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CHELSEA FC T H E

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OUR MIDFIELD ENFORCER ON HIS RISE TO THE TOP AND A CRACKER OF A SEASON SO FAR

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M A G A Z I N E

CONTENTS

Me Chri rry stma s

ISSUE 149 // JANUARY 2017

to our fall ans

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Drawing on

EXPERIENCE

A born survivor Words | Richard Godden

Former Blues defender JAKOB KJELDBJERG tells us how playing for Chelsea helped prepare him for a successful career in television as he looks back on his time at Stamford Bridge, including an introduction to English football he will never forget ith your fellow former Blues defender Wayne Bridge recently in the jungle for I’m A Celebrity, we considered this a good time to speak with a man who makes a living hosting a reality TV series...

after a year or two, they asked me to become a presenter. In 1998 I kicked off doing Match of the Day in Denmark, covering the Danish league, the Champions League and national team games. In 2004 I was asked to take over Survivor and I’ve been doing it ever since.

I remember the last time I spoke to the magazine it was an interview with Scott Minto, my old team-mate, and I was presenting the Danish version of Survivor.

I’m still doing that – I’ve just been back in Denmark celebrating the end of my 12th season doing the show. I have been presenting it longer than I played professional football.

I work for the equivalent of ITV in Denmark, TV3, and last year I presented I’m A Celebrity. It was fun to try because I’ve seen a lot of it, particularly the English version. We did it in South Africa.

I actually went on an FA coaching seminar and Mark Hughes was there with me. I must admit I quickly realised on the first or second day it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t dedicated enough to ever make it. But I’ve always said that if you have the slightest interest in finding out about something, try it out. Don’t just say it doesn’t work, give it a try.

It was in November 1996 that I did my first football game as an expert – it was at Stamford Bridge against Newcastle. That shows you how quickly I tried to move on to something different.

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DOMESTIC HONOURS

Would you consider following Wayne’s lead and being a contestant?

Never, ever would I even consider that!

When did you get into TV? In 1996, when I finished playing, I pretty much moved straight into football punditry. I would have only been 27 at that time. Then,

Football League/ Premier League champions 1955, 2005, 2006, 2010, 2015

WE WERE THERE! WE WERE THERE! Each month we look at Chelsea’s history from a fan perspective.

In this issue, we relive the day David Webb started in goal and miraculously kept a clean sheet

Football League Cup winners 1965, 1998, 2005, 2007, 2015

MIKE GEEN STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON

BLUES IN SAFE HANDS

FA Charity/ Community Shield winners 1955, 2000, 2005, 2009

An outfield player goes in goal. It’s one of those classic footballing events, a moment when fear combines with excitement, as supporters look at each other and laugh nervously, aware they are seeing something memorable but potentially disastrous happen to their team.

Yet it doesn’t end up being a catastrophe as often as you’d think. Maybe we only remember the good times, but it seems like every club has a story about an outfield player going in goal and emerging as a hero.

Since 1960, 10 Chelsea players have pulled on the gloves mid-match after our

goalkeeper had been forced to leave the pitch, including John Terry, Vinnie Jones, David Speedie and Tommy Langley. But what would have to happen for a team to start with an outfield player in goal?

To discover the answer to that, we need to go back to 27 December, 1971, when David Webb – our all-action centre-half and scorer of the winning goal in the 1970 FA Cup final replay – trotted out in the goalkeeper’s jersey to face Ipswich Town in a top-flight league match. Let’s hear from three people – including the man of the hour – who can proudly say “We were there.”

I was stood in the paddock at the front of the old East Stand that day. At the time, as I remember, we had not the slightest doubt that Webby was going to perform perfectly well – and he did.

He had played in goal before (when Peter Bonetti was injured mid-match against Coventry two games previously), and been very impressive, but more than that, it was just the sort of person he was. I saw him score a hat-trick from centre-half against Ipswich three years earlier. That was typical of him. He just did things like that.

He wasn’t the greatest footballer ever but there was something about him. I don’t know what it was, but you always felt he would do something. The fact he scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final replay in 1970 was evidence of that.

‘Cult hero’ is a good way of describing him. We played a game against Preston in the FA Cup in 1968/69 and the lights failed. So it had to be replayed in the afternoon. We were 1-0 down and struggling right near the end of the replay, and of course it was Webb who scored the goal in the 89th minute to equalise before we went on to win it.

That was the only time in my life that I actually ran on the pitch – I went on to congratulate him!

That day against Ipswich, I don’t think we had any idea he was playing in goal until the team ran out. In those days the information available was pretty minimal.

You couldn’t turn on Sky Sports and hear that Steve Sherwood was bombing down the M1, or whatever he was doing.

When you saw him come out in the goalkeeper’s kit, you thought, “Oh, that’s a bit surprising.” But that was about it.

There was never another outfield player who would go in goal that was like him. It was different when Tommy Langley played in goal away to West Ham and David Speedie went in against QPR. I had massive worries about it those times, but not with Webby. I was confident when he went in goal and I

EUROPEAN HONOURS

would’ve been confident if he’d done it again. He was just that sort of geezer, someone you knew would rise to the occasion. I had no qualms he would let us down at all. He was a bit of a colossus.

He could play centre-forward, centreback – he could do almost anything for us if he had to.

Webb scoring our winning goal in the FA Cup final replay

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Full Members’ Cup winners 1986, 1990

Does the name Nils Middelboe mean anything to you?

Nils.... Oh yeah, yeah – I read about the guy!

He was the first one (Dane) at Chelsea in, what, 1910? Eighty years before me. I remember the name. Obviously I never saw him play, but that name was always following me about at Chelsea. I didn’t know what footsteps I had to follow – there was no coverage of him so I couldn’t just put in a DVD to watch him!

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Division Two champions 1984, 1989 FA Cup winners 1970, 1997, 2000, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012

Did you never considering coaching?

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UEFA Champions League winners 2012

07 Blues News 12 Nemanja Matic 20 Midfielders 28 Month Ahead 30 Drawing On Experience: Jakob Kjeldbjerg 36 Tore Andre Flo 38 Photo Album 44 The Month That Was 47 Match Action 50 Pic of the Month 52 Month In Numbers 55 Academy 64 Ladies 69 Chelsea Foundation 72 One of Us: Sebastian Roche 76 We Were There 80 Message Board 81 Trophy Trivia 82 King’s Road Boutique MONTH AHEAD

chelseafc.com

FIXTURES & RESULTS 2016/17

ON THE PITCH

@chelseafc

OFF THE PITCH

August Mon 15 West Ham United Sat 20

UEFA Europa League winners 2013

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Watford

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Tue 23

Bristol Rovers (EFLC second round)

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Sat 27

Burnley

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2-1 2-1 3-2 3-0

September Sun 11

14 DECEMBER

Swansea City

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Fri 16

Liverpool

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1-2

Tue 20

Leicester City (EFLC third round)

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4-2*

Sat 24

Arsenal

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2-2

0-3

Sat 1

Hull City

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2-0

Sat 15

Leicester City

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3-0

Sun 23

Manchester United

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4-0

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1-2

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Wed 26 West Ham United (EFLC4) Sun 30

Southampton

17 DECEMBER

Everton

Sun 20

Middlesbrough

Sat 26

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1-0

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2-1

Sat 3

Manchester City

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3-1

Sun 11

Tottenham Hotspur

West Bromwich Albion (12noon) BT

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December

European Cup Winners’ Cup winners 1971, 1998

Wed 14 Sunderland (7.45pm) Sat 17

Crystal Palace (12.30pm) Sky

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Mon 26 Bournemouth

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Sat 31

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Stoke City

26 DECEMBER

Wed 4 6-9 Sat 14 Sat 22

Tottenham Hotspur (8pm) Sky

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Peterborough United/Notts County (FAC3) H

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Leicester City (5.30pm) BT Hull City (4.30pm) Sky

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Sat 28

FAC fourth round Liverpool (8pm) BT Arsenal

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BOURNEMOUTH (H) – PREMIER LEAGUE In April we made our second trip to Dean Court for a league fixture and the first since 1988. A maiden victory followed, with a brace from Eden Hazard helping us to a 4-1 win.

Jason Cundy and Ben Andrews will be live from the gantry from 2pm for Pre-Match At The Bridge. After live commentary we’ll have post-match analysis.

January

Tue 31

CRYSTAL PALACE (A) – PREMIER LEAGUE Our first Premier League game of 2016 took place at Selhurst Park, when goals from Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa secured a 3-0 victory over the Eagles.

We’ll be on air at 11.30am for this early kick-off, bringing you all the pre-match build-up and team news.

November Sat 5

SUNDERLAND (A) – PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea have lost only four of our 15 Premier League visits to the Stadium of Light and we once won nine on the bounce at the home of the Black Cats.

Join a trio of former Blues stars for Wherever They May Be at 7.15pm as they report live on all the action from the Stadium of Light.

October

31 DECEMBER

STOKE CITY (H) – PREMIER LEAGUE The Blues recorded our record win at the Bet365 Stadium in January 2013, aided by an ‘imperfect’ hat-trick by Jon Walters, who scored two own goals and missed a penalty.

If you miss any of the action over the Christmas week, tune in to our regular highlights show Post-Match Round-Up on Monday 2 January.

February Sat 4 Sat 11 Sat 18 Sat 25

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FAC fifth round

Burnley

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Swansea City

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March Sat 4

UEFA Super Cup winners 1998

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West Ham United

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Sat 11

Watford

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FAC quarter-final

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Stoke City

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TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (A) – PREMIER LEAGUE Slowly but surely our away league record against Spurs is close to being even – the Blues currently have 23 wins at White Hart Lane compared to 25 for our hosts.

Wherever They May Be begins at 7pm for the first match of 2017.

We’ll have exclusive interviews and all the team news before kick-off.

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April Sat 1

Crystal Palace

Wed 5

Manchester City (7.45pm)

Sat 8

Bournemouth

Sat 15

Manchester United

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Sat 22

Southampton

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FAC semi-final

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Sat 29

Everton

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Middlesbrough

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6-9 JANUARY

PETERBOROUGH UNITED/NOTTS COUNTY (H) – FA CUP THIRD ROUND The Blues have played Peterborough and Notts County in the FA Cup before. We faced the Posh in 1965 and 2001 and the Magpies in 1955.

As with every first-team match, we will have a full re-run of this FA Cup tie, as well as a variety of highlight packages online.

General enquiries enquiries@chelseafc.com 0371 811 1955 International +44(0) 20 7386 9373 (Mon-Fri, 8.30am-6pm) 03 numbers are charged at the same rate as local and national rate calls

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No one has appeared in more games for Chelsea than the man who captained us to FA Cup glory in 1970. Join Chopper as he leads you on an unforgettable tour of Stamford Bridge. During the Legends Tour you’ll have the chance spend time with Ron and hear his experiences first hand, as he leads you around the players’ dressing rooms, the press room, the tunnel, the dugout and much more. You’ll also receive a signed personalised photo and there will be a Q&A session. Prices are £50 for adults and spaces are limited, so book online now, call 0371 811 1955 or email tours@chelseafc.com.

GARY CAHILL 19.12.85 (31)

FIKAYO TOMORI 19.12.97 (19)

MARCOS ALONSO 28.12.90 (26)

EDEN HAZARD 07.01.91 (26)

ALSO ON There are some cracking shows lined up over Christmas and New Year for Blues fans of all ages to enjoy.

Annual Lunch 2016 Thursday 22 December, 6.45pm An access-all-areas look at the club’s yearly celebration of all things Chelsea, featuring Antonio Conte, Joe Cole and a host of Blues legends.

Super Frankie Lampard Christmas Eve, 7pm Former team-mates, fans and coaches pay tribute to our record goalscorer and one of the club’s greatest players of all time.

Best of Chelsea Re-seen Wednesday 28 December, 6.45pm A lighter look back at 2016 showcasing some of the best bits from Chelsea TV.

Diego Costa – The Chelsea Years Christmas Day, 7pm A unique insight into the Blues’ cult hero featuring contributions from team-mates, fans and coaches.

Famous Fans – Jimmy White Friday 30 December, 6.45pm The Whirlwind talks about a life supporting Chelsea.

Famous Fans – Justin Rose Tuesday 27 December, 6.45pm The US Open winner and Olympic gold medallist talks about his love affair with the Blues.

Goals of 2016 Tuesday 3 January, 6.45pm A look back at the best Chelsea goals of 2016.

LEICESTER CITY (A) – PREMIER LEAGUE Last term’s 2-1 loss was our first defeat the King Power Stadium since it opened in the summer of 2002.

Wherever They May Be starts at 4.30pm. After live commentary, we will have all the post-match reaction with the manager and players.

Chelsea TV is available on chelseafc.com with a Fan Club membership. Go to chelseafc.com/join16 for more information on how you can watch Chelsea TV online. You can also watch on television. To join via Sky, call 08442 410 201 or visit www.sky.com/chelseatv.

JANUARY

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Chelsea Magazine produced by Editorial 020 7958 2168 Subscriptions 0845 241 6210 Email cfc.magazine@trinitymirror.com MAGAZINE EDITOR David Antill FEATURES EDITOR Dominic Bliss DEPUTY EDITOR Richard Godden STAFF WRITER James Sugrue SUB-EDITOR Harri Aston DESIGNERS Glen Hind and Ben Renshaw STATISTICIAN Paul Dutton PHOTOGRAPHY Darren Walsh, Getty Images, Hugh Hastings, Chelsea FC Archive, Mirrorpix, PA Images and Mark Sandom PRINTED BY William Gibbons DISTRIBUTED BY Comag THANKS TO Emma Wilkinson, John Barrett, Andy Jones and Ryan Brown © Trinity Mirror Sport Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the Copyright owners. Although every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or omissions. In the interest of independence and impartiality, many features in this publication have been written by third-party experts. It should be noted that any opinions expressed therein are the views of the writers themselves and not necessarily those of Chelsea FC. Terms and conditions for all competitions appearing in this magazine are available on request.

Customer feedback including complaints customer.services@chelseafc.com Supporter Liaison Officer slo@chelseafc.com

West Bromwich Albion Sunderland

Fixtures correct at time of going to press and are subject to change. All games kick off at 3pm unless stated.

N - Wembley Stadium. EFLC - English Football League Cup. FAC - FA Cup. *After extra-time.

HERE TO HELP

The following telephone numbers and email addresses are here to assist supporters.

Sat 13 Sun 21

28 DECEMBER – TOUR WITH RON HARRIS

Former Union J and I’m A Celebrity star George Shelley is releasing six original songs over a six-week period in the run-up to Christmas – and you can see his inaugural live show at Under The Bridge on Sunday 18 December. Not only has he written all the songs, he’s co-produced all the tracks as well as directed and edited all the videos.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, Buster Bloodvessel and Bad Manners have sold out their first date at UTB on Friday 16 December, so we’re getting them back a week later. Whether it’s Special Brew, Lip Fatty or Lorraine, they’ll be playing all the anthemic tunes.

For our first performance of 2017 we welcome Lee Fields and The Expressions to Under The Bridge. With a catalogue that ranges from James Brown-style funk to lo-fi blues to contemporary Southern soul to collaborations with French house DJ Martin Solveig, Lee Fields has done it all. Join us on Saturday 14 January.

Visit www.underthebridge.co.uk for more information about all of our upcoming gigs and to book your tickets now.

Academy – Best of 2016 Friday 23 December, 7pm A look back at another record-breaking year for the club’s Academy with continued success in the UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup.

May Sat 6

BLUES BIRTHDAYS

21 DECEMBER – FESTIVE FUN DAY Join us for the Festive Fun Day at Stamford Bridge. We’ve got reindeer and penguins, fairground stalls, craft workshops, ice sculpting, competitions and great interactive games for you to test your talents.

Plus, Santa will be greeting visitors to hear all your Christmas wishes.

The event will take place outside the West Stand at Stamford Bridge from 11am to 4pm and is open to all – entry is completely free!

Chelsea FC’s Global Charity Partner

FOUNDATION

Chelsea FC’s anti-discrimination campaign

Chelsea FC is a supporter of...

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"Everyone’s working hard, every day. When you give your best, when you are very focused on what the coach wants from you, this is the result" Read our Nemanja Matic interview on page 12

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Principal Partner

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BLUES NEWS

chelseafc.com

@chelseafc

Chelsea stars sweep the awards board Chelsea completed a clean sweep of the Premier League individual awards for November.

In a month which saw us record maximum points with impressive victories over Everton, Middlesbrough and Tottenham, Antonio Conte was named as Barclays Manager of the Month for the second time in a row, having also received the award after four wins from as many league games in October.

Diego Costa has won the EA Sports Player of the Month award – which was claimed by Eden Hazard in October – for his key role in that run of victories, including goals against the Toffees and Boro. However, it was Pedro’s curling equaliser against Tottenham which was picked as the Carling Goal of the Month.

