Ahead of
Saturday's game at The Hawthorns against Chelsea, we spoke to Nick from Chelsea FC Blog
about his thoughts on the game, The Blues' season so far and much much more . . .
Why Chelsea?
It would be nice to say that Chelsea are my local team, but that's not the
case. I was brought up in Bournemouth. One of my uncles was a Southampton
supporter - they were the nearest First Division team - and my first game
was Southampton v Chelsea at The Dell in, I think, 1986. My uncle was hoping
I would become a Southampton fan, but I fell for Chelsea. I'd heard a great
deal about the flamboyant Chelsea team of the late 60s and early 70s -
Osgood, Cooke, Hudson, Hutchison, Harris et al - from my dad who talked
about them a lot during my childhood, so the seeds were there and were
already growing before my uncle took me to see them play.
How long a fan?
Since that fateful day at The Dell, although it took a while longer for my
fandom to blossom into obsession.
Highlight of supporting the club?
Pre-Abramovich, my highlights of supporting Chelsea were from the mid to
late nineties when I went to Stamford Bridge often. Beating Liverpool 4-2 in
the FA Cup in 1997 after being 2-0 down at half time and going on to lift
the trophy in the final, our first in 27 years. A 5-0 thrashing of
Manchester United. They were good times, the swagger had returned to the
Bridge after a long absence.
Abramovich era highlights are the two Premier League titles under Jose
Mourinho and the 4-2 demolition of Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions
League in 2005.
Then came last season's victory in the final of the Champions League. The
manner in which it happened makes it The Highlight: coming close to going
out in the group stages, beating Barcelona over two legs in the knockout
stages, Drogba equalizing in the closing stages, and winning on penalties
with Drogba's last kick in a Chelsea shirt securing the trophy.
Unforgettable.
Low point of supporting the club?
I don't tend to dwell on or remember low points so I'm finding it difficult
to come up with one. In recent times losing the Champions League final to
United on penalties was pretty devastating, as was losing to a last minute
Iniesta goal after one of the most inept refereeing performances of all time
by Tom Henning Ovrebo (Mark Clattenburg a close second after his performance
during our recent defeat to United). Oh how we supporters of successful
clubs suffer.
Favourite current Chelsea player?
It's difficult to choose between Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar. Three
very special players.
Hmm... Hazard.
No, Mata.
No, Oscar.
Damn it, do I have to choose?
OK. Hazard.
Favourite all-time Chelsea player?
Easy. Gianfranco Zola. A Chelsea legend and footballing god.
The big question. Can you repeat last season's success?
It's unlikely. Winning the Champions League back-to-back is almost unheard
of. Last season's victory has raised expectations (Abramovich expects to win
it every season) but the transition to a more attacking style of play will
cost us in this season's competition. We're a work in progress.
We'll do well in the FA Cup. We won't win the Premier League. We'll do the
treble next season. You heard it here first.
Thoughts on Roberto Di Matteo? Were you happy he took over from AVB? Is
his appointment long-term or do you feel the club see him as a stop-gap?
At the time Di Matteo was the logical choice to take over from Villas-Boas -
he's Chelsea to the core, the fans were never going to be unhappy at his
appointment. The majority are happy that he's been given the opportunity to
build on all that he achieved last season. That said, I don't think the club
view his appointment as long-term. There's a certain Seρor Guardiola
hovering in the background who, if reports are to be believed, was sounded
out about taking the job last summer. Whoever comes in, Di Matteo is laying
some solid foundations for the future.
How have your summer signings settled in?
Two of our best performing players this season, Eden Hazard and Oscar,
arrived in the summer, so I would say that our summer signings have settled
in well. In fact, it's remarkable just how well the two of them have
adjusted to playing in the Premier League. Slight of build but tough as
nails.
Who's been your best player so far?
Again, it's a choice between Mata, Hazard and Oscar. All three have played
some exceptional football. I'm plumping for Hazard.
Anyone been a let-down, anyone been particularly poor?
Fernando Torres has been a let-down. Something's amiss, he seems incapable
of producing the form he showed for Liverpool. Last season the excuse was
that we didn't play to his strengths. This season we are playing to his
strengths, he's playing in front of one of the best and most creative
midfields in the league, and he doesn't have to fight for his place with
Drogba, but he still can't produce the goods. He's been given unwavering
support by the fans but, for the first time since he signed, there were
signs of discontent in the stands during the Liverpool game at the Bridge on
Sunday. It'll be interesting to see what the club does in the transfer
market in January and next summer.
Your take on the John Terry / Anton Ferdinand situation?
The ramifications will be felt for some time to come, but I'm just glad it's
over. A sorry affair. No one has come out of it looking good, not the club,
the fans, the press, the Ferdinands. Terry was disliked by all and sundry
outside of Chelsea anyway, so it won't bother him. In fact, he seems to
thrive on hostility.
Thoughts on Romelu Lukaku, did you see much of him last season?
What I saw of him was enough to make me think he's not ready to fight for a
starting place at Chelsea. He's still raw, but he's an exciting talent. He
looked musclebound last season, too big, and I've read that Chelsea worked
on reducing his muscle mass and improving his fitness over the summer. It
appears that the fitness work and the subsequent loan move to the Hawthorns
has paid off. Some fans are even calling on the club to recall him in
January given Torres's relatively poor form. For the money the club paid for
him I would hope that he's given a chance. The next Drogba? It's far too
early to tell.
Aside from Lukaku, are there any youngsters coming through the Chelsea
set-up you are particularly excited about?
I'm eager to see Marko Marin given an opportunity. He has struggled to get a
look in so far this season. Kevin De Bruyne, who's on a season-long loan
with Werder Bremen, is another young player I'm excited about. He's scoring
goals and picking up rave reviews in Germany.
Any particular memories of Albion v Chelsea games that stand out?
One particular memory is that until last season it was almost guaranteed
that a West Brom v Chelsea game would result in three points for Chelsea.
Thoughts on Albion's season so far?
Steve Clarke is doing a great job. I'm really pleased for him. It won't be
long before the press are linking him with a return to the Bridge.
It would make a nice change if West Brom could avoid another Premier League
relegation battle.
Albion player you admire?
Zoltan Gera. Fantastic footballer. I'm reminded of Gera when watching Mata.
Premier League Champs?
It's difficult to see beyond the two Manchester clubs. Our impressive start
has stalled somewhat and dropping seven points in three matches will cost us
come May.
Three teams for the drop?
My uncle won't thank me for this, but Southampton look nailed on to go
straight back down. I would love to see QPR go down, and both Sunderland and
Aston Villa could find themselves in a relegation battle if their form
doesn't improve.
Southampton, QPR and an outside bet on Villa.
Prediction for Saturday's game?
I'm not confident we'll come away with all three points. A draw looks the
most likely result. An exciting score draw. 2-2.
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