Now working on a different ball-game, but thanks for singing my name anyway. Latest in a long line fighting extremism.
⭐⭐💉💉💉💉💉
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@danlevene
@lor
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Frank Lampard is a great man.
He's Chelsea's greatest ever player.
He's a young coach who is learning as he goes.
Tonight's result was dreadful.
But there's no manager I'd rather see help Chelsea succeed than the one we have now.
If you're currently clamouring for Messi to Chelsea, remember it took him 12 years to get his first goal at Stamford Bridge.
Even Torres didn't take that long.
Cesar cost £7m, and most people (myself included) asked 'who?' Turned out to be one of the biggest bargains of the Premier League era. Always gives 100%, and is a worthy choice for captain. A great signing.
Mesut Ozil drops the mic and walks out of the German national team. There will be plenty reading this who, based on tribal loyalties, have little respect for him as a footballer. Having read that statement of his, I've boundless respect for him as a man.
If Thibaut Courtois leaves for Madrid to be with his family: then his abilities will be greatly missed.
Just as when Petr Cech left for Arsenal to play first team football: and his abilities, character, personality, leadership, approachability & intelligence were greatly missed.
Update on the six Chelsea fans filmed making discriminatory chants against Mo Salah: three turned away from stadium by Chelsea security; the other three apparently failed to show. Further sanctions promised.
Fast & decisive action showing how seriously Chelsea are taking this.
That, from Kepa, is the behaviour of a man who knows he will have a new boss very soon. And, by the way, none of his Chelsea teammates were trying to push him off the pitch.
Gary Cahill has been a fantastic servant to Chelsea. A great player, and a great guy: it'll be a sad day when he leaves. But it's the right time: for him, and for Chelsea. The club would jump at any player who could promise as many trophies as he has brought over his time here.
Don't think I've ever seen a Chelsea player who I enjoyed watching as much as Eden Hazard.
It's been a fantastic seven years.
He deserves this chance to shine with the club he's always wanted to play for.
Best of luck at Real,
@hazardeden10
Chelsea's greatest ever captain, a man who defined the club for the majority of the PL era, has retired from football. There is no greater legend in the history of Chelsea FC than John George Terry. While the game will be poorer for his loss, I feel certain he'll be back.
Chelsea 3-2 Arsenal, edited observations:
Kepa - will take time
Alonso - not a fullback
Jorginho - developing powerhouse
Pedro - livewire
Morata - at least he found the net
Willian - ball watcher
Hazard - glad he's staying
Kovacic - different gravy
The Poppy commemorates those who fought for freedoms we now hold dear. Including the right to wear, or not to wear the Poppy.
If you're giving hell to Nemanja Matic, James McClean, or anyone else over a respectful & principled decision not to wear it, give your head a wobble.
The drinking of alcohol within view of a rugby or cricket pitch is positively encouraged. At football it's a criminal offence. Isn't it time we stopped criminalising people just because they watch football?
A fan has just been in touch having been charged with possession of alcohol in view of the pitch. He faces a football ban order application on conviction.
1. How is this prosecution in the public interest?
2. Legislation only effects football fans
3. FBOs are to stop disorder
Eden Hazard says "It's a goodbye" to Chelsea. "You will know in a couple of days," he says. Eden, it's been an absolute pleasure. Go well, and good luck.
Lampard to Chelsea? As boss?
Unproven. A risk. Crazy.
All of the above true.
But if you don't feel, deep inside, this is one of the most exciting ideas you've ever encountered then, to be Frank, you don't *get* Chelsea.
Might work. Might not. Sometimes, you have to take the risk.
Written a lot about racism at Chelsea down the years.
Sadly, a major part of our club's history.
Disgracefully, a significant part of our club's present.
But, vocal as the racists are: they *are* a minority.
They need to be called out and reported.
That's your job and mine.
Given the cat-in-hell's chance most gave Chelsea, that was a masterful performance. Conte's gameplan worked just as he wanted. Only one mistake let the visitors pounce. A tall order to win at Camp Nou, as Blues have to do. But this is Chelsea, and stranger things have happened.
This guy's won it all with Chelsea.
Nobody expected it, least of all himself.
And, throughout, he's been reliable, dependable & an engaging public face for CFC.
This is the Chelsea home crowd's chance to wish him a fond farewell.
Hope the manager realises the importance of that.
Lampard: "Tariq Lamptey is a huge credit to Jody Morris and Joe Edwards." Says his two assistants, who know the young player well, said 'believe in him, trust him'.
Devastated to learn to the death of Ray Wilkins, aged just 61. Chelsea, man and boy: from club captain at 18, to double-winning coach, to caretaker boss (and fan). Honestly, one of the greatest guys I've ever met in football. A one-off. Love & best wishes to his family. RIP, Ray.
Update on Chelsea's title follow-up 'disaster'. Third, vying for second, behind the team with the greatest start in PL history. Two seasons back, Blues were 16th, with 11pts from 12 games at this stage. As you were, Antonio.
One or two of Chelsea's players try to bolt down the tunnel on full time, but Eden Hazard steps in to direct them to the away end. A half-hearted applause follows, for the fans who have made the longest trip of the domestic season. And then those paint-flecked shirts disappear.
If the big reveals from Chelsea's academy were Mason Mount at Norwich, and Tammy Abraham at Wolves; then today, v Liverpool, it was Fikayo Tomori.
