Thursday 31st August

Tevez and Mascherano sign for West Ham

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West Ham have completed the signing of Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano, two of the world's most sought after young players.

Tevez and Mascherano, both 22, join the Hammers from Brazilian side Corinthians on permanent deals for undisclosed fees.

West Ham are thought to have struck a deal with Media Sports Investments, who own the rights to the two players. MSI were linked with a takeover of Upton Park last season but eventually pulled out.

Both players have in the past been linked with moves to Stamford Bridge because of Roman Abramovich's alleged connections with MSI.

We live in interesting times.

Thursday 31st August

Chelsea fined for doping breach

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The Football Association has fined Chelsea £40,000 for breaching doping regulations.

Chelsea were charged in relation to the independent private drug testing the club conducted on Adrian Mutu in July 2004.

The club has issued a strongly-worded statement criticising the FA's bureaucracy and drug testing procedures, but also admitting that a technical breach of the doping regulations occurred in this case.

Wednesday 30th August

Huth joins Middlesbrough

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Robert Huth has finally completed his £6m move to Middlesbrough.

Huth initially agreed to join Gareth Southgate's side during the World Cup but subsequently failed a medical because of a persistent ankle injury.

The German international has since had a operation and today signed a five-year contract with the Teesiders.

Tuesday 29th August

Premiership: Blackburn Rovers 0 - 2 Chelsea

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Match reports

The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "It is engrossing to watch Chelsea at the moment but the mesmeric power has nothing to do with the glamour in Jose Mourinho's squad. Particularly at away grounds the fascination lies in the sight of champions trying to rediscover their old selves."

The Independent, James Lawton: "Chelsea's problem was the same as the one that afflicted them at Middlesbrough. It was a lack of balance, a sense that the individual midfield strength of such as Lampard, Ballack and Essien was draining away in the starkest case of duplication."

Sunday 27th August

Premiership: Blackburn Rovers v. Chelsea

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After Wednesday's below par performance against Middlesbrough, Jose Mourinho is expecting the players to show an improved attitude at Ewood Park later today.

"We were just too passive [at the Riverside], reacting just to the score. The point is we know why we were champions twice and it was not with this attitude, that is for sure," he said.

Arjen Robben, who withdrew during the warm-up at Boro with a tight calf muscle, is expected to return to the sqaud, as is Michael Ballack, missing since picking up a hip injury during the defeat to Liverpool in the Community...

Thursday 24th August

Champions League: Chelsea drawn against Barcelona

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For the third time in three years Chelsea have been drawn against Barcelona in the Champions League.

The other teams in Chelsea's group, Group A are Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia.

Full draw details available here.

Thursday 24th August

Premiership: Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Chelsea

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Match reports

The Guardian, Michael Walker: "Andriy Shevchenko's first Premiership goal, allied to a composed all-round Chelsea performance, appeared to have given Jose Mourinho's team a second consecutive win but Steve McClaren's Middlesbrough beat Chelsea here 3-0 six months ago and there could be no doubting the players' commitment to try and repeat that for Gareth Southgate."

The Independent, Simon Rushworth: "In the aftermath of the champions' second successive League defeat at the Riverside, Mourinho apportioned collective blame and shed little light on whether a decidedly nervous...

Wednesday 23rd August

Premiership: Middlesbrough v. Chelsea

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Chelsea's second game of the new Premiership campaign kicks off at the Riverside later this evening with both the manager and players eager to avenge last season's shock 3-0 defeat.

"It is the one performance last year that stands out as our worst so we will try and put that right. But the most important thing is to get six points out of six at the start of the season," said Frank Lampard earlier this week.

New signing Khalid Boulahrouz goes straight into the squad while Claude Makelele and Michael Ballack, both ruled out of

Tuesday 22nd August

Arsenal confirm Gallas bid

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Arsene Wenger has admitted that Arsenal have put in an offer for William Gallas.

Wenger confirmed the bid at a press conference earlier this afternoon, where he also announced that Ashley Cole wouldn't be in Arsenal's Champions League squad to play Dinamo Zagreb on Wednesday.

