Jose Set to take Abuse
By 40 Years A Blue
March 7 2006
Chelsea travelled to Spain on Sunday afternoon with a nineteen man squad following a morning training session/warm down and were scheduled to train at the Nou Camp at 5pm local time on yesterday afternoon.
On Chelsea's arrival in Barcelona the team were met by a strong representation from the World's media and a band of 50 or so of Barca's boys (no doubt paid by UEFA) to try and unsettle the boys in Blue. It seemed that Jose was the main target of their venom and spittle as it rained down the team's coach as Jose and the boys boarded and then departed from the airport. Good news for Chelsea is it looks like Super Frank has recovered from his hamstring troubles and with William Gallas returning hopefully, to take care of the unlucky non-Oscar winner Messi, our task although extremely daunting looks a teeny-weeny bit easier. Make no bones about it, Chelsea have it all to do. Jose has it all to do. A result in the Nou Camp would really be the miracle of the 'Special One,' probably 'the' best result since he arrived at the club nearly two years ago. 2-0, 3-1 - whatever. A minimum two clear goals is what is required. Jose knows it, the players know it and 5,000 Chelsea fans know it too. In recent years Chelsea have beaten Barcelona twice at The Bridge before two weeks ago. Both matches in the Nou Camp have resulted in defeats for Chelsea - third time lucky perhaps. It has been reported that Jose will be spending most of the pre-match warm-up on the pitch taking in the 'cheers and adulation' of the partisan Catalan crowd in the event that by the time the game kicks off they will be tired of hurling abuse and allowing Chelsea to get on with the business of winning the game and securing a place in the last eight of the Champions League. Personally I want to see Chelsea get-off to a flyer and then continually attack Barca - cos Barca won't like it up 'em, especially Valdez who has shown in La Liga that he hates the high balls. Lob it in boys and see what happens!!!! If Chelsea get stuffed and they have given it a go, for me I will be happy. Gallas if he plays should have too much experience for Messi. Carvalho and Terry will have to be on their guard against Eto'o and Ronaldinho, thats of course if they get behind 'The Claude.' Crespo should be chomping at the bit after being out of both Portsmouth and WBA games recently. He did make an appearance for Argentina last midweek which suggests he is not injured. Robben, Duff and Joey Cole will all at some point play tonight and they really should have a field day on the wide open spaces on the Nou Camp pitch. Squad: Cech, Makelele, Carvalho, Maniche, Lampard, Crespo, J Cole, Duff, Gallas, Gérémi, Drogba, Robben, Diarra, Ferreira, Gudjohnsen, Cudicini, Wright-Phillips, Terry and Huth. COME ON YOU BLUES! COME ON CHELSEA! 40 YEARS A BLUE!