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
WHY CHELSEA WILL WIN THE LEAGUE, WHY THEY WON’T
Chelsea lead the way at the top of the log. It hasn’t been plain sailing for the London club however. New manager Carlo Ancelotti started with a bang but has won just 1 in his last 6 matches. Russian owner Roman Abramovich, has not been known for his patience. I don’t think he will be eager to show Ancelotti the door, but failure to land anything this season could see another change at the Bridge. For now however things are looking fairly rosy – they are title leaders and in the last 16 of the Champions League.
As with Manchester United, there are three reasons why I believe Chelsea will win the Premier League title this season and there are three reasons why I think they won’t.
Why Chelsea WILL win the title:
Their squad
Their manager
Their Russian
Why they WON’T:
Their Russian
The Champions League
Their stars
Chelsea WILL be champions.
Now I don’t want to seem like I’m cutting and pasting from the previous article, but Chelsea have a squad that know how to win trophies. They currently hold the FA Cup and Community Shield. Other than Essien they don’t have any major injury worries. Their stars seldom seem to be out for long periods unlike Torres or Ferdinand. Over the years the non-lack of finance has meant that a pretty good squad has been built up. Miserly defense, merciless midfielders and effective strikers is a mix that works and Chelsea have that.
Carlo Ancelotti is a very, very good manager. He has twice won the most coveted trophy in the Chelsea boardroom – the UEFA Champions League. Ancelotti is no stranger to the pressures of high-powered football, having managed AC Milan for eight years. He has had to adapt to a different way of playing football in the Premier League compared to Italy – an adaptation he has made quickly and smoothly. So quickly did he adapt that he won Chelsea the Community Shield in one of his first competitive matches with the Blues. When the title race nears the finish line and the need for a cool head arises, Ancelotti will be one of the coolest.
I mentioned the fact that Chelsea don’t lack spending power. Although the economic climate has seen a little less splashing out from The Blues, when something is needed, money is available. There are plenty of names being bandied about with the imminent departure of Drogba and Co to the African Cup of Nations. The most notable of which is the supposed £40m purchase of Argentina ace Sergio Aguero. Abramovich wants to win and he is willing to do whatever it takes to do so. Handy!
Chelsea WON’T be champions.
Staying with our favourite Russian… Abramovich’s desire to win at all costs has in fact cost. It cost Jose Mourinho a job as it did Avram Grant. It also cost a lot of money. It may turn out to cost the club. I can imagine that working with an axe over your head would be both motivating and unnerving. It is possible that the pressure to achieve could be become too much. You want to be motivated and pushed forward but I think most importantly you want to enjoy yourself. Terry and his charges would be shattered if they lost the Champions league final again. Footballers play to win. The question is: how sore a loser will Abramovich be?
Hand-in-hand with this is the question of the Champions League. It’s not a very well kept secret that Chelsea’s (or should I say Abramovich’s) greatest desire is to win the Champions League. Sure they would take the Premier League title but what they really want is Champions League glory. It could just be possible that as the Champions League draws to a close, such intense focus on it could cause Chelsea to stumble in the Premier League. It is without a doubt possible to win both. The strength of the desire to win the Champions League may prove detrimental to title push. Chelsea will have to master the ‘one game at a time’ approach.
Where it all comes to a head is the players that have to do the business. Spend all the money you want, it won’t guarantee you any success. One of Manchester United’s strengths is the size of their squad and the age of the players available to Fergie. Injury woes aside Fergie could pick the Da Silva’s and Johnny Evans alongside Vidic and no-one would think of that as a weak back four. Obertan, Valencia, Rooney, Gibson, Welbeck and Macheda are all young guns. Chelsea have Gaël Kakuta. The Chelsea squad is a fit one and the rigors of top flight football is manageable for them all. They are however ‘older’. Blues stars Ballack, Deco, Ferreira, Lampard, Anelka and Drogba are all 30 or over while Terry, Cole (both of them) and Essien are all in their late 20’s. Sure Ryan Giggs is 36 and playing some of the best football of his life but he does have a young squad around him and gets a rest frequently. The point is that Chelsea have an aging squad and all the matches and the intensity of the leagues may just catch up on their old legs come title deciding time.
Chelsea have a good system going, a good squad, a clever manager, money available and a fortress of a home ground in Stamford Bridge – the recipe for success. Abramovich wants success and his charisma will drive them on. Whether they will be able to perform over the January period without Drogba and Co remains to be seen. That will, I’m sure depend slightly on who arrives in the transfer window. By the end of the season anything less than a trophy will be viewed as a failure by Ancelotti . Desire and ability is rampant at the Bridge. Maybe all they need now is a little bit of luck.
INTERVIEW WITH A LIFE-TIME CHELSEA FAN
In continuation of the build-up towards Sunday’s match (that sees Chelsea take on Liverpool), I interviewed a card carrying member of The Chelsea Football Club. He goes by the name of “True Blue larry”.
1) Who is the best player to have ever worn the Chelsea blue?
Most Chelsea fans would battle to choose between Peter Osgood (The King of Stamford Bridge) and Gianfranco Zola. Zola was voted the best Chelsea player ever about 8 years ago. But then you have to bring John Terry and Frank Lampard into the equation, not only because of their skill but also because of what they have brought to the club in terms of trophies and achievement. I will go with Peter Osgood but that is more for sentimental reasons than anything else.
