Can someone please explain to me what is happening in China?
How can a league that just four years ago could not afford to pay Drogba $200 000 a week, now pay Carlos Tevez triple that?? Where is the money coming from?
I’m pretty damn sure that no Russian Oligarchs own clubs in China. My only conclusion can be that between the government and some really dodgy businessmen a deal must have been struck to lure players away from the prestige of European Football. And you know what? It stinks. It’s pure greed that has driven top caliber players to some smog ridden city to play in front a crowd who probably have been given government orders to go watch.
Some of them even have the gall to say they’ve always wanted to play in China. Same way I’ve always wanted to work at a sewage plant. I don’t have a problem, if like Drogba, you are in the twilight of your career and you want to make a last buck but Oscar? Come on. You’re 25. So you fell down the pecking order, so what? Go to Juventus, win the league and come back stronger. Pogba did and look at him now.
The only thing you’ll achieve in China is not contracting Asthma.
On that note…
A farewell is in order. On Thursday Jon Obi Mikel signed for some obscure club in China, I’d google it but I don’t actually care. The Nigerian was without doubt one of the club’s senior players, with only Ivanovic and Terry higher than him on the appearance list. Beyond that I don’t really have much else to say about him. Before you all get offended, let me explain. Mikel played under ten managers and they all used him badly. Arriving as an attacking midfielder, he found himself job shadowing Makelele.
Wrong player. He should have been tied to Lampard’s hip. The rest is history. Mikel had an annoying habit of coming on with the team 1-0 up and then conceding an equalizer a few minutes later and I blamed him. The poor blighter never stood a chance. I wish him all the best for his future, even if I judge him a little for his destination.
Upwards and Onwards
Ah, the FA Cup. We love this competition. Seven time winners with six of those coming in the last twenty years show how the modern day Blue’s thrive when a final at Wembley beckons. A kind third round draw saw Peterborough arrive at Stamford Bridge on Sunday for the late kick off. Two hours later and an expected win was in the bag despite an unfortunate red card for our club captain. Frankly the only thing surprising about the game was how Pedro managed to hit the cross bar from a yard out. Even Fernando would have scored that. Maybe. Whatever. Antonio Conte predictably made nine changes to the side that lost to Spurs with the fringe players all getting decent game time. Here are a few things I picked out…
Get your sunglasses out cause my word the future looks bright. Loftus-Cheek had spells throughout the game where I would have sworn that Super Frank was back. The box-to-box midfielder has a class first touch, an eye for goal and a physical stature that, if looked after, should be the perfect ingredients to a magnificent player. Chalobah was assured and confident in the deep lying midfield role, snapping at players heels and generally putting himself about while also threading some rather gorgeous passes into attack. The England U21 pair could soon develop into mainstays in both the Chelsea and national team line ups.
Looking forwards
Looking back two seasons ago, I thought John Terry could play into his forties. Sadly, on days like today, even his biggest fans (myself included) have to concede that after this season his number is well and truly up. Both he and Ivanovic looked horribly exposed at times against a first division side, even with the legs of Chalobah and Zouma to protect them. Given Nathan Ake’s recent recall and Andreas Christianson’s imminent return from Germany, this will surely spell the end of the stalwart’s time at the Bridge. Perhaps a move to China for one last pay day should be on the cards for both men, at least they will have earned it.
Leicester away are up next!! Should be a good game at the King Power!