Some say it would be a clash between brute strength and silky football when the London giants meet. In what should be one of the biggest matches in Europe this weekend, Arsenal would have to win to have any good chance at the title.
So far, Arsene Wenger has done an appreciable job of serving his exotic cuisine of attractive passing attacking football. Perhaps one player who has suprised many with the speed of his development is Alex Song Billong.
Many pro-Arsenal blogs like Arseblog, Arsenalist, Arsenalmania and Goonernet have, in recent weeks, portrayed the young Cameroonian as quite indispensable to any silverware ambitions the club may have this season. For me, that is not far-fetched at all.
I was standing behind the goalposts when Ghana lost to Cameroon in the semi of the Ghana 2008 Afcon. Alex Song was mammoth in that game as he'd been throughout the competition. Never mind his size as compared to Ghana's Junior Agogo, Michael Essien or even the bullish Sulley Muntari, the lad played like he had been doing that all his life.
Suprisingly, that Afcon was his first major international tournament. In the end he was so good he was named in the competition's Best XI.
Against Chelsea, I expect Arsene to play him especially after his Man of the Match performances against Sunderland and Standard Liege. The middle of the field was his, that much was clear. And maybe he can even get that rare goal - now that'd be special.
At 22 years and at this rate, the little man from Douala may yet be one of the best central/defensive midfielders in Europe in a season or two.
Ancelloti is likely to employ a rugged midfield - like he usually does - and apart from Song, I'm not seeing who the Arse would employ to match the strength of the blues. Gallas left the last game with eyes like a pufferfish and if he would play, Song may get some respite. Otherwise it's gonna be a tiring day for the man who was loaned to Arsenal on a £1 million from Bastia.
Personally, I'd like an Arsenal win and here's why: in an ideal world Wenger's vaunted scouting and youth development policy must be seen to be beating over Abramovich's ridiculous 'buy-and-win' way of ruling Chelsea since he arrived in 2002-3. Sadly, our planet is anything but ideal.
That said, I cant wait for the game, can you? Especially to see how Eboue fares, too.
Till later.
Showing posts with label chelsea. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chelsea. Show all posts
Friday, November 27, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Video: Drogba scores 6th season goal but Chelsea lose
Didier Drogba seems to be unable to do any wrong at all. He has scored goal number 6 for the Blues and he's keeping his tally intact. He's also provided 3 assists in the last 7 games, too.
Yet, some lazy play meant that Drog's equalizer counted for nothing as a spirited Wigan beat them convincingly 3-1.
Yet, some lazy play meant that Drog's equalizer counted for nothing as a spirited Wigan beat them convincingly 3-1.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
101 great goals of 2008/09: Michael Essien
The last African in the 101 great goals of 2008/09 is Michael Essien.
And this goal against Barca in the champs league semi came...95th (I ask you!)
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And this goal against Barca in the champs league semi came...95th (I ask you!)
___
Thursday, June 04, 2009
The Essien love files.
Last month I told you that Chelsea ace Michael Essien was to be dragged to court over some issues with his ex-girl.
The issued threatened to deprive him the chance to play for the Black Stars on Sunday against Mali.
They've finally made it to court. Here's a report of proceedings by the Daily Guide.
"Chelsea midfielder, Michael Essien, yesterday gave evidence in camera at an Accra Fast-Track High Court in connection with the controversial issue of whether he indeed married his old-time lover, Veralie Dela Ackumey.
The evidence, which lasted over three hours, had lawyers from both sides entering the chambers of Justice A.K. Ofori Atta, the presiding judge, around 12:00 noon till about 3:30 pm when Essien finally left the courtroom accompanied by some sports fans and admirers.
Sources close to his former lover who spoke on condition of anonymity told DAILY GUIDE that Essien, in his evidence, maintained he never married Ackumey whom he described as initially humble but later showed her true character by having fits of jealousy and tantrums which nearly destroyed his football career.
He also reportedly stated that his mother walked out of the knocking ceremony after the family of Ackumey demanded a ring after being told by their daughter it was an engagement ceremony while his mum insisted that they never had instructions to present an engagement ring.
