BLUE SQUARE PAYING OUT ON BLUE FUTURE FOR DI MATTEO
Despite falling behind in the race for 4th after last night’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle, leading interactive betting company Blue Square is throwing its support behind Roberto Di Matteo by paying out early on the Swiss-born coach in the next Chelsea manager market.
As speculation continues ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup Final showdown with Liverpool, Blue Square is rewarding punters who have shown faith in Di Matteo keeping the Stamford Bridge hotseat.
Last week’s resignation of Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola led to increased speculation that the Spaniard was being lined up for the Chelsea job and that Di Matteo was for the exit, but what has he done wrong?
Blue Square spokesperson Alan Alger said: “To be honest if you look at what he’s achieved in the short time he’s been Chelsea caretaker boss it’s utter nonsense that other candidates are even being considered.
“Irrespective of what happens in the FA Cup Final, we think Di Matteo is the man and we’re happy to pay out on him now.”
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL DESTINATION– ALLIANZ ARENA MUNICH
This season’s UEFA Champions League has been full of surprises. It is apt then that the two teams set to face each other in the Final on the 19th of May are a surprise. Chelsea have turned what was looking like a pretty miserable season into right around and stand on the brink of finally tasting European glory. First however they will have to overcome Bayern Munich – in their own backyard.
Bayern Munich’s home, the Allianz Arena in Munich, will play host to this seasons UEFA Champions League Final and, thanks to Allianz, we have able to give you a great behind the scenes look at the world class stadium.
The iconic stadium is known for the distinctive illuminated ‘cushions’ on the exterior facade, which change to red, blue or white depending on who is playing inside – so red and blue for the Final.
Allianz performed a key role in the Arena development, with its research laboratory, the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT), conducting all fire resistance tests of the outer material. The Allianz Arena took three years to build, and since its official opening on May 31, 2005, has hosted nearly 15 million fans and over 300 matches – including the opening match and semi-finals of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. 66,000 attend each major match.
The Allianz Arena in the Bavarian capital, Munich has already provided the stage for more than 175 football matches – all of which have been sold out over the past few years.
Capacity
- Total: 69,901 capacity undercover (66,000 seats)
- 106 VIP boxes of various sizes accommodating 1,374 guests
Parking
- 9,800 parking places in four x four-storey Esplanade car parks (the largest in Europe)
Inside the Arena
- 6,000 m² of catering facilities including; 28 kiosks, restaurants and a Business Club
- offices and conference rooms
- a nursery
- 4 changing rooms
- 2 warm-up rooms, each 110m²
Pitch
- Pitch: 68 m x 105 m, Pitch gross: 72 m x 111 m
- Total surface (barrier to barrier): 120 m x 83 m
- Spectator distance from pitch: 7.5 m minimum
- Pitchside barrier height: approx 1.2 m
Façade
- Façade and roof: 66,500 m² in total, comprising 2,760 inflated panels
- 1,056 (of 2,760) illuminated panels (in the colors with, blue and red)
- Illuminated area 25,500 m²
Fans are encouraged to go to Football for Life on Facebook to post comments and share their piece of advice to the players and teams as they prepare for the Final.
“Football is an international language, spoken by millions around the world,” says Christian Deuringer. “We look forward to sharing our insight and knowledge with fans all over the world and welcoming them to this great stadium and to Munich on May 19.”
On the 19th of May the two teams will walk down the tunnel and come up from under the stands and we are hoping that the football they produce on that night is a breath taking as the Allianz Arena.
CHELSEA ADIDAS 2012/13 HOME KIT
New Chelsea Football Club Kit trimmed with Gold for 2012
With the 2012 season drawing to a close Chelsea FC are already looking forward to next season as Chelsea and adidas today unveiled the new home shirt for the 2012/13 football season. The strip carries a gold theme, reflective of the year of sport and celebration in the capital in 2012.
Design
The new ChelseaFC home kit sees the adidas, Samsung and club crest all turned completely gold. This theme is reflected in the iconic three stripes across the shoulders and the ‘CFC’ motif seen on the rear of the neck. Subtle dark blue stripes also feature through the front of the shirt. The look is finished off with gold piping around the arms and neck. This design detail is repeated through the shorts and socks both of which feature golden three-stripes on Chelsea’s famous blue.
Technology
The 2012/13 shirt again features the adidas Techfit™ technology in the playing shirt which is proven to enhance performance.
TechFit™ – The players’ kit will incorporate adidas’ cutting edge TechFit™ technology to help improve speed, increased endurance capabilities and enhanced awareness. This works by stabilising and focusing the muscles’ energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output.
Climacool™ -The shirts also feature adidas ClimaCool™ technology, a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.