The performances of Victor Moses in November, who scored the winner over Spurs, saw him chosen as the PFA Fans’

Premier League Player of the Month by a public vote.

There could be more individual honours on their way to Stamford Bridge, too, as David Luiz, Hazard and N’Golo Kanté have all been nominated for inclusion in the FIFA FIFPro World 11. The final selection is voted for exclusively by professional footballers across 75 countries and will be announced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony on 9 January.

Kanté is also named as one of 11 midfielders on the shortlist for uefa.com’s Team of the Year. The line-up is chosen by fans and you can cast your vote now at http://en.toty.uefa.com, with around seven million people having their say last year.

• Eden Hazard received his October Player of the Month award at a special Chelsea Foundation event, which you can read about on page 69

Antonio Conte with his award

NORWAY CAPTAIN AND SWISS STAR TO STRENGTHEN LADIES Norway captain Maren Mjelde and Swiss international Ramona Bachmann have been announced as Chelsea Ladies’ first signings of the close season.

Midfielder Mjelde agreed to join the Blues until 2018, from Avaldsnes IL in her homeland, bringing plenty of experience with over 100 international caps to her name.

Versatile forward Bachmann will arrive from German side Wolfsburg, the 25-yearold agreeing a deal with the club until 2019.

Both players will officially link up with Emma Hayes’ squad in January.

Some of their new team-mates, meanwhile, have received national awards.

Hedvig Lindahl was named Sweden’s best goalkeeper and best player as well as

being honoured at a separate ceremony recognising the achievements of sporting mothers.

Millie Bright was given England Women’s Young Player of the Year award during a ceremony at Wembley Stadium, which also saw Eniola Aluko receive her Golden Boot for finishing 2016 as the FA Women’s Super League’s top scorer.

• Turn to page 64 for more Chelsea Ladies news

BLUES HANDED HOME TIE IN FA CUP THIRD ROUND Chelsea have been drawn to play at home in the third round of this season’s FA Cup. We will host either Notts County or Peterborough United at Stamford Bridge, depending on the outcome of their 13 December replay after the two sides drew 2-2 in Nottingham in the previous round. All FA Cup third-round ties are scheduled to take place between 6 and 9 January.

Maren Mjelde and, left, Ramona Bachmann

NEWS IN

BRIEF

A new regular feature at www.instagram.com/ chelseafc is converting some of the defining moments of our season so far into animation. You can see the first few videos, featuring goals from Cesar Azpilicueta, N’Golo Kanté and Eden Hazard, now.

Chelsea’s Under-18s will begin our defence of the FA Youth Cup against Cardiff City. The match will kick off at Aldershot’s EBB Stadium at 7.05pm on Tuesday 13 December and tickets will be available on the day priced £3 for adults and £1 for concessions. The game will also be live on Chelsea TV.

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BLUES NEWS

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@chelseafc

Bobby Tambling and Joe Cole were among the former Blues players who attended the event

Club legends join fans for Annual Lunch fun More than 500 supporters and former players enjoyed a day of fine dining and Chelsea-themed entertainment at the 2016 Annual Lunch.

Fans got to rub shoulders with some of their heroes in Stamford Bridge’s Great Hall, all in the name of good causes.

The on-stage action kicked off when host Gigi Salmon was joined for a question-andanswer session by ex-Blues winger Joe Cole, winner of three Premier League titles and three FA Cups during his time here.

Cole shared some of his most treasured memories of life at the Bridge, picking his goal against Manchester United when we secured the league in 2006 as his favourite.

Tore Andre Flo, Jon Harley and Jody Morris, who all now work in our Academy,

also took to the stage to discuss their time playing for the club, before it was the turn of our first-team head coach Antonio Conte to answer the fans’ questions.

The Italian received a huge cheer when he arrived and discussed his past career and early impressions of Chelsea, before looking ahead to his first experience of English football’s hectic Christmas schedule.

“For me it will be the first time,” he said.

“I always see it on TV because in Italy there is the winter break, but it’s fantastic for me and my family to live this experience.

“We know we have a lot of games to play but we will work hard to prepare for them in the right way.”

John Hollins was the final former player to take to the sofa alongside Gigi. There

was also a quiz allowing the various tables of guests in the Great Hall to test their Blues knowledge and compete against each other, with the likes of Bobby Tambling and Pat Nevin providing questions.

All the money raised by the event, including £27,770 from a raffle and both silent and live auctions, was split between the Chelsea Foundation, Past Players’ Trust and our global charity partner Plan International.

Further funds were provided for the Past Players’ Trust following the latest donation of proceeds from the Champions 1955 book, with a cheque presented to Hollins and Eddie Newton by Chelsea Pitch Owners Chairman Steve Frankham, taking the total raised to £47,000.

Antonio Conte arriving on stage; John Hollins, Steve Frankham and Eddie Newton with a cheque for the Past Players’ Trust, and Jody Morris, Jon Harley and Tore Andre Flo in conversation with Gigi Salmon 09

BLUES NEWS

Our former Vice-President passes away Everyone at Chelsea Football Club was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our former Vice-President John Leigh.

He had been a Blues supporter since the 1980s, finding great relaxation in following the team, and became involved with the club as a Vice-President in the mid-Nineties.

Isaac Christie-Davies in Premier League 2 action at the EBB Stadium

EBB STADIUM TO CONTINUE HOSTING YOUTH MATCHES Chelsea’s development teams will continue to play matches at Aldershot Town’s EBB Stadium into the 2017/18 season.

It takes our agreement with the Shots into a fifth season, during which time we have played in a range of domestic and international tournaments, including the FA Youth Cup, lifting the trophy in the past three seasons.

In the summer of 2014, the Stamford Bridge pitch was removed and transported to Aldershot, allowing them to install a durable, top-level surface at the EBB Stadium.

NEWS IN

BRIEF 10

Some of his happiest moments came while travelling to and from European matches with the squad, including when bringing the Champions League trophy back from Munich in 2012.

The thoughts of all at Chelsea are with John’s wife Jenny, daughter Sammy, son Simon and all his family and friends at this difficult time.

Blues heroes Zola and Elliott open up at supporters’ event Fans got the chance to quiz two Chelsea Player of the Year winners as Gianfranco Zola and Paul Elliott took to the stage at Stamford Bridge.

The two former Blues joined journalists Paul McCarthy, Patrick Barclay and John Cross on a panel to share their views on Chelsea and football in general.

The event was run in conjunction with our betting partner William Hill and organised by the Football Writers’ Association.

Discussing our start to the season, Zola said: “What Antonio (Conte) is doing is great for the club as he is trying to establish a philosophy. He wants to see the team playing with an identity,

the Chelsea style where everyone knows what he is doing.”

Elliott, a former Blues captain and defender, reserved special praise for one player: “Diego Costa, for a centre-half, is probably the worst type of centre-forward to play against. If I am a centre-back and he is my centre-forward, I know if the ball goes up there, it sticks and the two opposition centre-halves know they are going to be in a game for 90 minutes.”

All the proceeds from the night went to the Chelsea Foundation, with Chelsea Chairman Bruce Buck being presented with a cheque for £1,500.

Gianfranco Zola on stage

Antonio Conte joined Hublot Chairman Jean-Claude Biver (right) at London’s Gherkin landmark to help our global official timekeeper celebrate 10 years of their All Black watch concept.

Chelsea’s work with young supporters has been recognised after we picked up the Best Fan Engagement honour at the Fanalyse Awards in Cardiff, shortly after receiving the Mark of Excellence at the Football Business Awards.

chelseafc.com

@chelseafc

Tributes paid to Blues supporter Robert Chelsea Football Club sends our deepest condolences to the friends and family of season-ticket holder Robert Huxley, who died in the Croydon tram derailment.

Robert, 63, from New Addington, was one of seven victims who lost their lives in the crash on 9 November, with more than 50 people also injured.

The club supported our fans in paying tribute to Robert at the match against

Tottenham, with a round of applause taking place in the 63rd minute.

“Bob was a larger-than-life character and very hard-working,” said his family.

“A loving husband, devoted father and grandfather, brother, uncle and dear friend to many. He was also a lifelong Chelsea supporter and season-ticket holder who adored coming to Stamford Bridge with his friends and family.”

Proud Ladies manager Hayes receives MBE from the Queen

CHOPPER TO LEAD FANS ON TOUR OF THE BRIDGE Former Chelsea captain Ron Harris (above) will be leading fans around Stamford Bridge for the next Legends Tour on Wednesday 28 December.

Chopper appeared in more games for the Blues than any other player and skippered us to the famous FA Cup and European Cup Winners’ Cup triumphs of the early Seventies.

He will be sharing stories of his time here while showing supporters around our stadium, including the changing rooms and dugouts.

Tickets are priced £80 for adults and are available now by going to www.chelseafc.com/tours, calling 0371 811 1955 or emailing tours@chelseafc.com.

Stamford Bridge will be transformed into a mini Christmas wonderland for the Festive Fun Day on Wednesday 21 December. Entry is free for all, giving junior fans and their families the chance to visit Santa’s grotto and meet real reindeer and penguins.

Chelsea Ladies manager Emma Hayes received her MBE from Her Majesty The Queen in a special ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Hayes was awarded the prestigious accolade in the Queen’s 90th Birthday Honours earlier this year for services to football, before being presented with the medal itself at the royal residence in Berkshire, accompanied by her parents, this month.

Hayes, who received her award alongside prominent figures from other fields, including actor Eddie Redmayne and astronaut Tim Peake, said: “It was like a fairytale. I felt like a princess today. I’m just honoured and humbled. You realise once you go in to a room with a group

of people awarded for services to their industry that it was just a spectacular, once-in-a-lifetime memory I will never forget.”

Hayes, who was also honoured by the club at a reception celebrating her achievement later the same day, was appointed Chelsea manager four-and-a-half years ago after an already long and distinguished career coaching in the women’s game.

Since taking over, she has led us to the first major silverware in our history, in the form of the 2015 FA Women’s Super League title and FA Women’s Cup crown, as well as our maiden European experience in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Her Majesty presents Emma Hayes with the award

Our Premier League fixture home fixture against Hull City on Sunday 22 January has been put back by half-an-hour and will now kick off at Stamford Bridge at 4.30pm. The match will still be shown live on Sky Sports.

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TOP OF THE TREE Words | Dominic Bliss Pictures | Darren Walsh

Midfield anchorman NEMANJA MATIC has come a long way since plying his trade in the lower reaches of Serbian football.

As he chases a second Premier League title with the Blues, he reflects on his journey so far and the reasons behind our impressive run of form as we head into the busy festive period

F

ittingly, Nemanja Matic is dressed in his Sunday best as we walk into the room set up for our Christmas-themed photo shoot. He cracks a smile as he poses unabashedly among the baubles, the gifts and the tinsel, but he also informs us that the timing of the festivities in Britain and Serbia are actually slightly different.

In Matic’s homeland they mark the day almost two weeks later than us, owing to the fact the Serbian Orthodox Church

12

traditionally uses the Julian calendar as opposed to the Gregorian one that sets the date of Christmas in many other countries, including the United Kingdom.

“We celebrate on the 6th and 7th of January,” he says, “but this January it will be 10 years since I left my home country and I’ve played a lot of time in countries where they celebrate on 25 December.

“I cannot say it is my Christmas, but I respect it and we have also made some good friends here because we have lived here for so long. So we also have a dinner on that day and it’s nice to celebrate on these days when the people around

13

Nemanja Matic In action for Serbia’s Under-21s in 2009, when he first caught Chelsea’s eye

you feel something special. It’s a similar celebration in Serbia on 7 January. We go to the church in the evening on the 6th and then we have a lunch with the family on the 7th. Only the calendar is different.”

A decade on from departing his home country, the 28-year-old is in the mood to reflect on how he got to where he is now.

The route to the top certainly wasn’t laid out clearly in front of the young Matic and it was difficult for him even to draw attention to his talents as a kid.

He grew up in a small village called Vrelo with approximately 1,500 residents in total. The local youth football club wasn’t divided into age groups – all the children played together in one team and Matic stood out from the start in a team of older boys.

“I won one tournament with them, in 1997, and the trophy is still at my home,” he announces proudly.

One day he was spotted playing for his village side in an away game against 14

I LIVED IN A HOTEL WITH OTHER PLAYERS WHO ALSO CAME FROM THE SMALLER PARTS OF SERBIA. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO LIVE THERE WITHOUT MONEY, BUT BELGRADE IS THE BIGGEST CITY IN SERBIA, SO IT WAS A GOOD EXPERIENCE AND IT MADE ME STRONGER

a team from the nearby town, Obrenovac – halfway between Vrelo and the Serbian capital, Belgrade.

It was the first realisation that his hopes of becoming a professional footballer might be more than just a dream.

“Their football academy was one of the best in Yugoslavia,” he explains. “We played against them and we lost 5-0, but the coach then found the telephone number of my home and he called my father to ask if I would go there to train, but I didn’t want to go from my village. I wanted to stay there.

“After a while, when I grew up a little bit, I saw the team in my village was not that good.

“We didn’t have a good league, so I went to that club in Obrenovac and after that it was easier for me. From there I went to Red Star Belgrade, which is the biggest club in Serbia.”

Suddenly the boy from the small village was living in the capital city and hoping he might break into the first team of a one-time

Putting his possession skills to the test at Cobham

European Cup-winning club. However, Matic soon found himself going round the houses again in order to try to fulfil his dream.

“I lived in a hotel with other players who also came from the smaller parts of Serbia.

It was good, it was difficult to live there without money, but Belgrade is the biggest city in Serbia, so it was a good experience and it made me stronger.

“I played there for four years and then the coach decided I didn’t... well, he didn’t tell me that I don’t have enough quality for them, but I saw that I didn’t play, so I said, ‘Okay, I’m going to leave the club’, and he said, ‘No problem.’

“I was 18 and I went to play in the third division in Serbia. I didn’t have any options. I tried for Red Star and for one year at Partizan Belgrade and I didn’t play. I was always on the bench or in the stands.

“So I had to do something to play. I went to the third division, I played every game and I was happy.

“We were top of the table, but I played only six months there before an agent saw me in one game and asked me to go on trial to a team from the Slovakian first division called Kosice.

“I said, ‘Why not?’ I was only playing Serbian third division at that time. So I left to go to Slovakia, where my coach was Jan Kozak, who is now manager of the Slovakian national team.

“He saw me when I spent seven days with the team and he said, ‘This player needs to stay’, so I signed a contract.”

Matic’s quality continued to catch the eye of those who mattered. A Serbian coach working in Slovakia for Spartak Trnava was the next to recommend the gifted young midfielder to a friend, this time the coach of the Serbia Under-21s.

A call-up followed and, while representing his nation, he was seen by a Chelsea scout.

From those ramshackle games among the boys of all age groups who gathered 15

Nemanja Matic

16

Chasing down Salomon Kalou in training during his original spell with the Blues, who he rejoined in 2014

together to make up a team in Vrelo, he had fought his way onto progressively bigger stages until he achieved a move to Chelsea.

The story of Matic’s early football career tells us an awful lot about the determination of the man, and it explains to us why he never gave up on a return to Stamford Bridge even after his move to Benfica, via a loan spell at Vitesse Arnhem, in 2011. He pursued his dream and he persevered; he found a way.

Yet Matic has never forgotten where it all started for him. Even today, his friends from that team in Vrelo continue to play together in a senior side, which he was involved in setting up.

“We have a club now, which is in the sixth division,” he explains. “We made the club two years ago and only my friends, who played with me when I was young, play for that club. I send them Chelsea kit that I buy in the shop. They have yellow from last year and they have a blue kit too.

“We haven’t lost a game since we made the club. We started in the last

EACH GAME IS A DIFFERENT STORY. OF COURSE, WHEN YOU WIN A LOT OF GAMES IN A ROW YOU HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE BUT, ESPECIALLY IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE, EVERY TEAM IS GOOD

division and we had only wins in our first season. Now we are in the league above and so far we have played 13 games, with 13 wins, so we are first.”

Chelsea are also targeting first place this season and Matic was right at the centre of the 3-4-3 system that took us to the top of the table, before a minor injury sidelined him for our win over Manchester City.

Asked what he believes is behind this great form, he gives a simple response.

“Everyone’s playing good. Everyone’s working hard, every day, so there is no secret. When you give your best, when you are very focused on what the coach wants from you, this is the result.

“But each game is a different story. Of course, when you win a lot of games in a row you have more confidence but, especially in the Premier League, every team is good.

“We had a hard game last month against Middlesbrough, a team that just came up from the Championship. They were a good opponent, a hard opponent and the result was only 1-0, so we know 17

Nemanja Matic

Teaming up with N’Golo Kanté to regain possession against Swansea

THE MIDFIELD HAS TO BRING BALANCE TO THE TEAM. WHEN YOU DEFEND, AND ALSO WHEN YOU ATTACK, YOU ALWAYS NEED TO BE IN A GOOD POSITION TO RECOVER THE BALL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

every game is different and every game is difficult.”