To avert further confusion, a ring in Dela’s possession was put on her finger by one of her pastors.
The footballer also admitted that he indeed made a mistake when he prepared documents for her, naming her as his wife at the time he wanted her to join him in London.
Essien said it was his former football club managers who helped her to visit him as she did not have anybody in London.
Ms. Ackumey, who has dragged the Chelsea midfielder to court claiming she is his wife, has told the court she has video evidence to prove she was indeed married to him.
She is reported to have lost the case in a London court and is hoping to get lucky in Ghana this time around.
Narrating how they met, Essien stated that he met Ackumey, the plaintiff, when he arrived from France where he was on contract with Lyon through a friend and he said he started dating Ackumey, now a law student. He said he liked her because she posed as a very religious person.
He stated that he initially felt like helping his ex-girlfriend financially when she told him she was staying with friends and later gave her an invitation to visit him in Lyon. She did visit him but had some difficulty with the French language and had to be taught the basics.
The footballer also reportedly told the court that a relationship developed between them when she visited him, adding that they were staying together before his deal with Chelsea got through and he moved to London with her where they stayed in a hotel for a couple of months.
He also noted that at a point when he built a house at Sakaman, he told her about it and gave her money to buy some items to decorate the house when she arrived back in Ghana; but after buying the items, his lover parked her belongings as well and moved into the house, even though he did not ask her to and did not even know who her parents were.
Essien added however that he did not ask her to move out.
He narrated that on one occasion, when he arrived from London, she told him she wanted him to see her parents and they subsequently went to Kumasi where he got to know her mother.
In addition, he said after his visit to the plaintiff’s mum, Dela advised that since they were living together, he should present some drinks to the family for them to be aware that their daughter was really living with him.
The Chelsea midfielder explained that after one of her visits to London, he gave her money to give to his mother to buy some items for the knocking ceremony and the items were bought for the ceremony.
He said, unknown to him, the plaintiff, who had her own agenda, told her people it was going to be an engagement ceremony and when his mother and brothers went to perform the ceremony, the parents of the plaintiff demanded a ring to which his mum and siblings protested by walking out of the ceremony till a pastor took a ring the law student had in her possession and placed on her finger.
Essien said the obsession of the plaintiff became too much for him to bear and that at a point, his Public Relations Officer was forced to abandon him and he lost a lot of interview contracts among others.
Essien, the respondent, stated that afterwards, she used to live at his residence at Sakaman and often visited him in London until she started having fits of jealousy anytime he received calls even from friends.
Essien said the obsession of the plaintiff became too much for him to bear and that at a point, his Public Relations Officer was forced to abandon him and he lost a lot of interview contracts among others.
The respondent stated that the straw which broke the camel’s back was when one day she lied that she had been attacked by some armed robbers in London.
The Chelsea star said contrary to her claims, a Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in his home later showed Dela injuring herself, whereupon she wept and apologized and even called his mum to tell her she was sorry for staging the suicide act.
He said he later asked her to return to Ghana, which she did, only for her to return to London and start court proceedings against him.
Essien added that he wanted the court to determine if the rites he performed constituted a customary marriage. "
______
The issued threatened to deprive him the chance to play for the Black Stars on Sunday against Mali.
They've finally made it to court. Here's a report of proceedings by the Daily Guide.
"Chelsea midfielder, Michael Essien, yesterday gave evidence in camera at an Accra Fast-Track High Court in connection with the controversial issue of whether he indeed married his old-time lover, Veralie Dela Ackumey.
The evidence, which lasted over three hours, had lawyers from both sides entering the chambers of Justice A.K. Ofori Atta, the presiding judge, around 12:00 noon till about 3:30 pm when Essien finally left the courtroom accompanied by some sports fans and admirers.
Sources close to his former lover who spoke on condition of anonymity told DAILY GUIDE that Essien, in his evidence, maintained he never married Ackumey whom he described as initially humble but later showed her true character by having fits of jealousy and tantrums which nearly destroyed his football career.