"We are still in no man's land surrounding his [Cole] move. I made an offer for William Gallas and that is how far we are," Wenger told reporters.

Conflicting reports in this morning's newspapers suggest that Chelsea are either willing to let Gallas spend the final year of his contract in the reserves, or are

Monday 21st August

Premiership: Chelsea 3 - 0 Manchester City

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Match reports

The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "The team is not yet as finely honed as Mourinho will ultimately demand. All the same, Chelsea can busk it and still produce results that are sweet music to their fans."

The Independent, Sam Wallace: "The outstanding performer was Essien, who dominated the midfield once again. Mourinho said the only problem he has his with Ghana international is trying to control his instinct to cover every blade of grass, "because then I won't have him in the areas I need him". He also promised that Essien would not be dropped after...

Monday 21st August

Chelsea complete Boulahrouz signing

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Chelsea have completed the signing of versatile defender Khalid Boulahrouz from German side SV Hamburg.

The 24 year-old Dutch international tied up his move to SW6 over the weekend and watched his new side beat Manchester City 3-0 at Stamford Bridge in their first game of the Premiership season on Sunday afternoon.

Sunday 20th August

Premiership: Chelsea v. Manchester City

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Chelsea's first game of the new Premiership campaign kicks off at Stamford Bridge at 4pm BST with Jose Mourinho still concerned about the players' fitness levels following a hectic and short pre-season, which was further interrupted this week by a raft of international friendlies.

Mourinho has spoken of employing a more attacking style of football this season but will be hard pushed to do so in this game due to...

Saturday 19th August

Chelsea agree fee for Hamburg's Boulahrouz

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Chelsea are poised to sign Dutch international defender Khalid Boulahrouz after agreeing a fee with German club Hamburg SV.

Boulahrouz, 24, is due to travel to London at the weekend to discuss personal terms and undergo a medical.

"He is a good competitive player and will be a good addition to our squad," Chelsea's assistant manager Steve Clarke told Chelsea TV.

"He can play centre-back or either full-back position. I think he is right-footed and it is important to have one or two players around the squad who can play in a number of different positions."

Boulahrouz's nickname is Khalid der Kannibale ("Khalid the Cannibal") because of his voracious attitude on the pitch.

His arrival could spell the end of William Gallas' Stamford Bridge career.

Friday 18th August

Mourinho: Nine months under the microscope

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In the main square of Setúbal stands a statue of Manuel Maria Barbosa du Bocage, an 18th century Portuguese poet. Bocage is described as being a prodigiously talented but occasionally unstable individual who lived a turbulent life in which he gathered numerous enemies and regularly upset those in authority.

The pugnacious poet is the town’s second most famous son after Jose Mourinho. Are their arguably shared characteristics attributable to the waters of the river Sado, or a secret tryst between the Special One’s great, great grandmother and Bocage? Matters for the anthropologists to discuss whilst Mourinho prepares himself for another nine months under the microscope.

Having admitted that the pressures of life at Chelsea made him consider quitting last season, the forthcoming campaign promises to test his mettle to the limit.

The targets set by the media in Mourinho’s pre-season review are probably not dissimilar to Roman...

Friday 18th August

Chelsea and United join forces to combat touts

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Chelsea and Manchester United have opened an online exchange where season ticket holders can sell spare tickets in a secure environment.

The system, aimed at beating ticket touts is similar to many already operating in the USA. The exchange is run by viagogo and is expected to be adopted by other clubs if it proves to be a success.

Friday 18th August

And the squeakiest bum prize goes to...

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Something will have to give this weekend. As Sir Alex Ferguson would say, it’s squeaky bum time, and there’re no prizes for guessing whose bum is the squeakiest right now! Part of Arsenal’s ‘insurance’ in their face-off with Chelsea over Cole was the expected windfall to come to them from Reyes’ sale to Madrid. Arsenal had calculated that the failure of Calderon to land any of Robben, Kaka and Fabregas was already a source of bother for him as this piles early pressure on his presidency, as only the Spanish system can (because these were the players he promised to bring to the club when campaigning for the club’s presidency and the basis upon which he was elected). While signing Cannavaro and Ruud are no substitutes, Arsenal recognize that Madrid need a Reyes signing to further ameliorate that early setback. Typically, they’ve sought to milk the Spanish club to the hilt.

