Rant Box: A ‘Special’ Friendly

By: Jack | July 21st, 2009

Tonight the Rose Bowl in Pasadena plays host to a homecoming of sorts. Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho will test his Internazionale side against the Blues in the second match of this preseason’s World Football Challenge.

His specialness holds a special place in Chelsea hearts, as the man who broke 50 years of heartache with not one, but two Premier League titles — in addition to his pair of Carling Cups and an FA Cup. Hardware has been limited since his abrupt departure in 2007; so has the club’s overall influence.

Yet, while Super Frank, EBJT and Drogs will enjoy seeing one of their finest mentors once again, a managerial rivalry of epic proportions will reignite after only a few months.

“There are worse things in life than me and (Roman) Abramovich together, new Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti wrote in his autobiography. “The worst for him had already been and gone. He had already worked with His Specialness, Mourinho.”

This could get interesting, even for a friendly.

Team News
Michael Ballack has returned to Stamford Bridge in preparation for surgery on a suspected broken toe. Bosingwa will miss tonight’s match after picking up a knock in training, and we still can’t Zhirkov — Yuri is likely to miss the U.S. tour with permit problems.

Lineups had yet to be released at the time of Rant Box releaaaaase.

	EPL Match Schedule			Discount Travel to London & Chelsea
	Chelsea Scores			Stamford Bridge information & hotels

Category: Chelsea Team News, Fixtures, Match Previews, Rant Box

Tags: Chelsea Team News, Exhibition, Fixtures, Friendly, Inter Milan, Jose Mourinho, Match Previews, preseason, Rant Box

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Comments   |  Add your comment

• Michael B. |  July 21st, 2009 at 7:06 pm

  
  
  

  Yo been a while. Nice to be back from a break from footy. Bout to watch the game w/ the dad. Can’t wait to see the results ENJOY EVERYONE

  Posted from United States

  

• Dhaw |  July 21st, 2009 at 7:47 pm

  
  
  

  This is impressive stuff from Carlo. He is making your boys play some nice football. Finally it is fun to watch Chelsea play.

  Hated to watch you guys play under Jose, Grant and Scolari.

  I hope Carlo carries on like this with your boys.
  This is impressive.

  36 mins in the game and Chelsea look very good despite not being match-fit.

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  July 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm

  
  
  

  Agree with you Dhaw, we look extremely fluid — even more impressive considering it’s the second game of the preseason.

  Welcome back, Mike. We’re looking pretty tough, I’d say.

  Posted from United States

  

• Jimmy |  July 21st, 2009 at 8:30 pm

  
  
  

  They just mentioned Turnbull possibly coming on and all I could think was..

  RAWSE

  Posted from United States

  

• Michael B. |  July 21st, 2009 at 8:42 pm

  
  
  

  Did anyone else gag at the fact hat ashton kutcher is a chelsea fan? Thankyou very much camera crew & american commentaries – First see that douche and then all of a sudden you see Chelsea bench. Doucheness

  On a positive note: 73m and chelsea are 2-0? I dunno whats worse tho. Hearing the stupid horns on the telle or hearing my mom snore in the background while shes sleeping.

  Posted from United States

  

• areallaticfromthesouth |  July 21st, 2009 at 9:38 pm

  
  
  

  You wanna hear my wife Michael LOL LOL

  Got up at 3.15am to watch the game on Chelsea TV. Well worth it. Stylish and emphatic performance. V impressed with the work rate and the one-touch football.

  Follow me on twitter

  http://www.twitter.com/southernlatic

  Chelsea 1-0 Jose

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Dhaw |  July 21st, 2009 at 9:39 pm

  
  
  

  Good game. The result was never going to be important for any team.

  Very impressed to see that your boy’s showed a lot of will out there despite this being their 2nd game. That one touch football and chemistry shown was good.

  Shocking to see Chelsea actually play some nice football.

  I Hope Carlo doesn’t go back in his shell as often he would do @ Milan. He needs to keep this up and take his chances.

  I always believed he never got enough liberties @ Milan to express himself. Hopefully Roman can just chill out and let Carlo take over.

  Good Luck.

  Posted from United States

  

• Chelsea Shirts |  July 22nd, 2009 at 1:46 am

  
  
  

  I think we are looking good for next season and I think we have a big signing still to come this summer too!

  Posted from United States

  

• John Dow |  July 22nd, 2009 at 4:20 am

  
  
  

  Bring it on!! See Chelsea products on my web http://hubpages.com/hub/www-chelseafc-com

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• Jack |  July 22nd, 2009 at 8:54 am

  
  
  

  Agree with Jimmy. I was hoping the crowd would chant RAWSE — far fetched I know.

  Posted from United States

  

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