Sunderland-Chelsea | 24-May-09 @ 16:00 UK

I’m back, Chelsitos! I’m back just in time for the last Premier League game of this season. While this is a very key match for Sunderland, one might think that this game is of no consequence for Chelsea.

That’s not entirely right. Chelsea are still within an outside chance to finish runner-up in the Premier League. I can say it is still mathematically possible and not very improbable.

All that we need is Tottenham to beat Liverpool and Chelsea to beat Sunderland by five goals or something. Both these results have happened before, but we just need them to happen on Sunday.

Sunderland are still not out of danger. If they are beaten at the Stadium of Lights, they would stay up only if few other results go in their favour.

We have some interesting relegation battles on Sunday: Sunderland vs. Chelsea, Aston Villa vs. Newcastle, Hull City vs. Man Utd and West Ham vs. Middlesbrough.

Expect Sunderland to go for a draw. A draw must keep them up unless incredibly both Newcastle and Hull City win their tough matches against all odds.

Man Utd may not have a great motivation to win their match, but they might want to sign off with a win. Aston Villa needs to win to confirm their fifth place in the table. So, a draw must be okay for Sunderland.

Under these circumstances, Chelsea need to beat Sunderland by about half a dozen goals and expect Spurs to beat Liverpool. Spurs must be looking to beat Liverpool to get a respectable seventh place in the table.

But what I believe is, if Chelsea manage to break Sunderland’s defence and take a lead, the score could end up anywhere. For Sunderland, 0-5 is the same as 0-2.

Chelsea need not have to rest any players. If anything, they need to play the first team so that they are all fit and ready for the FA Cup final next weekend.

I think Chelsea would get a big win on Sunday. Anelka must score and must get the golden boot. I’d like to see the whole team rally around Anelka to faciliate him get the golden boot.

We saw that in the last match too when Drogba laid off one for Anelka while he could have blasted it himself. I want to see more of that on Sunday to see Anelka win it.

Just before the second leg against Barcelona, probably I was the only one to predict a 2-0 win for Chelsea. It turned out to be a 1-1 but if you had seen the match, we were right on the money for a 2-0 win. Now, for this match, I predict a big 4-0 win for Chelsea.

The good thing about Chelsea now is, the smiles are back. As we get closer to the end of a difficult season, even after several heartbreaks and disappointments, the smiles are back.

You see smiles, happy faces, celebrations everywhere. I would expect Chelsea to play with complete freedom, flair, and celebration. It should be a very good match.

Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has been voted by the fans as the Chelsea player of the season 08-09. He also becomes the first player to win it thrice.  He fully deserved the award.

I don’t think there was any competition as he was miles above the second best. Apparently, I voted for him.

Michael Mancienne has won the young Chelsea player of the season award. Bit strange. He has not played too many matches to win this award. Capello picked him. That shot up his popularity.

In the few matches he played in the Chelsea first team, he did rather well. But I didn’t see him as the young Chelsea player of the season as such.

In my view, John Obi Mikel could have won it again, though he was in the running for the senior award too.

Also, Essien’s goal against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge was voted the Chelsea goal of the season. It was a great goal, but I would not have complained if it was won by Alex’s free kick against Liverpool or Lampard’s delicious chip against Hull.

While I was away, Chelsea sported the new home kit. I’m still not sure if I like that or not. It certainly does not look like the conventional football jersey. I guess the players would look like robots with this revolutionary design.

I like the adidas’ three stripes on the sleeves and the fact that it has a disconnect from the three stripes in the shoulder. Actually, this design, this new home jersey reminds me of an armour, the kind of armour that was worn in the medieval days.

adidas probably had that in mind while designing this, perhaps. I probably need to see it more often to like it more. I’ll buy it anyway because it’s a Chelsea jersey!

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This one is for the FIFA 09 buddies - EA and adidas are coming up with an update next week to replace the Chelsea’s old kit in the game with this new kit of 09/10. The updates would be for XBOX 360 and PS3.

While this jersey was unveiled, adidas also launched a Chelsea campaign called ‘the 12th man’. It is actually called ‘every team needs the 12th man.’ Watch this movie on the 12th man campaign featuring Michael Ballack (he is staying, then!).

Unlike Barcelona who have the referee as their 12th man, Chelsea FC have you and me as the 12th man following and supporting the Blues, be it from the Stamford Bridge or from your drawing room couch.

Like you have always done, go ahead and show your support for Chelsea FC.

By the way, the last fortnight was quite significant for BlueChampions. For various reasons, I’ve been contacted by The Guardian, adidas, Setanta and, hold your breath, Chelsea Football Club.

Lots of things happening in the background but when it comes to the foreground, you’ll be the beneficiary. Stay tuned for more exciting times.

This time, BlueChampions would be busier in the off-season period too. More details would come later. Don’t go away!