However, Calderon has wised up. He recognized the...

Thursday 17th August

Chelsea report Bates and Leeds to F.A.

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Chelsea have issued a statement following recent comments made by Ken Bates in relation to the ongoing dispute over former Leeds academy players Michael Woods, Tom Taiwo and Danny Rose.

The full statement, which can be seen here suggests that Bates has breached FA rules E3 and E4 which prohibit "rude, insulting and inappropriate comments being made about other club owners, chairmen and personnel."

Thursday 17th August

Reader offers

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Wednesday 16th August

Argentine defender on trial at the Bridge

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Chelsea have taken highly-rated teenage central defender Maximiliano Oliva on trial from Argentine club River Plate. The 16 year-old would cost the Blues around £1 million should they decide to make the move permanent.

Tuesday 15th August

Gallas not for sale

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Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck has reiterated that the club will not sell William Gallas even though the player has made it clear he wants to quit Stamford Bridge.

"William is unhappy but we love William Gallas and we'd like him to stay at Chelsea," Buck told BBC Radio Five Live.

"We're not interested in transferring him to a Premier League club or another club in Europe. He has one year on his contract and we expect him to fulfil that."

Gallas was left out of the squad for yesterday's Community Shield after missing the club's tour of the United States.

Monday 14th August

The Community Shield: Chelsea 1 - 2 Liverpool

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Match reports

The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "Mourinho will have departed reflecting that, for all his fabled resources, it will be important to get Petr Cech and Joe Cole back from surgery and injury. He might conceivably make a mental note to seek conciliation with the disaffected William Gallas. In addition, Claude Makelele's rest must be well and truly over now."

The Independent, Sam Wallace: "So what has happened to the width that made Chelsea the home of four of the world's best wingers last season? Mourinho said after the match he had decided it was time for a change, although fiddling with a team...

Sunday 13th August

The Community Shield: Chelsea v. Liverpool

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The traditional curtain-raiser to the new Premiership campaign will be the eleventh meeting between Chelsea and Liverpool since the start of the 2004/05 season. Of the previous ten fixtures three have finished 0-0 (all in the Champions League), while Chelsea have won five (including all four Premiership games) and Liverpool two; combined scoreline: 12-6.

A telling statistic is Liverpool's record against Chelsea in Cup competitions during that time. Nobody can forget the Reds' 1-0 Champions League semi-final second leg win on their way to lifting the trophy in 2005, or last season's 2-1 win in the FA Cup semi-final. Chelsea's only Cup victory in the same period...

Friday 11th August

Wright-Phillips back in England squad

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Steve McClaren has signalled his intent to escape the shadow of Sven-Goran Erikkson by dropping former England captain David Beckham.

Beckham stepped down from the role of captain after this summer's World Cup and yesterday McClaren appointed John Terry as his replacement.

Today the former Middlesbrough manager named his 25-man squad to play Greece at Old Trafford on August 16th, and there was no place for the Real Madrid man.

Instead Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips is included....

Thursday 10th August

Of bluffs and blinkers

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When on Monday Arsene Wenger declared this week as “the last limit” he expects something to happen with Ashley Cole “one way or the other”, it was a sure sign that Arsenal had blinked first in their game of brinkmanship with Chelsea over the player’s possible transfer. If further confirmation was needed, it came in the form of Cole’s subsequent omission from the team that took on Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League third qualifying round match the following day. Expectedly, this chink in Arsenal’s armour was quickly exploited by Chelsea as Jose Mourinho immediately came out to declare almost exactly the sentiments of Wenger, only this time, he reduced the deadline to “a couple of days” after which, if nothing happens, Chelsea would look elsewhere. By Wednesday evening, Chelsea followed this up by releasing a statement acknowledging that the club have been in discussions with Arsenal over the possible transfer of Cole, but...

