Chelsea FC: 10 Greatest Blues Captains of All Time

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Chelsea Football Club have had many captains during their illustrious 106-year history.

In this article I will list, in my opinion, the 10 greatest Blues captains of all time.

You may or may not agree with my selections, but feel free to debate in the comments below, and perhaps suggest your own players who should be in the top 10.

Conclusion

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Agree? Disagree?

Should someone have been higher up? Should other players have made the list?

Feel free to discuss in the comments section below.

1. John Terry

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This man needs little introduction.

Arguably one of the most recognisable figures in world football today, the 30-year-old is the most successful Chelsea captain ever and also the club’s all-time highest scoring defender.

The English centre-back has also surpassed 450 appearances for the Blues.

Having lifted the Premier League trophy three times, it’s an absolute certainty that Terry will most go down as a club legend.

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Wenger not for qutting

Arsene Wenger has dismissed speculation over his future in a message to Arsenalsupporters in his programme notes ahead of their Champions League game with Borrussia Dortmund.

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EPL Preview: Predicting the Arsenal Starting XI vs. Fulham

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Arsenal will aim to secure their 11th win in 13 games and their sixth consecutive English Premier League victory when they take on Fulham Saturday at the Emirates.

The match follows an emphatic 2-1 victory over German champions Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League which confirmed the Gunners’ place in the next round of Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Arsene Wenger’s men have been in blistering form since October and have revitalized their campaign after a horrific start to 2011/2012. The names Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri are no longer taunts, with Arsenal well on track to secure a top-four finish.

However, London neighbours Fulham will provide a stern test for the North London giants despite the Cottagers’ lack of form. Martin Jol’s men sit 16th, two points outside the drop zone, with a mere two victories; however the Cottagers have endured five draws.

Fulham have lacked consistency since the season began but have at times showed a fluent attack that is capable of scoring many goals. Jol’s men thrashed six past the impressive Queens Park Rangers whilst also holding top of the table Manchester City to a two-all draw.

Nonetheless they encounter a confident Arsenal side who are led by arguably the best player in World Football at the moment, Robin van Persie.

The Dutchman boasts 38 goals in 41 appearances for 2011. The Gunners appear to have fluidity in attack and for once composure and consistency in defence.

There is certainly a newfound patience and resilience about Wenger’s squad and there is no denying the new maturity that is so evident in their recent performances. It is hard to envision anything less than an Arsenal win.

Goalkeeper

Polish keeper Wojcieh Szczesny has enjoyed fine form in 2011 and is certain to start against the Cottagers. However deputy Lukasz Fabianski is certain to feature in the Carling Cup quarterfinal against Manchester City next week. Nonetheless the Polish international will deputize come the weekend.

Veteran Manuel Almunia and Italian youngster Vito Mannone await January for the opportunity to depart and take up a loan deal.

Defence

Arsene Wenger is still faced with a right back dilemma as routine full backs Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson are both nursing injuries. French international Laurent Koscielny has impressed at right back in Arsenal’s last two matches and is likely to continue the run.

This ensures defensive leader Thomas Vermaelen continues as always in the centre half and will be partnered by under-fire German Per Mertesacker. Imposing Swiss Johan Djourou is likely to receive a bench role.

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England international Kieran Gibbs is expected to return from a hernia in a month which ensures Brazilian international Andre Santos will continue at left back. French veteran Sebastien Squillaci and Spanish teenager Igansi Miquel are unlikely to feature but are set to play in the Carling Cup on Tuesday.

Midfield

Arsene Wenger is likely to deploy the same trio that performed against Dortmund andNorwich City, despite chances of fatigue. With the Carling Cup next week, young guns Francis Coquelin and Emmanuel Frimpong will receive chances alongside Israeli captain Yossi Benayoun.

This ensures Wales captain Aaron Ramsey and Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta will start as the attacking midfielders, with Alexandre Song as always the defensive midfielder and leader.

However, imposing Frenchman Abou Diaby could start ahead of Arteta; the 25-year-old made his comeback from a lengthy ankle injury against Dortmund.

Czech pla maker Tomas Rosicky has suffered a thigh strain and is unlikely to feature whilst the 2010/2011 PFA Young Player of the Year Jack Wilshere continues his recovery from an ankle injury.

Forwards

Arsenal captain Robin van Persie just cannot stop scoring and the Dutchman will be the key to a Gunners’ victory. Van Persie will lead the front line as the lone striker and don the armband too.

England international Theo Walcott has been in blistering form in recent weeks and is certain to start on the right wing.

Russian dynamo Andrei Arshavin is set to start ahead of Gervinho on the left wing as the Ivorian receives a deserved break. Imposing Moroccan Marouane Chamakh will deputize van Persie from the bench but is likely to start against City in the Carling Cup.

South Korean captain Chu-Young Park is set to miss out on the matchday squad but is also likely to start against Manchester City.

The same can be said for teenage sensation Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Japanese teenager Ryo Miyaichi has an ankle injury and is set to return in December whilst English youngster Sanchez Watt has joined League One side Sheffield Wednesday.

Substitutes

With seven places on Arsene Wenger’s bench, Lukasz Fabianski will be the emergency keeper whilst Johan Djourou is the likely emergency defender. Emmanuel Frimpong, Abou Diaby and Yossi Benayoun are set to be the midfield substitutes whilst Marouane Camakh and Gervinho impact attackers.

