenge on Ramires handed Chelsea an injury-time penalty, but the Brazilian made amends by stopping a poor Drogba penalty as it ended all-square.
Didier Drogba came off the bench to earn Chelsea a point in a 1-1 draw at Tottenham, but squandered the chance to take all three by missing an injury-time penalty.
By PA 11:10AM GMT 16 Dec 2010
It was a bright opening and Tottenham went ahead with their first real attack after 15 minutes. Jermain Defoe, who looked to be offside, fed Pavlyuchenko and the Russian striker superbly created space for himself and fired low past Petr Cech into the bottom corner.
Salomon Kalou brought a good save out of Heurelho Gomes with a 12-yard header and it was Kalou who went close again when his glancing header flashed wide as Chelsea looked to get back in ir.
Drogba, who came on at the interval, began to threaten and tested Gomes with a drive from distance but after 69 minutes the Ivorian ended his drought by firing a fierce volley through the hands of Gomes, who would have been disappointed not to keep the shot out.
And Gomes` afternoon got even worse after his clumsy challenge on Ramires handed Chelsea an injury-time penalty, but the Brazilian made amends by stopping a poor Drogba penalty as it ended all-square.
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Tottenham Hotspur
Spurs extend unbeaten run
Didier Drogba came off the bench to earn Chelsea a point in a 1-1 draw at Tottenham, but squandered the chance to take all three by missing an injury-time penalty.
By PA 11:10AM GMT 16 Dec 2010
It was a bright opening and Tottenham went ahead with their first real attack after 15 minutes. Jermain Defoe, who looked to be offside, fed Pavlyuchenko and the Russian striker superbly created space for himself and fired low past Petr Cech into the bottom corner.
Salomon Kalou brought a good save out of Heurelho Gomes with a 12-yard header and it was Kalou who went close again when his glancing header flashed wide as Chelsea looked to get back in ir.
Drogba, who came on at the interval, began to threaten and tested Gomes with a drive from distance but after 69 minutes the Ivorian ended his drought by firing a fierce volley through the hands of Gomes, who would have been disappointed not to keep the shot out.
And Gomes` afternoon got even worse after his clumsy challenge on Ramires handed Chelsea an injury-time penalty, but the Brazilian made amends by stopping a poor Drogba penalty as it ended all-square.
Spurs extend unbeaten run
Didier Drogba came off the bench to earn Chelsea a point in a 1-1 draw at Tottenham, but squandered the chance to take all three by missing an injury-time penalty.
By PA 11:10AM GMT 16 Dec 2010
It was a bright opening and Tottenham went ahead with their first real attack after 15 minutes. Jermain Defoe, who looked to be offside, fed Pavlyuchenko and the Russian striker superbly created space for himself and fired low past Petr Cech into the bottom corner.
Salomon Kalou brought a good save out of Heurelho Gomes with a 12-yard header and it was Kalou who went close again when his glancing header flashed wide as Chelsea looked to get back in ir.
Drogba, who came on at the interval, began to threaten and tested Gomes with a drive from distance but after 69 minutes the Ivorian ended his drought by firing a fierce volley through the hands of Gomes, who would have been disappointed not to keep the shot out.
And Gomes` afternoon got even worse after his clumsy challenge on Ramires handed Chelsea an injury-time penalty, but the Brazilian made amends by stopping a poor Drogba penalty as it ended all-square.
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Chelsea
Chelsea 'will win the league' predicts Frank Lampard
Chelsea have been desperately short of statements of intent in recent weeks but there was a clear one on Monday from Frank Lampard.
At last: a welcome sight for Chelsea fans at White Hart Lane as Frank Lampard prepares to make his comeback after a longh lay-off Photo: PA
By Jason Burt 6:50AM GMT 14 Dec 2010 Jason's Twitter
I have no doubt we will win the league, the 32-year-old midfielder said in the wake of his return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after almost four months out with a series of injuries.
Lampard said that Chelsea needed to continue to show the same spirit as had been demonstrated at White Hart Lane and hoped that the 1-1 draw which could so easily have been a victory would act as a staging post for a season that was beginning to unravel.
We have got the quality in our team, Lampard said. Injuries have been tough on us and some months tough on us. But with the spirit and ability we have got in our team if we play like that, I have confidence we can do it.
It is very tough. We will have to fight on a few fronts. Man City are there now, Arsenal, Man United, as we know. Teams like Tottenham are pushing from behind. So we have to be at our best, but if we are at our best I think we can win it.
Lampard was a surprise substitute against Spurs. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had planned to field him in a practice match on Thursday and will still do before starting the player against Manchester United on Sunday. But, after a discussion on Saturday afternoon, it was decided Lampard, who has been debilitated by a groin injury and then a detached tendon, could be on the bench against Spurs
Chelsea 'will win the league' predicts Frank Lampard
Chelsea have been desperately short of statements of intent in recent weeks but there was a clear one on Monday from Frank Lampard.
By Jason Burt 6:50AM GMT 14 Dec 2010 Jason's Twitter
I have no doubt we will win the league, the 32-year-old midfielder said in the wake of his return to action against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday after almost four months out with a series of injuries.
Lampard said that Chelsea needed to continue to show the same spirit as had been demonstrated at White Hart Lane and hoped that the 1-1 draw which could so easily have been a victory would act as a staging post for a season that was beginning to unravel.
We have got the quality in our team, Lampard said. Injuries have been tough on us and some months tough on us. But with the spirit and ability we have got in our team if we play like that, I have confidence we can do it.
It is very tough. We will have to fight on a few fronts. Man City are there now, Arsenal, Man United, as we know. Teams like Tottenham are pushing from behind. So we have to be at our best, but if we are at our best I think we can win it.
Lampard was a surprise substitute against Spurs. Manager Carlo Ancelotti had planned to field him in a practice match on Thursday and will still do before starting the player against Manchester United on Sunday. But, after a discussion on Saturday afternoon, it was decided Lampard, who has been debilitated by a groin injury and then a detached tendon, could be on the bench against Spurs
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