Win A Chelsea FC Short-Sleeve Shirt By Answering A Simple Quiz

The 2013/14 Home shirt was revealed in a ground-breaking teaser video, with stars of the team shown dripping in blue paint – with the line “It’s blue, what else matters?” encouraging fans to buy. The new kit takes inspirations from legendary past kits, and is proudly emblazoned in traditional Chelsea blue. The video received over 1.5million YouTube hits, with even rival fans commenting in favour of the video and the new kit. As well as showing your true blue loyalties, the kit also features TechFit™ and ClimaCool™ technologies to optimise performance.

The 2012/13 season had its highs and its lows, but with the release of the new kit and the highly-charged rumours of Mourinho’s return to the club – there’s plenty to be looking forward to in the 2013/14 season. It’s too soon to make any solid predictions, but speculation is already rife over what the team and the strategy will look like at the start of next season.

So we’ve teamed up with Ladbrokes Casino to celebrate their ‘Shoot’ slot game and to look forward to the new season by giving away a 2013/14 Chelsea FC Short-Sleeve Shirt to one lucky winner.

To be in with a chance of winning, just comment below with the answer to the below question and your email address:

Which player broke Chelsea’s all time goal scoring record by scoring 2 goals against Aston Villa on 11th May 2013?

a) Fernando Torres
b) Frank Lampard
c) John Terry

This competition closes on Wednesday 22nd May 2013 at 12pm and the randomly selected winner will be contacted by email. This offer is only open to UK residents. Good luck!

Edit : You answer is invalid if you do not provide an email address to reach you. So many people answering the question without leaving there email addresses. There is no how wee will contact you if you end up as the winner.

Why Lukaku Should Not Be Sent On Loan Again Next Season

Romelu Lukaku has had a great season on loan at West Brom this season. With a new manager and some lack luster option up front, we take a look at the reality of Lukaku coming home to Chelsea as well as a look at what role he is likely to play.

There is no denying that Lukaku has had a great season at West Brom. At times the Belgian has looked unplayable. He has terrorized defenses and over the season has improved on every aspect of his game particularly finishing. There is no doubt that West Brom have grown to love him. In his 31 appearances this season he has scored 14 goals, which is an impressive return for a player in his first season at any club. He was even named West Brom Players' Player of the year, a fantastic achievement for the young lad. This season he has proved that he is able to play at the highest level. He has shown flashes of brilliance and he is really starting to justify the transfer fee Chelsea paid for him.

The question is will Lukaku return this summer to his parent club? I certainly think it would be a good idea. I think the opportunity to give him Champions League experience as well as a chance to prove himself would be a big opportunity. I think if Chelsea sell Torres, bring in a replacement and then have Lukaku as well, that is all the attacking options they would need. I think that Lukaku is big and strong enough to impose himself on the big stage and needs to be given the chance. With the new manger likely to be Mourinho if you judge by online betting offers sites have shorten their odds on a return to Chelsea, Lukaku may have a good chance under him. Mourinho was the one that bought Drogba, back in his first time at the club. Now, Mourinho doesn’t need to buy a Drogba. He already has one. He would need to nurture him, to teach him. If he could make him even half the player that Drogba was, he would be one hell of a forward. Lukaku has the opportunity to be great but I think he needs Chelsea to put the faith in him and use him.

There are those that believe that it is too soon for him to make a return. That he needs more time to grow as a player before coming back to his parent club. I understand this argument. But if he is to be loaned out again then he needs to be going to a club with at least Europa League football next year. That means Swansea, Wigan or Everton, not back to West Brom. But personally, I feel that this wouldn’t help Lukaku. This season he has proved he is capable at this level. He has terrorized centre backs and experienced ones like Liverpool's Carragher too. I just feel he deserves a chance. Give him a couple of games. Show him some faith. Make him feel important and loved and I think you’ll be surprised with what you get back from him. I do think this success does rely on the manager. If we don’t get Mourinho then it might be a different story. I think only Mourinho would be likely to take him as it suits his playing style. He likes the big man up top, other managers tend to like things a different way.

