Diddy knows what is up. As you should have already heard, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has agreed to freeze the two-window transfer ban on Chelsea, as well as the four-month playing ban on Gael Kakuta. These bans, imposed by Fifa’s Dispute Resolution Chamber, are temporarily lifted until the club’s appeal has been heard and ruled on.

The question now is: Will we buy? Manager Carlo Ancelotti doesn’t seem to think it will be necessary to bolster the squad — sans injuries — despite losing four pieces in January for the Africa Cup of Nations.

“It is good for the club because it is a decision that gives us the possibility to buy new players if necessary,” CA said, “‘but at the moment I think it is not necessary.”

What do you think? I’m keen to agree with Carlo somewhat, mainly because players the caliber of Chelsea are obviously cup-tied for the remainder of the season. However, I wouldn’t be opposed to a pair of suspended deals. Perhaps for Kun and Dzagoev?

Tell us your background as a player in Scotland.
My footballing background goes back many years. I was a player in my younger days and I had a number of trials around some of the local teams, but never really made it onto the big stage. I was a big fan of football as well. I spent many seasons following Dundee with my dad. Charlie Cooke was my dad’s hero and was at Dundee before he was Tommy Docherty’s big Chelsea signing.

Would you have signed you as a player?
No. I was never the quickest. I was a goalscorer, I played semi-professional and then my Umbro job took me away an awful lot and training with teams died down a little bit.

It was a real opportunity at Umbro, it came along at the right time for me. Umbro at that time were very dominant in football, most of the football clubs north and south of the border had their kit sponsored by Umbro. So it gave me a real opportunity to get involved in football at that early stage

What will Peter Kenyon’s role as non-executive director entail?
Peter will continue on the board and he is very influential in world football. He holds a number of key posts in Uefa and I think that’s important for the club, to maintain that level of exposure and have a say at that level. How long that goes on for, who knows, but at this stage it is very important.

Peter is a very well-known figure in the game. While I have been around the game for a long time and have experience, I am not a face that is particularly well-known as far as the outside world is concerned. Obviously that will change and has changed a bit already.

After five managers in just over two years, you will be keen for some stability at management level and so far so good for Carlo Ancelotti.
It’s a fantastic start but the whole stability and continuity is very important to me and the business going forwards. Carlo, at his last club, stability was part of the make-up. You are looking at a coach who has won the top competition twice as a coach and as a player as well. So I think confidence comes with stability in all the day-to-day goings on and there is a real buzz around Chelsea at the moment. That’s thanks to Carlo and the support Carlo has around him.

Will you take more of a back seat in player recruitment?
As chief execuitve you have to be across everything that happens. You have a responsibility to deliver a strategy and all the objectives set by the business. That’s my responsibility and you can’t have one-foot-in, one-foot-out. I am across everything that happens. Whether I am involved in the detail of every agreement or every meeting that we have, then no, that’s not going to be my business. Whether I am involved in every detail of every meeting that we have? No, that is not going to be the case.

How often do you have dialogue with the owner?
Regularly. I think that’s important and I encourage it. Communication is important for the business.

Will there be any change in the way major decisions on the football side are taken? How do we decide on player targets for example?

We have a football club board. The decisions are discussed in those board meetings and if there is an opportunity to buy a player who can take us forward and will fit into our team then we will decide on a case-by-case basis.

What can you tell us about the Kakuta case?
There is not a lot I can say as far as the legal system is concerned. I think we have a strong case and that appeal with be logged with the Court for Arbitration for Sport.

Do you think you’ll reside over a good era at the football club?
Well, I’ve had a great start! It’s going to be a challenge the next five years, I use the term ‘the next five years’ on the basis of the 10-year plan. We have set our goals very high. I would like to see us continue playing the exciting football we are playing and that’s very close to the owner’s heart.

