With the forthcoming two fixtures pitching the English Champions against the Champions of Europe, we thought it would be a great opportunity to contact our Chelsea counterparts to discuss current and past encounters between our respective clubs.
Questions1.
First off, any chance you can briefly explain what has been going on at your Billionaire's club over the summer and are you happy with the new signings?Rob (CFC-net)
One question in and already you're starting in with the jibes about Roman! Phew. OK, I can guess what this one's going to be like, but here we go. Well, lots of bullshit and not much movement, as is usually par for the course with Chelsea (assuming you remove the previous - and insane – summer from the equation). But yes, I'm delighted with the players we've bought. Del Horno has slotted in like he's always played alongside JT and Billy Gallas, and has a lot of quality in defence and attack. An excellent buy. SWP you already know about, and although I suspect he'll need a season or two before he really makes his mark for us, simply because of competition for the wide attacking positions, he's a vital buy for the future. And Essien? Well, trust me. This guy's going to be a star.Roy (Crossways CSC)
The signings of Wright-Phillips and Essien are key to us retaining the title this year. Curious how we can keep improving the squad every window, but we do seem to be finding the right keys to open up the opposition.
Robaldo (TalkChelsea)
New signings are great. Having Crepso back, signing one of Englands best young players in SWP and Essien looks brilliant. Del Horno looks good too. Some good competition this season.2.
What about the exodus? Did you think Kezman was given sufficient opportunity?Rob
Hmmm. He played more games than you think, I suspect. Sorry, Mateja, but no ... I don't think you were good enough.Roy
Seemed to be a good signing initially, but just didn't fit in with Jose's plans
Robaldo
Kezman was given no chance if I’m honest. The effort he put in when he was playing was brilliant. He had bad luck in front of goal and should have been given another year at least to settle in and prove what he can do. He's already started off well at his new club. Smertin and Jarosik were never really going to play in the midfield we have. The loan moves were right, but I wish Jarosik would have moved on permanently.3.
How would you best describe this Roman bloke?Rob
How can I describe a man I've never met? He saved my club, that's all I know. I'm not naive enough to believe that he did this solely for the love of Chelsea Football Club, but as long as he's here I'm going to enjoy it.Roy
Rich. Very very rich. As long as he keeps putting his hand in his pocket, I'm happy. Wouldn't mind a holiday on his Yatch either, if he's reading this. Comments that he's Vladimir Putin's love child are totally false.
Robaldo
Generous, loves the club, the fans and is also a big fan himself. People say they can’t wait until he runs off but he’s planning on handing down to his young son one day in the future. He attends team meetings, is in the dressing room before and after games and likes to know what’s going off and he’s learning more and more as time goes on.4.
There have been all sorts of comments made about Chelsea's pricing of games, will this stop you from going or will you be more selective of games?Rob
I have to be more selective, as does anyone who earns a reasonable wage. Look, we're getting the roasting for this but football's been getting more expensive for years, and whether we like it or not, we in London earn (on average) more than the rest of the country. What that means is football and beers, the truly fine things in life, are more expensive. Having said that, I can't see the club ignoring the fact that there were 13,000 empty seats at the Anderlecht game the other night. I hope something will be done about it.Roy
Stopped this year. I just simply could not afford to continue on a full time basis, so took the decision to retire to the pub for games. Not everyone in London is on mega bucks and it appears my loyalty in the old second division counts for nothing.
Robaldo
I personally can’t get to as many games as I would like to. The ticket prices are ridiculous but as a real fan if i could go every week I would. They need to sort the prices out though, lower them for the better of the club.5.
With a 100% start to the season, how long can you see the run lasting and where would you expect your first serious challenge?Rob
I would have expected more of a challenge from Arsenal, but they were even more dreadful than we were. I'll provoke howls of rage for this, but I expect us to beat you at Anfield in October, and I don't see too many problems until we get to Old Trafford in November. Assuming Blackburn try and play us this time ... they kicked lumps out of us at Ewood last season and we still beat them. Paul Dickov - has a man ever had such an apt surname?Roy
I don’t expect the 100% to last too long, but remaining unbeaten is a possibility for a while to come. I think we'll go down somewhere bizarre like Portsmouth, not to one of the big teams.
Robaldo
As long as the team are playing better than the opposition the run will hopefully go a long way.6.
What are your expectations for this season (all comps)?Rob
Premiership Champions, I'd like to win the FA Cup, and we'll see with the Champions' League. As you lot know better than most, you need a lot of luck to win that one 
Roy
Win the Premiership.
FA Cup quarter finals.
League Cup winners.
Champions League finalists.
Robaldo
I expect to again win at least 2 trophies. The Premiership is my main target as a fan, I’ve been waiting the last 15 years as a Chelsea fan to win the league. Winning back to back titles is something not many teams achieve.7.