In last month’s issue, his midfield partner N’Golo Kanté discussed the strong understanding the pair have struck up in a relatively short space of time and Matic is equally pleased with the way things are working in the middle of the pitch.

“N’Golo is a great player,” he says. “He runs a lot with the ball, so it’s nice to play with a player like him.

“The midfield has to bring balance to the team. When you defend, and also when you attack, you always need to be in a good position to recover the ball as soon as possible.

“We play two in the middle when we have to make that block, but of course when one of us can use space – depending on which side the ball is – we can go forward.

But this only happens maybe two or three times per game. Most of the time we have to stay and keep the balance for the team.”

The two midfielders are built very differently: one tall and rangy; the other much more compact. Yet both men are incredibly tenacious, harrying their

opponents and forcing them to give up the ball by using whatever advantage their relative physiques give them.

“It doesn’t matter the size, the most important thing is that the player is physically ready and mentally strong,” explains Matic, who has recently had the nickname ‘Octopus’ bestowed upon him.

“Yeah, Hazard calls me Octopus,” he grins, “but only him. It’s because I’m tall and my legs are long and I always catch the ball when we play circle (a training exercise similar to piggy-in-the-middle, or ‘rondo’ that involves the whole squad at once). But Kanté’s not tall and he’s always recovering the ball, so he is also an octopus but a small one!”

At the moment their 16 legs are helping Chelsea to take control of the middle of the pitch as we seek to continue our good form into the busy mid-winter fixture schedule.

With Bournemouth visiting the Bridge on Boxing Day and our involvement in the FA Cup beginning on the weekend of the 7 January, Matic will be hoping he can toast Christmas here and in Serbia with important victories.

19

20

CENTRE Words | Richard Godden

OF ATTENTION

CENTRAL MIDFIELDERS ARE TYPICALLY AT THE HEART OF THE ACTION IN ANY FOOTBALL MATCH, AND THE BEAUTY OF THE POSITION IS THE MYRIAD WAYS IN WHICH IT CAN BE INTERPRETED. OVER THE YEARS WE HAVE SEEN PLENTY OF DIFFERENT VARIATIONS ON THE ROLE HERE AT STAMFORD BRIDGE, SO ALLOW US TO TAKE YOU BACK IN TIME AS WE PICK OUT A FEW WHO WERE HUGELY INFLUENTIAL AS THEY PUT THEIR OWN TWIST ON PERHAPS THE MOST IMPORTANT POSITION ON THE PITCH

21

MIDFIELDERS

KEN ARMSTRONG THE ACTION MAN Before the days of Academies, a footballer’s big break could come in many weird and wonderful ways.

During the Second World War, Ken Armstrong was a star in Army football, the 18-year-old former bank clerk showing maturity beyond his years on the pitch and catching the eye of a team-mate by the name of Lou Ashcroft.

When Ashcroft made a few guest appearances for the Blues, he dropped his comrade-in-arms’ name into conversation and Armstrong was subsequently handed a trial.

Such was the impression he made, even in a 5-0 defeat to West Ham, the club handed him a contract to return to the club after his service to his country had ended.

A £10 signing-on fee proved to be among the most astute purchases in the club’s history as Armstrong went on to appear in 402 matches, setting a club record at the time, many of which came at the base of the midfield – although he

also excelled further forward when called upon.

“Armstrong’s sound positional sense and well-timed tackles broke up many an enemy raid, before he used the ball to set his forwards on the attack,” wrote the late Scott Cheshire, formerly the club’s historian.

A pivotal member of our 1954/55 championship-winning side, Armstrong’s nous wasn’t restricted to the football field. Without the distractions of modern life, away trips were typically filled with card games and he once claimed to have bought a car with his winnings!

TERRY VENABLES THE TACTICIAN

To his old team-mates, it came as little surprise when the midfield schemer and life and soul of the dressing room embarked on a managerial career which saw him lead, among others, Barcelona and his country.

Venner was the on-field tactician of Tommy Docherty’s Diamonds, orchestrating play with his rich array of passing and in-depth tactical knowledge, both of which he distributed lavishly among his team-mates.

He was always one step

22

ahead of the game and it came as little surprise when he was given the captain’s armband by his Scottish manager, who was viewed among the more innovative and forward-thinking bosses in the English game.

Venables would also accompany Docherty on scouting missions.

One example of his outside-the-box thinking came in a Fairs Cup game against Roma. When a free-kick was awarded to the Blues, Venables made a song and dance of counting out 10 yards and then, having reached the wall, spun around to receive the pass before finishing with aplomb.

Unfortunately, his on-field tinkering and larger-than-life personality didn’t always go down well with his manager and a parting of ways became inevitable.

“He was the top man and I think that was the problem at Chelsea because he wanted to be the No1 at the club and Tommy Doc wanted to be as well,” said Frank Blunstone, a former team-mate. “So Tommy got rid of him.”

JOHN HOLLINS THE ALL-ROUNDER Much like those who fail to look past the hard running of N’Golo Kanté, many were also guilty of labelling John Hollins as little more than a workhorse in the Kings of the King’s Road side of the early-Seventies.

He may have had the ‘butter wouldn’t melt’ look of a choirboy, but behind the angelic exterior was a ferocious competitor who also had the technical ability to more than hold his own among one of the most gifted sets of players in the country.

“He frequently joined in the fun himself with solo bursts followed by an often explosive strike on goal,” wrote Cheshire of a man who scored 64 times in just shy of 600 appearances for the Blues. “He was the complete midfield player; never stationary, accompanying his game with high-pitched vocal cries of encouragement throughout the 90 minutes.”

One such “explosive strike” resulted in what some pundits dubbed, perhaps a little overenthusiastically, the Goal of the Century – although it encapsulated Hollins in a nutshell. In a game against Arsenal, he darted onto a long pass forward, cushioning

the ball with one touch and lofting it over the keeper with the next. However, in true What Happened Next style, his shot hit the crossbar, only for the effervescent midfielder to bring down the rebound and fire it into the back of an empty net.

The knowledgeable Chelsea fanbase clearly recognised there was more to Hollins than mere endurance, selecting him as Player of the Year in the 1969/70 and 1970/71 campaigns which both ended with silverware for the club.

ALAN HUDSON THE ARTIST

Type Alan Hudson’s name into Google and the search engine will suggest two additions to this: footballer and magician. Both are applicable to a proper homegrown Chelsea boy who can lay claim to being our most local player, born and raised just up the road from the Bridge in Elm Park Gardens.

On pitches often resembling a Tough Mudder course, Huddy would glide across the surface while the ball remained at his feet like a well-trained dog, only releasing

it to deliver a pass or fire a rasping drive at goal. What’s more, he knew the game inside and out, organising the midfield with the authority of a veteran.

While most tended to focus on his playmaking ability, which it must be said was outrageous, each swing of his right peg was akin to the brushstroke of an artist pouring his life and soul onto the canvas, Hudson also had the subtle movement and acceleration to go past opponents.

“He was quick – he’d drop his shoulder and off he went,” said former Blues midfielder Ray Lewington, who rated Hudson as the finest player in the world when he was a kid. “Those first four or five yards, he’d get away from people; not with a trick, or dribbling around them like Charlie Cooke would, just a drop of the shoulder and get off the other way. He was a strong bloke and over those first few yards, even if you’d read him and gone with him, he had that ability to push you off and carry on.”

23

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MIDFIELDERS

RAY WILKINS THE YOUNG ONE After the Kings of the King’s Road had abdicated the Stamford Bridge throne, Chelsea needed a new saviour – and that man was Ray Wilkins.

The midfield maestro was clearly a diamond in the rough, and manager Eddie McCreadie recognised this by building his side around Butch and appointing him as captain at the tender age of 18, making him the youngest permanent skipper in the club’s history, although John Hollins remains the youngest man to captain Chelsea in a first-team game.

“It raised a few eyebrows,” said McCreadie. “But he was mature for his age and I thought he was very special.”

That he was. Wilkins won the Player of the Year award in 1976 and followed up that honour again as he led the club out of the Second Division, becoming only the second player, after Hollins, to be named POTY in back-to-back seasons.

Although Wilkins is best remembered by the wider footballing public as a defensive

midfielder who usually took the safe option – what England would give for someone like that now – leading to the unfair nickname of ‘The Crab’, at Chelsea he was a completely different proposition.

“Playing as more of a No10, Ray had superb balance, was great with either foot, short or long passing – just an absolute joy to play with,” said former team-mate Clive Walker. “Wherever I went, he seemed to be able to pick me out with a pass.

He could also get in the box and score goals.”

JOHN BUMSTEAD THE EXAMPLE

The best years of Bumstead’s career, of which 13 were spent in Chelsea’s first team, came under the tutelage of John Neal, a man who was economical with his words – and with only seven of them, he provided the perfect description of his loyal central midfielder. “A player’s man and a manager’s dream,” said the Teessider.

When the matchday programme recently ran a regular feature called Team-mates, anyone who played alongside Bunners picked him out as their unsung hero. He was the one who was always there, a selfless box-to-box midfielder who always put the team’s needs before his own, a seven-out-of 10 performer who never let

his standards drop and made those around him look better because of it.

“You could rely on him – he was physically powerful and he could play as well,” recalled Mickey Thomas. “Sat in the dressing room alongside him before a game, you knew once we got out there David Speedie would start the fight and we’d have somebody to clear it up!”

His career seemed to be eternally linked with Leeds United, our old rivals from the 1970 FA Cup final, as he debuted for the club at Elland Road and twice won promotion against them, the second of which, in 1989, also saw him net the winning goal.

The occasional spectacular goal was just an added bonus for a man who could man-mark with the best of them and was constantly on the move. That he only captained the side sporadically mattered little – he led by performance and attitude without the need for a small piece of cloth around his bicep.

25

MIDFIELDERS

DENNIS WISE THE CONVERT

For Dennis Wise to spend the first few years of his Chelsea career stationed on the rightwing was a damning indictment of English football.

Throughout his youth he had always played centrally, but Dave Bassett, his manager at Wimbledon, had moved him out of his preferred role as he felt he had too many touches of the ball! With John Fashanu

and Alan Cork to aim at, perhaps it wasn’t the worst idea to make the most of Wise’s pin-point deliveries as a limited side looked to extract every advantage they could.

But this was a player who had plenty in his locker. As competitive as they come and with a work ethic to match his desire to win, Wise was strong with either foot and blessed with great vision and an ability to drop the ball onto a sixpence.

Put all those attributes together, open up the pitch to him and, as Glenn Hoddle and a succession of other Blues managers

FRANK LAMPARD THE GOAL KING

Chelsea fans have a lot to thank Frank Lampard Sr for.

“I have a striker’s mentality, even though I didn’t play as an out-and-out striker,” said Lampard Jr, Chelsea’s all-time leading goalscorer. “I blame my dad for that – or perhaps a better way of putting it is that I credit my dad for it.

“As a young midfielder he would sometimes criticise me for being content to pass the ball around from within the centrecircle. ‘If you’re going to make real strides, you need to get in the box and score goals,’ he told me. It gave me a real desire to do it.”

While spectacular strikes from outside the box may be the goals you remember from Lamps, a high percentage of his tally of 211 came from inside the penalty area, where he

discovered, you had one heck of a central midfielder. But even with an exceptional Champions League campaign behind him, including a splendid goal in the San Siro against AC Milan, it was still hard to find many who paid enough credit to Wise.

“Dennis Wise was technically superb and I don’t think people always appreciated his quality – they always looked at him as being this Staffordshire bull terrier,” said John Spencer. “But up close and personal, you saw just how good he was; set-pieces, left or right foot, no problem.”

was often the most advanced Chelsea player.

He also took penalties and free-kicks in a bid to satisfy an insatiable appetite for goalscoring.

Perhaps what made Lampard unique in the modern game was that none of the above detracted from his duty to the team. His attitude towards training and his own fitness – thanks again, Frank Sr – meant he was able to get up and down the pitch to ensure his defensive duties were never neglected. Just imagine how many goals he would have finished with had he played as an out-and-out No10...

He was also no flat-track bully, scoring at big moments: the title-winning brace at Bolton, our first-ever goal in a Champions League final, the winner in the 2009 FA Cup final. The list could go on and on.

CLAUDE MAKELELE THE MAKELELE

So good he had a position named after him, the “Makelele role” became a part of the English football lexicon during and beyond the Frenchman’s time in the Premier League.

The former Real Madrid man was, as his first Blues boss Claudio Ranieri described him, the battery in our watch, the man who made the side tick. But it wasn’t until his second season, when José Mourinho took charge and introduced a 4-3-3 formation, that Maka’s quality truly came to the fore.

“It starts with Makelele, who is between the lines,” said the Portuguese tactician.

“If nobody comes to him he can see the whole pitch and has time. If he gets closed

down it means one of the two other central midfielders is open.”

When other clubs attempted to replicate the system to replace their outdated 4-4-2, the tendency was to simply remove a striker and replace him with a third central ballwinner in midfield.

Makelele’s finest ruse was disguising his deep-lying playmaking as that of a midfield destroyer. It took teams the best part of a season-and-a-half to realise they had a far better chance of shutting Chelsea down if they put a man on Maka, but by that time we’d already won a Premier League title and were well on the way to a second...

27

MONTH AHEAD FIXTURES & RESULTS 2016/17

ON THE PITCH

August Mon 15 West Ham United

H 2-1

Sat 20 Watford

A 2-1

Tue 23 Bristol Rovers (EFLC second round)

H 3-2

Sat 27 Burnley

H 3-0

September

DECEMBER

Sun 11 Swansea City

A 2-2

Fri 16

H 1-2

Liverpool

14

Tue 20 Leicester City (EFLC third round)

A 4-2*

Sat 24 Arsenal

A 0-3

Join a trio of former Blues stars for Wherever They May Be at 7.15pm as they report live on all the action from the Stadium of Light.

October Sat 1

Hull City

Sat 15 Leicester City Sun 23 Manchester United

A 2-0 H 3-0 H 4-0

Wed 26 West Ham United (EFLC4)

A

1-2

Sun 30 Southampton

A 2-0

17 DECEMBER

Everton

H

5-0

Sun 20 Middlesbrough

A 1-0

Sat 26 Tottenham Hotspur

H 2-1

December Sat 3

Manchester City

A 3-1

Sun 11 West Bromwich Albion (12noon) BT

H

-

Wed 14 Sunderland (7.45pm)

A

-

Sat 17 Crystal Palace (12.30pm) Sky

A

-

Mon 26 Bournemouth

H

-

Sat 31 Stoke City

H

-

A

-

26 DECEMBER

6-9

Peterborough United/Notts County (FAC3) H -

Sat 14 Leicester City (5.30pm) BT

A

-

Sat 22 Hull City (4.30pm) Sky

H

-

Sat 28 FAC fourth round

- -

Tue 31 Liverpool (8pm) BT

A

-

BOURNEMOUTH (H) – PREMIER LEAGUE In April we made our second trip to Dean Court for a league fixture and the first since 1988. A maiden victory followed, with a brace from Eden Hazard helping us to a 4-1 win.

Jason Cundy and Ben Andrews will be live from the gantry from 2pm for Pre-Match At The Bridge. After live commentary we’ll have post-match analysis.

January Wed 4 Tottenham Hotspur (8pm) Sky

CRYSTAL PALACE (A) – PREMIER LEAGUE Our first Premier League game of 2016 took place at Selhurst Park, when goals from Oscar, Willian and Diego Costa secured a 3-0 victory over the Eagles.

We’ll be on air at 11.30am for this early kick-off, bringing you all the pre-match build-up and team news.

November Sat 5

SUNDERLAND (A) – PREMIER LEAGUE Chelsea have lost only four of our 15 Premier League visits to the Stadium of Light and we once won nine on the bounce at the home of the Black Cats.

31 DECEMBER

STOKE CITY (H) – PREMIER LEAGUE The Blues recorded our record win at the Bet365 Stadium in January 2013, aided by an ‘imperfect’ hat-trick by Jon Walters, who scored two own goals and missed a penalty.

If you miss any of the action over the Christmas week, tune in to our regular highlights show Post-Match Round-Up on Monday 2 January.

February Sat 4

Arsenal

H

-

Sat 11 Burnley

A

-

Sat 18 FAC fifth round

- -

Sat 25 Swansea City

H

-

A

-

H

-

March Sat 4

JANUARY

West Ham United

Sat 11 Watford Sat 11

4

FAC quarter-final

Sat 18 Stoke City

Wherever They May Be begins at 7pm for the first match of 2017.

We’ll have exclusive interviews and all the team news before kick-off.