We have to keep identifying young home-grown players and nurture them through our Academy, that’s important. We have to continue to develop the facilities we have down at Cobham, develop our key core players that we have in place now. And the final piece for me is definitely fan engagement. They are the life blood of the football club and I am really keen to take that on to the next level because it is important in the growth of the club.

What would you consider as chief executive to be success?
We have got to continue winning trophies, that’s the expectation of Chelsea Football Club. Every time we cross the white line it’s to win football games. We are expected to compete in every competition we enter. That is how we have positioned ourselves as a football club and that’s how we are portrayed as a football club. There’s lots of energy around the place and we are in a good position to support the coach and deliver everything we are expecting to deliver.

On and off the field we have a fantastic team and together, it’s key that we work together. We will go onto the next level I am sure.

“The oversimplified reading of a diamond formation* suggests that any success is significantly dependent on the excellence of attacking full-backs. Yet Chelsea were without Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa when they obliterated Blackburn at the weekend. Juliano Belletti played within himself at left-back, while Branislav Ivanovic was largely useless going forward. It did not affect Chelsea at all.

CA’s on a most bodacious adventure at the moment.
Sandimashighschoolfootball rules!

“With players of such ability and will there are so many ways to skin the cat: the unstoppable power of Didier Drogba, the craft of Michael Ballack, the subtlety of Frank Lampard, the force of Michael Essien, the pace of Nicolas Anelka, the mischief of Joe Cole – and the long-range shooting of all of them, with the Blackburn keeper Paul Robinson apparently trapped in a coconut shy. Like Don Revie’s Leeds, with whom this Chelsea side share so much – from frightening physical and mental toughness to inexplicably frequent second-place finishes – their collective strength has the capacity to transcend everything else, be it context, opposition, or even tactics.”

Away with the second-place finishes I say.

“I am extremely proud of my time at Chelsea and of the friendships I have forged with everyone here,” Kenyon said. “I have been in football for 15 years and I can say with great certainty and pleasure the experience at Chelsea is one of the best I have had. When I joined Chelsea it was an incredible challenge and together with all the staff, the players, the board and Roman, I think we have really built a club, in a relatively short space of time, that can be in the forefront of European football for many years to come. That is a major achievement.

“I would like to wish Chelsea the best of luck for the rest of the season. I am sure Carlo [Ancelotti, the manager] can lead the team to more great things. I intend to take a little time off before considering what I do next but I am certain I have at least one major challenge left in me.”

Surprising? Certainly. Expected? I think not.

Still, many Chelsea supporters will not be too depressed when hearing the news. Why so is another question all together. After all, the man did secure deals with Samsung and adidas during his tenure at Stamford Bridge.

So, what are people’s thoughts on this development? Good, bad, indifferent? Perhaps more importantly, who’s in line to replace Kenyon?

It’s that time. Time for the Champions League – and all the frustration it brings with it.

Today not only represents the beginning of Chelsea’s march toward Madrid with a home date against Porto, it also marks the 10th anniversary of the club’s debut in the famed European competition.

This is a bittersweet occasion for Chelsea supporters. Most of you, Chelsea fans or no, know why. We’ve enjoyed our fair share of success in the competition, reaching the semifinals of the competition three consecutive seasons, including an appearance in the final in 2008. Most of our memories in this tournament of tournaments, however, are nightmarish. Well, I’ll let the Guardian tell it:

“It is unlikely that any supporter will celebrate the occasion. The competition provides the grandest of settings, but for the club it is a chamber of horrors. Whether they wish to or not, Chelsea must find themselves staring at grisly memories.”

It’s rather ironic that the Guardian managed to work up a story regarding our tainted history in this competition before I was able to — and, trust me, I was working on this last week. What it does point to, however, is the fact that our shortcomings, particularly in the CL, are well-documented. Well-documented by the press, you all and, most of all, our owner.

It was Abramovich who, when purchasing club, envisioned a Champions League trophy above all. It hasn’t happened. He is restless. Carlo Ancelotti is here to quell his nerves.