Thursday 10th August

John Terry named England captain

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John Terry has been named England captain by Steve McClaren. The Chelsea skipper replaces David Beckham who stepped down from the role after this summer's World Cup. His first game as captain will be the friendly against Euro 2004 winners Greece on August 16.

Thursday 10th August

Chelsea 1 - 1 Celtic... Cole transfer stalls... Make mine a Heineken

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Shaun Wright-Phillips scored his first goal for Chelsea in what was an entertaining draw at Stamford Bridge - but the friendly status of the fixture means it won’t count as his first official goal for the Blues.

Gary Caldwell put Celtic in the lead in the 10th minute when he escaped the attention of Wayne Bridge at a corner and toe-poked the ball past Carlo Cudicini. Questions are sure be asked about the marking.

With Andriy Shevchenko on the bench, it was Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben and Wright-Phillips who caused the Bhoys the most problems. On the stroke of half-time, Wright-Phillips engineered enough space on the edge of the area to get in a low strike past...

Wednesday 9th August

Chelsea v. Celtic

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Chelsea's third pre-season game in five days kicks off at Stamford Bridge later this evening. Scottish champions Celtic are tonight's opponents in what has been dubbed the "Battle of Britain".

Last night's 1-0 win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam was a considerable improvement on the performance against the Major League Soccer All-Stars: the majority of players looked a great deal closer to match sharpness.

With that fact in mind, Jose Mourinho may limit the changes during the game in an effort to finalise the line-up for Sunday's Community Shield against Liverpool.

With tickets priced at £40 and...

Wednesday 9th August

Feyenoord 0 - 1 Chelsea

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Jose Mourinho declared himself a happy man yesterday evening after watching a much-improved Chelsea performance in a 1-0 win over Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

Frank Lampard scored the only goal of the game early in the second half, latching on to a pass from Andriy Shevchenko after good combination play between the Ukranian and Didier Drogba. Feyenoord almost levelled in the last minute of the game, with only the woodwork denying former Celtic and Nottingham Forest striker Pierre van Hooijdonk from a free kick.

Mourinho spoke briefly about the continuing pursuit of Ashley Cole after the game, stating that the ball is in Arsenal's court and that there were other options should...

Tuesday 8th August

Feyenoord v. Chelsea

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Chelsea's rushed pre-season continues later this evening with a game against Dutch side Feyenoord in Rotterdam, kick-off 7pm local time (6pm BST).

Coming just three days after losing 1-0 to the Major League Soccer All-Stars in Chicago, and with another friendly game against Celtic at Stamford Bridge tomorrow night, expect Jose Mourinho to chop and change the players throughout. It was obvious from Saturday's loss in the US that the majority of the squad is far from match sharp.

Joe Cole is the only member of the squad definitely out after damaging knee ligaments against the MLS All-Stars. If reports are to be believed,

Monday 7th August

Crespo joins Inter Milan

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Hernan Crespo has signed a two-year contract with Internazionale, according to the Italian club's official website.

A statement on Inter.it reads: "Hernan Crespo is an Inter player. The striker has signed a two-year contract until June 30, 2008. Crespo joins Inter on a two-year free transfer from Chelsea, who have the right to take the player back after one season."

The official Chelsea FC website has confirmed that Crespo has joined Inter on a two-year loan deal.

In other news, Eidur Gudjohnsen scored for Barcelona in a 1-1 draw with Mexican side Chivas Guadalajara in a friendly in Los Angeles last night.

Sunday 6th August

Drogba to sign new deal

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Didier Drogba’s agent has revealed that his client will sign a new four-year contract with Chelsea once the club returns from their pre-season tour of the United States.

"Didier will sign a new contract with Chelsea as soon as the team comes back from the States. We have effectively agreed a new deal with them and there are only a few details to sort out," Tserno Saidi said.

Sunday 6th August

Major League Soccer All-Stars 1 - 0 Chelsea

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Chelsea's pre-season got off to a losing start late last night when the Major League Soccer All-Stars defeated Jose Mourinho's side 1-0 in Chicago.

Mourinho stuck to his plan and gave the majority of the squad a run out, including new signings Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou. But with Major League Soccer currently in the middle of its domestic campaign the All-Stars were much the sharper side from the start.