The new home kit will be available to buy May 10th 2012but can be pre-ordered online at www.chelseafc.com/megastore
ADIDAS CHELSEA THIRD KIT
Chelsea Football Club and adidas today unveiled the new third shirt for the 2011/12 season. Adidas have certainly produced some different designs for Chelsea this season. The ‘grid’ pattern away shirt is now joined by this sleek and stylish white shirt which features bold colour blocking in navy and yellow on the upper chest. The navy and yellow blocks may not be particularly Chelsea-esque but there is n doubt that the players will stand out on the pitch.
The playing shirt features adidas TechFit™ technology which will help improve speed, increase endurance capabilities and enhance awareness. This works by stabilising and focusing muscle energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output. The replica shirt incorporates adidas Climacool™ technology, a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.
ADIDAS CHELSEA AWAY KIT
Chelsea Football Club and adidas today unveiled the new away shirt for the 2011/12 season.
Turquoise squares are set on a black background to create a striking design, while the shorts also feature a turquoise strip and the famous three adidas stripes in white. The socks include a revolutionary design that features anatomically placed cushioning and an Achilles protector.
The playing shirt features the adidas TechFit™ technology which will help improve speed, increased endurance capabilities and enhanced awareness. This works by stabilising and focusing the muscles’ energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output.
The replica shirt incorporates adidas Climacool™ technology, a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.
The new kit will be worn for the first time when Chelsea play Hong Kong champions Kitchee in their opening game of the Barclays Asia Trophy on July 27 and can be pre-ordered online at www.chelseafc.com/megastore for delivery on launch day, 7 July
ADIDAS CHELSEA 2011/12 HOME KIT
Chelsea Football Club and Adidas today unveiled the new home shirt for the 2011/12 football season.
Inspiration & Design
The shirt takes inspiration from Chelsea’s heritage with design features originating from past kits used in the early 80s and reflects this with the shadow striped design on the front panel.
A white colour block has also been added to the sleeves and shorts, resulting in adidas’ iconic white three stripes appearing in blue for the first time on a Chelsea strip and creating a distinctive and striking design.
Technology
The 2011/12 shirt again features the adidas techfit™ technology in the playing shirt which is proven to enhance performance.
TechFit™ – The players’ kit will incorporate adidas’ cutting edge TechFit™ technology to help improve speed, increased endurance capabilities and enhanced awareness. This works by stabilising and focusing the muscles’ energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output.
Climacool™ -The shirts also feature adidas ClimaCool™ technology, a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.
The new home kit will be available on the 12th May but can be pre-ordered online now at www.chelseafc.com/megastore.
CHELSEA AND ADIDAS ANNOUNCE EXTENDED PARTNERSHIP
Double winners and world’s number one football brand confirm multi-million pound extension of relationship until end of the 2017/2018 season.
Chelsea Football Club and adidas are delighted to announce an extension of their global partnership that will see the sports brand continue to be an official sponsor and sportswear supplier for the club over the next eight years.
The relationship was launched in 2006 when both parties created the world’s largest team photo as 8,000 Chelsea fans lined up alongside the first team squad. Chelsea and adidas have since undertaken a number of successful grassroots projects. This has included partnering with America’s top youth football clubs to help develop US soccer, and the launch of ‘Blue Pitches’ aimed at encouraging young kids to participate in sport across London with plans to roll them out internationally after the launch of a Blue Pitch in Hong Kong last year.
Ron Gourlay, Chelsea Football Club’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to extend our partnership until 2018 after a highly successful first four years. Both organisations are highly ambitious and want to continue in partnership to develop globally and for us, grow in our key market territories across Asia and North America.
“The increased value of the deal reaffirms adidas’ belief in the club’s growing status in world football.”
Herbert Hainer, Chief Executive Officer of adidas AG, added: “Both adidas and Chelsea have a long and proud heritage in football and we’re delighted to continue our working relationship with one of Europe’s elite football clubs. We look forward to many more years of success, working closely with the club on product, marketing and grass roots initiatives in the UK and around the globe.”
The extension will include additional rights and opportunities that will ensure the two organisations will continue to mutually benefit and build on their existing success as marketing partners.
NEW CHELSEA THIRD KIT BY ADIDAS
Today adidas and Chelsea are revealing the team’s new 3rd kit for this season.
The new green, black, and blue kit once again features adidas TechFit™ technology which enhances muscle performance. The kit has a contemporary design with mesh integrated into the main body of the jersey. The finished fabric helps create a striking design with the performance benefit of wicking sweat away from the body.
TechFit™ – On the field, the players’ kits will incorporate adidas’ cutting edge TechFit™ technology, to help improve speed, increased endurance capabilities and enhanced muscle focus proprioception. This works by stabilizing and focusing the muscles’ energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output
Climacool -The shirts also feature adidas ClimaCool™ technology, a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.
