THE WORLD CUP
After the first eight games, Chelsea players already stamping their quality on the world cup with goals from Crespo, Drogba and Robben and official FIFA man of the match awards for Lampard and Robben
If we look at the European Table of players' clubs, Chelsea and Werder Bremen top the goal scoring charts with three goals each out of a total eighteen goals in the first eight games.
Chelsea 3 Crespo, Drogba, Robben
Werder Bremen 3 Klose (2), Frings
Bayern Munich 1 Lahm
PSG 1 Pauleta
Sevilla 1 Saviola
With nine goals scored by players from non-european clubs, that rounds out the score sheet. Obviously with Spain, Italy and Brazil yet to play, the Italian and Spanish clubs have had little chance to get off the ground as yet. It is interesting to note that there is at least one national team each day of the First round qualifying to have a Chelsea player in their squad and therefore likely to play.
TRANSFERS & RUMOURS
On the transfer front most of the news is about outgoing players with Lenny Pidgely moving to Millwall. Lenny Pidgely was third choice goalkeeper and only played a handful of games. He will be joining ex-Chelsea midfielder Nigel Spackman who became manager of Millwall two weeks ago.
Robert Huth seems to be on the way to Middlesboro where he can expect to be playing on a more regular basis. Huth has been with Chelsea since he was 16 years old playing in 61 senior team games in six years. With Terry, Carvahlo and Gallas all ahead of him in the team order there was a mutual agreement for him to leave to assist in his further development.
There are rumours that Gudjohnsen has agreed terms with Barcelona and that all is left is for the clubs to agree a fee with Chelsea wanting ₤10m and Barcelona offering ₤6m. Gudjohnsen was also linked with Newcastle, Man Utd and Valencia.
Jiri Jarosik has met with Celtic and after a good season out on loan at Birmingham, where he was definately their best player, I expect him to make a very positive impact north of the border if the deal is sealed.
Crespo still wants away but no rumours are circulating about him despite his consistency at international levels - teams must be put off by his large wage requirements. Glen Johnson and Carlton Cole rumours have also quietened down but are likely to follow.
Drogba apparently is being offered a contract extension and rumours in the press would indicate that Gallas may yet negotiate a new deal with Chelsea.
Other rumours have Duff being chased by a host of clubs including Liverpool but the most persistant of rumours is that associating Frank Lampard with Barcelona. Before Chelsea got Shevchenko, they wanted Eto'o and with Ballack moving to Chelsea - the powers may have felt that losing Lampard for a twenty five goal a year striker was a necessary evil.
Barcelona issued a press release saying that the rumours that Deco was coming to Chelsea in a swap for Lampard was untrue and Chelsea even mentioned it on their website as well. The fact that Lampard's wife is from Catalonia helps to fuel this rumour as well. Personally I would hate to see Lampard go as he has been an ever present and a key to Chelsea's success over the past few years.
It would seem that we will have to wait until after the World Cup to see whether it will be Ashley Cole or Roberto Carlos at Stamford Bridge next year.
Anyway back to the World Cup - Come on Essien & Ghana !! It's a good time to upset the Italians - they traditionally start the world cup slowly. Also lets hope Shevchenko is available so Ukraine can upset the Spaniards.
