VIEW FROM THE ENEMY: Chelsea Fan On Channel 5, Modric and Flops

Over the years, RoM has had many a chat with Chelsea Den from The Chelsea Blog in the lead up to match days and season. This year, we get to hear about the hopes for the latest Chelsea manager, what went wrong last season and United’s best players.

Scott the Red: So, after spending periods of the season in fifth before pulling it back to just nine points behind us, were you happy with your team’s performance last season?

Chelsea Den: In a word, no. We were dire for long periods of the season. If it wasn’t for a bit of a fightback towards the end, we’d be watching Channel 5 on Thursday nights this season.

STR: That would have been amazing. Who were your most important players in helping you avoid the embarrassment of Europa?

CD: You might as well ask me who’s responsible for Third World poverty – it’d be easier to narrow it down! To be fair, it was a particularly forgettable season and most of our players went through their own poor periods at one time or another but I guess Cole and JT were solid enough.

STR: How about next season? You fancy McEachran to make an impact?

CD: As long as he’s not farmed out on loan, certainly his impact pre-season would suggest so. I’m maybe not the most unbiased person to ask though given I believe the sun truly does shine out of his arse but the creativity and energy he adds to our midfield is a breath of fresh air.

STR: He’s a bit of a rarity, making it to the first team squad from the ranks. Your usual policy is to dip in to the transfer market. How have Chelsea done this summer?

CD: We’ve been in the transfer market?

STR: What are your aspirations for this season?

CD: Oh y’know, nothing too taxing. The treble would be nice although realistically, I’d take a double… with ice and a slice obviously, since that’ll be the only way it’ll come this season! We have a new manager, not new players, so you’ll have to excuse the pessimism.

STR: So, you don’t have high expectations of Villa-Boas’ turning Chelsea around?

CD: As with any Chelsea manager, it depends how long he stays. This season will be all about finding his feet in the Premier League – sorting out his best XI, sussing out the opposition and coping with the inevitable media pressures. If he comes through that unscathed, he’s young enough and seemingly savvy enough to hold his own.

STR: Where do you think you will finish this season then?

CD: In a heap on the floor again? Probably third.

STR: A Champions League spot has to be a priority I guess. Which player do you think will be most important in helping you achieve this?

CD: Modric… oh! Again, not an easy one to answer. There’s been a few players who’ve definitely improved as our pre-season has gone on but then we had a blistering start to last season and look what happened there. Maybe Torres. I can live in hope.

STR: Ah, Torres. After costing £50m then managing just one goal in a 3-0 win over West Ham last season, would you say he’s the biggest flop of all time?

CD: “…On you go. I’m not fucking talking to you. He’s a fucking great player. You are all fucking idiots.” Ring any bells? Seriously though, ask me that again when he’s had a full season with us. It’s too early to write him off.

STR: Ranieri certainly agreed with Ferguson about Veron being fucking great eh? Agree it’s too early to write him off. Despite him being a massive girl, he is quality, although he’s never been the same since losing his golden locks… which of our players would you want at Chelsea?

CD: Can you ask me that after you’ve signed Sneijder?! For now I’d have to go for Hernandez because he’s got years ahead of him and you can already see he’ll be an absolute menace for you lot. And probably less predictably, Berbatov. I’m still not sure the majority really appreciate his overall contribution but I fancied him at Chelsea before he signed for you and I’ve always had a soft spot for him.

STR: Finally, who will finish in the top 4? Who will go down?

CD: Oh bloody hell, hit me with a claw hammer, it’d be less painful. Ok, I think it’ll be: 1. United, 2. City, 3.Chelsea, 4. Spurs. And going down Wigan, Swansea, Norwich.

STR: I always knew you had some sense. It has been a pleasure, as always.

———–
Follow Chelsea Den on Twitter
Read STR’s interview on The Chelsea Blog

------------
The RoM Manchester United 2024-25 season preview is now available. It includes articles from the country's best football writers about our expectations for the season ahead and our brightest talents, as well as proposed transfer business and which youth players to keep an eye out for. All profit goes to The Christie so please support this fantastic cause.

155 Comments

StatesideAussie August 11, 2011

Fletch, settle down mate. If you don't think Sneijder's worth it, fine. I was only pointing out that the age thing is a tricky one. Yeah, I undersatand it's the club who raised this over the last few years, but they never did spell out the details, did they? And I have heard it stated with various ages used. But my main point was to highlight that depending on exactly when a player is born during the year, makes a big difference. I can understand that some people don't rate Sneijder. I can understand that some people think it's too much money, or we simply don't need him. But I just think the age argument is trotted out a little too easily and isn't really thought through. If you look at when his birthday actually falls, he is right in the same bracket as Young and CR. And the interesting thing is that out of those three, it is CR and Young who depend much more on speed and phsyicality in their game than Sneijder does -- and those are exactly the attributes that decline first, around the age of 30. It's a real challenge for players like that to adjust to losing that half-yard of pace when they hit that age mark. Giggs was able to do it, but many aren't.

Anway mate, I have never said that we *need* Sneijder. Like you, I am happy with the squad the way it is -- I already think we are significantly improved over last year. What I have said, and what I still say, is that Sneijder would improve our squad even more if he joined: we'd be a better squad with him than without him. That's all.

willierednut August 11, 2011

Balaji and StatesideAussie

Great posts lads. Keep fighting the good fight! :)

Costas - Great post as well mate. Very dignified as usual. We're all frustrated with the Sneijder transfer saga. I note your concerns about young Tom not getting enough game time on the pitch. The manager will play this situation perfectly. Whether Sneijder signs or not, I see Cleverley being an important part of team. On Sunday, he provided us with a freshness most of us have been calling for on this blog. Anyway, I would assume, we're approaching the end game in the Sneijder saga. Thank God for that, eh? :)

Yeah, will be good to see it settled one way or the other. There's a lot of cat and mouse been going on. One thing that Cleverley's performance has clarifed for me, though: if we are going to bring in another midfielder, it must be someone of Sneijder's caliber, otherwise there's no point. I was never interested in Nasri anyway, and even less now. But previously I figured someone like Modric might be a good fallback if Wee Wes couldn't be got. Now I couldn't care less -- if Chelsea want Modric, they can have him. Previously, there might have been a shortlist of 5 or 6 midfielders who could have come in and been good for us. TC's performances against Barca and Shitty have put a whole new light on that.

I'm reluctant to overhype the guy -- not because I am worried about him (he doesn't read this shit anyway), but because amongst us, the fans, it helps to be realistic and patient from the outset. Otherwise, if we overhype the guy, you just know there'll be some cunts on here who'll crucify the guy the first time he has an off game or makes a mistake.

Gandalf August 11, 2011

I agree with Balaji - we really seem to be stretching this too far, but we do not know all the dynamics of the deal. If Sneijder really wants to break our wage structure, then we should not go for him.

Lets bring on Pogba and Cleverly slowly into the team and watch them develop. I think they will be great for us.
very excited about our youth.

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related Posts