He also reportedly stated that his mother walked out of the knocking ceremony after the family of Ackumey demanded a ring after being told by their daughter it was an engagement ceremony while his mum insisted that they never had instructions to present an engagement ring.
To avert further confusion, a ring in Dela’s possession was put on her finger by one of her pastors.
The footballer also admitted that he indeed made a mistake when he prepared documents for her, naming her as his wife at the time he wanted her to join him in London.
Essien said it was his former football club managers who helped her to visit him as she did not have anybody in London.
Ms. Ackumey, who has dragged the Chelsea midfielder to court claiming she is his wife, has told the court she has video evidence to prove she was indeed married to him.
She is reported to have lost the case in a London court and is hoping to get lucky in Ghana this time around.
Narrating how they met, Essien stated that he met Ackumey, the plaintiff, when he arrived from France where he was on contract with Lyon through a friend and he said he started dating Ackumey, now a law student. He said he liked her because she posed as a very religious person.
He stated that he initially felt like helping his ex-girlfriend financially when she told him she was staying with friends and later gave her an invitation to visit him in Lyon. She did visit him but had some difficulty with the French language and had to be taught the basics.
The footballer also reportedly told the court that a relationship developed between them when she visited him, adding that they were staying together before his deal with Chelsea got through and he moved to London with her where they stayed in a hotel for a couple of months.
He also noted that at a point when he built a house at Sakaman, he told her about it and gave her money to buy some items to decorate the house when she arrived back in Ghana; but after buying the items, his lover parked her belongings as well and moved into the house, even though he did not ask her to and did not even know who her parents were.
Essien added however that he did not ask her to move out.
He narrated that on one occasion, when he arrived from London, she told him she wanted him to see her parents and they subsequently went to Kumasi where he got to know her mother.
In addition, he said after his visit to the plaintiff’s mum, Dela advised that since they were living together, he should present some drinks to the family for them to be aware that their daughter was really living with him.
The Chelsea midfielder explained that after one of her visits to London, he gave her money to give to his mother to buy some items for the knocking ceremony and the items were bought for the ceremony.
He said, unknown to him, the plaintiff, who had her own agenda, told her people it was going to be an engagement ceremony and when his mother and brothers went to perform the ceremony, the parents of the plaintiff demanded a ring to which his mum and siblings protested by walking out of the ceremony till a pastor took a ring the law student had in her possession and placed on her finger.
Essien said the obsession of the plaintiff became too much for him to bear and that at a point, his Public Relations Officer was forced to abandon him and he lost a lot of interview contracts among others.
Essien, the respondent, stated that afterwards, she used to live at his residence at Sakaman and often visited him in London until she started having fits of jealousy anytime he received calls even from friends.
Essien said the obsession of the plaintiff became too much for him to bear and that at a point, his Public Relations Officer was forced to abandon him and he lost a lot of interview contracts among others.
The respondent stated that the straw which broke the camel’s back was when one day she lied that she had been attacked by some armed robbers in London.
The Chelsea star said contrary to her claims, a Close Circuit Television (CCTV) in his home later showed Dela injuring herself, whereupon she wept and apologized and even called his mum to tell her she was sorry for staging the suicide act.
He said he later asked her to return to Ghana, which she did, only for her to return to London and start court proceedings against him.
Essien added that he wanted the court to determine if the rites he performed constituted a customary marriage. "
______
The Sun: Adebayor's going to Milan for £15m
Even though I do not terribly trust The Sun, I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt on this one.
According to the paper's site, Adebayor is going to be offered a sizzling amount of cash in pounds by the Italian giants:
"AC MILAN will make a bid of £15million for Emmanuel Adebayor this week.
The Serie A club are desperate to give their fans some positive news after Carlo Ancelotti's departure for Chelsea and Kaka's impending exit from the San Siro.
Milan offered £25m for the Arsenal striker last summer but the bid was turned down.
Their valuation has decreased after a mediocre season from the Togo international.
Adebayor netted 16 times last term - which was a huge disappointment after his 30-goal return the season before.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is willing to sell the 25-year-old as he attempts to rebuild a side which struggled to finish fourth in the Premier League last term.
