Rafa Watch

[Fernandinho]

Didnt drogba have a hand in it

[Fredo]

Maybe but I wouldn't believe anything they say, sometimes they contradict themselves. Watch them speak in French on French TV and it's another story altogether.

[Cormack74]

Some French dudes can talk a load of ****,

Thanks for clearing that up for me.

[Cormack74]

Seems there were a few reasons (money aside):

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chelsea/6282732.stm

And Malouda says Drogba played a part in his decision to join Chelsea, despite Liverpool also being linked with a move for him.


"Didier pushed a bit, a lot even," Malouda told French newspaper L'Equipe. "But then, at Chelsea, that's not enough to recruit a player.

"They were my number one choice for many reasons.

"I saw several matches there as a spectator and I always enjoyed it very much.

"There was also the coach, who really wanted to have me, and life in London because I want my family to feel at ease.

"The most important thing was I felt they really wanted me. I also feel the kind of football they play suits me quite well."

Malouda will give Chelsea additional experience, having won four French titles with Lyon and being voted best Ligue 1 player last season.

He was a member of the France squad that reached last year's World Cup final, a match they lost to Italy.

[the rev leeroy brown]

you cant underestimate just how important it is for player to truly feel wnated by a manager / coach before he signs. if they take the time to go meet the player, discuss the plans for them if they sign etc.... it goes a long way to convincing them they should join.

to me, it looks like malouda had made his mind up (going by his quotes) on the back of strong support and involvment from players and coaches at chelsea to join them.

i dont think any amount of money would have persuaded malouda to join us given the french connection with players at the bridge anyway.

[dww]

Timing is important surely - if we had got in substantially before Chelsea then that is all changed. We'll never know the ins and outs of the situation.

[Shaggy]

**** him anyway, he's been distinctly average/**** for large parts of his spell at Chelsea. Had a dire first couple of seasons, then had a great spell which seemed to last for a year, tops, now he's ****e again.

[dww]

**** him anyway, he's been distinctly average/**** for large parts of his spell at Chelsea. Had a dire first couple of seasons, then had a great spell which seemed to last for a year, tops, now he's ****e again.

9 goals, 4 assists in the PL this year. I think he's been better for them than is often made out. He's not a world beater but he is a very good player who consistently offers both width and a goal threat which is a pretty rare combination.

[Shaggy]

He had an awesome start to the season, continuing his good form, but it all seemed to grind to a halt. Been very poor of late, so much so he's been in and out of the side.

[Arn]

He had an awesome start to the season, continuing his good form, but it all seemed to grind to a halt. Been very poor of late, so much so he's been in and out of the side.

I think that is because Ancelotti must play Torres. If you are the manager of Chelsea then you simply can't just play a tactic or the players you want to play. You must play a tactic and the players that Roman want you to play and then make the best out of the situation.

Playing Torres means a completely different tactic than before. Torres is best on his own as an out and out striker. Before they signed Torres Ancelotti played with two out and out strikers, Drogba and Anelka. Now he must play with one and then the tactic and players must fit in to get the best out of Torres.

Malouda isn't the only player that played a lot worse since they signed Torres. Change of tactic the reason to that.

[PTP]

my mates sister and family bumped into rafa over the weekend in West Kirby

[Mike]

Agree, Torres coming in really has affected the form of the other Chelsea forwards.

Look at it this way, iirc the three games before Torres came, Chelsea scored 10 goals - now they are struggling to get the ball in the net; this is because Torres has changed their tactics and it's simply not as effective.

[Shaggy]

my mates sister and family bumped into rafa over the weekend in West Kirby

Got his shirt untucked too. God I love that man.

[red g]

I think that is because Ancelotti must play Torres. If you are the manager of Chelsea then you simply can't just play a tactic or the players you want to play. You must play a tactic and the players that Roman want you to play and then make the best out of the situation.

Playing Torres means a completely different tactic than before. Torres is best on his own as an out and out striker. Before they signed Torres Ancelotti played with two out and out strikers, Drogba and Anelka. Now he must play with one and then the tactic and players must fit in to get the best out of Torres.

Malouda isn't the only player that played a lot worse since they signed Torres. Change of tactic the reason to that.

malouda hs been **** way before torres

[Tee]

Got his shirt untucked too. God I love that man.

Enough about PTP's mate, what about Rafa?