Reaction to News

Ricardo Carvalho lets it rip
It is not wise to blow his top about not starting for only the 1st game. For the community shield Gallas was preferred as he knew Henry’s style of play and had the speed and skill to nullify him. I felt he was again chosen for Wigan so as to keep up his momentum for the game against Arsenal this Sunday. Players in our squad should be team players and do what is right for the team, not personal gains, and they should have already understood this when signing for Chelsea. I believe Jose knows what he is doing and will not deliberately leave out a 19 million pound signing for no reason. Carvalho is a fantastic player and he has to be patient and play his best when given the chance and give Jose something to think about when selecting his starting XI. This mentality should be adopted by Tiago, Geremi, Glen, Joe Cole and Jarosik as well.

Essien
I have no idea why he was signed. Where will Tiago, Eidur, Geremi and new youngster Diarra play? The message we’re sending out seems to be that we are buying up talents (for an obscene amount of money) and not using them to the maximum potential. We have youngsters Jonas Elmer and Steven Watts already playing well in the reserves hoping to break into the 1st team but all these new transfers are only making things difficult for them. I’m rather unhappy that our already talented group of squad players (used to fill in when 1st choice are unavailable) are not given the chance to prove themselves. People like Tiago had been rotated like crazy last season yet he had remained quiet and performed when given the chance and this is Chelsea’s way of rewarding him? Although competition for places is good, but overall squad morale and unity must be maintained. After Carvalho’s outburst and the arrival of Essien, I’m sure Jose will need to do something to pacify all the players who are mostly made up of internationals all vying for a place in the World Cup 2006 in Germany.

The Wigan game
Seriously, if players continued to play like they did against Wigan, drop them. Even if we are talking about Terry and Lampard. No man is indispensable to the ultimate goal of winning trophies. Robben’s selfish play was especially infuriating. Let’s hope Jose had screwed them all proper during the week and we deliver a good performance against Arsenal. Actually even if we play badly on Sunday, let’s hope we still get the 3 points. No point playing sexy football and be on the losing end.

My starting XI against Arsenal
Cech,
Ferreira, Gallas, Terry, Del Horno
Robben, Lampard, Makelele, Tiago, Duff
Drogba

Subs: Cudicini, Huth, Crespo, Gudjohnson, SWP