Johnson ends career at Chelsea

Assistant manager Steve Clarke confirms that Glen Johnson will be completing a move to Portsmouth today, the last day of the transfers.  Joining Chelsea in 2003 from West Ham United, Johnson spent a year on loan with his new club, where he appeared 28 times, last season.  In 2003/04 season, he was first choice to be at the back until th arrival of Paulo Ferreira.  He made 61 starts and 11 subs for the Blues all throughout.

“I think it’s a good move for Glen. He’s at the stage in his career where he has to play and he’s got more opportunity to there. Obviously the signing of [Juliano] Belletti moved him down the pecking order. It’s a good move for Glen and a good move for Chelsea,” Clarke explained.

“Players move. That’s football. I think when you pay six or seven million for a player at a young age you hope he develops and you hope he gets the chances to play. It didn’t quite work out for him.

“We wish him all the best for the future and I’m sure he’ll go on to fulfil his potential,’ Clarke added, confirming that it would the only transfer out of the club today.”

Cech is the best.

That is confirmed by the UEFA when they gave him the award for UEFA’s choice for Club Goalkeeper of the Year.   Having chosen by a panel of experts (international managers), Cech received the said award today during the UEFA Champions League draw in Monaco.

Beckham to miss out England Euro Qualifiers

Unfortunately, our friend David Beckham will be spending some time off of England again after he has been ruled out of McClaren’s squad for the upcoming Euro Qualifiers this following month September and October.

Becks suffered another blow when he injured his knee during their Superliga game against Pachuca, which ended in a defeat. Tests showed that he is suffering from a sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

As a result, he will miss out on England’s matches at the new Wembley against Israel and Russia on September 8 and 12, respectively.  He might also miss out on the Three Lions’ matches against Estonia and again Russia come October.

No In, More Out?

The transfer window closes in hours yet there are still rumours going on about some of Chelsea’s players leaving the club.  Midfielder Lassana Diara is reported to be targeted by Portsmouth, especially after the player failed to make an appearance for the Blues ever since the Community Shield more than 3 weeks ago.  The report seem to be more possible after chief executive Peter Kenyon admits that there could only be exits for the Blues; no more signings.

Kenyon spoke during the draw for the Champions League held in Monaco today.  In his interview, he ruled out the possibility of signing Brazilian and Barca star Ronaldinho and Porto winger Ricardo Quaresma.

United striker retires.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s father has confirmed his son’s retirement after a long suffering from a knee injury.

“It is sad both for us and for him that he has decided to quit,” his father Oyvind Solskjaer was quoted saying.

“He would have liked to stay on and was hoping for a 100 percent recovery. But something has happened with his knee which made it impossible for him to continue,” he added.

Ole himself thanked the club he’s been with for more than a decade.

“I would like to thank manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the coaching and medical staff and most of all the supporters,” Solskjaer told the club website.

“They have been fantastic and were a real inspiration to me when I was out injured.”

Football witness 2 deaths in a week.

Friday night saw the first of the two deaths in the footballing world this week when QPR striker Ray Jones was killed in a car crash.  He died at the scene; he was only 18.  Due to this, the club’s match against Burnley was postponed to be rearranged at a later date.

“Everyone at Queens Park Rangers extends their deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Ray at this sad time.”

Just a day after, another player in the Primera Liga suffered two heart attacks while Sevilla were playing Getafe.  Left-back Antonio Puerta first collapsed during the first half of the match but still managed to walk back to the dressing room.  Moments later, he collapsed for the 2nd time.  This time he had to be brought (and rushed) to the hospital.

Doctors in the hospital where he stayed in were worried about the length of his cardiac arrest and how they affected her internal organs.  On Tuesday, he was pronounced dead just hours before his club’s Champions League qualifying match against AEK Athens.  He was only 22.

Red Devils in the relegation.

It might be too much to make a big deal out of this. However, this is something you don’t see very often. Man Utd in the relegation zone.  So why not enjoy the moment while it lasts? Looks even better seeing it from their own website.

Chelsea might be 1 defender less.

After the capture of Brazilian Juliano Belletti, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho talked about letting go of 1 defender.  At the moment, there are 27 players in the squad.  He claims that if one club shows interest and the player also has the desire to leave, it may happen.  Mourinho expressed his satisfaction about having a complete squad and would not mind having 27 players in the dressing room.

“First of all, this new player gives me what I need which is a closed door in my dressing room. That is very important for me.

“The market is open until August 31 but not for us. We have the new signings we fought for and we have the balance in the squad.

“But I want my squad to be just a little bit smaller. We have 27 players because Belletti comes in but Arjen Robben goes out, and if we can, we will go down to 26.