The team noted that, the celebration of their victory by the Ghanaian Church, and the massive support it enjoys in Ghana can be attributed to Michael Essien’s efforts while with the club between 2005 and 2014.

In a blog post on Tuesday, it said “Research from both Google and Twitter in recent years has revealed west-London’s finest to be the most popular club in Ghana and, indeed, across most of West Africa.”

The Living Streams International Church in Accra on Sunday held a big church service to celebrate Chelsea’s 2016/17 English Premier League title success.

Supervised by one of Ghana’s famous preacher-men, Pastor Azigiza, and hosted by Rev. Dr. Ebenezer Markwei (an Arsenal fan), members dressed in their Chelsea jerseys with a cake also to celebrate the success.

Some members were also clad in Arsenal Jerseys.

Rev. Dr. Markwei told the title-starved fans of Arsenal and Manchester United who were in attendance that it is Godly to also celebrate the success of others.

“Fellowship with those who rejoice in your victory. They were 10th last year and we called them names thinking they can’t rise again but today here they are on top. With God nothing is impossible,” Rev. Markwei said in his sermon.

The news which went viral after citifmonline.com reported it, with the BBC also reporting it, has got Chelsea FC responding in their blog post on Tuesday.

Read the blog post below, titled “Church of Chelsea”:

Chelsea have a huge following in Ghana, thanks in no small part to Michael Essien, and a church in Accra recently paid tribute to the Blues’ Premier League title success.

Research from both Google and Twitter in recent years has revealed west-London’s finest to be the most popular club in Ghana and, indeed, across most of West Africa.

Much of that stems from the success of Essien, arguably his country’s finest footballer, as he enjoyed a trophy-laden stay at Stamford Bridge between 2005 and 2014, including becoming a Champions League winner.

Following our fifth Premier League title, one Chelsea-supporting pastor in Accra held a thanksgiving service to celebrate our latest triumph.

Reverend Azigiza of the Living Streams International Church encouraged people to wear football shirts to the ceremony, which included a Chelsea cake and a rendition of Blue is the Colour.

Azigiza also encouraged the friendly rivalry between supporters of all Premier League clubs and he had a unique way of illustrating the point in front of his boss, Reverend Dr Ebenezer Markwei.

He thanked God for Arsenal’s victory over the Blues as it meant Arsene Wenger will stay as Gunners boss and, in his opinion, they won’t win the league with the Frenchman in charge!

There will surely be plenty of banter flying around when the two sides meet again in Beijing on 22 July and then at Wembley for the Community Shield on Sunday 6 August – although all good natured, we are sure.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Chelsea FC acknowledges church celebration of their victory in Ghana appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

Cesc Fabregas had been linked with a move to AC Milan in January, but it appears Antonio Conte has found ways to get the most out of his midfielder in recent weeks with talks of an exit looking premature.

The Spain international has had a tough few months which led to a long spell out of the first team, due to both injury and non-selection after a switch of formation. In fact, Fabregas was out of the Chelsea team for over two-and-a-half months after the Blues’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal led to Conte rethinking his plans.

Fabregas had to be patient after an injury prolonged his spell away from Conte’s first team as the Blues went onto win after win before Nemanja Matic’s injury drafted him into a pivotal battle against Manchester City, where his stunning pass to Diego Costa for the equaliser swung the match as Chelsea won 3-1 at the Eithad Stadium.

Aside from his assist, he impressed Conte by adapting well to the revolutionary 3-4-3 formation with many harbouring doubts over whether he could do it. Fabregas looks fitter than ever, able to go from box-to-box, and disciplined as his side dug in against their title rivals in Manchester.

Fabregas built upon his performance, albeit from the bench, where he punted a ball forward for Costa again to get the crucial goal over a dogged West Brom side late into the win at Stamford Bridge.

He was then given another start away to Sunderland and was by far the best player on the pitch and scored the crucial goal himself with a trademark placed finish after a one-two with Willian.

The 29-year-old continued his run with a good cameo appearance against Crystal Palace and will likely start against Bournemouth with N’Golo Kante suspended. The playmaker has used the build-up to the festive period to stake his claim to continue his stay at Stamford Bridge.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe is an admirer of players that can pass and move well and has been impressed by Fabregas ahead of his side’s visit to Stamford Bridge on Monday, beleiving the Spain international is the man his side need to watch out for with Costa absent through suspension.

“I saw Cesc Fabregas come on against Crystal Palace and he was sensational,” Howe told reporters. “He played five or six passes that are up there with the best I have seen. You are replacing one outstanding player with another so I don’t see that will help us.”

Fabregas has won everything in football but had to face a new challenge this season as he was asked to prove himself all over again. He has done that now and will remain his side’s creative spark under Conte – who ruthlessly sold off Oscar to Shanghai SIPG for £52 million.

He impressed Conte with his attitude as he remained patient despite not getting onto a football pitch for a number of months, which even led him to turn out for the Under-23s side just to keep his match fitness up as Matic and Kante dominated in the first team.

The Blues midfielder may have to continue to fight Matic for his place, but in recent weeks Conte has accommodated Fabregas in a 4-2-3-1 formation as well as the 3-5-2 formation that he used to dominate Italian football in Serie A.

Conte and Fabregas have found a way to work together and will continue to be magic as his side fight for the Premier League title.

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Source: Goal.com

The post Febregas has saved his Chelsea career appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.