- A

-

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR (A) – PREMIER LEAGUE Slowly but surely our away league record against Spurs is close to being even – the Blues currently have 23 wins at White Hart Lane compared to 25 for our hosts.

April Sat 1

Crystal Palace

H

-

Wed 5 Manchester City (7.45pm)

H

-

Sat 8

A

-

Sat 15 Manchester United

Bournemouth

A

-

Sat 22 Southampton

H

-

22/23

N -

FAC semi-final

Sat 29 Everton

A

-

6-9 JANUARY

PETERBOROUGH UNITED/NOTTS COUNTY (H) – FA CUP THIRD ROUND The Blues have played Peterborough and Notts County in the FA Cup before. We faced the Posh in 1965 and 2001 and the Magpies in 1955.

As with every first-team match, we will have a full re-run of this FA Cup tie, as well as a variety of highlight packages online.

May Sat 6

H

-

Sat 13 West Bromwich Albion

Middlesbrough

A

-

Sun 21 Sunderland

H

-

Sat 27 FAC final

N

-

Fixtures correct at time of going to press and are subject to change. All games kick off at 3pm unless stated.

N - Wembley Stadium. EFLC - English Football League Cup. FAC - FA Cup. *After extra-time.

28

14

LEICESTER CITY (A) – PREMIER LEAGUE Last term’s 2-1 loss was our first defeat the King Power Stadium since it opened in the summer of 2002.

JANUARY

Wherever They May Be starts at 4.30pm. After live commentary, we will have all the post-match reaction with the manager and players.

chelseafc.com

@chelseafc

OFF THE PITCH

BLUES BIRTHDAYS

21 DECEMBER – FESTIVE FUN DAY Join us for the Festive Fun Day at Stamford Bridge. We’ve got reindeer and penguins, fairground stalls, craft workshops, ice sculpting, competitions and great interactive games for you to test your talents.

Plus, Santa will be greeting visitors to hear all your Christmas wishes.

The event will take place outside the West Stand at Stamford Bridge from 11am to 4pm and is open to all – entry is completely free!

28 DECEMBER – TOUR WITH RON HARRIS No one has appeared in more games for Chelsea than the man who captained us to FA Cup glory in 1970. Join Chopper as he leads you on an unforgettable tour of Stamford Bridge. During the Legends Tour you’ll have the chance spend time with Ron and hear his experiences first hand, as he leads you around the players’ dressing rooms, the press room, the tunnel, the dugout and much more. You’ll also receive a signed personalised photo and there will be a Q&A session. Prices are £50 for adults and spaces are limited, so book online now, call 0371 811 1955 or email tours@chelseafc.com.

Former Union J and I’m A Celebrity star George Shelley is releasing six original songs over a six-week period in the run-up to Christmas – and you can see his inaugural live show at Under The Bridge on Sunday 18 December. Not only has he written all the songs, he’s co-produced all the tracks as well as directed and edited all the videos.

Celebrating their 40th anniversary, Buster Bloodvessel and Bad Manners have sold out their first date at UTB on Friday 16 December, so we’re getting them back a week later. Whether it’s Special Brew, Lip Fatty or Lorraine, they’ll be playing all the anthemic tunes.

For our first performance of 2017 we welcome Lee Fields and The Expressions to Under The Bridge. With a catalogue that ranges from James Brown-style funk to lo-fi blues to contemporary Southern soul to collaborations with French house DJ Martin Solveig, Lee Fields has done it all. Join us on Saturday 14 January.

Visit www.underthebridge.co.uk for more information about all of our upcoming gigs and to book your tickets now.

GARY CAHILL 19.12.85 (31)

FIKAYO TOMORI 19.12.97 (19)

MARCOS ALONSO 28.12.90 (26)

EDEN HAZARD 07.01.91 (26)

ALSO ON There are some cracking shows lined up over Christmas and New Year for Blues fans of all ages to enjoy.

Annual Lunch 2016 Thursday 22 December, 6.45pm An access-all-areas look at the club’s yearly celebration of all things Chelsea, featuring Antonio Conte, Joe Cole and a host of Blues legends.

Academy – Best of 2016 Friday 23 December, 7pm A look back at another record-breaking year for the club’s Academy with continued success in the UEFA Youth League and FA Youth Cup.

Super Frankie Lampard Christmas Eve, 7pm Former team-mates, fans and coaches pay tribute to our record goalscorer and one of the club’s greatest players of all time.

Best of Chelsea Re-seen Wednesday 28 December, 6.45pm A lighter look back at 2016 showcasing some of the best bits from Chelsea TV.

Diego Costa – The Chelsea Years Christmas Day, 7pm A unique insight into the Blues’ cult hero featuring contributions from team-mates, fans and coaches.

Famous Fans – Jimmy White Friday 30 December, 6.45pm The Whirlwind talks about a life supporting Chelsea.

Famous Fans – Justin Rose Tuesday 27 December, 6.45pm The US Open winner and Olympic gold medallist talks about his love affair with the Blues.

Goals of 2016 Tuesday 3 January, 6.45pm A look back at the best Chelsea goals of 2016.

Chelsea TV is available on chelseafc.com with a Fan Club membership. Go to chelseafc.com/join16 for more information on how you can watch Chelsea TV online. You can also watch on television. To join via Sky, call 08442 410 201 or visit www.sky.com/chelseatv.

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Drawing on

EXPERIENCE

A born survivor Words | Richard Godden

Former Blues defender JAKOB KJELDBJERG tells us how playing for Chelsea helped prepare him for a successful career in television as he looks back on his time at Stamford Bridge, including an introduction to English football he will never forget ith your fellow former Blues defender Wayne Bridge recently in the jungle for I’m A Celebrity, we considered this a good time to speak with a man who makes a living hosting a reality TV series...

after a year or two, they asked me to become a presenter. In 1998 I kicked off doing Match of the Day in Denmark, covering the Danish league, the Champions League and national team games. In 2004 I was asked to take over Survivor and I’ve been doing it ever since.

I remember the last time I spoke to the magazine it was an interview with Scott Minto, my old team-mate, and I was presenting the Danish version of Survivor.

I’m still doing that – I’ve just been back in Denmark celebrating the end of my 12th season doing the show. I have been presenting it longer than I played professional football.

I work for the equivalent of ITV in Denmark, TV3, and last year I presented I’m A Celebrity. It was fun to try because I’ve seen a lot of it, particularly the English version. We did it in South Africa.

I actually went on an FA coaching seminar and Mark Hughes was there with me. I must admit I quickly realised on the first or second day it wasn’t for me. I wasn’t dedicated enough to ever make it. But I’ve always said that if you have the slightest interest in finding out about something, try it out. Don’t just say it doesn’t work, give it a try.

It was in November 1996 that I did my first football game as an expert – it was at Stamford Bridge against Newcastle. That shows you how quickly I tried to move on to something different.

W

Would you consider following Wayne’s lead and being a contestant?

Never, ever would I even consider that!

When did you get into TV? In 1996, when I finished playing, I pretty much moved straight into football punditry. I would have only been 27 at that time. Then,

Did you never considering coaching?

Does the name Nils Middelboe mean anything to you?

Nils.... Oh yeah, yeah – I read about the guy!

He was the first one (Dane) at Chelsea in, what, 1910? Eighty years before me. I remember the name. Obviously I never saw him play, but that name was always following me about at Chelsea. I didn’t know what footsteps I had to follow – there was no coverage of him so I couldn’t just put in a DVD to watch him!

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Drawing on EXPERIENCE

In his role hosting the Danish version of Survivor. He is pictured with the latest winner, Henrik Oltmann Andersen

Photographer: Lotta Lemche/TV3

FACTFILE JAKOB KJELDBJERG BORN FREDERIKS, DENMARK DATE OF BIRTH 21.10.69 CHELSEA CAREER 1993-96 CHELSEA APPS, GOALS 66 APPS, 2 GOALS Training at POSITION DEFENDER Harlington in 1985 Were you always going to sign for Chelsea or were there other teams in for you?

I had this very good year playing for Silkeborg and having entered the Danish national team. For me, at a small club in Denmark, it wasn’t like I was getting calls from Real Madrid and Manchester United.

There were a few interested, without it ever becoming too serious, and Chelsea and Glenn Hoddle were the first my agent and I really sensed meant serious business. It happened very quickly.

Which team did you grow up supporting in Denmark?

I was a Liverpool fan, like everyone else. We had one game per week we could watch on TV, and eight out of 10 times it would be Liverpool. I don’t think I ever watched Chelsea before I joined them.

Your debut was a proper introduction to English football against a Wimbledon side with a few traces of the old Crazy Gang remaining...

Exactly. At that time I was strong, Player of the Year in Denmark, so I had a lot of self-confidence. Dennis Wise said to me just before we entered the pitch: “Make sure you put some Vaseline over your eyebrows.”

I thought to myself, “I don’t bloody need that. I’ll jump higher than everybody else!”

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That was the confidence I had. I should have followed Dennis’ advice. All the elbows were flying around. I had to mark John Fashanu, and then I followed in his footsteps by presenting Gladiators in Denmark. It’s a funny world.

Did it feel like a club on the up when you joined us? Glenn was very forward thinking.

Definitely. A lot of credit these days goes to Gullit, Vialli and then later Mourinho, but people have to remember who started it. Glenn arrived with this new way of thinking – not just about football but also behaving, not least outside the pitch. I’m talking about what you eat, more than anything. He taught us a lot about how to look after yourself in that sense. I had a different upbringing to most of my English team-mates. I was used to it because in Scandinavia we’ve always had this knowledge, I suppose, and interest in how you can eat and drink to make the most of it.

No fry-ups with the lads then?

No, but I would have a pint. If we won a match we’d go out and have some pints. I don’t think they do it nowadays and I simply don’t think it is possible to do it in the same way. I must admit, I’m happy I was there at that time, when we could still do that, so I could enjoy a little bit of London and be with

the fans. We’d go to the pub and have a laugh with the supporters.

Pick out your favourite match from your time at Chelsea.

It would have been between the Manchester United or Liverpool games at home in my first season, when we beat them both 1-0. We beat United home and away that season. It was probably those two games that were my best for Chelsea. The best single action I did was at Old Trafford – we were 1-0 up, a Gavin Peacock goal again, and there was a header at goal. Dmitri Kharine was beaten and I just jumped and did this scissor-kick kind of thing. It’s one of the moments I treasure. It’s like a goalscorer scoring a freak goal – for me, this was one of those moments.

Obviously, the Luton semi-final at Wembley was another stand-out game. I knew of the club’s history in the competition.

I also remember the former Chelsea striker, Kerry Dixon, getting a wonderful reception from the fans. That was my best game – we controlled it and it was just a wonderful afternoon.

Gav Peacock would be happy with you for picking these games when he scored!

It’s funny, he wasn’t a goal machine but he was just very clever at finding the right spot at the right moment. He was my room-mate

Jakob Kjeldbjerg

WE’D GO TO THE PUB AND HAVE A LAUGH WITH THE SUPPORTERS Going up against Eric Cantona during the 1994 FA Cup final

most of the time. It was very nice for me, as someone who has never thought only about football, to have someone who is the same. We talked about a lot of other stuff and had some fairly deep conversations – for footballers, at least!

He’s a pastor now.

That doesn’t surprise me after some of the conversations we had. I liked his approach to it, he was very laid-back and didn’t try to influence me or anything, he just gave me a different perspective on life. I really thought that was fascinating and it was good for me.

Football was never meant to be everything in my life.

That way of thinking probably made it easier to accept the end of your playing career.

There is no doubt my approach from football helped me when I had this verdict that my knee was shattered. I was obviously very, very disappointed but soon I started thinking of the options that would create.

Going back to the end of your first season, you scored your first goal for the Blues on the final day to help send Sheffield United down the week before we had the FA Cup final.

I can tell you the real story behind that...

When I said before there weren’t many teams approaching me at the time I joined Chelsea, Sheffield United was in fact one of those who were in for me. There was an approach from them and I thought it was a case of going over there to negotiate a contract. Shortly after, there was another request: “Bring your boots.” My agent told me that meant they wanted me to train to figure out if I was good enough for them to sign me. I thought I didn’t need to do that after winning Player of the Year in Denmark.

So just for a moment I thought it wasn’t right. And this is what I thought about a year later when I was part of the team that sent them down!

We went to Wembley on a high – and then promptly suffered a heavy defeat on a wet and miserable day.

The club had waited forever. It rained so much and was just a horrible day. As lovely as that semi-final against Luton was at Wembley, the final was horrible, although after a while I appreciated we were able to play in it. I think 1-0 would have been a bit 33

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Jakob Kjeldbjerg nicer – 4-0 was a lot to take. We were up against a Manchester United team with the best keeper in the world, many great players, and they’d been in these big finals before. They took their chances – they had that edge.

Do you remember much about the day itself or were you too focused?

I remember a lot. You’re not 100 per cent focused during the day, leading up to it. When we talk about the Wembley cramp, where after five minutes someone is struggling with cramp, that is, I suppose, because you’ve been too tense for too long. I found it extremely intimidating to play at Wembley, almost to the border of being scary because it’s so huge. You really feel you are on the scene at a theatre, that you’re very much under focus. Compare it to Old Trafford, which is not the same for me. Wembley was just very special.

From one low to another – what do you recall about the game against Aston Villa when you last pulled on the Chelsea shirt in a competitive fixture?

(Long pause) I walked off with a knee injury and that was it. I tell you what, I don’t remember it. For me, the beginning of the end of my Chelsea and football career was an injury against Millwall a few months earlier. I remember getting the injury, a dislocated shoulder – I was jumping up for a corner and I got into a sandwich between two Millwall players and fell. I was booed off the pitch! For some reason, I don’t remember walking off against Aston Villa. That’s gone, I don’t remember that. It’s one of those things that has been wiped from my memory, which is possibly a good thing.

How many comebacks did you attempt?

From what I remember, I had three operations on my knee. After the third one we just looked at the scan, there was a massive hole, and that was it. I remember the moment very well. We went to the Harley Street Clinic, myself and Mike Banks, the doctor, a lovely guy, and the surgeon. And the conversation went a little something like, “You’re going to have to start considering what you’ll do after your career.” That was his way of saying the sensible thing would be to pack it in. I remember my conversations with Mike after that – he was very good at putting things in perspective for me, that there are other things in life.

IF YOU’RE NOT 100 PER CENT, YOU LOSE

Being taken off the pitch on a stretcher during our FA Cup fourth round match against Millwall in 1995

Two decades on and you’ve had a successful television career – bet you didn’t see that coming?

No, never. I was never made for that. There is one thing I really regret from my football career. I scored to put us 2-1 up at home to Coventry and I did not celebrate. It wasn’t because I wasn’t happy, it was because I was shy and reserved. It was overwhelming to score at Stamford Bridge and if I could do it again I would go completely and utterly mad. I would celebrate with the fans and with my team-mates.

How would you sum up your time with Chelsea?

Overall it was a wonderful experience, but with massive bumps in the road. I loved the way we were with the fans. I really enjoyed the time with all the staff, the players. And the big headline when I look back is that

it defined my career and possibly me as a person. What I do now and what I did after football, doing television, takes a hell of a lot of self-confidence. There’s no doubt when I work now doing Survivor, I use a lot of what I got during my Chelsea career. It’s basically doing a production and having no hesitation, just going for it 100 per cent. Having played at Chelsea, it was like that as well – if you walk on that pitch and you’re not 100 per cent, you lose. And you can look like a fool.

And still you won’t eat a kangaroo’s testicle on I’m a Celebrity...

I have had a bull’s ball before! That was in Come Dine With Me. I participated in that and I did have to eat one just to show my guests it wasn’t that bad. Yes, I cooked them! I’ve eaten a cockroach as well. It’s not nice, I can’t recommend it! I enjoy asking the contestants to do it, knowing that I don’t have to...

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CLUB AMBASSADOR TORE ANDRE FLO

Beating Man City sends a message as team shines under Conte’s impressive leadership When I last wrote this column in the August edition of Chelsea magazine, I spoke about being excited to see how the team performed under Antonio Conte, so I’m delighted with the way the first four months of the season have gone and it didn’t take long at all for our manager to show his genius.

After losing against Liverpool and Arsenal in September, he changed formation and I think it is quite amazing how quickly the team adapted to that. I have been really impressed with the way the players have performed; from back to front everybody has been excelling.

At the time of going to press, we had just won our eighth consecutive game, beating Manchester City 3-1, and I think that result more than any other has sent out a clear message of intent to all our rivals this season. Man City were many people’s favourites for the title this term, so to go to their stadium and return with three points was a massive result which put us in a great position at the start of December.

I speak from personal experience when I say it is so important for the team to buy into the manager’s ideas and that is clearly what has happened at Chelsea this season.