Looked so accomplished and assured, almost throughout.
Villa fans earlier singing at Mason Mount: "You're just a shit Jack Grealish."
Chelsea now returning the favour to Grealish: "You're just a shit Mason Mount."
Frank Lampard is the greatest legend our club can call upon.
Our greatest ever player. Our greatest goalscorer.
He won't become our greatest manager overnight - it'll take time.
But those of us who understand what this club stands for will back him all the way.
Arrivaderci Maurizio Sarri.
Wrong club.
Wrong time.
Wrong man.
Credit for what he achieved. But despite all the effort, Chelsea's worst two defeats in PL history, plus a season of unwatchable football, and no effort to engage fans, ensured he was never going to be the right man.
Cesc Fabregas, earlier subbed, returns to the pitch on FT to lap-up appaluse. He wipes away tears as he leaves the Stamford Bridge turf for the final time. Who'd have thought the ex-Arsenal/Barca man would become such a firm favourite at Chelsea? Or vice versa? But he really did.
Lampard on Billy Gilmour: "I've got absolute trust in Billy. When you watch him play... If he's small in stature he's huge in talent."
Says: "He does all the right things. And he's humble."
The whole Gilmour family was here tonight - including his nan from Scotland.
Jill Dawson is a name most Chelsea fans probably won't know. But for near enough two decades she's been keeping
@ChelseaFC
matches and fans safe, as football safety officer at Stamford Bridge.
Great to see that acknowledged and honoured tonight with an MBE.
Sarriball is truly football as designed by a corporate risk manager. Never over-committing the number of men in an attack. Never attempting to lure the opposition into an error through leaving a gap. Just a constant, swirling morass of pointless passing possession.
When Wise went up to lift the FA Cup, I remember being certain it couldn't get any better. Five FA Cups, four League Cups, five Premier Leagues, and all four European trophies later, I'm off to Baku to watch Chelsea tomorrow. Cheers, Dennis. Always.
Incredible progress on the Stamford Bridge Holocaust memorial mural, commemorating this month's 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by Allied forces.
Great to see this football club doing so much to tackle antisemitism.
🚨Public service announcement
If you're going to Leeds v Chelsea, avoid this man.
Why he shouldn't be there & how it shows football is failing to deal with racists, a 🧵👇
TLDR: banned for Nazi saluting at Stamford Bridge, tweeted about gassing Jews, deals cocaine at matches.
As of about half an hour ago, Gary Cahill ceased to be a Chelsea player.
Been impressed with, and grateful to, Gary since his signing presser.
A top guy, and one of the greatest accumulators of trophies in this club's history.
Good luck,
@GaryJCahill
- you'll be much missed here.
Tonight Tottenham came to Chelsea, and there was a repeated barrage of the jarring Y-word.. from Spurs fans.
From Chelsea: not a mention in the ground.
Spurs always said when others stopped, they would stop.
Now, with Jewish leaders condemning them: it's time for Spurs to stop.
Just arrived at Stamford Bridge to be greeted by a good strong handshake, a winning smile, and a 'hello mate' from Mr John Terry.
Not a bad start to the evening.
Some years ago, only yards away from where I now sit, I saw a man trudge away to be sacked.
He had delivered amazing, free-scoring football, winning the double. His crime: finishing second.
The degree to which Chelsea's standards and expectations has dropped is incredible.
Ross Barkley to finally sign for Chelsea. A good option, with undoubted ability in a number of positions (Chelsea like versatility). Cheap too, owing to his contract being up in the summer (Chealsea really like cheapness). But that injury record will raise questions.
Looking at those three key VAR calls again. In reverse order of contentiousness:
3. Giroud non-goal - yes, a touch of offisde.
2. Zouma non-goal - any infringement was by the United player. Ludicrous.
1. Maguire non-red - VAR got it plain wrong.
People are right to feel agrieved.
1 After
2 Three
3 Matches
4 Absolutely
5 Everyone
6 Knows
7 The
8 Premier
9 League
10 Table
11 Counts
12 For
13 The
14 Square
15 Root
16 Of
17 Fuck
18 All
19 Except
20 Liverpool
Chelsea's players go over to the end to applaud their fans, led by the developing cult figure of Giroud. He seems to love it: clenching is fist at the travelling support. Who could ever have imagined it?
A little chant from the visiting support of: "Rafa Benitez, he left 'cos you're shit." This from supporters of a side that has won nothing in 62 years.
Some footage being circulated on social media, purporting to show 'what looks like' racial abuse directed at Raheem Sterling by a fan. Chelsea are looking into this, and will investigate thoroughly. The line is very much 'innocent until proven guilty'. But also: if guilty, a ban.
Sarri: "Before speaking about football. I want to say that I am really sorry about what happened in Leicester. For the family, for the club, for the players."
Another season comes to an end. A challenging one on, and sometimes off the pitch. But so many fantastic places & moments. As always, more than anything, it's the people who made the journey. Thanks to all who have made the Chelsea world a brighter place along the way.
#KTBFFH
Demba Ba. Samuel Eto'o. Marcos Alonso. Victor Moses. Gary Cahill. Cesar Azpilicueta. Just some of the players the Twitter massive has been certain, in recent years, weren't good enough to sign for Chelsea. Each has left some sort of positive imprint on the history of the club.