Overall, I think that Lukaku is ready for the step up to the big leagues. He is big, strong, powerful and quick, all the things that you look for from a striker. I think he only needs to be pushed up. He needs a lot to be asked from him in order to become great. Sending him to play at Swansea or Everton would be fine, and no disrespect to those teams, but we should expect more of him. Chelsea should want Lukaku to be the greatest, to be a world-beater, to be as good as Drogba. This means that they need to put pressure on him, to make him try as hard as possible. In order for him to become the best you need to expect the best of him and that’s why he should come back to Chelsea.

Written by Jack Perry

Why Chelsea Do Not Need Wayne Rooney

Speculation in Wayne Rooney seems to be gathering pace. Various football betting sites have shorten odds of him remaining at United. With Chelsea one of the potential places he could be ending up I've decided to take a look at whether he is needed or would be a good fit for Chelsea. Will he be able to slot into the Chelsea formation, and do they really need or want him?

There is no denying that Rooney is a talent. He's a special player and when he is in the mood there is no stopping him. But that's the problem. He's only good when he is in the mood. He has become increasingly frustrated this season but the lack of game time he has got and how he feels pushed out with Van Persie being the main striker up top. I don't think Chelsea can afford to have a moody player like Rooney. They need someone who is there for the love of the team. Not just the paycheck. They need players that bleed blue, that have desire and passion and as good as Rooney is, he is not one of those players. The other issue would be how his moodiness would affect his relationship with Mourinho. Mourinho is not a manager to suffer fools lightly and Rooney temperament could cause more problems than it’s worth.

Another reason Rooney is not needed is the drama and media attention it would cause. As a Chelsea fan I feel we have had more than enough headlines this season and would like Chelsea to get back to a time when they let the football do the talking. This wouldn't be possible with Rooney as the expectation on his shoulders would mean that every miss, lack lustre performance or mistake would be scrutinised to the nth degree. We've already had one expensive flop at Chelsea we don't need another one.

Also there is a question if where he would play. Rooney has been deployed in a midfield or second striker role mostly this year and while this does allow him to pick up the ball from deep and use his vision, it's not a place that Chelsea are particularly short of. With Chelsea's star studded midfield, they have plenty if quality players who can play a pass or spot a run. What they need and what Chelsea need is someone to get on the end of those passes. A goal poacher or finisher, not someone who is going to drop deep to pick up the ball.

Don't get me wrong Rooney is a great striker and is more than capable of playing up front but he's just not the kind of player that Chelsea need. I don't think it would be wise for Chelsea to go for him because there are better players out there more suited to the squad's requirements. There is Lewandowski, who seems to be the best for for how Chelsea play their football. An out and out striker, with good movement who can be in the right place at the right time. To be honest if your looking at the Man Utd squad, Chicharito would be a better fit at Chelsea. He to is a finisher who lives to run in behind or poach a goal in the six yard box. That's what Chelsea lack.

I think Rooney has bad news written all over him to be honest and I don't think he will be coming to Chelsea. Man Utd are not stupid enough to sell to their rivals and there will be more than enough suitors to avoid doing so. I think Rooney will be Bayern bound. The lure of Pep Guardiola is a strong one and the chance to play in arguably the best side in Europe could be tempting. I could only see Chelsea making a bid if other potential targets fall through and as good as Rooney is I would just be too worried about getting another Torres on our hands.

Written by Jack Perry

Aston Villa vs. Chelsea: Match Preview

Chelsea’s next opponents in the Premier League are Aston Villa. The match should be an interesting one given that both teams have something to fight for; Chelsea are hoping to secure a place in the Champions League next season while Villa are fighting hard to ensure their survival in the Premier League.

Both teams are going through decent runs of form. Of their last 6 League matches, Aston Villa have won 3 matches, drawn 1 and lost 2. Chelsea have remained unbeaten in their last 6 League matches, winning 4 and drawing 2 matches. In terms of recent form, Chelsea certainly hold the upper hand. However, Villa will be playing in front of their home fans and will most certainly give their all in a desperate bid to ensure Premier League survival.

Having said that, Villa will most certainly want to forget what happened when they last came up against the Blues. Chelsea emerged 8-0 winners on the day, playing football that was both attractive and ruthless at the same time. They also set a new club record of having seven different players on the score-sheet in the same game.