Who do you think is your most important player(s)?Rob
Claude Makelele, if I had to name one. But as I'm sure you know, there's a spine at Chelsea that makes it such a successful team. From the back: Cech, Terry, Gallas, Makelele, Lampard, Duff. They're all crucial.Roy
Peter Cech, best in Europe possibly the world right now. John Terry just oozes class and he gets a few goals each season. Definite starter for England in the world cup.
(with who?) Probably Rio, but your lad Carragher would make a good pairing. Shame Don Juan just can’t see past the end of his nose!
Robaldo
Definitely Cluade Makelele without a doubt. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Its all about Lampard and Terry but for me, Makelele is the most important player in our team.8.
Your worst player(s)?Rob
Amazingly, Glen Johnson seems to have become a weaker player than the talented teenager we bought from West Ham. He's not playing many games now because of Paulo Ferreira's unassuming excellence, but even if Ferreira was missing I suspect Jose would favour Geremi. It's a harsh call to make as Glen has bundles of talent and I've seen him play some great games for us. But at the moment, he's missing something and he's the name that springs to mind if I had to mention someone underperforming. Part of the genius of Jose is that we have a lean (24-man) squad of outstanding footballers. There's pretty much no dead weight. Young Liverpool fans might struggle to know what that feels like.Roy
No one really, but Joe Cole does come in for the brunt of my frustrations when he tries do it all on his own. Sometimes a simple pass is sufficient.
Robaldo
Personally Glen Johnson and Robert Huth in the defensive areas. I know they are both young but I don’t see them as Chelsea starters in years to come. A lot of fans like Joe Cole but I just think there is something about him that I don’t like. Not the worst player but he's one I wouldn’t pick over the rest.9.
Do you have a particular memory of any previous meeting between our clubs?Rob
Most memorable game? .... as I've been asked not to mention Sparky Hughes... well... as I have a shortish memory, I'll plump for Stevie Gerrard's fantastic performance for Chelsea in the Carling Cup final last season. A header that Saint Sparky himself would have been proud of.Roy
Taking £15 off a scouser in my local last season when we won 1-0 at Anfield. I just love taking money off Scousers (asking me did I fancy a bet)
Robaldo
4-2 win in the FA Cup I remember as a kid. Great game and the comeback to win was brilliant.10.
Any young up and coming players in the squad that we might not know about?Rob
I'm waiting for Lassana Diarra to start showing us what he can do. French U-21 international bought from Le Havre over the summer, and tipped by Jose to be our next Makelele. Even though Essien has already shown that he can perform that role, a specialist destroyer like Makelele is hard to come by.Roy
Originally had high hopes for Glen Johnson, but he doesn't appear to be living up to his initial potential.
Robaldo
There are a few in the reserves and youth team. We signed a young lad called Lassara Diarra in the summer who is being trained by Makelele to take his place in the future. Looks a bright prospect. We also have a youth team striker called Scott Sinclair, signed from Bristol Rovers. Keep an eye out on him in the future.11.
Would you prefer a pre-season friendly in UK USA, or one in Russia?Rob
USA is a long flight that the players don't need. UK, obviously.Roy
UK, can’t afford any other destination. Russia? who the F*** would want to go there?
Robaldo
USA. The game needs to be promoted over there and a lot of money can be made by teams over there.12.
What sort of line-up will you put out against us?Rob
You'll all think this is arrogant, but I suspect that it's the same line-up we'd put out against any Premiership team, assuming that all players are fit. You know the back 4, you know Makelele and Lampard will play if they're not injured, probably Essien, and then a pair of wingers and (probably) Crespo, assuming Jose wants guile rather than brute force up front.Roy
We will be shown on Sky as playing 4-3-3, but I can assure you it's more likely to be 4-5-1 in actual play. It's a great system that can adapt as the game progresses. I expect a tough battle in midfield, but who is going to score for you against OUR back four? I hope you play Crouch
Robaldo
I’m expecting a 4-3-3 like normal. I think there will be a surprise in the team selection as well.13.
What's your favourite chant or song from the terraces (yours/ours)?Rob
Celery.Roy
I'd rather be a Russian than a Yank.
Robaldo
Any chant, but the crowd at the Bridge just don’t seem to sing as much as they should. Its a shame really being Champions, the atmosphere is terrible.14.
What's your worst chant (yours/ours)?Rob
My least favourite chant is 10 German Bombers... doesn't belong to any one club, so can't blame anyone in particular, and it's one of those things that epitomises everything I hate about English football. The equivalent of the monkey noises you get in some continental European nations when black players are on the pitch.Roy
Celery ! I mean what's all that about
Celery Celery!
If she don’t cum,
ill tickle her bum,
with a lump of celery.
Celery Celery...
(the words apparently go along with a piece of celery which the CFC fans throw)Celery (family version)
celerey celery
if you love your mum then tickle her tum
with a lump of celery
Celery (latest Version)
Celery celery,
If Damien Duff don't tickle her muff
We'll give her Geremi
(Heard this in the so bar opposite The Bridge before the Sparta game)
Can you make any sense of it?
