Rant Box: Raise the curtain

By: Jack | August 8th, 2009

Raise the curtain. The season has arrived.

Chelsea and Manchester United welcome football back officially today by competing for the FA Community Shield at New Wembley.

A lot has changed since United lifted the Premier League trophy in May.

At Chelsea, it’s a new manager. Its sans bye bye Ronnie and Carlitos in Manchester.

Regardless of the changes, this one expects to be heated. It will mark the managerial debut — at least in a match of significance — for Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti. For United, the boy wonder, Michael Owen, will be keen to back up those labels he gave himself in the offseason brochure. You know, ones such as “first class,” “fit & healthy” and “cool.”

This match will be a measuring stick, for both clubs really. Is Ancelotti’s Chelsea up to the challenge? Can Ferguson’s United continue to perform at the highest level without arguably the greatest player on earth. He’s not, but you know what I mean.

As always, keep me posted on your thoughts leading up to, during and after the match right here. Chelsea 2-1, by the way.

Projected Chelsea XI
Cech
Bosingwa-Carvalho-Terry-A. Cole
Mikel
Essien-Lampard-Malouda
Anelka-Drogba

Projected United XI
Foster
O’Shea-Ferdinand-Evans-Evra
Valencia-Fletcher-Carrick-Giggs
Rooney-Berbatov

Ancelotti pre-match press conference

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

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

Tags: Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea Team News, Community Shield, Didier Drogba, Fixtures, Frank Lampard, Manchester United, Match Previews, Rant Box, Wayne Rooney

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Comments   |  Add your comment

• matt |  August 8th, 2009 at 10:58 pm

  
  
  

  bring it, jackie boy. and he is the best on earth by the way.

  Posted from United States

  

• Michael B. |  August 9th, 2009 at 3:36 am

  
  
  

  Oh man. I could use some good footy after all this reformatting. And to think this could of been: Man United vs Everton …

  My prediction, as usual:
  Cech will score the final goal.

  Posted from United States

  

• idze |  August 9th, 2009 at 6:28 am

  
  
  

  link for the game pls

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  August 9th, 2009 at 6:53 am

  
  
  

  Although we’ve worked our way back into the game after a fairly sloppy start, I think our fears about the diamond have been warranted. United have exploited the narrowness with ease — see Park and Nani. The diamond has also forced Lampard to drop deeper and deeper to get touches — with which he’s done little so far — while also leaving us short up front when service is provided.

  Worrying stuff. P.S. Bosingwa must play to provide width.

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  August 9th, 2009 at 7:15 am

  
  
  

  Thank you Ricky.

  Posted from United States

  

• Michael B. |  August 9th, 2009 at 7:18 am

  
  
  

  So far so good on the prediction jack

  Posted from United States

  

• Jack |  August 9th, 2009 at 8:09 am

  
  
  

  Bravo, boys.

  Posted from United States

  

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