A win for Chelsea will all but guarantee them Champions League qualification next season. The race for top 4 looks something like this at the moment: with 36 games played, Chelsea are 3rd with 69 points, Arsenal are 4th with 67 points and Tottenham are 5th with 66 points. This make Premier League betting much more interesting for the next 2 games. Should each of these 3 teams win their respective matches this weekend, the table will look like this: Chelsea will have 72 points, Arsenal will have 70 points and Spurs will have 69 points. Even if Chelsea lose their final League game to Everton, their superior goal difference will allow them to secure 4th place even if Tottenham win their final League game against Sunderland.

Even though Villa currently sit in 13th place, only 5 points separates them from 18th-placed Wigan. Relegation has already been confirmed for QPR and Reading but given the slim points difference between all teams from 13th to 18th, anyone can still be relegated. A win over Chelsea will ensure Villa’s Premier League survival but beating a team of Chelsea’s quality, even at home, is easier said than done.

Players to watch out for:

Aston Villa – Christian Benteke. The Belgian has been a revelation this season, scoring 22 goals in 38 appearances in all competitions. He recently scored a wonderful hat-trick against Sunderland and will no doubt be Villa’s main goal-scoring threat.  The Belgian forward is 6.8 to score first with betfair.

Chelsea – Oscar dos Santos. The young Brazilian had a scintillating start to his Chelsea career, but then found form hard to come by. His recent performances have been better and he has even managed to find the back of the net against United and Tottenham.  The Brazilian is 4.4 to score at anytime with betfair..

Written By Shayne Dias

5 Things We Learnt As Chelsea Beat The Champions

Chelsea’s top 4 hopes were massively boosted after Mata’s deflected effort 4 minutes from time gave the Blues all 3 points against a relatively weakened Manchester United side. The goal was eventually classified a Phil Jones own goal. Nevertheless, it’s an important 3 points for Chelsea who will now face fellow Champions League contenders Tottenham on Wednesday.

The match was a sordid affair although there wasn’t a real lack of clear-cut chances. And while the result was exactly what Chelsea needed, there were several things Chelsea learned from this match. They are:

1) Keep up the positive attacking intent – For most of the first half, Chelsea were not only able to keep possession well but also passed the ball around quickly and effectively and created a flurry of chances. For once Chelsea didn’t start the match on the back-foot and that helped the team assert their dominance during the first half. While they did slack off a bit in the 2nd half, it was refreshing to see Chelsea actually take the game to the opposition and play good attacking football. It’s certainly a good sign for the future that everyone attacked as a unit.

2) Need to be more clinical – This has been a bit of a recurring problem for Chelsea this season. While plenty of chances were created in the first half, not one of them was taken. Demba Ba missed 2 simple chances, Oscar hit the woodwork and even Moses had a good chance that he ended up wasting. If Chelsea had taken even one of those chances the game would have been all but over given that United didn’t look much of a threat going forward. As it is, those missed chances didn’t come back to haunt Chelsea, but it might have been a whole different story had United scored early.

3) Moses needs to work hard on his game – Victor Moses had another one of ‘those’ days. While he did go forward quite frequently, his end product i.e. passing, crossing and even shooting were way off the mark. He was eventually hauled off for Fernando Torres in the 75th minute of the game. Moses is a hard-working player but hard work cannot always compensate for a misplaced pass or an over-hit cross. The truth is, his recent performances in a Chelsea shirt have ranged from average to poor and he needs to work hard on improving his end product.

4) Ashley Cole shouldn’t be guaranteed a place in the starting XI – Another problem that has been highlighted before. Ashley Cole put in yet another poor performance at left-back. His attacking play was largely limited to making attacking runs and simply passing the ball and defensively he was constantly bypassed by an average-looking Antonio Valencia. Bertrand has looked solid and efficient recently and it wouldn’t harm Benitez to give the young left-back a little more game time in place of the out-of-form Ashley Cole. At least if Bertrand fails it won’t be for a lack of trying.

5) Benitez should have made his first substitution quicker – This may seem a bit of a stretch on my part, but I did find it surprising that Benitez waited till the 75th minute to bring Torres on. Given that he was the only realistic attacking change Benitez had on the bench, he should have been thrown on a lot sooner given that the team needed a goal. He came on and made a bit of an impact but it would have made a lot more sense to throw him on the same time Sir Alex Ferguson brought on Rooney and Buttner.

Written by Shayne Dias