Rediscovering Chelsea's Soul
Contribution article from The Score
As the season comes to an end and we embark on a new era under Mauricio Pochettino, I’ve been thinking a lot about how I feel as a fan right now, and about the future.
I was 20 years old when we won the FA Cup in 1997. As such, I’m very fortunate to have seen all the success we’ve had under two owners since then. I’ve seen us win literally every competition, most of them more than once. I’ve seen some incredible football, great players, great managers and made some memories I will treasure forever.
As time has passed, and we’ve had less league success, and especially after this season, I realise now my dreams for the Chelsea men’s team have changed.
Of course I still want us to be the best team, to compete for and win the biggest trophies, to be one of the best teams in the world, with top players and a top manager.
But what I really want, is for Chelsea to discover its soul again. To remember who we are and feel it again.
I want to have a team I can be proud of. A team who when they take the field I can be confident will make me proud, who know the meaning of the badge they wear, who will fight every second to get a result for Chelsea. Who aren’t here just to get a notch on their belt or make money, but because they choose Chelsea and love Chelsea.
I want a team with a clear identity, and a sense of family and togetherness at the club. A sense every player and everyone at the club is all pulling in the same direction together, for each other and the club. Who know what it means and care, and have club values.
I want to see a team which is progressing every year, and to see young talent being developed and integrated, long term sustainable success prioritised over instant success.
Football isn’t life and death. It’s not that important. I’ve seen worse times than the last 2 years. I have a life outside football. But nevertheless when something - a football club and its fans - you love and have loved for 35 years is going through it, it’s painful, emotionally and even physically. As is the constant negativity and anger and impatience of some of our fans.
The one constant highlight and joy is the women’s team. It fills me with pride, and represents everything good about Chelsea. I enjoy watching them and love Emma and the players. The men could do well learn from their example.
We all love Chelsea. We all want Chelsea men to be back where we belong.
We are all frustrated by this men’s season, and some things at the club.
But it strikes me we need to change our mindset. Instead of looking for things to complain about - because no matter how well run or successful we are, they will always exist - and look for signs of positivity. This is not blind positivity, because it’s important to still acknowledge the issues we have. It’s more being open to the good things.
Todd Boehly constantly stresses this is a long term project. I don’t believe he is looking at the next year or two, he is looking 3-5 years hence. By then, the young talent signed in the last year will have matured, Pochettino will have built and developed a team we can be proud of and competes at the top level, a team with an identity, a mentality, and built a club we are proud to follow. Not to mention our multi club model will be fully operational providing pathways. Our sponsorship revenue will be going up.
He sees what Chelsea will be in 3-5 years. Not what it is now. That’s what I see too.
Not the trophies. But the club. Pochettino can rebuild Chelsea and help us find out soul again. Trophies will just be a natural consequence.
That’s what I want the most. Chelsea, the club I love, to rediscover its soul.
Written by The Score
Couldn’t have put it better myself. I echo every thought. I was born in 1999- so all I’ve known is trophies and success and to be honest I couldn’t care less if we never won anything ever again, I just want a team that want to play for Chelsea and have heart and passion to make us proud as a fan base.
Unfortunately what came with success is impatience and a desire for instant success which is why we’re in such a mess. I hate to keep saying it but look at Arsenal and see how they done things, it all starts with belief in Arteta and players that want to play for the shirt. I know they’ve fallen short and it’s funny to laugh but they’re only a young team with hungry players.
I have to believe we will get there because I’m an optimist and the takeover was always going to be complex after our previous ownership having the issues they had.
I think from everything I’ve heard about Poch at spurs and how he created such a great atmosphere at the club, I’ve got hope he can do that with us (hopefully with Mason but if not, we’ll be fine)
Great article by someone who has seen the downs and ups and has been supporting chelsea for years. I want the Chelsea of old, who will fight with their everything.