:haha:
It's either the Chelsea players or Abramovich or sometimes even both that keep the cycle going every season.
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:haha:
It's either the Chelsea players or Abramovich or sometimes even both that keep the cycle going every season.
Need him to stayQuote:
RAFA BENITEZ faces the axe at Chelsea if he loses at home to lowly Wigan today.
And Latics boss Roberto Martinez is a surprise name in the running to replace him at Stamford Bridge.
A dismal run of just one win in six matches has left the unpopular Benitez teetering on the brink.
Another setback against third-bottom Wigan could spell the end — less than three months after the Spaniard took over as manager.
Chelsea are unlikely to finish in a top-four Champions League spot on current form, having taken just five points from a possible 12.
And that would be catastrophic in their attempts to attract a top new boss and key signings in the summer.
Senior sources at the club expect ruthless Russian owner Roman Abramovich to act quickly if the depressing slump continues.
One key figure said: “Roman is loyal to Benitez and desperately wants him to stay in charge until the end of the season.
“But that loyalty will be tested to the limit if Rafa fails again.
“The be-all and end-all at this club has always been that we at least finish in the top four — and current results mean that could now be in serious doubt.
“And, let’s be honest, he has sacked managers for far less.”
Last week’s 3-2 defeat at Newcastle was Benitez’s latest failure against Premier League strugglers.
It followed draws with relegation-haunted Reading and Southampton — with hapless Chelsea surrendering a 2-0 lead in both games.
And there have been further embarrassments with the FA Cup fourth-round stalemate at League One Brentford and the toothless Capital One Cup semi-final exit to Swansea.
Benitez, who has the worst record of any boss in the Abramovich era, has also suffered defeats to West Ham and QPR during his time with Chelsea.
If Wigan join them, then the manager’s humiliation will be complete.
Ironically, Latics boss Martinez is now being spoken of as a potential successor.
The top choices remain Jose Mourinho, Jurgen Klopp, David Moyes and Manuel Pellegrini.
But there are those in the Abramovich circle who also champion Martinez.
The Spaniard has done a good job at Wigan — despite operating with limited resources.
Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage...#ixzz2KMHrxDj3
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21433772Quote:
Frank Lampard signs children's book deal
Lampard said he had been inspired by reading stories with his daughters
England and Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard is to write a series of children's books, publisher Little Brown has announced.
The midfielder, whose contract expires at the end of the season, will pen five books, called Frankie's Magic Football, for children aged five and above.
The stories will follow the adventures of a school boy, Frankie, his football-loving friends, and pet dog Max.
Lampard said the stories were "loosely based on friends and team mates".
The 34-year-old will publish his first book, Frankie Versus The Pirate Pillagers, in June, followed by two more this year and another two in 2014.
"I first had the idea of Frankie and his Magic Football when reading stories to my own children," he said in a statement.
"Sport and reading are two essentials for us at home, so I decided to make up my own football stories and adventures."
'Wacky adventures'
Lampard has two daughters, aged five and eight, with his former fiancee, Spanish model Elen Rivas. He is currently engaged to TV presenter Christine Bleakley.
The vice-captain of Chelsea FC, Lampard currently earns £150,000 per week. He started his career in 1994 at West Ham United, where his father, Frank Lampard Sr, had also played
.
He has represented England more than 90 times, scoring 27 goals - but he may be best remembered for a shot he took in a 2010 World Cup match against Germany.
The ball crossed the line, and players and fans believed Lampard had scored a goal - but it was disallowed. The resulting furore prompted football's world governing body, Fifa, to investigate the introduction of goal-line technology, which was used for the first time in a Club World Cup match last December.
Lampard's book deal was brokered by Neil Blair and Zoe King, who also represent JK Rowling. They said the books were "full of loveable characters on wacky adventures" and destined for "great things".
He is not the first footballer to write fiction - Arsenal star Theo Walcott has written a series of children's books and former England manager Terry Venables co-wrote a series of crime novels.
This part just has me worried :unsure:
Quote:
Lampard said the stories were "loosely based on friends and team mates".
I'm sure Little Man will make an appearance.
"Ashley got a mobile phone for Christmas, can you guess what he did with it next?"
"What's a Nigger?" Frankie asked. "Uncle JT called Ca$hley that after he shot me when it was his turn babysitting mummy on his lap".
He didn't do anything anyway.
According to Caroline Cheese (:bow:) Rafa has finally cracked and had a go at the fans, and said he will be off in the summer and it was a mistake to make him manager.
:popcorn:
On 5Live now, fans having a go at him. Saying the fans never booed him or asked for his head :haha: