Andrea Pirlo for Chelsea...

No, not the player, just the effect

Roberto Di Matteo is no fool. Eden Hazard coming to Stamford Bridge is evidence of that.

So Di Matteo will know that luck can only take you so far.

England learnt that the hard way yesterday against Italy in the Euro quarterfinals, using up all their luck in escaping the 20-plus Italian shots on goal, only to fall at the penalties.

Hence, the rebuilding of Chelsea as a team to seriously challenge for the Premier League title and to have any hope of defending its 'freak' Champions League success rests on which players stay, and who goes.

Marin, Hulk, Hazard all look like players who can make Chelsea a fierce attacking force.

However, the risk of building a team around Fernando Torres apart, Di Matteo has to prepare to replace the likes of John Obi Mikel, Michael Essien and Saloman Kalou.

Ashley Cole showed his frailty when under pressure.

Missing a penalty is one thing. Missing it badly is quite another.

Jose Bosingwa has gone as well, which gives Di Matteo a wingback headache.

The one thing Chelsea have going for them is the Andrea Pirlo effect – two golden oldies who are playing some of the best football of their lives.

The almighty Blues duo of Frank Lampard and John Terry are still very much in the mix and like the Italian midfielder Pirlo, are defying age to still make match-winning impacts.

Chelsea’s Italian manager will know all about the Prilo effect.

But he needs to build quickly while he still has his Frank and Terry show going.

Or he may soon have to buy Pirlo. 

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Comments

  • cfc 26 June 2012 14:27 0 0
    Indeed, Ashley Cole is an exceptional left back, however i agree Philipp Lahm is in a league of his own in that position
  • nickh 26 June 2012 14:24 0 0
    On the contrary, Philipp Lahm is by far the best left back in the world
  • WTAreYouOnAbout 26 June 2012 05:49 3 1
    We haven't signed Hulk. Mikel was immense in the second half of last season under RDM as he gave him consistent game time. Ashley Cole is EASILY the best left back in the world ATM & has been for a few years.
  • Tony 26 June 2012 03:48 2 0
    Mikel(25), that helped in no small measure to win the UCL should go, while Chealsea buys Pirlo in his mid 30's.
  • habiola 26 June 2012 02:02 1 0
    dont let mikel go bcos no defencive midfielder lyk mikel in england and looking at his physical fittness
  • richard & Melanie Calderon 25 June 2012 23:58 2 0
    Ashley Cole is the BEST Left Back in Football--bar none!!!! Missing a penalty is a blip---less you forget, he scored a great penalty in the CL final. I'm a Man United a fan and would love to have Ashley Cole in our line-up!!!!!
  • Onimisi jafaru 25 June 2012 23:42 1 0
    We need felaini and sell essien.
  • basorge tariah 25 June 2012 23:15 1 0
    Mikel is one of the greatest players ever in that role for chelsea. Mikel has a job different from pirlo, and he is great. Every player in the has a bad day, including pirlo. Rest our players or find another club
  • miracle 25 June 2012 22:46 0 0
    Every one is keen on mikel why comparing pirlo to mikel remember thirty years up ward arnt chelsea's target so please let him be please
  • LUTAAYA ROBERT 25 June 2012 22:45 0 2
    Pirlo is beta dan Mikel inspite ov him aging bt we nid both players dan offloading the latter, Blues 4 lyf.
  • Clarence 25 June 2012 22:25 0 0
    The only thing we need to do is get one deep lying playmaker in the form of Modric to play together with mikel as the main holder. This is the position where Mceachran can play well as he is very intelligent and a good passer, so simply we don't any more players. we can also use Hutchinson as a cover for Ivanovic at the right back and that can only work if we start giving him some playing time.
  • Tolani 25 June 2012 21:17 1 0
    Why should you talk of mikel becos u want to buy prilo ,try and sell mikel and buy prilo and see what will happen to the whole team next season....mikel for life
  • Tanner Redden 25 June 2012 19:12 10 0
    Ashley Cole made the penalty in the Champions League cool, calm, and collectively. He is one of the best penalty takers as a left back of all time, and by far the best left back in the world. Your points are invalid.
  • Perfection 25 June 2012 18:53 5 4
    Give Mikel pirlo's assignment, he would do better
  • Jarrod 25 June 2012 18:29 1 0
    Buffon is a star. not the best penalty taken but by memory Cole was last penalty taker before Drogba made us Champions and it was a cracker! How about Youngs penalty or even game for that matter!!
  • Fredino 25 June 2012 18:02 6 2
    Why would people dislike Mikel. Mikel is a great player if anybody have to go they're michael, kalou and malouda
  • Anan 25 June 2012 17:35 4 1
    Mikel would stay unless Chelsea sign Fellaini, he played well under RDM. Essien was a world-class midfielder but he already pass his best because of 2 severe injuries. His workrate and agression, speed are also decreasing due to those injuries. But his royalty make me to keep faith on him for another season to reshape his form back. For me, It's Melieres who should go. Despite score some important goal, his performance was inconsistant. I would rather give the chance to McEachran or Romeu.
  • Hanifah 25 June 2012 15:33 10 1
    Mikel and essien should not be sold for any reason. but maluoda can be sold. any body comparing mikel to pirlo is a fool. i don't think such a person know what he has committed ie treason in football. we have to think why are juve trying to lure mikel, isn't it because of pirlo. so that pirlo can just be doing the creative aspect of it. mikel is one among the 5 best holding midfiders in world now.
  • raghav 25 June 2012 14:41 8 0
    u didn't watch any of chelsea games last season? mikel and a cole were awesome!!
  • dougie135 25 June 2012 14:15 10 0
    we haven't/probably won't sign Hulk, also Mikel will stay as he played well last season. Also, how can you question ashley Cole, one of the best left-backs in the world, when he has played so well for Chelsea and England.

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