Jim from talkchelsea.net kindly spent his valuable time answering a couple of questions. If you click on the link you’ll find Tudor from Vital Manchester City adding his six pennyworth.
What are your thoughts on the John Terry / Wayne Bridge affair?
‘The whole situation has gone on long enough. The media will not drop it and as things have turned out Wayne has pulled out of the England squad for the World Cup.’
‘As a Chelsea fan I will always stick by John Terry but that said, what he did was wrong and he was always going to be punished by Fabio Capello and will most likely cop stick from opposition fans for a long time to come. I think it has affected both players on the pitch a bit as well. Before John met up with Toni in Dubai he had a shocker of a game against Everton and you could tell his mind was not there. I just hope from now on both players can put it behind them and focus on football.’
How will the crowd react to the return of Jose Mourinho in a couple of week’s time when the charismatic character brings his Inter Milan side to Stamford Bridge?
‘It’s definitely going to be an emotional evening when Jose returns. I think Jose will get a standing ovation when he comes out the tunnel for the first time since he departed with us. But after that whistle goes I think the Chelsea fans will get right behind Carlo and the players. A lot of Chelsea fans have not moved on since his departure which is silly but also understandable. Chelsea won there first title in 50 years with him as manager, and everyone was shocked when he left. But you have to move on and we have a great coach in Carlo Ancelotti and it`s hopefully his time to become a Chelsea Legend.’
Manchester City are determined to finish the season in the top 4 but can you honestly see it happening this year and if not, when do you think Eastlands will see Champions League football?
‘It’s going to be tough for City, as there are 4 teams fighting for 4th spot. But you have as much chance as Spurs, Liverpool and Villa. If results go the right way for you than you never know what can happen. It has been a very competitive season all round, including the top 3 places. Looking at the fixtures that remain all 4 teams have a few tricky fixtures to play. If you don’t finish in the top 4 this season, I can see you making it next season as you will most likely sign some more key players to add to your squad when the transfer window is open.’
Have you ever visited the City of Manchester Stadium and if you have, how does it compare to Stamford Bridge?
‘I have never been to the City of Manchester Stadium. I’m actually from Melbourne in Australia. I was recently in England on a holiday and I visited Stamford Bridge for the first time and was lucky enough to see 4 games while I was over there. Including Stoke away which was a great experience. I’m hoping to come back to England next year or at the end of this year to see some more games. If we play each other while I’m over there I will be there 100%.’
Hand on heart, but who do you think will win this seasons Premier League title and why?
‘Like the top 4 situation it’s hard to say. At the moment it’s ours to lose. We have a 1 point lead going into the weekend with a game in hand. If we can get the win against City on the weekend it’s pushed back out to 4 points. We still have a lot of tricky games to play but. We have United, Spurs and Liverpool all away. So who knows? If we can get a win at Old Trafford than who’s to say we can’t win it. Hoping things go our way.’
Daniel Sturridge made the Chelsea move last season but how is the City Youth product coping with life in London?
‘Personally I think he’s doing a great job. Pretty much every game he has played for us he has made an impact. He has scored some great goals in the FA Cup as well. If he continues the way he is going, he is going to be a player to watch in the future. He is learning off two of the best strikers in the world at the moment. So if he continues to get game time under Carlo, I think he will be apart of Chelsea plans for a long time to come.’
What are your thoughts (if any) on Roberto Mancini and our previous manager, Mark Hughes?
I felt sorry for Mark Hughes when he got sacked from City, he was not doing a good job but he was not doing a terrible job. I thought he would have got to stick it out until the end of the season but when you draw so many games in a row and lose as many points as you did I guess people start getting annoyed.’
‘Mancini was doing a decent job in Italy he won the Scudetto with inter three times. The first one was basically handed to inter on a plate after the match fixing scandal saw Juve lose the title. So there was not much competition for him at the time he won the titles because Ac and Juve had to rebuild. So far in the Premiere League he is doing a decent job. If he is given time as coach I can see him doing good things with use.’
How do you see the game going on Saturday and what do you think the final result will be?
‘I think its going to be a very even contest. We really can’t afford to drop points in this game, and I think the lads will know this. We are at home, so I’m predicting a 2-0 victory to us. But it’s not going to be easy.’
Our thanks go out to Jim from talkchelsea.net 
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