The players are totally focused on doing a job for their manager, and also for each other which is another key element in any successful side. Winning breeds confidence and, with that, the team spirit grows so you develop a belief you won’t lose games.

The players celebrate our victory over Manchester City

The players definitely won’t be getting carried away because there is such a long way to go, but a run of eight straight wins says all you need to know about the way the players are feeling and they are really working for each other.

It’s been lovely discussing football this season with everybody who has a connection with Chelsea because there is so much positivity about the way we are playing. In the Academy, the coaches always talk about how the first team have been performing and we look to take bits and pieces of it into our coaching.

I am normally with the Under-14s but I’ve been recovering from a hip operation and, while I’m doing that, I’ve been assisting Eddie Newton and Paulo Ferreira in their work and travelling to watch our loan players in action. It’s been really good watching a lot of senior football and I think the club has some big talents within its ranks who are currently playing elsewhere.

WHY I HAVE FOND MEMORIES OF FESTIVE FIXTURES The football calendar is always busy in England at this time of year, and this season is no different with the Manchester City match our first of seven league fixtures in just over a month.

Before I moved to Chelsea, I was accustomed to a winter break, so it was a bit of a shock when I came here and we played so many matches over Christmas.

Saying that, it’s a lovely tradition and you get into it 36

quite quickly. The atmosphere at the matches around this time is special, so it was always nice to be playing.

In my first season, I scored a hat-trick in a 6-1 win at White Hart Lane just before the festive period began and I was on target at Hillsborough a couple of weeks later.

The following season I scored against Spurs again just before Christmas and netted at Southampton on Boxing Day in a match which took us top of the league. And in

1999 I scored twice at the Dell, on Boxing Day again, in a match which was famous because we were the first English team to start with an all-foreign XI. I always seemed to do well over Christmas and they’re some of my fondest memories in a Chelsea shirt. I hope the current team continue their excellent form through Christmas this year and we can start 2017 in a very strong position.

PHOTO ALBUM

38

Victories that hit the spot Our development squad’s Football League Trophy match against Oxford United set a new record for the longest shoot-out in English football history, with our triumph coming after the 34th penalty.

Here, we take a look back at Blues matches settled by spot-kicks

EARLY SIGN OF THE SUCCESS TO COME Salomon Kalou finds the top corner past Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Foster to settle the 2009 Community Shield in our favour at Wembley Stadium. It proved to be a good omen, as we went on to win the Premier League and FA Cup Double for the first time.

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PHOTO ALBUM

40

WINNING WITH 10 MEN

Chelsea’s substitute goalkeeper Ross Turnbull watches the penalty from Fulham’s Bryan Ruiz hit the crossbar during our 2011/12 League Cup fourth-round match at Stamford Bridge. The ball came straight down on the line before bouncing out to give us victory after playing 70 minutes of the tie with 10 men.

SAVING THE DAY

Petr Cech denies Ivica Olic during the 2012 Champions League final shoot-out, allowing us to draw level with Bayern Munich before another save by Cech, this time from Bastian Schweinsteiger, helped us to victory.

WHEELIE IMPRESSIVE

Celestine Babayaro cartwheels across the Stamford Bridge pitch in celebration after a 4-1 shoot-out victory over Blackburn Rovers in the 1997/98 League Cup third round. The Nigerian international didn’t actually take a penalty himself, though, with Frank Leboeuf, Frank Sinclair, Steve Clarke and Mark Nicholls all finding the net.

SPOT-KICK HERO Development squad goalkeeper Bradley Collins shoots from the spot during the record-breaking 13-12 shoot-out win.

Collins emerged as the hero, slotting home his own penalty and immediately saving Oxford’s next effort to bring the Football League Trophy group-stage match to an end.

ON OUR WAY TO WEMBLEY Ipswich’s James Scowcroft feels the pain as Ed de Goey celebrates saving his penalty in the League Cup fifth round. It was our second shoot-out win in that competition in 1997/98 and we went on to lift the trophy at Wembley.

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PHOTO ALBUM

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PRAYING FOR OUR VICTORY

The Chelsea players show their nerves while the man who would settle proceedings, Didier Drogba, calls to a higher power during the penalty shoot-out to decide the 2012 Champions League final against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena.

THANK YOU, STEADY EDDIE

Keeper Eddie Niedzwiecki is mobbed by team-mates and club staff on the Stamford Bridge pitch after his save helped us win a penalty shoot-out for the first time, beating Leicester City in the League Cup on 25 October 1983.

TRIUMPH ON THE TYNE

The two heroes of our 1996 FA Cup third-round replay win at Newcastle United, Ruud Gullit and Kevin Hitchcock, celebrate after the shoot-out triumph. Gullit had scored an 89th-minute equaliser to take the tie to extra-time and Hitchcock made a crucial save to deny Steve Watson from the spot.

HERE WE GO...

Chelsea goalkeeper Eddie Niedzwiecki (right) and West Brom’s Tony Godden, who would later join the Blues, wish each other luck before a penalty shoot-out to decide the Full Members’ Cup southern area final in November 1985. It was Chelsea and Niedzwiecki who came out on top, winning 5-4, and going on to lift the trophy that season.

POINTING THE WAY Vinnie Jones celebrates scoring his penalty as we beat Ipswich in the 1991/92 Full Members’ Cup third round. The shoot-out finished 4-3 to the Blues, but we did not go on to regain the trophy as we lost to Southampton in the southern area final.

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JANUARY

1 JANUARY

After 26 matches without an away victory in all competitions, a run which included the whole of 1993, it took just one day of the new year for the Blues to get back to winning ways on the road.

Swindon Town provided the opposition but goals from Neil Shipperley, Mark Stein (pictured) and Dennis Wise helped us to a 3-1 success. It was the third game in a row in which Stein scored – he would eventually take it to seven, which was a Premier League record at the time.

11 JANUARY

Only one Chelsea player has ever scored six goals in one game: George Hilsdon.

Worksop Town were the visitors to Stamford Bridge for an FA Cup tie but they left having fallen victim to the man known as Gatling Gun, who had marked his Chelsea debut two years earlier with five goals against Glossop. A 9-1 victory remains our highest in a competitive domestic fixture.

12 JANUARY 7 JANUARY

There have been three memorable FA Cup wins over Liverpool in January. Although a 2-1 victory in 1966 and the sensational 4-2 comeback win in 1997 deserve their own write-ups, neither compare with the events of 1978. The Blues were languishing in the Second Division and a third-round tie against the reigning European champions was far from what the doctor ordered. However, Clive Walker netted twice and further goals from Tommy Langley and Steve Finnieston secured the most unlikely of 4-2 victories.

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Just hours after stepping off the plane from Milan, George Weah made a dream start to life on loan at Chelsea by heading a late winner against Tottenham Hotspur – in front of the Shed End, no less! The goal guaranteed the Liberian former World Player of the Year cult hero status at the Bridge and he went on to help us win the FA Cup in the last final held at the old Wembley Stadium.

16 JANUARY

As well as winning numerous individual and team honours during his time at the Bridge, Gianfranco Zola found the back of the net on 80 occasions and scored some of the most breathtaking goals in the club’s history – but none more eye-catching than the effort against Norwich City in the FA Cup. “If you’re looking for the most spectacular it was the goal against Norwich in the FA Cup,” said the man himself of his spectacular mid-air heel flick, which he is pictured celebrating.

29 JANUARY

The Chelsea players of the 1960s were convinced there was a curse as far as the FA Cup was concerned – and in 1966 they may well have had a point when floodlight failure put the kibosh on what would have been a comfortable 2-0 victory over Preston North End. The two sides met again in midweek and the Blues trailed 1-0 going into stoppage time until goals from David Webb (pictured) and Charlie Cooke secured our passage to the fifth round.

27 JANUARY

Nowadays there is typically at least one Premier League game every Sunday, but in 1974 the Blues took part in the first top-flight match played on the last day of the weekend when we travelled to the Victoria Ground. There was added spice, as former Chelsea favourite Alan Hudson (pictured) had only recently left the club for the Potters, and he won a controversial late penalty which Geoff Hurst converted.

30 JANUARY

When the January transfer window was brought into English football in the 2002/03 season, Chelsea opted to stick rather than twist.

That all changed a year later, however, and our first-ever signing in this window was Scott Parker. Arriving from Charlton Athletic, the midfielder won the PFA Young Player of the Year award a few months later and helped us reach the Champions League semi-final.

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MATCH ACTION

chelseafc.com

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MANCHESTER CITY Cahill own goal 45

@chelseafc

CHELSEA Diego Costa 60, Willian 70, Hazard 90

ETIHAD STADIUM

03.12.16, 12.30PM

MANAGER

FIRST-TEAM HEAD COACH

MANCHESTER CITY

CHELSEA

Pep Guardiola

Antonio Conte

1 Claudio Bravo

13 Thibaut Courtois

30 Nicolas Otamendi

28 Cesar Azpilicueta

24 John Stones

30 David Luiz

11 Aleksandar Kolarov

24 Gary Cahill (c)

25 Fernandinho

90+7

15 Victor Moses

8 IIkay Gundogan

7 N'Golo Kanté

15 Jesus Navas

4 Cesc Fàbregas

17 Kevin De Bruyne

3 Marcos Alonso

21 David Silva (c)

11 Pedro

19 Leroy Sane

10 Eden Hazard

10 Sergio Aguero

90+6

19 Diego Costa

22 Gael Clichy

69

42 Yaya Toure

76

72 Kelechi Iheanacho

78

UNUSED SUBS Willy Caballero, Bacary Sagna, Pablo Zabaleta, Fernando

(3-2-4-1)

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8

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3961C 61

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The Blues moved clear at the top of the Premier League standings after producing a clinical counter-attacking display to come from a goal down and defeat Manchester City.

The home side led at the break through an unfortunate own goal by Gary Cahill, who diverted the ball past Thibaut Courtois from a Jesus Navas cross, but the game turned in the space of a few second-half minutes.

After Kevin De Bruyne crashed a shot against the crossbar with the goal at his mercy, Chelsea grabbed an equaliser when Cesc Fàbregas, back in the starting XI, pinged a sumptuous pass onto the chest of Diego Costa and the Blues No19 fired a low shot past Claudio Bravo.

The striker then turned provider 10 minutes later, brilliantly outfoxing Nicolas Otamendi on the halfway line and sending an inch-perfect through-ball for Willian to run clear and finish.

Another breakaway goal in the last minute, this time by the electrifying Eden Hazard, settled the game before City lost their heads in the closing stages. Sergio Aguero was dismissed for a crude lunge on David Luiz, with Fernandinho also given his marching orders when he clashed with Fàbregas in the aftermath of that incident.

Referee: Anthony Taylor

5 7 2 9 14

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Straight red card

Attendance: 54,457

Sent-off for two bookings

First sub

SHOTS ON TARGET SHOTS OFF TARGET OFFSIDES CORNERS FOULS

Second sub

Third sub

4 5 1 2 9

22 Willian

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29 Nathaniel Chalobah

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23 Michy Batshuayi

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MATCH ACTION CHELSEA Pedro 45, Moses 51

2-1

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR Eriksen 11

STAMFORD BRIDGE

26.11.16, 5.30PM

FIRST-TEAM HEAD COACH

MANAGER

Antonio Conte

Mauricio Pochettino

CHELSEA

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

13 Thibaut Courtois

1 Hugo Lloris (c)

28 Cesar Azpilicueta

2 Kyle Walker

30 David Luiz

15 Eric Dier

24 Gary Cahill (c)

5 Jan Vertonghen

15 Victor Moses

27 Kevin Wimmer

7 N'Golo Kanté

12 Victor Wanyama

21 Nemanja Matic

19 Mousa Dembele

3 Marcos Alonso

23 Christian Eriksen

11 Pedro

20 Dele Alli

10 Eden Hazard

7 Heung-Min Son

19 Diego Costa

10 Harry Kane

22 Willian

76

29 Harry Winks

65

2 Branislav Ivanovic

80

14 Kevin Nkoudou

72

8 Oscar

83

9 Vincent Janssen

83

UNUSED SUBS Asmir Begovic, Nathaniel Chalobah, Cesc Fàbregas, Michy Batshuayi

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Conceding a first Premier League goal in over 10 hours was not enough to prevent Chelsea making it seven top-flight wins on the spin after a fine comeback over our London rivals.

The Blues haven’t been beaten by Spurs at Stamford Bridge since 1990, but that 26-year run looked to be under threat during a bright opening by the visitors which was rewarded with a goal when Christian Eriksen’s fierce drive from outside the box swerved past Thibaut Courtois.

Although the Blues took our time to get a foothold in the game, we were level by the half-time break thanks to an equally impressive strike by Pedro. Afforded far too much time and space on the edge of the box, the Spaniard curled home a sumptuous effort to score for the third consecutive home game.

The decisive strike wasn’t long in arriving after the interval as Victor Moses netted yet another crucial goal. As Diego Costa drove into the box and fired a low cross through the area, Moses was left free to run into space and slot the ball past Hugo Lloris to ensure our fine run continued.

Referee: Michael Oliver

Attendance: 41,513

5 3 3 3 13

SHOTS ON TARGET SHOTS OFF TARGET OFFSIDES CORNERS FOULS

6 5 3 8 16

UNUSED SUBS Michel Vorm, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Kieran Trippier, Joshua Onomah

(4-2-3-1)

1 2

15

5

12

19

27

20

23

7

10

3070C 9

HEADED CLEARANCES

21

chelseafc.com

0-1

MIDDLESBROUGH

@chelseafc

CHELSEA Diego Costa 41

RIVERSIDE STADIUM

20.11.16, 4PM

MANAGER

FIRST-TEAM HEAD COACH

MIDDLESBROUGH

CHELSEA

Aitor Karanka

Antonio Conte

26 Victor Valdes

13 Thibaut Courtois

17 Antonio Barragan

28 Cesar Azpilicueta

25 Calum Chambers

30 David Luiz

6 Ben Gibson (c)

24 Gary Cahill (c)

2 Fabio Da Silva

15 Victor Moses

8 Adam Clayton

7 N'Golo Kanté

37 Adama Traore

21 Nemanja Matic

14 Marten de Roon

3 Marcos Alonso

34 Adam Forshaw

11 Pedro

21 Gaston Ramirez

10 Eden Hazard

10 Alvaro Negredo

19 Diego Costa

19 Stewart Downing

70

29 Nathaniel Chalobah

79

11 Viktor Fischer

73

2 Branislav Ivanovic

89

7 Grant Leadbitter

89

8 Oscar

90+2

UNUSED SUBS Brad Guzan, Bernardo Espinosa, Emilio Nsue, Jordan Rhodes

(4-1-4-1)

26 17

25

6

2

8 37

14

34

21

10

5842C 42

Goal

POSSESSION %

Own goal

Booked

Diego Costa’s 10th Premier League goal of the season moved Chelsea to the top of the table as we won for the sixth straight game without conceding.

Middlesbrough had lost each of their previous six matches against us without finding the back of the net, so it always looked a tall order for the newly promoted side to get back into the game from the moment our No19 opened the scoring with a typically opportunistic finish.

Victor Valdes had already denied Pedro with a fine fingertip save at the end of a flowing build-up, but there was little he could do to keep out Diego Costa’s close-range effort shortly before the break.

It was an instinctive goal by the Spanish international, who reacted quickest to stab home the loose ball with his left foot when a corner kick was headed up in the air.

Marcos Alonso almost added a second shortly after the interval and Pedro went even closer when he hit the crossbar following another well-crafted move, but Boro offered little in attack as we moved a point clear at the top of the standings.

Referee: Jon Moss

Attendance: 32,704

1 7

SHOTS OFF TARGET OFFSIDES

58

Straight red card

SHOTS ON TARGET

2 13 Sent-off for two bookings

First sub

CORNERS FOULS

Second sub

Third sub

3 6 1 3 10

UNUSED SUBS Asmir Begovic, John Terry, Cesc Fàbregas, Michy Batshuayi

(3-4-2-1)

13 30

28 7

15

24 21

11

3 10

19

7228C 80

COMPLETED PASSES IN ATTACKING THIRD

208

49

PIC OF THE MONTH

3 December

BRAZILIAN DUO’S MARK OF RESPECT David Luiz and Willian pay tribute to the players and staff from Brazilian club Chapecoense who died in a plane crash in Colombia. Willian scored our second to give us the lead in a thrilling match against Manchester City, with the Blues going on to complete a memorable 3-1 victory at the Etihad Stadium. All Premier League players wore black armbands that weekend and the Brazilian duo displayed theirs to the Blues fans as a mark of respect. “I want to dedicate this win to the people who died,” said David Luiz. “It was a difficult week emotionally as I had some friends there. We just need to pray for the families from our heart because this is a difficult moment for everybody.”

50

51

MONTH NUMB3RS IN

Looking through the stats at play

We have won more Premier League games against Tottenham than any other opponent.