But can he fill those unfulfilled dreams? Who knows.

If it’s to happen, you would think it’s 2010 or never (and by never, I mean quite some time). Our squad is aging and we can’t purchase reinforcements for the foreseeable future. Plus, there’s a little thing called siege mentality; I believe it applies.

Still, it’s the CL. You never know what to expect. And, with our fortune, who’s to say we’ll make it out of the group stage this season? No Drogba. No Bosingwa. It’s sure to be an adventure.

Regardless, I know I will be watching.

I’m banned for four f****** months?!

Points you may want to touch on:
1. Why Chelsea is the only club singled out in this bogus monstrosity.
2. Will this ban hold up?
3. Why isn’t anyone talking about the player, Gael Kakuta, and how his ban, a worldwide one of four months, may turn out to be the most severe?

Check out the seedings below, then make your prediction. I’ll banking on an Inter, Fiorentina, Standard threesome to join us.

Pot 1 Club Coefficent
1. FC Barcelona (ESP, holders) 121.853
2. Chelsea FC (ENG) 118.899
3. Liverpool FC (ENG) 118.899
4. Manchester United FC (ENG) 111.899
5. AC Milan (ITA) 110.996
6. Arsenal FC (ENG) 106.899
7. Sevilla FC (ESP) 100.853
8. FC Bayern München (GER) 98.339

Pot 2 Club Coefficent
9. Olympique Lyonnais (FRA) 91.033
10. FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) 87.582
11. Real Madrid CF (ESP) 78.853
12. PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS) 71.525
13. FC Porto (POR) 68.292
14. AZ Alkmaar (NED) 64.826
15. Juventus (ITA) 63.582
16. Rangers FC (SCO) 56.575

Pot 3 Club Coefficent
17. Olympiacos FC (GRE) 52.633
18. Olympique de Marseille (FRA) 48.033
19. FC Dynamo Kyiv (UKR) 46.370
20. VfB Stuttgart (GER) 45.339
21. ACF Fiorentina (ITA) 42.582
22. Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) 41.853
23. FC Girondins de Bordeaux (FRA) 40.033
24. Beşiktaş JK (TUR) 32.445

Pot 4 Club Coefficent
25. VfL Wolfsburg (GER) 21.339
26. R. Standard de Liège (BEL) 21.065
27. Maccabi Haifa FC (ISR) 17.050
28. FC Zürich (SUI) 14.050
29. FC Rubin Kazan (RUS) 9.525
30. AFC Unirea Urziceni (ROU) 8.781
31. APOEL FC (CYP) 4.016
32. Debreceni VSC (HUN) 1.633

Now, former Blue Mateja Kezman has chimed in on the subject via an exclusive interview with skysports.com.

Says the man who netted just seven times in 27 appearances during his one forgettable campaign at Chelsea:

“I was in no doubt that he would stay because I know how much he loves the club and I know his spirit about the club,” Kezman said. “I was sure that he would stay all the time.

“It was very important because he is the most important player there, even with the stars like (Frank) Lampard and (Didier) Drogba he is the number one because he is somebody who keeps all the players together.

“He is the gaffer in the dressing room, the big boss you know, and also a very good person so he is an important guy. His character gives a lot to Chelsea all the time.”

This begs the question: Why the hell would I listen to Mateja Kezman?

More over, it brings up an interesting point: Is John Terry Chelsea’s most important player? Better yet, who is Chelsea’s most important player.

I, for one, don’t believe it is EBJT — but that’s just me. Let me know what you think, people.

The Chelsea captain has been the subject of persistent interest from Manchester City this offseason, with at least one bid already being rejected. These approaches follow a similar pursuit of Terry from City during last season’s January transfew window.

Club officials, including new manager Carlo Ancelotti, chief executive Peter Kenyon and chairman Bruce Buck, have sternly stated that England’s Brave John Terry is NOT FOR SALE. Romes is said to be adamant about retaining Terry.

