We look back at the events of January 2013 for Chelsea FC.
We look back at January, the opening month of an interesting 2013 for Arsenal, as the year comes to an end.
What were the big stories from that month?
1st January
It was reported that Frank Lampard was definitely set to leave Chelsea in the summer. His contract was expiring at the end of the season, and it appeared The Blues were ready to let him go.
‘Only a dope’ couldn’t do well with the Chelsea squad. That was the opinion of QPR boss Harry Redknapp.
2nd January
Chelsea lost at home to relegation doomed QPR. Former Blue Shaun Wright-Phillips bagged a late goal to condemn Rafa Benitez’s side to a derby defeat.
Chelsea sold striker Daniel Sturridge to Liverpool on a long-term deal.
Chelsea moved to replace Sturridge by triggering Demba Ba’s release clause at Newcastle United.
3rd January
Ba signed for Chelsea. The Senegalese striker completed a £7 million from Newcastle United – a fee Chelsea met the previous day.
Yossi Benayoun returned to the club after an unsuccessful loan spell at former club West Ham United.
4th January
Chelsea confirmed the signing on their official website. The deal hit late snags due to problems over agent fees.
5th January
Ba scored twice on his debut as Chelsea thrashed Southampton 5-1 in the FA Cup third round.
7th January
Chelsea were believed to be closing in on a deal to sign Brazilian international Taison from Ukrainian outfit Metalist Kharkiv.
8th January
Manchester United were being linked with a move for Lampard as rumours persisted that he was on his way out of the club.
9th January
Chelsea lost 2-0 in the opening leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final. Goals from Michu and Danny Graham sunk The Blues at Stamford Bridge.
10th January
The animosity toward ‘interim’ boss Benitez became stronger – with one fan group suggesting a Stamford Bridge boycott until the Spaniard was sacked.
11th January
Taison slipped through their fingers. He joined Shakhtar Donetsk.
John Terry returned from his knee injury.
12th January
Chelsea returned to winning ways at Stoke. Two own goals from Jon Walters and one apiece from Eden Hazard and Frank Lampard sealed a 4-0 win at The Britannia.
14th January
Jose Mourinho admitted a desire to return to England in the not so distant future.
15th January
Luke Shaw revealed he was a Chelsea fan. The Southampton left-back had begun being linked with many top Premier League teams.
16th January
Chelsea were held to a 2-2 draw by Southampton at home. Saints were 2-0 down but Rickie Lambert and Jason Puncheon snatched a point from The Bridge.
Pep Guardiola, linked with the Chelsea job at the end of the season, agreed to taking over at Bayern Munich in the new season.
19th January
Sad news came out of Paris. Former Chelsea performance chief Nick Broad died in a car crash at the age of 38.
Lucas Piazon signed for Malaga on loan.
20th January
Chelsea beat Arsenal 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. Mata and Lampard gave them an early 2-0 lead – and they held on after a Theo Walcott goal in the second half.
21st January
Ashley Cole signed a new deal at Chelsea. He signed a one-year extension to his deal to keep him at the club until the summer of 2014.
23rd January
Swansea held on with a 0-0 draw at the Liberty Stadium to beat Chelsea to the League Cup final. The game was put into infamous status when Eden Hazard was sent off after he kicked a Swansea City ball-boy.
27th January
Chelsea were taken to a replay by Brentford in the FA Cup. Chelsea drew 2-2 at Griffin Park thanks to a late Fernando Torres finish.
28th January
Didier Drogba reportedly turned down a return to Chelsea – instead joining Galatasaray on an 18-month contract.
30th January
Adam Le Fondre was the hero as Reading held Chelsea to a 2-2 draw in Berkshire. He bagged two in the final three minutes to cancel out earlier strikes from Mata and Lampard.
31st January
It was a quiet deadline day at the club – with a reported interest in Asmir Begovic coming to nothing.
image: © stephyhan
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