Only six of the 23 players Tottenham have used this season were alive when they last won at the Bridge.

Nemanja Matic played his 100th Premier League match for the Blues in our 1-0 win at Middlesbrough.

Gary Cahill made his 200th start for the Blues in our 2-1 win over Tottenham.

Our unbeaten run at home to Tottenham now stands at 30 games (20 wins, 10 draws). Spurs last won at Stamford Bridge in February 1990.

At Middlesbrough, Eden Hazard made his 150th Premier League appearance. Willian also made his 150th appearance for the club when he came off the bench against Tottenham.

52

Chelsea achieved eight consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since 2010.

Against Tottenham, we started with the same starting XI for the sixth consecutive league game, the first time we have done that in the Premier League.

After our 5-0 win over Everton, we extended our unbeaten home Premier League run against the Toffees to 22 games.

Chelsea have the best away record in the Premier League over the 2016 calendar year to date, winning 36 points from a possible 51 on the road.

Our win at Boro made it the 10th time in Premier League history a club has won six or more games without conceding, and Chelsea are responsible for half of those runs.

We kept a sixth successive clean sheet in the league in our 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough. The last time we did that was in 2010.

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT

Chelsea and Oxford United set a new record for the longest penalty shoot-out in the history of English football after 34 spot-kicks in our Checkatrade Trophy match at Stamford Bridge. Our first-team penalty shoot-out record is 14, in the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow.

1

Ike Ugbo

1

Chris Maguire

2

Ola Aina

2

John Lundstram (saved)

3

Fankaty Dabo

3

Kane Hemmings

4

Marco van Ginkel (hit post)

4

Joe Rothwell

5

Kurt Zouma

5

Marvin Johnson

6

Bradley Collins (saved)

6

Wes Thomas (over bar)

7

Mukhtar Ali

7

Joe Skarz

8

Jacob Maddox

8

Phil Edwards

9

Josimar Quintero

9

Curtis Nelson

10 Josh Grant (saved)

10 Aaron Martin (saved)

11 Joseph Colley

11 Simon Eastwood

12 Ike Ugbo

12 Chris Maguire

13 Ola Aina (saved)

13 John Lundstram (saved)

14 Fankaty Dabo

14 Kane Hemmings

15 Marco van Ginkel

15 Joe Rothwell

16 Kurt Zouma

16 Marvin Johnson

17 Bradley Collins

17 Wes Thomas (saved)

* Stats correct up to 07.12.16 53

T F I G S A M T S I R H C T PERFEC

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Words | Dominic Bliss

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN BLUE

Having risen through the Chelsea age groups themselves before having to pursue careers elsewhere, many of our former youth players have since returned to the club to pass on their experience to the next generation, offering a valuable perspective on what it takes to succeed “I was 28 a couple of weeks ago and I worked out I’ve been at Chelsea for 60 per cent of my life,” says Jack Francis as he takes a seat in the Academy canteen.

He is one of 11 former Chelsea youth players who didn’t make the breakthrough into the first team here but have since returned to work in the Academy after deciding to pursue careers in coaching or as backroom staff. Now they are in a position

to pass on their experience to the next generation and continue to work within football, despite having had to make the tough decision to hang up their boots – professionally, at least.

As lifestyle and mentoring officer for the club’s youngsters, Francis has a rare insight into the challenges they face and the support they will need as they develop as footballers and young men. After all, it wasn’t so long

ago that he was in their position, having joined the club as a seven-year-old and played here until he was released at the age of 16.

“When I was told the decision, of course I was upset, but I wasn’t so blasé I didn’t see it coming,” Francis says of his departure from Chelsea just over a decade ago. “I had a really good spell at 14 or 15, when I thought I was progressing nicely. Then there were a 55

ACADEMY

Lifestyle and mentoring officer Jack Francis

few changes in the Academy – for the better – and I recognised I probably wouldn’t get an opportunity here. I was actually released along with Andy King and we went to Leicester together the next week. He has never looked back and is still at Leicester, while I’ve had a lot of clubs since.

“At Scunthorpe I lived in a tin house, with four other lads and, God bless her soul, an old Scottish lady called Betty looked after us – she’s passed away now, but she was brilliant, a typical digs lady. I was living away from home, in a totally different town – the people, the culture, the expectation, the life – all of it was totally different.

“The football was up and down. I was lucky enough to make one first-team appearance for Scunthorpe, when I was 17.

Then, I suppose, financially and in terms of development, you have to be ready to go into the first team because everything costs money. But they didn’t see me as being ready. So I came home.”

After playing a bit of non-league football for Hampton and Richmond FC, Francis came face to face with the realities of adult life. He needed to make a living, and he began to pursue a new career in IT sales on the recommendation of his cousin. It looked as though he would have to settle for a life outside professional football, but then a chance meeting around Christmas 2010 changed everything.

“I bumped into Neil Bath and a few of the 56

James Simmonds now coaches our Under-15s

LOOKING AT IT NOW FROM THE POINT OF VIEW OF A MEMBER OF STAFF, I REALISE I DIDN’T APPRECIATE, AS A PLAYER, HOW MUCH PEOPLE DO FOR YOU. NOW, FROM THIS ANGLE, I CAN SAY TO THE BOYS, ‘YOU HAVE GOT SO MANY EXPERTS WHO JUST WANT WHAT’S BEST FOR YOU’ Jack Francis

chelseafc.com

guys from the Academy at a bar in Surbiton after their Christmas do had been snowed off,” he says, with a little laugh. “I’d always kept in contact with Neil but only on a ‘How are you?’ basis, but I saw him that night with some of the guys, we got chatting and he said, ‘Come in for a bit of lunch and we’ll talk about what you want to do.’”

The following month, Francis started a job with the club he had left just a few years earlier. Initially, he worked abroad, coaching at Chelsea Foundation projects in New Zealand and the United States before returning to Cobham in 2012 to take on his current role.

“Looking at it now from the point of view of a member of staff, I realise I didn’t appreciate, as a player, how much people do for you. You used to go training, have a strength conditioner take you for a warm-up or a gym session, and you enjoyed it, but you enjoyed it because you were playing football. Now, from this angle, I can say to the boys, ‘You have got so many experts who just want what’s best for you.’”

Francis should know. He originally joined Chelsea as a seven-year-old, when training sessions were held in Battersea Park prior to the Academy’s move to Cobham.

“That crew from the Under-8s, as we were then, used to kick around with the Under-16s, warming up together, and then

I LEARNED SO MUCH FROM COACHES AS A KID AND I’M STILL LEARNING FROM THEM NOW. IT MAKES LIFE EASIER HAVING PEOPLE HERE THAT YOU’VE KNOWN FOR SO LONG, BECAUSE THAT BUILDS UP TRUST. YOU NEED THAT IN AN ORGANISATION

James Simmonds

@chelseafc

there used to be a ‘skill of the night’, and everyone would come together to learn the skill. It’s great the coaches from back then are still around today, like Frank O’Brien, Paul Waldron and Neil Bath.”

The names of such long-standing Academy coaches come up again and again in conversation with the ex-players they now work alongside. These are the men who not only helped them to develop as young footballers, but also helped them to settle into their new roles. They have gone from teachers to colleagues, but they remain mentors, as James Simmonds, another former Academy player who now coaches the Under-15s, confirms.

“I’ll be honest with you, in my first year I still looked at them as my coaches!” he admits.

“It took a while for me to get used to that, but now we’re so tight. I learned so much from them as a kid and I’m still learning from them now. We can bounce ideas off them and it’s great, to be honest with you. It makes life easier having people here that you’ve known for so long, because that builds up trust. You need that in an organisation.”

Simmonds has witnessed the transformation of Chelsea’s Academy first hand, having seen the investment in youth development since Roman Abramovich bought the club in 2003. He was midway Simmonds as a Chelsea youth player in 2005/06

57

Ed Brand now works with our Under-18s side

ACADEMY

DEVELOPMENT SQUAD Date Opposition Res AUGUST Sun 14 Sunderland A 1-1 Mon 22 Liverpool H1 4-1 Sun 28 Manchester United A 1-1 SEPTEMBER Fri 9 Tottenham Hotspur H3 3-1 Tue 13 Swindon Town (EFLT Group C South) A 1-2 Mon 19 Reading A 1-2 Fri 23 Arsenal H3 1-2 OCTOBER Fri 14 Leicester City H1 0-0 Tue 18 Exeter City (EFLT Group C South) A 2-3 Mon 24 Derby County H1 2-2 Mon 31 Everton A 1-1 NOVEMBER Tue 8 Oxford United (EFLT Group C South) H3 1-1# Mon 21 Southampton H2 3-2 Sat 26 Manchester City A 2-2 Tue 29 Feyenoord (PLIC Group D) H1 2-1 DECEMBER Fri 9 Manchester United H1 Fri 16 Dinamo Zagreb (PLIC Group D) H1 Thu 22 Swansea City (PLIC Group D) H1 JANUARY Fri 6 Tottenham Hotspur (12.05pm) A Fri 13 Leicester City A Fri 27 Arsenal (1pm) A FEBRUARY Fri 3 Reading H1 Fri 17 Manchester City H1 MARCH Mon 6 Southampton (7pm) A Sun 12 Liverpool (1.05pm) A APRIL Fri 7 Sunderland H1 Fri 21 Everton H1 MAY Fri 5 Derby County A All games kick off at 7.05pm unless stated.

H1 - Aldershot Town FC. H2 - Cobham Training Ground.

H3 - Stamford Bridge. EFLT - English Football League Trophy.

PLIC - Premier League International Cup. #Won 13-12 on penalties after 90 minutes.

APPEARANCES 2016/17 Mount 13+2, T Chalobah 13, J Dasilva 13, Tomori 12, Ugbo 11+3, Collins 11, Sterling 10+3, Scott 9+1, Dabo 9, Quintero 8+3, Christie-Davies 6+2, Colley 6+2, Ali 5+3, Wakefield 4+4, Sammut 4+2, Van Ginkel 4, Zouma 4, Maddox 3+4, Clarke-Salter 3, Muheim 2+3, Colkett 2+1, Aina 2, Baxter 2, Solanke 2, Batshuayi 1, Beeney 1, Eduardo 1, Fàbregas 1, James 1, Terry 1, Taylor-Crossdale 0+3, St Clair 0+2, Grant 0+1

GOALS 2016/17 Ugbo 6, Sterling 3, Batshuayi 2, J Dasilva 2 (2 pens), Mount 2, Quintero 2, Tomori 2, Ali 1, Christie-Davies 1, Scott 1, Van Ginkel 1, Wakefield 1, own goal 1

Ike Ugbo

PREMIER LEAGUE 2 - DIVISION 1 Team

1 Everton

2 Man City

3 Liverpool

4 Arsenal

5 Sunderland

6 Chelsea

7 Southampton

8 Man Utd

9 Leicester

10 Reading

11 Derby

12 Tottenham

Pld W D L GD Pts 11 7 2 2 +15 23 11 6 3 2 +7 21 11 6 2 3 +10 20 11 5 1 5 +1 16 11 4 4 3 -2 16 11 3 6 2 +4 15 11 4 3 4 -1 15 11 3 5 3 -3 14 11 3 3 5 -4 12 11 3 2 6 -8 11 11 2 3 6 -9 9 11 2 2 7 -10 8

PLIC GROUP D Team

1 Swansea City

2 Chelsea

3 Dinamo Zagreb

4 Feyenoord Stats correct up to and including 07.12.16

58

Pld W D L GD Pts 2 1 1 0 +2 4 1 1 0 0 +1 3 1 0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0 2 -3 0

through his time at Chelsea at that point, having first arrived at the club aged nine in 1996. He eventually made his way through the age groups all the way to the reserve team, by which time he was on a professional deal.

“I was from west London so it was local for me,” he says. “When I first started, I used to turn up at Harlington and everyone would be wearing all sorts of different kit. It was just totally different to what it is now, so I’ve seen it all change.

“Then, when I was about 13 or 14 years old, it got moved to Battersea. From there I went back to Harlington, where I did the first year of my YT and then came the big move to Cobham, so I experienced it all.

“After my scholarship, I was given a pro contract but at the end of that I was told I wasn’t going to break into the first team, so there was no foreseeable future for me here.

I left Chelsea at 21 and went to play for a bit out in Spain, before coming back and going into semi-pro football in the Conference South. That’s when I realised I had to think about doing something on the side.”

Simmonds succeeded in getting work for a company who filmed training drills and

I GET SO MUCH ENJOYMENT AND PASSION OUT OF DOING THIS NOW, AND IT’S A DIFFERENT SORT OF SATISFACTION WHEN YOU GET A GOOD RESULT Ed Brand

chelseafc.com

practice sessions from top academies around the world and made them accessible to subscribers online. The skills he learned from that role, he explains, helped him to secure a full-time job as a coach at Chelsea.

“Part of my job there was to liaise with Chelsea, doing some filming and getting some footage here at Cobham,” he tells us. “So every now and then, while I was based here, I would help out with coaching sessions when I was free.

“Neil Bath saw I was doing that and saw potential in me, so when an assistant role came up with the Under-12s age group, he said to me, ‘We can use your skills with filming, editing and analysis in the Academy and also take you on board as a coach.’

“So I came in here permanently then, and combined those two roles, and that’s how it all started. Being someone who had been involved with the Chelsea Academy previously, for over 10 years, I knew what was expected, I knew the culture.”

Knowing the culture is important. A combination of ex-Academy players, longterm Chelsea youth coaches and former firstteam players help to maintain a philosophy that runs through the club. However, the Academy does not stand still and the set-up is burgeoned by experienced coaches and development staff brought in from elsewhere for their expertise and knowledge. All this ensures that the Academy has a clear idea of where it has come from and where it is going.

Brand during his playing days

@chelseafc

“One hundred per cent, that is the environment Neil wants to create here,” confirms Under-18s assistant coach Ed Brand, who captained the youth team himself 10 years ago.

“As a player, there are so many people in the building you can tap into, who have got different levels of experience and different things they can relate to. People like me, Joe (Edwards) and Simmo (James Simmonds) have all been through the system ourselves, while Jody (Morris) and Jon (Harley) have done that, but also gone on and represented our first team.

“Then the likes of Adi (Viveash) have had good careers in the game and they can draw on that experience. So, I think it’s definitely a conscious staffing structure that Neil has tried to create here and I also think it’s something we’re proud of here in the Academy.”

Brand, like Simmonds, moved abroad to pursue his career after being released by Chelsea, before returning to take up a career in coaching.

“At Under-16s level, I got offered a scholarship, played in, and was lucky enough to captain the youth team under Steve Clarke and Brendan Rodgers, as well as playing a few times for the reserves, although not as much as I would have liked to,” he says, taking up the story.

“In that period I played for England Under17s and was doing alright, but when my scholarship was coming to an end I didn’t After coming through the ranks at Chelsea, Joe Edwards is now mentoring a number of our young players who are out on loan

59

01073

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CHRISTMAS GIFT MEMBERSHIP PACKS NOW AVAILABLE THE PERFECT CHRISTMAS PRESENT! All membership tiers include priority access to match tickets Adults from £25 / Kids from £20

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ACADEMY

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Jody Morris came through the Academy and now coaches the Under-18

@chelseafc

UNDER-18s Date Opposition Res AUGUST Sat 13 Fulham H 3-2 Sat 20 Southampton A 2-3 Fri 26 Swansea City H 5-0 SEPTEMBER Sat 10 Norwich City A 4-5 Sat 17 Arsenal H 4-2 Sat 24 Aston Villa A 1-1 OCTOBER Sat 1 West Ham United H 1-0 Sat 15 Reading H 2-0 Sat 22 Tottenham Hotspur A 1-1 Sat 29 Leicester City H 2-0 NOVEMBER Fri 4 Brighton & Hove Albion A 3-1 Sat 19 Southampton H 4-1 Sat 26 Fulham A 2-0 DECEMBER Sat 3 Arsenal A 2-2 Sat 10 Norwich City H Tue 13 Cardiff City (FA Youth Cup 3, 7.05pm) H1 JANUARY Sat 7 Swansea City A Sat 14 Aston Villa (12.05pm) H Sat 28 Tottenham Hotspur H FEBRUARY Sat 4 Reading A Sat 11 Leicester City (12noon) A Sat 18 Brighton & Hove Albion H Sat 25 West Ham United A MARCH Sat 11 Merit Group Round 1 - Sat 18 Merit Group Round 2 - APRIL Sat 1 Merit Group Round 3 - Sat 8 Merit Group Round 4 - Sat 22 Merit Group Round 5 - Sat 29 Merit Group Round 6 - MAY Sat 13 Merit Group Round 7 - All home games kick-off at 11.05am and away games 11am unless stated. H1 - Aldershot Town FC.