The game was decided in the 70th minute when some lapse defending from a throw-in allowed Dwayne De Rosario to shoot from the edge of the area past new 'keeper Henrique Hilario - who had only been on the pitch six minutes after replacing Carlo Cudicini.

The match was marred by

Saturday 5th August

Major League Soccer All-Stars v. Chelsea

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Chelsea's pre-season kicks off later tonight in Chicago, USA with a game against Major League Soccer's All-Star team.

Jose Mourinho says he intends to utilise all 16 senior players who have made the trip, which means we will see new signings Michael Ballack, Andriy Shevchenko, John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou in a Chelsea shirt for the first time.

Ballack will play alongside Frank Lampard in midfield from the start as the manager tries both the 4-3-3 and 4-4-2 formation.

Kick-off has been moved from 5:30pm local time to...

Thursday 3rd August

Advertise with Chelsea Blog

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Established in early 2004, Chelseablog.com is at the pinnacle of football blogging.

With upwards of a hundred and fifty thousand page views every month, you can rest assured that your advert will be seen by a good many of Chelsea Football Club's ever increasing fan base (there are currently 3.8 million Chelsea supporters in the United Kingdom and 90 million worldwide).

Advertising on Chelseablog.com will not only give you access to Chelsea Football Club supporters, but also a large community of rival fans. You will also be affiliated with the Chelsea Football Club brand, which was recently named as one of the UK's most recognised. Chelsea Football Club is the first...

Wednesday 2nd August

Bates reports Chelsea to FA, Premier League, FIFA

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Former Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has carried out his threat and reported Chelsea to the Football Association over three alleged illegal approaches for Leeds United academy players - and claims he will also be making an official complaint to the Premier League, FIFA, UEFA and the Football League.

Bates, now chairman at Elland Road, claims Chelsea signed youngsters Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo after making illegal approaches - and failed in their attempt to sign Danny Rose, who chose to remain with United.

"There is a dispute about, in our opinion, the blatant breach of the Football League rules," said Bates.

But the FA said they have not yet received an official complaint from Leeds.

A spokesman said: "We have had communication...

Wednesday 2nd August

The Rebellion of William Gallas

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The news that William Gallas wouldn’t be joining his team-mates in the US is not what most Chelsea fans want to hear now - less than two weeks before we officially get the season underway with the traditional Charity Shield. The club’s statement about the situation no doubt reveals a deepening tension between the parties, something that’s come to a head since May.

As I’ve said before, I’m a Gallas fan, but I’m not a fan of stupidity. I’ve opposed his style from the very beginning, because it smacks of nothing but blackmail. I think the club’s position then (and now) is the right one. Gallas has had his time running around spreading stories in the press for the past three years (even as the ink was yet to dry on his last contract with the club). In May, the club finally called his bluff and...

Wednesday 2nd August

Chelsea angered by Gallas absence

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Chelsea have confirmed that William Gallas will not join the club on their pre-season tour of the USA. Gallas was supposed to report back to the training camp in Los Angeles on Monday but failed to turn up.

Chelsea have insisted that the player has acted against their wishes and could be subject to club sanctions at a later date.

"William Gallas will not be joining up with Chelsea FC on the pre-season tour of the United States," said the club in a statement on Chelsea TV.

"Gallas was due to join the team with the other Chelsea players who participated in the World Cup semi-finals and final. William requested extra time off following the World Cup but was informed he should still report to Los Angeles on...

Tuesday 1st August

Chelsea to make Gallas statement today

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Chelsea are due to make a statement later today (Tuesday) following reports that William Gallas has failed to report for the club's pre-season training camp in Los Angeles.

The French international has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after suggesting that he wanted to leave in May. He has one year left on his current deal and would be free to talk to other clubs in January 2007. Chelsea have offered Gallas a new four-year contract and have stated that they are not willing to sell the versatile defender, who has made over 200 appearances for the club since his arrival from Marseilles in 2001.

UPDATE 17.30 BST: Chelsea FC will make a statement on the William Gallas 'situation' at 18.30 on Chelsea TV, which will be published on the