MESSI ARRIVES AT THE 25

For any other player, scored 25 goals on the season overall figure represents a more than satisfactory, a bright line on the resume, an excellent card. But Leo Messioperates under different rules. The numbers used to measure the performance of the players fall short to measure the presence of the Argentine, who last night returned to San Siro to keep your appointment with a goal: it adds 25 this year, in the 20 games he has played, has not yet begun when the month of December.
The data multiplies the figure of the ‘crack’ Argentine, who continues in his attempt to become the top scorer in the history of the club.It will sooner or later: for now, accumulating 205 goals and is 30 of the legendary record of Caesar, who still heads the list of historic 235.
This season, Messi can claim to have scored more goals than the games he has played in both League and the Champions. In European competition remains the leading scorer, tied with Bayern Munich striker Mario Gomez. Both have scored six goals in five matches so far and their teams have already qualified for the knockout stages as group winners.
The Milan was almost round match for Leo, who beat another personal best, never had marked an Italian team (although he had scored in Italy, in a special match like the Champions League final in Rome, before the Manchester United in 2009) and yesterday, from the penalty spot, removed the thorn but the referee spun fine and passed the `paradinha what was removed from the sleeve to deceive the Milan goal. The goal from the spot also became the best scorer in the history of South America European competitions, tied with Claudio Pizarro, both with 44 goals in UEFA tournaments.
Each party, Messi insatiable insists on another record, another brand, another record. Last night, in a scene so iconic as San Siro, scored win number 200 as a Barcaplayer in 289 games. With 25 goals in 20 games he has played this season (no less than an average of 1.25 goals per game), Messi is ready to beat his best scorer, corresponding to the last year, when total competition reached the 53 goals. The current season has not yet come to Ecuador, or the League or the Champions, and Messi and presented a card with 25 notches. If you keep your progression, could rub the 60 goals and even reach the 235 this year many of Caesar.
In just three months of competition, Messi has matched the best figure in the overall scoring a season which was his great reference when it came to the first team. Ronaldinho, Barcelona and Milan’s ex signed 25 goals in the 2005-06 season, his best year as a player Blaugrana, which won the Champions League and in Paris.
Against Milan, Messi also drew a walk his role as assistant. He started the play of the first goal, putting an inside pass to Keita that ended in the own goal from Mark van Bommel. It marked the second and was instrumental in the third, when he leaked a great pass into space to Xavi input from the balcony of the area. Terrassa midfielder sealed the game for the club and multiplied the value of the assistance of Leo, who has given ten assists this season. Besides leading scorer, Messi is also the most decisive pin Barca this season.

THE BARCA 1X1

VALDES: 6 Irregular. I miss game of Victor did a concert with the ball at his feet, but in tackling the ball was so successful, especially in a move that lost the ball and ended innocently for a corner. In the goal was not guilty.

Puyol: 6 Desperate. It certainly went wrong when the captain to defend the right wing because Ibra fell in your area and is anticipated to almost all their actions. Fortunately, there was room and ended the game in style.

MASCHERANO: 7 Leader. Barça defense came out with a three and Argentina took her galvanizing role in the game. Always very attentive to all the courts, was used to fund when it was necessary. The jefecito `do you still maintain its high level.

ABIDAL: 6 Flashing. The French defender had many problems in his band, reaching to lose balls incomprehensible. Fortunately, his game improved in the second half and gave much more packaging and safety on defense.

Sergio Busquets: 7 Ready. The Ciutat Badia is a real crack. He converted his private preserve area, dividing always the best option and retrieving balls everywhere. She sewed for kicks, but is so chaste and never throw in the towel followed.

XAVI: 10 Keynote. A party to frame the egarense who took all the excellences of his game: possession, control, intelligence, continuity, pressure, clear and on top of a goal by crack. Joaquim and Maria Merce Thanks for everything!

Keita: 9 Awesome. It took all the air balls have or might have, eventually winning the game at this point a whole Ibrahimovic. If we add to this that unfolded as he wanted with the ball, we can only say great match.

THIAGO: 8 Virtuoso. Seeing this guy do what he did yesterday in San Siro is something unique. No one plays like angels but also tactically worth a Potosi. We are talking about someone who is called to do great quotes.

CESC: Relentless 7. A combination of him with Leo Messi penalty led to the play of Xavi Hernandez.The Arenys was one of the most pressured and rushed, ending bottomless. Guardiola rested, releasing Peter.

MESSI: 9 omnipresent. He opened the pass to Keita’s band to focus and ended up in goal, the penalty that led to turning over and gave assistance to Xavi in the third. Need I say more of this great crack?

VILLA: 6 jinxed. No luck in front of goal, although he tried in every way. Especially one that finished off at close range and repulsed Abbiati does not know how. In any case their contribution is vital to the team for their dedication and claw.

ALEXIS: 8 Valiente. He entered the field and threw himself into the line of fire, fighting with all the defenses.

PEDRO: 7 Electric. He began to run around the field to hinder the ball out of the opposing defense.

DOS SANTOS: sc Testimonial. The youth was released in the last minutes paa give strength in midfield

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