2) What is your favorite memory of Chelsea?
Oh there are sooooo many. Beating Man U 5-1 (I think it was) at Old Trafford many seasons ago was great. But I will go with watching the Chelsea victory over Leeds United in the replay of the 1970 F.A.Cup final at Old Trafford. In those days we got games about three months after the actual game. It was the first game of English Football I had ever seen and was on an old 35mm movie (the old flickers). That night I became a Football fan and a lifelong Chelsea fan. The beginning of what I have always said is more of a love affair than anything else. Of course watching a game at Stamford Bridge was more than just special.
3) Your best Chelsea Game?
One of the above I should imagine.
4) Was Jose Mourihno the best manager Chelsea ever had? Should they bring him back?
You have to say yes to the first part of that question. But no, it is too late to go backwards. One thing I have learnt in life is that the reasons that caused friction between parties will still be there if they get back together. I am very happy with Ancelotti
5) What about Zola? Could he manage Chelsea as successfully as he played for them?
The only way that could be answered is for him to get the job. I think he has a great future as a manager, but he is still green and yet to prove himself. I would like to see Steve Clarke back at some stage. He is a great Chelsea man and will be a wonderful manager at some club.
6) Current squad – unbalanced? Missing anything? Who/what would you add to the current squad?
The current squad is great and as good as any and maybe better than most in The Premiership. It is also very well balanced with a midfield that has more options than any of our rivals. Our attack is really strong with Drogba and Anelka playing in tandem as I always thought they could. And then we have Salomon Kalou who could get a game in any of the current Premiership sides. If we do have a weakness it is defensively, down our left-hand flank where Bosingwa is suspect on occasions. However, if you are going to play the midfield diamond and use your backs to bomb forward as wingers you are going to leave space that can be taken advantage of by sides who sit back and hit you on the counter-attack. It is a fact of Football that every formation has it’s disadvantages. As for who I would like to add to the side, the non-Chelsea player I most admire in England is Torres but I don’t see Liverpool selling him and definitely not to a rival. Ribery is such a fine player that any side would want him and Kaka is one of my favourites, not only for his talent but for the way he openly worships our Lord.
7) ‘How did we let him get away?’ Who have Chelsea sold or let slip away that could have had a major impact at the Bridge?
In modern times I really can’t think of anyone. There were many in years gone by but I won’t bore you younger readers with that. There are some that would say Glen Johnson would be one but as far as I am concerned, the jury is still out on him. Although having the extra English player could become an advantage quite shortly.
8 ) Should Chelsea look to build a new, bigger stadium or is Stamford Bridge a fortress?
We do need to increase our stadium capacity but on the current site there are problems with building restrictions particularly with regards to exit roads. Chelsea have been looking for other sites for a long time but no suitable ones have been found. It would be a catastrophe if they moved too far from their traditional fan base. But it is a situation that is still very much in mind.
9) Your Chelsea 11? (all time best)
Peter Bonetti, Chopper Harris, John Terry (capt), Marcel Desailly, Ashley Cole, Charley Cooke, Alan Hudson, Frank Lampard, Mick Hazard, Gianfranco Zola, Peter Osgood. In 4:4:2. (would like to find room for Pat Niven and countless others but you can only play 11 at a time.)
10) European final 2008. Does it still burn? What are your thoughts about that night against United?
No it doesn’t burn. We were the better side on the night and we lost because our boy J.T slipped. That’s Football, the game I am in love with. J.T is still our BOY and always will be. That penalty will always be part of Chelsea Folklore.
11) Ashley Cole, worth it? Is he the best left back in the league?
Yes, Ashley was worth it. The publicity wasn’t good for the game but nothing new was happening. Tapping up is as old as professionalism. That doesn’t make it right but that is a conversation that is best left for another time. Ashley Cole is the best left back in the world! No doubt. That doesn’t mean his rectitude is, but that is also another conversation.
12) Should they bring back the bright yellow away kit?
The current away kit is wonderful. I have a shirt myself.
13) Is this Chelsea’s year for the league and Europe? Why do you think so?
Yes it could be. But Sir Alex could have a say about that yet. We are in a better shape tactically than we have been since Jose left and I believe that we are strong mentally. The big problem will come when we lose players to The African Cup of Nations. Mr. Benitez could still influence things but I don’t think their squad is strong enough and selling Alonso was a big mistake. Man City might also cause problems as Mark Hughes has done a good job blending them into team. Bellamy’s form might also be crucial. Arsenal have the talent, but will they stay the distance.
14) Liverpool v Chelsea this weekend. Your prediction?
Chelsea have got enough to take it and our greater depth in the squad should help us get over the big mid-week games better. But having said that, it was Rafael Benitez that found out Scolari in the corresponding game last season. He worked out how to stop our full-backs getting forward and Albert Riera hurt us by getting in behind us. If they do the same again, we are in trouble. Home advantage should count as we are strong at the Bridge again. But we were when Liverpool came a visiting last season.
Blue is the colour,
True Blue larry.
