Job well done — just don’t mention Gallas
Getting to the pub early to secure the usual spot (only to find that it wasn’t open at midday on the dot). The short walk to the ground, chatting to the same stewards that you’ve been greeting every week for decades. The smell of burgers and fried onions. That first glimpse of the pitch. You just can’t beat it.
Winning on the opening day of the season is just an added bonus.
As I was walking to the ground, I saw a kid wearing our shirt with 7 and Shevchenko on the back. Only then did it really strike me that we had one of the greatest players in the world playing for little old Chelsea— I remember getting excited when we signed Tony Dorigo!
One of our lot described Shevchenko as a shark on Sunday after the match, and I know exactly what he means. He circled menacingly around the box and you could see that the City players were terrified of him — doubling up and sometimes trebling up on him, but still his movement was outstanding.
I must admit, I thought we would struggle on Sunday. No Gallas, no Makelele, no Cech, no Joe Cole — but we were ruthless. Essien was immense. He didn’t have the season that many expected of him last campaign, but if his recent performances are anything to go by, he has settled and he wants Makelele’s role. He looks as if he could get it too — and score goals.
The “new” Chelsea team does look physically imposing to put it mildly. Terry, Essien, Drogba, Ballack, the new lad Khaled Boulahrouz (nickname Khaled the Cannibal), John Obi Mikel (described in one of the tabloids as “an absolute monster. Patrick Viera with muscles”) — these boys will not put up with being kicked from one end of a pitch to the other.
City attempted it, and you saw what happened to them; they were swept aside like a sandcastle by a tidal wave. Corradi, despite his own considerable bulk, was held by the hair like some helpless kitten when he tried to take Essien out of the game — the message was clear: “Don’t mess with me.” Anyway, three goals, three points, clean sheet, job done. So let’s move on to less pleasant matters.
I love William Gallas, or should I say I loved William Gallas, but I am absolutely disgusted by his recent behaviour. He wants to leave — fair enough, I can accept that, although I don’t understand why. He initially stated that he wanted to play abroad (specifically Milan). I was really disappointed, as I think there is not a better defender in the world, but I accepted that our William is a complex character, and wanted to play for one of the giants of European football. But now we understand that he wants to play for Arsenal.
I have never advocated that players should be kept against their will, but I am furious with him and I would make him play the remainder of his contract in the reserves. His close friendship with Thierry Henry has had some influence in his decision I’d imagine, but I thought that he had a little more class than wanting to join one of our biggest rivals.
It’s obviously not a money issue and to be honest, it just looks like pure spite. He will not be playing for us again. The thought of Billy in an Arsenal shirt makes me feel physically sick; it is like catching your other half with your most hated enemy.
But let me move on before I begin to weep. Tonight we shlep up to Middlesbrough. This is ridiculous. It’s about time the FA/Premier League ensured that no-one has to travel more than 100 miles midweek. Most of us will have to take a day’s holiday to go to this game, then we won’t get home much before 2am, and back at work in a few hours — that or take another day’s holiday. It’s madness.
I’m imagining that Jose is after revenge tonight after the three-nil tonking we took up at Boro last season. He won’t want to be seen to be out-witted by a novice manager either. Jose is at his best when he is sardonic, sarcastic, mean and moody and I have to say that I love seeing the reaction of his fellow managers: no matter how hard they try, Jose always manages to get under their skin.
Can’t end today’s piece without commenting on Ken Bates and his latest attempt to wind up those in the upper echelons at Chelsea. I’d say he has succeeded. Chelsea lodging a complaint with the FA because the old goat used the term “Siberian shysters” does seem rather OTT.
But Bates’ reaction was pure Ken — “I haven’t laughed so hard since ma got her tits caught in the mangle” was his reply posted on the Leeds website and I have to say that I laughed out loud.
Bates is a chancer; he knows full well that Chelsea acted totally properly in the affair of the youngsters that joined us from Leeds. Chelsea should have ignored him. Instead, their counter complaint has given Ken the publicity he was looking for and has made us look petty and desperate. The boardroom at Chelsea still seems to have much to learn.
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