Milan were interested in Didier Drogba but, as SunSport revealed two months ago, the striker is to be offered a new deal by Chelsea.
Drogba, 31, is likely to agree a three-year contract next month."
I leave it to you to do the believing.
_____
According to the paper's site, Adebayor is going to be offered a sizzling amount of cash in pounds by the Italian giants:
"AC MILAN will make a bid of £15million for Emmanuel Adebayor this week.
The Serie A club are desperate to give their fans some positive news after Carlo Ancelotti's departure for Chelsea and Kaka's impending exit from the San Siro.
Milan offered £25m for the Arsenal striker last summer but the bid was turned down.
Their valuation has decreased after a mediocre season from the Togo international.
Adebayor netted 16 times last term - which was a huge disappointment after his 30-goal return the season before.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is willing to sell the 25-year-old as he attempts to rebuild a side which struggled to finish fourth in the Premier League last term.
Milan were interested in Didier Drogba but, as SunSport revealed two months ago, the striker is to be offered a new deal by Chelsea.
Drogba, 31, is likely to agree a three-year contract next month."
I leave it to you to do the believing.
_____
FA Cup celebrations can get dicky...
Please take a lesson from Jose Bosingwa, would you?
Lesson learned, hopefully.
____
Lesson learned, hopefully.
____
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Finally, El Drog gives up the fight
Chelsea ace Didier Drogba has admitted he will accept whatever punishment UEFA give him for his outburst after the Champions League semifinal.
Incensed by decisions made by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo in the second leg against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, Drogba ranted at the official and repeatedly swore into a live television camera.
He could be banned for up to six games but has apologised for the tirade and said:
"It's not easy but I think that whatever I did and the decision they take I will accept it because my behaviour was not what UEFA and everyone wants to see in a football stadium.
"I will do my suspension and, after that, I will come back stronger."
Phew. I have to say that I've been waiting for him to be a sport and laugh it off.
___
Incensed by decisions made by referee Tom Henning Ovrebo in the second leg against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, Drogba ranted at the official and repeatedly swore into a live television camera.
He could be banned for up to six games but has apologised for the tirade and said:
"It's not easy but I think that whatever I did and the decision they take I will accept it because my behaviour was not what UEFA and everyone wants to see in a football stadium.
"I will do my suspension and, after that, I will come back stronger."
Phew. I have to say that I've been waiting for him to be a sport and laugh it off.
___
Monday, June 01, 2009
Ancelloti was a red. Ancelloti is a blue. His first English interview
We've seen a lot of coaches come through Chelsea in these few years. And they have had varying degrees of success.
And they have all worked with the Africans in the team in different capacities. Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Big Phil Scolari and until last Saturday, Guus Hiddink.
Claudio Ranieri was sacked in 2004, Jose Mourinho went in September 2007 and Grant also followed in May 2008. Scolari was kicked out in February.
Now another man has come to manage the team that has Ghana's Michael Essien and Nigeria's John Mikel Obi. Carlo Ancelloti left his job at Milan after their win against Fiorentina and is now in England.
This is his first English interview.
The team also includes Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba. Good luck to him.
_____
And they have all worked with the Africans in the team in different capacities. Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Big Phil Scolari and until last Saturday, Guus Hiddink.
Claudio Ranieri was sacked in 2004, Jose Mourinho went in September 2007 and Grant also followed in May 2008. Scolari was kicked out in February.
Now another man has come to manage the team that has Ghana's Michael Essien and Nigeria's John Mikel Obi. Carlo Ancelloti left his job at Milan after their win against Fiorentina and is now in England.
This is his first English interview.
The team also includes Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba. Good luck to him.
_____
Chelsea are FA Champs. Drogba did his part.
As always, there was an African element in a trophy win.
This time, at Chelsea, beating Everton 2-1.
Didier Drogba, the African was!
Essien was subbed on the hour but still...Go Africa!
Check out their ratings by the Chelsea blog.
____
This time, at Chelsea, beating Everton 2-1.
Didier Drogba, the African was!
Essien was subbed on the hour but still...Go Africa!