THE FA COMMUNITY SHIELD
Chelsea and Manchester United will face each other for the second successive year in the 88th FA Community Shield, the annual Premier League curtain raiser. The two teams also competed against each other in the 2007 match. Manchester United have won the trophy a record 15 times (albeit 4 of those were shared victories). Chelsea, who are the current holders, will look to add to their 4 wins.
In 2007, Manchester United won on penalties while Chelsea managed to turn that result around last season winning 4-1 on penalties. Most expect these two sides to be the Premier League title contenders again this season so it is interesting to look at their pre-season form as we try to decide on who, if either, has the momentum.
Chelsea’s pre-season has been slightly disappointing by their standards, The Blues have lost to Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt and Hamburg. They did secure a 1-0 win over Crystal Palace however. Manchester United on the other hand have recorded good wins over Celtic, Philadelphia Union, the MLS All-Stars and a League of Ireland XI who they beat 7-1. United did suffer losses to Kansas City Wizards and C.D. Guadalajara.
Having said all that… Pre-season form doesn’t always tell you very much as managers are giving new signings and young players plenty of game time. And let’s not forget that many of the World Cup players have only just rejoined the squads after missing most of those games. So perhaps both sides come into this clash with a ‘clean slate’ and will be looking to stomp some authority on the other.
Community Shield’s are seldom ‘classics’ but don’t be fooled into thinking they are meaningless. One thing both managers will be very keen to avoid is injuries to key players. And this is where the Wembley pitch may come into the equation. Many players have fallen foul of the poor surface at the home of the FA. The field’s thick, heavy grass and uneven surface is a disaster waiting to happen. Fingers crossed we don’t lose a Rooney or Lampard for a month because of a questionable tackle or a caught stud.
At the end of the day it is not so much about lifting the shield but more about bragging rights for the fans, a boost of confidence for the up-coming campaign and an opportunity to raise funds for various charities throughout England.
NEW ADIDAS CHELSEA KIT 10/11
Chelsea FC and adidas today unveiled the new home shirt for the 2010/11 season (which will make it’s debut vs Wigan 9th May) supported by an outstanding advertising campaign developed by pop artist and Chelsea fan Sir Peter Blake.
Blake, who most famously designed the artwork for the Beatles hit album ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band’ and Oasis’ greatest hits album ‘Stop the Clocks’, has created a variety of montages depicting Chelsea’s history and heritage entitled ‘Made from 100% Chelsea’.
The shirt
Notably for the first time in club football, adidas TechFit™ features directly in the playing shirt, enhancing muscle performance
Inspiration & Design
The brand new home kit takes inspiration from past home jerseys. The addition of a red collar and trim is a tribute to the Chelsea Pensioners who famously and proudly wear red coats (Chelsea were actually nicknamed The Pensioners between 1905 & 1952).This is not the first time red has been included on a Chelsea kit. In 1953, Chelsea re-launched the official club badge featuring red for the first time. By 1959, red was introduced into the kit socks, and the colour continued to feature in numerous home and away kits until the mid 1990’s.
The kit also encompasses a contemporary v-neck design with laser cutting detail inspired by design elements of Stamford Bridge stadium. The main body of the jersey integrates mesh into the fabric creating a striking design with pure performance benefits for wicking sweat away from the body
Made from 100% Chelsea
The inspiration for the new home kit came from classic Chelsea shirts that evoke special memories for Chelsea’s loyal fan base. To celebrate this heritage Chelsea and adidas collaborated with legendary artist Sir Peter Blake to create special edition Chelsea artworks that showcase the new home shirt in all its glory. To create the collages, lifelong Chelsea fan Sir Peter spoke to Chelsea players, staff and fans to understand the very fabric of the club.
The “Made from 100% Chelsea” campaign can be seen at www.adidas.com/madefromchelsea.
Technology
adidas again push the boundaries in the development of apparel technology with shirt evolution moving one step further in giving Chelsea FC players the edge on the pitch:
TechFit™ – On the field, the players’ kits will incorporate adidas’ cutting edge TechFit™ technology, to help improve speed, increased endurance capabilities and enhanced muscle focus proprioception. This works by stabilizing and focusing the muscles’ energy to generate explosive acceleration and deliver maximum power output
Climacool -The shirts also feature adidas ClimaCool™ technology, a mixture of heat and moisture controlling materials, ventilation channels and 3D fabrics which improve air flow to the skin in the key heat zones.
Nick Craggs, Marketing Director, adidas Area North said, “The new Chelsea home shirt is a landmark design, fully incorporating our TechFit™ technology into the playing kit for the first time. To celebrate this we are delighted to have collaborated with Sir Peter Blake, a true blue artist who has produced world famous iconic work over the years. We are proud to celebrate 100% Chelsea.”
Available to buy: 6th May