Bad news for Chelski fans, Michael Essien tore his ACL on international duty with Ghana and he will probably miss the rest of the season. Essien has been a warhorse for Chelsea ever since he came over from Lyon. Last season he filled in for Belletti at right back, covered for Makelele as a defensive midfielder, and I think he played keeper for a few games(joke). I've always thought he was best when going forward, and he earned the nickname "Bison" for his ability to stampede over defenders. However with Lampard, Ballack and now Deco, he has been made into a defensive player and is one of the best in the world. With Makelele gone and the transfer window closed, they will rely upon John Obi Mikel as their defensive midfielder until January at least. Scolari promised a much more offensive team, but without their midfield cover they will have to be careful not to stretch themselves too much. Not a good day for Chelsea.
News reports are suggesting that former Chelsea player Gianfranco Zola has been offered the West Ham job. Donadoni is said to have removed his name from consideration(probably because he realized he wasn't going to get it). Zola has said he will think it over and make his decision tomorrow. It is a sign of where West Ham is, that the co-manager of an U-21 team still has to think before accepting the job. Most likely this is just contract stuff(Zola might be making them sweat it out for a few more quid), but if he rejected the offer there would be some serious (ostrich) egg on the Hammers' face. There are also reports linking Gus Poyet, Ramos' assistant at Tottenham, to the Newcastle job. Poyet has said no, but he does have a history with Dennis Wise. While it would be great to move up, Poyet might feel that at least the turmoil in North London comes with designer clothing stores(I mean check out that suit, snazzy).One Liners
- Capello says team would rather play away, England fans boo his comment
- Domenech says his critics would send him to the guillotine if this were another era, I say bring back that era
- Rio fit for Croatia, but prepared to say he wasn't 100% if England lose
- Fabregas dismisses City rumors, Ronaldo(fat one) says a move there is possible