Check out their ratings by the Chelsea blog.
____
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Why Ghana must rejoice with Essien
Michael Essien was named the Player of the Month for his club yesterday. For me, that is astonishing.
It was on national duty that the Bison hurt himself. It was something of a national pain to see him wince, hold his hand in his head and look devastated. Many would remember the words of Christopher Opoku who ran commentary on the game for Metro TV in Ghana.
"Essien is clutching his head and obviously shattered. I'm sure he's devastated for what his injury would cost Chelsea - and not Ghana!"
That drew wry smirks from many. But that may yet have been true. As a result of the injury Michael missed several crucial games for club (at a time their title challenge was real)and country (against Lesotho, South Africa, Tunisia and Egypt).
On my show on Atlantis radio in Accra, Dr Agbeko Ocloo, a respected sports doctor in Ghana said that Michael would likely be out for six months. The analysis everywhere was that it would be six months before Micheal returned.
Fast forward three months into the injury and we started getting vibes that he may be four months early. Miracle.
And guess what? It was attributed to his mother!
And then he made his return with a goal in the reserves, then a bang against Juventus in the Champions league.
Since then the former Liberty Professionals man has been making headlines. The pick of the pile may be this one against Barcelona last week.
And in looking in wonder at the speed of his recovery and subsequent role, I feel Ghana must be grateful to the guy and rejoice with him. To say he is peaking at the moment is understating the obvious.
Michael Essien may yet be the key that has been eluding coach Milo Rajevach for so long now. In the Black Stars games, that decisive ball that has been needed for the strikers to score has not been there. Period.
And with the form that Michael is in, this is the time for Rajevach to to be pushing him forward so that he can run and strike. Appiah is out of form, let us not delude ourselves. The Black Stars needs a spark. The spark is Essien. Some may make an argument for the burgeoning Kwadwo Asamoah but I say that in big matches, the Bison makes all the difference.
Besides, it is where he earns his salary, no?
You know what they say about a nation that does not honour its heroes...
So let's do the right thing.
_____
It was on national duty that the Bison hurt himself. It was something of a national pain to see him wince, hold his hand in his head and look devastated. Many would remember the words of Christopher Opoku who ran commentary on the game for Metro TV in Ghana.
"Essien is clutching his head and obviously shattered. I'm sure he's devastated for what his injury would cost Chelsea - and not Ghana!"
That drew wry smirks from many. But that may yet have been true. As a result of the injury Michael missed several crucial games for club (at a time their title challenge was real)and country (against Lesotho, South Africa, Tunisia and Egypt).
On my show on Atlantis radio in Accra, Dr Agbeko Ocloo, a respected sports doctor in Ghana said that Michael would likely be out for six months. The analysis everywhere was that it would be six months before Micheal returned.
Fast forward three months into the injury and we started getting vibes that he may be four months early. Miracle.
And guess what? It was attributed to his mother!
And then he made his return with a goal in the reserves, then a bang against Juventus in the Champions league.
Since then the former Liberty Professionals man has been making headlines. The pick of the pile may be this one against Barcelona last week.
And in looking in wonder at the speed of his recovery and subsequent role, I feel Ghana must be grateful to the guy and rejoice with him. To say he is peaking at the moment is understating the obvious.
Michael Essien may yet be the key that has been eluding coach Milo Rajevach for so long now. In the Black Stars games, that decisive ball that has been needed for the strikers to score has not been there. Period.
And with the form that Michael is in, this is the time for Rajevach to to be pushing him forward so that he can run and strike. Appiah is out of form, let us not delude ourselves. The Black Stars needs a spark. The spark is Essien. Some may make an argument for the burgeoning Kwadwo Asamoah but I say that in big matches, the Bison makes all the difference.
In recent Black Stars games, that decisive ball that has been needed for the strikers to score has not been there. Period.The role he plays for country has long been said to be minimal but please give the man a break! He plays only now and then for Ghana as compared to the week-in, week-out stuff he does for the Blues.
Besides, it is where he earns his salary, no?
You know what they say about a nation that does not honour its heroes...
So let's do the right thing.
_____
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