Internazionale Heading to Champions League Final

Even though Inter won the match, I do believe that Pep won the style-off between the two managers.

Zlatan graced us with this abdominals.


After the final whistle, Jose Mourinho celebrated in his nature.

Victor Valdes didn't like this very much.



To quash Inter's celebrations, the Nou Camp groundsmen turned the sprinklers on, circa high school prankery. To their dismay, the oppositions enjoyed the pre-shower shower. (And so did we. Hel-lo.)


pictures via zimbio, Kickette, and Who Ate All the Pies

Chelsea Pre-Game Observations

Frank had a laugh with Jose in the tunnel before warm-up. There is obviously still love there, from both parties.


Henrique Hilario tried to strike up conversation as well, but Jose seems disinterested. No love lost there.


Petr Cech needs a tan. Badly. He's becoming translucent.


Ashley Cole is bored. (And probably depressed.)


pictures via Kickette, Who Ate All the Pies, and dailymail

Chelsea Embarrass Inter... and Mourinho

It may have only been a 2-0 defeat, but I'm almost positive that Mourinho wasn't impressed with his team's display.



Goals came from Didier Drogba on 11 minutes and a Frank Lampard penalty kick on 50 minutes. Drogba's goal was quite impressive, if you ask me.



After his second defeat in the pre-season tournament, Mourinho must be facing a tactical nightmare.


Seeing that the game was at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, there were many celebrities on hand to support The Blues. Will Ferrel was name honorary captain of the match, and even got to help with the coin toss.


Charlize Theron's charity profited from the match and Ashton Kutcher somehow scored the best seats in the stadium, on Chelsea's bench. Lucky git.


pictures via dailymail and The Sun

TMI Files: Jose Praises Lampsy in Shower

"I have never had a manager who, while I’m standing in the shower cleaning my balls, tells me I’m the best player in the world. He did that. I’ll never forget it. So casual. 'You’re the best player in the world, but you need to win titles.' From that moment the extra confidence was in me. Not that I thought I was the best player in the world, but the manager who had just won the Champions League thought it. So I went out a different player."

Seriously? I don't know whether to be more disturbed about Jose giving individual players pep talks while they're in the shower, or the fact that Frank talking about cleaning his balls somehow intrigued me. I need therapy.

Link: Lampard Scrubbed Up Nicely for Chelsea After Jose Showered Him with Praise

Scolari Sacked, But I Have a Theory...

I realize this is late news, but Scolari’s been sacked. There are stages I’ve been going through throughout the day. It began with shock then moved to anger, then sadness. Now I seem to be coming to grips with the whole thing. And I’ve realized something that may be able to help Chelsea in selecting a new manager.
If you look at all the managers of the #1 placed clubs in Europe, they are all bloody attractive (some more than others).


Jesualdo Ferreira (FC Porto) – He’s got the machismo thing going for him.


Ralf Rangnick (Hoffenheim) – The glasses make him smart cute.


Claude Puel (Lyon) – Doesn’t just wear trackies in the technical area kind of formally cute.


Jose Mourinho (Internazionale) – Past loves just don’t fade. He’s good looking, we all know it.


Josep Guardiola (FC Barcelona) – Duh…

So Chelsea needs to find an attractive manager. I think it's a pretty good theory. Any thoughts?

pictures via google images and jamd

Birthday Wishes: The Special One

Jose Mourinho turned 46 today. He looks darn good for being almost 50. And the winking continues.

Looking Like Lampsy Might Stick Around

After receiving a fax from Inter Milan with a bid for Frank Lampard, (a pathetic, cowardly way of dealing with your former club Mr. Mourinho) Chelsea informed Internazionale that they “will not enter into any discussions regarding the transfer of Frank Lampard.” SO THERE!



New manager, Scolari, in his first press conference for the club, stated that in just a few minutes of conversation with Lampsy he had this to conclude:

"I spoke to him that I like him much as a player and as a person and I ask him if he wants to stay at Chelsea, not only for this season but for more time. After 15 minutes, he said to me he wants to stay and play for Chelsea for many years. I think Chelsea needs Lampard. I think Lampard is with us more time than one year."

Duh!

Note: Lampsy's calves looked absolutely delectable at training this morning.

Link: Chelsea Reject Inter's Lampard Approach
Link: Chelsea FC Statement

Frank Lampard: The Transfer/No Transfer Saga Continues

Will he? Won’t he? The suspense is killing me. I must say that if he goes off to make love to join Jose at Inter, I don’t see his career status changing. He’s said it before that he wants to end his career at Chelsea, and I know the board wants to keep him around as well. This will end much like every summer when we think Frank is going to run off to another country: he’s going to stay in London and be with his family, where he SHOULD be and the padge kissing and sky pointing will continue!

Capello, stop filling his mind with such rubbish!

Link: Capello Tells Lampard to ‘Go For It'
Link: Chelsea Plot Major Transfers Without a Manager

Jose to Inter, No Longer Special

Jose Mourinho’s unveiling as Inernazionale boss was dampened by his less than illustrious view on his former nickname, The Special One.

"I have arrived to a special club and I believe I am a great coach but I don't want to be special."

How very un-Jose of him. Where are the sparks and the over-confidence? Maybe Roman Abramovich gave him a complex. Poor lad.

The next question is who, from Chelsea, will be joining him? Frank Lampard, Ricardo Carvalho, Didier Drogba, and Michael Essien have all been listed as supposed targets, but I’ll believe it when I see it.

Link: Jose Signs Up with Inter