Ex Chelsea player Raul Meireles, who won the Champions League with the Blues in 2012, admitted he was impressed by his former team form in the recent period.
In fact, the Portuguese midfielder tweeted:
“I’ve watched some games for Chelsea recently and the team is really impressive. Tactically and physically.”
On this day in 2012 Chelsea became Champions of Europe.
Roberto Di Matteo’s team won Champions League final against Bayern Munich at Allianz Arena.
Didier Drogba scored the decisive penalty at penalty shoot-outs after the game ended 1-1 after extra-time (83′ Muller, 88′ Drogba); at in extra-time Peter Cech saved a decisive penalty to Arjen Robben.
Chelsea won 4-3 on penalties and it was a night to remember for every Blues fan around the world.
These were officials line ups:
BAYERN MUNICH (4-2-3-1): Neuer; Lahm, Boateng, Tymoshchuk, Contento; Schweinsteiger, Kroos; Robben, Muller, Ribery; Gomez.
Coach Heynckes
CHELSEA (4-2-3-1) Cech; Bosingwa, David Luiz,Cahill, Cole; Mikel, Lampard; Kalou, Mata, Bertrand; Drogba.
Coach Di Matteo
Chelsea will attempt to sign Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller after losing patience with Diego Costa, according to reports in today’s papers.
Costa, who Chelsea signed in 2014 from Atletico Madrid, was instrumental in helping the Blues win back the Premiership title before injury ended his season prematurely. He has failed to regain the form that he enjoyed for two-thirds of the 2014/15 campaign, admitting that he returned from pre-season overweight.
The Spain international was dropped for the 0-0 draw against Spurs on Sunday; Pedro, in Costa’s absence, did well in the striker position with a number of intelligent runs on and off the ball that created space for Hazard and Oscar to get in behind the home side’s defence.
Costa’s body language, as well as his not playing on the game, have led to speculation that he may well leave Stamford Bridge with Jose Mourinho tiring of his lack of form and disciplinary problems, and that the club will turn to the Bundesliga to find a replacement, namely Bayern Munich’s Thomas Muller.
Muller, who scored against Chelsea in the 2012 Champions League final, was a target for both Chelsea and Manchester United in the summer. Chelsea lost interest after signing Pedro from Barcelona but the Red Devils kept up the ultimately failed pursuit after losing the chase to sign the Spaniard.
Bayern’s position was then, as it probably will be now, that Muller, who has spent his whole career at the Allianz Arena, is not the sale at any price, but Chelsea should take heart from continued reports that the Germany international is interested in a move to England and is flattered by the interest.
Didier Drogba says he wants to train with Chelsea during the MLS off-season, but will only be able to if his club Montreal Impact allows him to.
Drogba left Chelsea at the end of last season having helped the club regain the Premiership title. He had returned the previous summer after a two year absence having won the Champions League with his final kick in the final against Bayern Munich.
Since leaving Stamford Bridge for the second time he has scored 12 goals in 14 matches, helping Montreal Impact to the MLS play-offs where they eventually lost to Columbus Crew.
The former Ivory Coast captain is quoted by French news agency AFP saying that, should it be possible, he would like to return to Chelsea again if only to train in preparation for the new MLS season next year.
“To train? Why not? But it’s something I would need to discuss with [Montreal], because I belong to them,” the 37-year-old said.
Ruling out the prospect of playing for Jose Mourinho’s side again, he continued:
“I signed a one-and-a-half year contract, I always like to respect what I have signed.”
“Playing? I’m not too hot on that idea. I need to rest and make sure that I’m ready for the new season.”
Drogba scored 164 goals in 381 games after originally signing in 2004 from Ligue 1 Marseille.
Didier Drogba’s Chelsea future has been cast into fresh doubt after Jose Mourinho admitted the Ivorian is yet to be offered a contract for next season.
Drogba returned to Stamford Bridge after a two year absence last summer, having left Galatasaray on a free transfer. His first spell in west London resulted in 157 goals, and a legacy as one of Chelsea’s greatest ever players following that memorable night in Munich, when he scored the winning penalty to give the club it’s first Champions League victory. He also won three Premier League titles and was notable for his contribution in big games, both domestically and European.
Drogba has so far added six goals to his Chelsea tally this season, and has often been used as a third choice striker behind Diego Costa and Loic Remy. Now, rumours about his next step have been abound; retirement, coaching, or a return to Ligue 1 – where Chelsea signed him from in 2004 – among them.
“Drogba’s future is to train Tuesday and to play against QPR.” Mourinho answered when the question was put to him, notably not committing either way on what the club’s plans are for the 37-year-old. Playing time for Drogba is likely to be more available until the end of the season after Costa aggravated his hamstring injury in the victory over Stoke City on Saturday.
Franck Ribery wants Eden Hazard to join him at Bayern Munich, and has urged the club to make it happen.
Ribery, who signed for Bayern in 2007 when he was expected to join one of the big Spanish clubs or come to the Premier League, has implored the Bavarian giants to sign the Chelsea midfielder.
“He attacks all of the time. He loves to run at his opponent. But he plays for Chelsea – this could be very expensive for Chelsea.”
Hazard signed for Chelsea shortly after the Blues won their first European Cup in 2012 against Ribery’s Bayern Munich, a game in which the Frenchman had a goal disallowed and that many in Munich still believe their side lost unfairly.
The former Lille winger, who turned down both Manchester clubs to sign for the west Londoners, has been Chelsea’s best and most consistent attacking outlet this season, and won the club’s Player of the Year award for last season. Any transfer away from Stamford Bridge appears unlikely after Hazard signed a new five-and-a-half year contract extension earlier this year.