15.
Do you enjoy your trips to Anfield?Rob
Ah, Liverpool's great. It must be that famous sense of humour you lot have up there.Roy
I used to, great place to spend a weekend, especially Friday night in the centre. What is it with all the birds being orange?
16.
How do you find atmosphere, things like YNWA etc.Rob
Ah, it's not as great as you lot all seem to think it is. Maybe you need to get the acoustics looked at!Roy
Used to admire the Kop when everybody sang there hearts out and lifted the scarves. On last visit, hardly anybody seemed arsed, why is that?
17.
What one thing would you change in terms of how away fans are treated at Anfield or at other away venues?Rob
I'm probably alone in this, but I've never really had an issue with how I've been treated at an away game. Certainly not in the last 10 years or so, anyway. I've been told not to swear... that was probably the most ridiculous thing a steward's ever said to me.Roy
Can't complain about Anfield, but have you ever sat in the God's at Newcastle? what a waste of money. Away fans often get the worst specs in the ground, I disagree with that.
18.
Where do you expect Liverpool to finish in the Premier League?Rob
I think you'll be lucky to get 4th, the way you're scoring at the moment.Roy
I believe you will finish in the top three, I'm not kidding, you won’t beat us, but I think you have improved your squad more than Manu or Arsenal.
Robaldo
4th maybe. The manager just doesn’t seem capable to deal with the English game unlike Europe.19.
Where do you expect Liverpool to finish in the CL?Rob
Quarter-final. Mind you, I said that last season.Roy
Quarter finals, lightning won't strike twice.
Robaldo
Quarter Finals is the furthest you will get I think.20.
If you had to choose which fixture to win of the two upcoming League and CL games which would you choose and why?Rob
Next question.Roy
We'll win the Premiership in a canter, so if I had to choose I would pick the Champions League.
Robaldo
League. To me the League is very important and we can’t afford to let anyone catch us. We're on a great run and I don’t want to see that end. The Champions League however, we can afford to lose and still get through the group. 20.
Which Liverpool player will you fear the most?Rob
Morientes hahahahhaahhhhaaaa. Phew. No comment.Roy
Cisse - cannot understand why he isn't picked more often. He'll be the French striker in years to come and will score goals for fun. Perhaps if he changed his name to El Cisse, he'd get picked more often.
Robaldo
If I’m honest, I don’t really fear any Liverpool player.21.
How did you feel when Liverpool were 3-0 down at half time in the CL Final and how did you react after the penalties ?Rob
I phoned a few Liverpool mates and gave them a hard, hard time. A recurring text was "at least we'd have given them a fucking game." After penalties I had my words served back to me on a big plate, with a side order of humble pie. You lucky bastards.Roy
I do tend to support the English in European Comps, unless it's the yanks. I was wetting myself laughing when they Liverpool three down, but celebrated with everyone else when you won.
Robaldo
At first I was happy simply seeing Crepso doing well. Throughout the whole competition I don’t think Liverpool deserved to win the competition but that night after half time they deserved it. I’m not a bitter Chelsea fan after losing. In the end I was happy for you.22.
What has been the most boring football story of the summer for you?Rob
Shevchenko. He's not coming to Chelsea. Get over it.Roy
Sven and all his birds. I mean Christ, how can a bloke who looks like that, pull the birds like he does.
Robaldo
The Essien Story got on my nerves. But now it actually happened he looks the business.23.
Care to predict the score? Go on!Rob
You'll want to give us a game in the League, I'm sure, so you'll open up at Anfield. 2-0 Chelsea. The CL tie will be tighter but, as it's early in the season as the group won't hinge on it, I'm going to go for a similar scoreline 2-0 or maybe 2-1 to us. Well, you did ask...Roy
0-0 in the League (you're good at them
), but I expect you to have a go in the Champions League and therefore get beat 2-0.
Robaldo
I don’t predict scores, lol. If I predict a win we lose, if I predict a loss, we lose.24.
Any other comments for our readers?Rob
Only that I honestly don't think Peter Crouch has that good a touch, even for a big man.Roy
Do you really like Peter Crouch up there?
(No Comment) what? you ask me twenty questions but wont answer that one
(No Comment) Come on.
(I think he'll score a hat-trick over the two games) Sod Off!
Robaldo
Good luck....25.
And lastly, what did you make of John Terry blubbing after the defeat in the Champions League? Showed he cared or "Big girl’s blouse"?Rob
It did Gascoigne's career the world of good. You lot know JT will captain England. Get used to the idea. Anyway, I'm sure a League/Cup double made up for it.Roy
Pure passion mate, not that you would recognise it.
Robaldo
He wanted to win so much. He wants to be a winner. I don’t think there's anything wrong with what he did. It shows he cares.I'd like to take this opportunity to thank both Rob's and Roy for taking part.
© Wooltonian 2005