DIED IN THE WOOL Eleven former Chelsea youth players who didn’t manage to make the breakthrough to the first team now work with our current crop of youngsters.

APPEARANCES 2016/17 McCormick 13, Taylor-Crossdale 13, Grant 12, C Dasilva 10+2, St Clair 10+1, James 9+5, Uwakwe 9+2, Gallagher 8+6, Guehi 8+1, Maddox 8, Nartey 7+1, Cumming 7, G McEachran 6+3, Castillo 5+6, Hudson-Odoi 5+2, Colley 5, C Brown 4+8, Thompson 4, Bulka 2, Mount 2, Sterling 2, Ugbo 2, Medley 1+1, Baxter 1, T Chalobah 1

GOALS 2016/17 Taylor-Crossdale 13 (3 pens), C Brown 5, St Clair 5, Hudson-Odoi 2, McCormick 2, Ugbo 2, Uwakwe 2, own goal 2, Guehi 1, G McEachran 1, Nartey 1

JOE EDWARDS

Harvey St Clair

LOAN PLAYER TECHNICAL COACH

ED BRAND

UNDER-18S ASSISTANT COACH

JACK FRANCIS

LIFESTYLE AND MENTORING OFFICER

JAMES SIMMONDS UNDER-15S COACH

JAMES RUSSELL GOALKEEPER COACH

YVES MAKALAMBAY GOALKEEPER COACH

TOM HOWARD UNDER-8S COACH

SAM HURRELL

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE CO-ORDINATOR AND ACADEMY COACH

TOM BIRD

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

ANDY ROSS

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

ALASTAIR GORDON

DEVELOPMENT CENTRE COACH

U18 PREMIER LEAGUE - SOUTH Team

1 Chelsea 2 Reading 3 Tottenham 4 West Ham 5 Arsenal 6 Aston Villa 7 Norwich 8 Fulham 9 Southampton 10 Brighton 11 Leicester 12 Swansea

Pld W D L GD Pts 14 9 3 2 +18 30 15 9 2 4 +4 29 15 7 3 5 +13 24 14 7 3 4 +8 24 13 6 5 2 +12 23 13 5 4 4 -6 19 14 5 3 6 +4 18 14 4 4 6 -1 16 14 3 5 6 -10 14 13 2 4 7 -13 10 13 2 3 8 -15 9 12 1 5 6 -14 8

Fixtures correct at time of going to press.

get a pro deal, so I went to America, at 18, for four years.

“When my time in America was coming to an end I got an email from Neil Bath, asking if I’d be interested in coming back and doing a little bit of coaching and some other stuff here on an intern type of basis. I jumped at the chance to come back and I’ve just been working my way through my coaching progression for the last seven or eight seasons.

“I like to think I’ve always been reasonably mature for my age and coaching was something I was always going to be interested in at some point. I didn’t want to do it at 22, when I wanted to kick on with my playing career, but that didn’t work out so I got into it earlier, and I’ve loved it.”

But you are left with a nagging question.

Does he miss playing?

“Not as much as I initially did,” says Brand, who was a commanding centre-back in his younger days. “Me and Jody will join in training every now and then. You still get that competitiveness, you want to win and you get that mentality straight away, but this is my eighth season as a coach now and, although I’m only 29, that itch of wanting to play has subsided a lot more because I’m so into my coaching.

“I get so much enjoyment and passion out of doing this now, and it’s a different sort of satisfaction when you get a good result. So I’m happy with what I’m doing now. I always knew I wanted to get my badges and be a coach, so when Neil had that offer for me it was a no-brainer. To work at Chelsea Football Club, I came back straight away.”

Stats correct up to and including 03.12.16

61

ACADEMY INTERVIEW

TARIQ UWAKWE D.O.B. 19.11.99 BIRTHPLACE London POSITION Midfielder

The England youth international on the progress he is making, finding a settled position and his hopes for the future

How do you feel the first few months of the season have gone for you?

It’s been a bit up and down because there have been good moments and bad moments, but getting a call-up for the England Under-18s in November probably brought out my confidence a bit more, and it’s allowed me to push on from there.

You sound like you’re quite hard on yourself.

Maybe! I’d say I’m one of my harshest critics. I always want to improve, I always want to be doing well.

What do you think is the main reason behind the success of our recent youth sides?

It’s hard to say. I’d probably say the training because we work so hard every day, just putting in extra work because we really want it. We just really want to win – there’s that winning mentality and that’s what it’s all about. Sometimes you just have that and others maybe don’t. Some people may go hiding if the game’s not going their way, but here everyone just always wants to impress and do well. It’s just in the atmosphere at the club.

A good number of the boys coming through the Academy have been here for many years now. Does that give you an extra sense of pride?

When you have got a great relationship with the people around you, it’s easier to play. I’ve been here for so long – it’s a great place to be.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek is one of the players I look up to the most. I’ve seen him playing here since he was really young and he’s accomplished a lot, he’s really done well. He’s maybe four years older 62

than me and I really aspire to be like him.

This season and last season, more players have started pushing up to the first team and it’s really boosted my self-confidence. I can see there is a path and if I keep pushing, hopefully one day it’ll come.

You sound like you are always looking to progress, but looking back for a moment, how did you start playing football in the first place?

When I was about four, my dad used to take me and my brother to his local games and we just used to kick the ball about while he was playing. I used to love just running around with the ball and then, at about the age of five, I played for my first team with my brother. They were an Under-9s team called Junior Lions, based around Tottenham, not too far from Edmonton. It all started there and I’ve been playing football ever since.

Do you remember when you were spotted by Chelsea?

I must have been about seven and we were playing in a tournament. I think I was playing a year group older, and after the tournament my dad told me he’d received a card from a scout saying he wanted him to bring me down to Chelsea.

How did you feel at that moment?

I was just buzzing! At the time I didn’t really know how big it was but I just wanted to play football.

Photo: Mark Sandom

chelseafc.com

@chelseafc

Uwakwe is aiming to increase his goal tally this season

Have you always been a midfielder?

Did many of your current team-mates arrive here at the same time as you?

There were a couple that played in the same Sunday League team as me.

One has moved on now but the other was Martell Taylor-Crossdale. When we came here, that’s when everybody came together really and, from there, we haven’t really split apart.

Coming through the age groups here, you will have played in a 4-3-3, a 4-23-1 and now a midfield diamond, not to mention those occasions we’ve used a back three. How much has that helped you?

I’m quite a versatile player so changing the system doesn’t really affect me too much – I don’t really mind it. You get a better understanding of the game when you’re playing in different formations.

The diamond has worked really well so far, and we’ve won a lot of games with it this season, so we are just going to try and continue that way.

The aim in a diamond is to control the middle of the pitch, then when it goes out wide shuffling the whole team over, and being ready to get back in position quickly when we lose the ball so we can pounce on the counter.

I THINK I GOT 12 OR 13 GOALS LAST SEASON AND I JUST LOVE IT WHEN THE BALL HITS THE BACK OF THE NET. I ALWAYS WANT THAT FEELING

At what age did you start viewing the game through tactical eyes?

I would say more so this season. I looked at it a bit last season when I was in the Under16s and coming through to play Under-18s sometimes, but I’ve thought about it a lot more this season. When I’m watching the development squad play – and sometimes we might get the call-up to play with them – they have to know exactly what to do straight away, in any situation.

Over the years I have played in so many positions. I’ve been left-back, left-wing, midfield, sometimes centre-back, but I always knew I was a midfielder and last season I had a conversation with the coaches where we agreed that was my position. Since that chat, I’ve always played in midfield.

What aims have you set yourself for this season?

I want to push for getting at least 10 goals.

I want to get into double figures because I really think I’ve got good technique in front of goal, I’ve scored a few and I just need to make sure I can carry that on and start scoring more goals. I also want to keep pushing to get into the older age groups and get some game time there as well.

Well, everyone loves a goalscoring midfielder. Have you always played in that sort of role?

That’s something I’ve always brought to the game. I think I got 12 or 13 goals last season and I just love it when the ball hits the back of the net. I always want that feeling.

Interview | Dominic Bliss 63

LADIES

BLUES MOVE TO SNAP UP TRIO Chelsea Ladies have made a huge statement of intent ahead of the start of the new season in March, signing two world-class players and acquiring one of Scotland’s top youngsters.

Ramona Bachmann, Maren Mjelde and Erin Cuthbert have all been added to the impressive array of talent already plying their trade at Wheatsheaf Park, underlining the Blues’ desire to lift silverware once again after some near misses in the 2016 season.

Mjelde was the first signing to be announced, joining us from Avaldsnes IL in Norway and bringing a wealth of experience to central areas both defensively and in midfield.

“This is exactly the right type of leader, with the know-how and ability to influence

Ramona Bachmann in action for Switzerland against hosts Canada in the 2015 Women’s World Cup

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games,” said manager Emma Hayes. “She’s a coach’s dream. She’s played and captained in Germany at Potsdam and she’s a leader for her country – with more than 100 caps for Norway she’s earned the trust and respect of the national team.

“She’s played at a very high level for such a long time and she’s ready for Chelsea.

She’s at the right age, she’s got the right experience, the right pedigree, and I think she’ll elevate our team to another level.”

As well as joining a club looking to elevate itself among Europe’s elite, Mjelde also knows she is arriving in a league which is on the up.

“I’ve played in Germany and I’d say right now that’s probably the best league, but I think the WSL will keep getting better and

it will be the first league in Europe in some years,” she said. “Of course it will be a big step for me coming from Norway, but that’s what I want.

“Now I’m 27 years old – I feel grown up this time and ready to take this step. I always give 100 per cent and I am a stable player. I always perform well, I think. Now I want to take a new step in my career to become a better player and I think Chelsea is the right place to be.”

At the start of December, the Blues also announced the imminent arrival of Bachmann, who was a Champions League finalist with Wolfsburg last term.

The Swiss international, who can operate out wide or through the middle, has scored 39 international goals in just 67 appearances

chelseafc.com/ladies

@chelseaLFC LADIES

Chelsea captain Katie Chapman celebrates scoring against Notts County Ladies

LADIES Date Opposition Res MARCH Sun 20 Doncaster Rovers Belles (FAWC 5) A 4-1 Thu 24 Doncaster Rovers Belles A 4-1 APRIL Sun 3 Aston Villa Ladies (FAWC QF) H 6-0 Sun 17 Manchester City Women (FAWC SF) H 2-1* Thu 21 Arsenal Ladies A 2-0 Wed 27 Liverpool Ladies A 2-1 MAY Sun 8 Liverpool Ladies H 6-3 Sat 14 Arsenal Ladies (FAWC final) N 0-1 Thu 19 Manchester City Women H 0-2 Wed 25 Sunderland Ladies H 2-1 JUNE Wed 29 Sunderland Ladies A 5-0 JULY Sat 2 London Bees (WSLCTC 1) A 3-3# Sun 10 Birmingham City Ladies H 1-1 Sun 17 Arsenal Ladies H 1-2 Sun 24 Doncaster Rovers Belles H 4-0 AUGUST Sun 28 Birmingham City Ladies A 4-0 SEPTEMBER Thu 1 Notts County Ladies H 2-1 Sun 11 Reading Women A 3-0 Sun 25 Manchester City Women A 0-2 OCTOBER Wed 5 Wolfsburg (UWCL round of 32, 1st leg) H3 0-3 Wed 12 Wolfsburg (UWCL round of 32, 2nd leg) A 1-1§ Sun 30 Reading Women H 3-2 NOVEMBER Sun 6 Notts County Ladies A 3-1 Chelsea score shown first. Home games are played at Staines Town FC unless stated. H3 - Stamford Bridge.

WSLCTC- Women’s Super League Continental Tyres Cup. FAWC - FA Women’s Cup. UWCL - UEFA Women’s Champions League. N - Wembley Stadium. *After extra-time. #After extra time lost 2-4 on penalties. § Lost 1-4 on aggregate.

Maren Mjelde with Emma Hayes at her unveiling

APPEARANCES 2016

for her country and has experienced football in her homeland, Sweden, USA and Germany.

“She is a dynamic, creative spark who will get people off their feet,” said Hayes. “Fans love that sort of player and she will suit the English game, because she is explosive and will make things happen around the penalty box. We are delighted to add her to our squad and I have no doubt she will set the

BACHMANN IS A DYNAMIC, CREATIVE SPARK WHO WILL GET PEOPLE OFF THEIR FEET. I HAVE NO DOUBT SHE WILL SET THE DIVISION ALIGHT

Emma Hayes

division alight when we return to competitive action.”

Upon arriving at the Bridge for her unveiling, Bachmann revealed why she has chosen to join the Blues and test herself in the FA Women’s Super League.

“I want to win trophies and believe I am at the best place to do that,” she said. “I know the qualities Chelsea have after our Champions League games and hope I will be able to add to that and improve the team in the season ahead.

The signing of Cuthbert was also confirmed as this magazine went to print, and we will have all the reaction from Hayes and the new arrival from Glasgow City in our next edition.

Two Blues received awards following the end of the campaign, with Hayes also visiting Windsor Castle to collect her MBE from the Queen.

You can hear from England Women’s Young Player of the Year Millie Bright in our exclusive interview over the page, and there were also three individual accolades for Hedvig Lindahl in Sweden: Goalkeeper of the Year, the women’s Diamond Ball award, which is given to the best Swedish player over the course of the year, and a prize given to a sporting mother who has performed well.

“I am very happy and thankful for these awards,” she said. “I don’t take this for granted and keep on working hard every day to achieve this.”

Bright 21+1, Carney 20+3, Ji 20+3, Blundell 20+2, Flaherty 20+2, Aluko 18+5, Chapman 18+1, Davison 17+5, Fahey 17+1, Lindahl 16, C Rafferty 14+1, Borges 10+8, Spence 10+7, Bailey 10+6, England 7+12, Kirby 7+3, Spencer 6+1, Kitching 1, Russo 1, Taylor 0+2, Legg 0+1, L Rafferty 0+1

GOALS 2016 Aluko 12, Ji 10, Kirby 7, Chapman 5, England 5, Carney 4 (1 pen), Davison 3, Spence 3, Borges 2, Bright 2, C Rafferty 2, own goals 2, Flaherty 1

Karen Carney

THE FA WOMEN’S SUPER LEAGUE 1 Team 1 Manchester City Women 2 Chelsea Ladies 3 Arsenal Ladies 4 Birmingham City Ladies 5 Liverpool Ladies 6 Notts County Ladies 7 Sunderland Ladies 8 Reading Women 9 Doncaster Rovers Belles

Pld W D L GD Pts 16 13 3 0 +32 42 16 12 1 3 +25 37 16 10 2 4 +19 32 16 7 6 3 +5 27 16 7 4 5 +4 25 16 4 4 8 -10 16 16 2 4 10 -24 10 16 1 6 9 -11 9 16 1 0 15 -40 3

Complete seasons stats

Words | Richard Godden 65

LADIES INTERVIEW

MILLIE BRIGHT

D.O.B. 21.08.93 BIRTHPLACE Chesterfield POSITION Defender/midfielder Our Young Player and Players’ Player of the Year on a remarkable season and why she has so much to thank her family for

Two awards in one night! How does that feel?

It’s amazing, an absolute honour to get both awards, especially the Players’ Player as that’s your team-mates voting for you. Several players could have got the award and I voted for Niamh (Fahey), who I thought had an outstanding season. She’s another consistent player, she gives absolutely everything in every training session and game.

Is an award from your team-mates the highest honour?

Your team-mates know everything about you and it means so much to get their vote.

These girls aren’t just my team-mates – they’re a part of my life and friends forever. I think that’s why it means so much to me.

You also won England’s Young Player of the Year award last month.

I was shocked to be alongside some talented players and just very overwhelmed with the achievement. What an honour to win this award and I was so happy I could take my mum for her to see me receive it. I’d also like to say a massive thank you to everyone who voted for me.

Next year there is the European Championship and I’d love to be there – “never say never” is my motto. I train hard every day, but to do well for England means I’ve got to do well for Chelsea first so hopefully I can continue that.

How would you rate your season overall?

I’d say I had quite a good season. It’s been a learning curve for both me and the team.

I’ve played a lot of positions, so I’ve had to learn a lot in different roles, and I’m still only a young player so I’m still learning about myself and developing. I was able to see the game from different viewpoints and I think 66

it’s done me a favour playing in different positions. I’m growing each day and I’ve got the hunger to develop. Hopefully I just keep going.

You played centre-back, central midfield and in both full-back positions at one time or another, as well playing in a back three.

You must have gained a lot from that.

Definitely. It’s not just learning that position, you’re seeing the game from the perspective of your team-mates and how they want you to play and what they demand. You develop relationships with different players all over the field and trying to adapt is hard, but I’m a player who just gets on with things.

If you take something as a negative then there’s only going to be a negative outcome.