Who we haven’t heard from, though — the most critical piece in this puzzle — is Mr. Chelsea himself. The man has been MIA since news of City’s bid first surfaced. It’s puzzling, and unassuring, to be sure.

Why hasn’t he publicly stated his desire to stay at his boyhood club? What has prompted his silence?

Is he actually considering leaving Chelsea? We don’t know, and that may be the biggest indication yet that there is a little more to this than perhaps we thought.

Tomorrow not only marks Terry’s return to training; he’s also scheduled for so-called “showdown” talks with members of the club hierarchy including Ancelotti. It’s not known if Romes will be in attendance, but you’d think he would be considering the significance.

Does this meeting point to even more fracture between Terry and the club? Or is simply a standard sit down? It’s hard to tell, really.

A report in the Sun — yes, the Sun, so take it with a grain of salt — suggests Terry may feel underappreciated at Chelsea. The author, Ian McGarry, introduces some pretty baseless points but does mention the length in which it took JT to get a new deal in 2007, a process which apparently included an insulting offer of 95K per week. The story goes on to suggest, via a “club source” that “Terry is seen as a declining asset rather than a valuable commodity.”

Hmmmm.

There’s also this idea that Terry is upset with the apparent lack of communication between he and the club regarding the City dealings. This report that has been rubbished by the club and sounds bogus to me – but you never know.

All this, however unsubstantiated it is, gives us a possible reason for Terry’s silence thus far. We can only hope this man, Mr. Chelsea, speaks publicly tomorrow and lets us know what’s actually on his mind.

For better or worse.
 

Our boys over at the EPL Offside — Rob and Wayne — have asked who we (the royal we) think is the best player in the Premier League. Now seems as good a time as any to make the obvious case, the case for Super Frank.

Gerrard beat out United boys Giggs and Rooney for his hardware. The PFA list was even more hilarious. It featured six players, five of which resided in the red half of Manchester. Ludicrous? Of course. But that’s not the point.

The most baffling aspect of it all was Lampard’s name not even being among the six nominated. You know, now is the perfect time to discuss this travesty. As Didier Drogba would say: “It’s a f****** disgrace.”

Why Lampard has yet to win a PFA award is just as bemusing as his omission this time around. This year’s honor, which covers part of 2007-08 as well, should have been all Frank. It’s quite an easy argument, really.

This season, at the time of the announcement of nominations (mid-April), Super Frank had already punched home 19 goals from 46 appearances while adding 17 assists. That’s more than a goal every three matches, an astonishing tally for a midfielder. I have also read that Lampard, as of late April, had created 131 scoring chances for teammates — a number more than double that of Gerrard, who sat at 70. This was said to be a new Premier League record.

As of right now, Lampard has 20 goals and 20 assists in 67 starts in all competitions. Those are phenomenal numbers, my friends.

And remember, much of this was done with Chelsea imploding from nearly every angle. At one point, Scolari was sinking the ship; Drogba was nowhere to be found. And we were on the verge of plummeting down the Premier League standings. Maybe those drab performances through the middle of the season — seeing as votes have to be submitted by the end of February — skewed the eyes of voters. It should have been the opposite; this man continued to flourish while so many around him were floundering.

His performance in Chelsea’s 4-4 draw with Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League quarterfinal was exquisite. Netting twice, the last of which capped the night, Lampard was superlative. He was, simply put, the star of the game of the season. If that’s not worth a nomination, I don’t know what is.

Over the past five years, I’d wager no player in the Premier League — native or foreign — has been as consistently good as Frank Lampard. This will be his fourth consecutive season with 20 goals. Let me break that down for you: 20 in 2005-06, 21 in 2006-07 and 20 in 2007-08. He netted 19 in 2004-05. Simply put, this kind of achievement is amazing. A midfielder with a 20 goals per season average? Crazy.

There it is. I rest my case. When it comes to Premier League performers, there are few — if any — better than one Frank Lampard.