I look at everything in a positive way and I put all my trust in Emma. If she plays me at left-back, I’ll play there and put everything into it. If I can come out of a game and say I’ve learned something and done well, then I’m happy. I respect Emma for trusting me to play different positions.

The manager says Katie Chapman is your role model...

She has been since I was little. It was only the other day I was looking at a picture of me at Doncaster up against Chaps. I always

chelseafc.com/ladies

@chelseaLFC LADIES Goal of the Season winner Fran Kirby, Player of the Year Karen Carney and Millie Bright with their awards

used to look forward to those games. I knew it would be a tough battle but they were games I got excited for. Now, to play alongside her and have her to look up to as a team-mate is just amazing. She always gives me support and she’s always there if I need to talk to her. She’s been the ultimate role model.

On and off the pitch, as a captain and a player, she’s the best of the best. No one can ever take away what she’s achieved and she deserves credit for where I’m at and the awards I’ve won. I’ve only got another eight FA Cups to catch up with her, but I’ll never be able to do what she’s done – three kids and still playing at that level. It’s amazing.

You’ve also been talked about as a future Chelsea captain, too.

A lot of people have said I’ve got natural leadership skills. I’ve captained England Under-23s and putting the armband on means a lot, but I don’t let it affect what I’m doing; I’ve still got my role in the team and I’ve still got to perform. I just stick to what I do and my leadership skills tend to come out when I do that.

How much credit does Paul Green, our assistant manager, deserve for your development?

MAKING MY ENGLAND DEBUT EARLIER THIS YEAR WAS A MASSIVE MOMENT, BUT LOOKING INTO THE CROWD AND SEEING MY FAMILY THERE MADE IT EVEN MORE SPECIAL. IT’S A MEMORY I’LL NEVER FORGET

Paul kick-started my whole career. He scouted me when I was at Sheffield United’s Academy when I was 16 and he is someone my family and I have always put a lot of trust in.

Moving to Chelsea and leaving home was a big decision, and he promised my mum he’d look after me. He’s done that and more. He’s played a big part in where I am.

Speaking of your family, they make up a big part of the Millie Bright fan club which seems to make it to every game!

My family travel to every single game, they wouldn’t miss it for the world. The reason I’m successful is because of my family. Me doing well is giving back to them all the time and sacrifices they’ve made to support me.

Making my England debut earlier this year was a massive moment, but looking into the crowd and seeing my family there made it even more special. It’s a memory I’ll never forget.

Interview | Richard Godden 67

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Children enjoy day to remember at Cobham After being named the EA Sports Player of the Month for October, Eden Hazard was handed his award by schoolchildren while attending a special equality event organised by the Chelsea Foundation.

The children from Servite Primary School in Chelsea and St Polycarp’s School in Surrey presented the award to the Belgian international at Cobham.

They are all participants in a scheme which sees Foundation coaches visit schools to oversee classroom discussions with the pupils, focusing on cultural and religious issues, disabilities and the significance of equality in everyday life.

The campaign forms part of our ongoing Building Bridges initiative, which has been working with fans, players, antidiscrimination organisations and football authorities to promote equality in our club, our stadium and throughout our communities for more than six years.

The pupils also gave Hazard a presentation, which included them making a series of pledges about promoting and celebrating diversity, ranging from their behaviour in school to the importance of playing football with people of any race, creed or colour.

After receiving his award, our No10 returned the favour by presenting the children with signed shirts, before the pupils got the chance to quiz Hazard with some testing questions on a range of subjects.

“To see the kids is good,” said the 25-year-old. “They made a project which

Many youngsters have been taking part in the free sessions

Eden Hazard joined the children for a kickaround after they presented him with his EA Sports Player of the Month award

was really good and I support it. In football we have different religions and different colours, but it doesn’t matter because we are together and this is the most important thing.”

The icing on the cake for the young visitors to our training ground came at the end of the event, as Hazard joined them on the pitch for a light-hearted kickaround.

We help kick-start effort to improve pupils’ skills Stamford Bridge hosted the launch of a new Premier League education initiative as 25 teachers attended the Chelsea Foundation event.

The Premier League Primary Stars programme aims to develop skills and ambition both on and off the sports field, with resources available for girls and boys aged five to 11 years old.

More than 4,500 schools benefited in 2015, but the new and improved programme was launched as the Chelsea Foundation education team hosted an event demonstrating how schools can get involved.

Chelsea Foundation education schools manager Sam Gaskin-Kemp said: “This new and exciting programme will allow us to build on our existing work and provide a broader offer of services to schools.

“We have started to pilot activities in

The Premier League Primary Stars programme is available to every primary school in England and Wales

several schools and feedback has been very positive, which can only benefit our commitment to local schools.”

The programme is available to every primary school in England and Wales, and will provide free curriculum-linked Key Stage One and Two classroom resources for PE, as well as maths, English and enterprise.

New PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) resources will use an array of sport examples to promote equality and diversity, encourage life skills including teamwork and resilience and deliver key messaging around themes such as anti-bullying, all of which will be available alongside a programme of activities, events and teacher support.

Teachers, parents and pupils can register for Premier League Primary Stars and download educational resources at www.plprimarystars.com.

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ME MYSELF & I C H E L S E A H E A LT H C L U B . C O M

ONCE A BLUE, ALWAYS A BLUE

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ONE OF US SEBASTIAN ROCHE

WE WERE THERE! WE WERE THERE!

MESSAGE BOARD

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KING’S ROAD BOUTIQUE

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SEBASTIAN ROCHE The Hollywood actor tells us about his passion for the Blues, the thrill of visiting our Stamford Bridge home, how he became known as the ‘cannonball’ and why he has high hopes for the rest of the season

of media attention. A few years later, Roman Abramovich bought the club and following that there has been all this success.

I’ve lived in the States for 25 years – and as you grow up you recall your childhood memories and Chelsea was a big part of that. Of course, nowadays you can watch all the Premier League matches on television, which is great for me living in America. Over the last 10 years I have become an even more ardent fan, watching all the matches, and it’s been a fantastic decade.

How does somebody who was born in France and now lives in the United States come to be a Chelsea fan?

My mum is British and my father is French, but he was educated in England and my grandparents lived here. I lived in France when I was younger but used to come to London every holiday. I was born in the Sixties so Chelsea was by no means as big a club as it is now, but there was always something I liked about the club when I was a kid. Sadly, I never got to come to a match, but a passion for Chelsea was instilled in me from an early age.

Then in the Nineties, with the advent of the Premier League, that passion was rekindled. Ruud Gullit arrived and helped move Chelsea on to another level and also drew a lot

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Of course, there have been some extremely influential French players at Chelsea in recent times.

Ruud Gullit arrived at Stamford Bridge in 1995

That’s right, with the likes of Frank Leboeuf and Marcel Desailly, then

ONE OF US N’Golo Kanté in action against Tottenham and, below, Victor Moses celebrating a goal

Seeing Marcel Desailly win the ball was a familiar sight

players such as Claude Makelele, and I’m loving watching N’Golo Kanté play for us this season. I’m so glad we signed him and I think you can see how much of a loss he has been to Leicester. That was one of the best transfers of the summer, not just at Chelsea but throughout the Premier League.

We caught up with you when you were on a tour of Stamford Bridge. What was it like to visit the home of the team you have followed for so long?

Having never been to Stamford Bridge before, despite this huge fondness I have for the club, it was amazing to finally come here and see the stadium.

When you watch game after game on television, you feel like you know the place, so when I was actually here it felt quite strange. The tour was really interesting and I love the facts the guides tell you. Going into the dressing rooms and through the tunnel into the stadium is an incredible feeling.

Did you possess any footballing ability yourself and ever dream of pulling on a Chelsea shirt?

I did play the game, but I have to say I wasn’t very good. I was a left-back and I was called the “tibia destroyer” or the “cannonball” because I could tackle viciously. I stopped because our parents took us out of school and we went travelling around the world. When we lived in the Caribbean I played on the beach, but it was very hard to follow Chelsea from afar during the Seventies.

Nowadays, of course, it is much easier. I follow all the club’s social media accounts and I love being able to

SINCE THE DEFEATS TO LIVERPOOL AND ARSENAL, WE HAVE LOOKED COMPLETELY IN CONTROL AND HAVE BEEN PLAYING SOME FANTASTIC FOOTBALL vocalise how I feel about Chelsea when I’m watching a game or when there is some big, breaking news.

Is it fair to say you’ve enjoyed what you have seen from the Blues so far this season?

I’m really enjoying it. Last season was obviously a disappointment. I think José Mourinho will always be regarded as a hero by Chelsea fans and it was just a shame how things went at the start of last season.

Then Guus Hiddink came and steadied the ship and, although I didn’t

know a great deal about Antonio Conte when he joined us, I’d admired his work at Juve and with the Italian national team. I felt he could breathe new life into the team, which is exactly what he has done. Since the defeats to Liverpool and Arsenal, we have looked completely in control and have been playing some fantastic football. His managerial skills are very evident

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ONE OF US and I love the passion he shows on the touchline as well. Even in difficult moments, he remains positive and I really like that in a manager. We always had the players and they have responded superbly to him.

Eden Hazard is one of the best players in the Premier League – the guy can do anything – and there are some nice surprises in the team as well, like Victor Moses, who is having a great season. Now the players have confidence, I think we will go from strength to strength.

Our defence looks solid and I know there is a long way to go, but I have high hopes for the rest of the season. I think it will be a great title race and let’s hope we can maintain our momentum.

Eden Hazard scores our third goal in the victory over Manchester City

my

CHELSEA FIVE-A-SIDE TEAM

MANAGER

ANTONIO CONTE I love Thibaut Courtois, but I’m going to have to put Petr Cech in goal. He was an incredible goalkeeper and so integral to many of our recent successes. The guy’s a legend and even moving to Arsenal doesn’t affect his status among Chelsea fans. He conducts himself superbly and always comes across very well in interviews. He’s a champion and a Blues legend.

I’ll go with Frank Leboeuf as a defender. He was a very cultured centre-half, but he was also

Petr Cech; Frank Leboeuf, Frank Lampard; Eden Hazard; Didier Drogba

somebody not to be messed with. I’ve got to have a bit of a French influence in there as well.

Frank Lampard goes in, without question. He and Didier linked so well when they played together and, for a midfielder, Frank had an incredible scoring rate. I’m not sure we’ll ever see a midfielder quite as prolific as him again.

Didier Drogba has to be in there. I’ve seen a few highlights of him in action for Montreal in Major League Soccer, but when he was in his prime at Chelsea he was just untouchable. He had power,

skill, pace and you could always rely on him to score goals, especially in the big games.

I really want to put Zola in my team, but I haven’t got a current player in here so I’ll choose Eden Hazard instead. He’s still a young man and I don’t think we have seen the best of him yet, which is quite incredible when you consider how well he is playing at the moment. I think Conte will bring the best out of him and he will become a real powerhouse player.

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WE WERE THERE! WE WERE THERE! Each month we look at Chelsea’s history from a fan perspective.

In this issue, we relive the day David Webb started in goal and miraculously kept a clean sheet

BLUES IN SAFE HANDS An outfield player goes in goal. It’s one of those classic footballing events, a moment when fear combines with excitement, as supporters look at each other and laugh nervously, aware they are seeing something memorable but potentially disastrous happen to their team.

Yet it doesn’t end up being a catastrophe as often as you’d think. Maybe we only remember the good times, but it seems like every club has a story about an outfield player going in goal and emerging as a hero.

Since 1960, 10 Chelsea players have pulled on the gloves mid-match after our

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goalkeeper had been forced to leave the pitch, including John Terry, Vinnie Jones, David Speedie and Tommy Langley. But what would have to happen for a team to start with an outfield player in goal?

To discover the answer to that, we need to go back to 27 December, 1971, when David Webb – our all-action centre-half and scorer of the winning goal in the 1970 FA Cup final replay – trotted out in the goalkeeper’s jersey to face Ipswich Town in a top-flight league match. Let’s hear from three people – including the man of the hour – who can proudly say “We were there.”

MIKE GEEN STAMFORD BRIDGE, LONDON I was stood in the paddock at the front of the old East Stand that day. At the time, as I remember, we had not the slightest doubt that Webby was going to perform perfectly well – and he did.

He had played in goal before (when Peter Bonetti was injured mid-match against Coventry two games previously), and been very impressive, but more than that, it was just the sort of person he was. I saw him score a hat-trick from centre-half against Ipswich three years earlier. That was typical of him. He just did things like that.

He wasn’t the greatest footballer ever but there was something about him. I don’t know what it was, but you always felt he would do something. The fact he scored the winning goal in the FA Cup final replay in 1970 was evidence of that.

‘Cult hero’ is a good way of describing him. We played a game against Preston in the FA Cup in 1968/69 and the lights failed. So it had to be replayed in the afternoon. We were 1-0 down and struggling right near the end of the replay, and of course it was Webb who scored the goal in the 89th minute to equalise before we went on to win it.

That was the only time in my life that I actually ran on the pitch – I went on to congratulate him!

That day against Ipswich, I don’t think we had any idea he was playing in goal until the team ran out. In those days the information available was pretty minimal.

You couldn’t turn on Sky Sports and hear that Steve Sherwood was bombing down the M1, or whatever he was doing.

When you saw him come out in the goalkeeper’s kit, you thought, “Oh, that’s a bit surprising.” But that was about it.

There was never another outfield player who would go in goal that was like him. It was different when Tommy Langley played in goal away to West Ham and David Speedie went in against QPR. I had massive worries about it those times, but not with Webby. I was confident when he went in goal and I

would’ve been confident if he’d done it again. He was just that sort of geezer, someone you knew would rise to the occasion. I had no qualms he would let us down at all. He was a bit of a colossus.

He could play centre-forward, centreback – he could do almost anything for us if he had to.

Webb scoring our winning goal in the FA Cup final replay

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WE WERE THERE! WE WERE THERE!

CHARLIE BROOKS-WATSON

I took my then girlfriend with me to the game and although it was late December I don’t remember it being particularly cold.

Then again it was 45 years ago!

We sat on the benches in front of the old West Stand, halfway down, about level with the 18-yard line at the Shed End and there was a good crowd of over 43,000. Both teams were positioned about mid-table in the old First Division table at the time.

When the announcer read out the Chelsea team he had to reassure those present it was not a festive joke and David ‘Desperate Dan’ Webb was going to play in goal as no other ’keepers were fit or available, but other than that Chelsea put out a strong team, with Charlie Cooke only on the bench.

The defence included Paddy Mulligan, John Dempsey and Chopper Harris.

Looking back, Peter Houseman must have slotted in at left-back.

The Chelsea team came out a few minutes before kick-off and, as usual, warmed up at the Shed End, where Webby immediately knelt in prayer in the goalmouth facing the Shed, which raised a good laugh and applause.

Now, if memory serves me right, in the first few minutes Ipswich created a good chance, everyone held their breath or looked through their fingers, but the hero of the day, Webby, pulled off a very good save. A couple of minutes later he bravely dived at the feet of an attacking

off in prayer before kick‘Desperate Dan’ knelt

Tractor Boy to thwart another chance. I think as a result of these early successes, Webb, the Chelsea team and the fans’ confidence soared and we settled down to play out a competent 2-0 victory.

The defence did their job really well, kept the visitors’ attack at bay, and Webby, who nevertheless looked like a pretty useful goalie anyway, didn’t have a lot to do after the opening few minutes.

Steve Kember and Chris Garland scored the goals, although records suggest Ossie

and Tommy Baldwin spearheaded our attack, and I believe Webby knelt down in prayer again at the final whistle!

David Webb keeping a clean sheet in goal ranks alongside thrashing Jeunesse Hautcharage 21-0 on aggregate in a European Cup Winners’ Cup tie, and losing the League Cup final at Wembley to Stoke City 1-2, as the highlights of a somewhat disappointing 1971/72 season, where we only finished seventh in the league table.

Steve Kember scores for Chelsea 78

DAVID WEBB We’d played a game 10 days previously at Coventry when Peter Bonetti was quite badly injured. I went in goal for a little bit there, but they later found out he was ill.

The two spare goalkeepers were John Phillips and Steve Sherwood, but in the few days before the game Dave Sexton had let Steve go home to see his family up north. I think Phillips was staying at John Hollins’ place over Christmas, but he woke up and did his back getting out of bed on the day of the Ipswich game!

Suddenly there was a mad rush on for Steve to get down the M1 in time for the game. The referee had told us there had to be a cut-off time and I think Sexton and Bobby Robson had agreed we could put two team sheets in – one with me in goal and one with Steve in goal, with the team changing around depending on who was goalkeeper.

We put the two team sheets together and we thought we had until kick-off for Steve to arrive. He got there about 10 minutes before the kick-off, jumped in the dressing room and I was already in the goalie’s kit. So I started taking it off and putting the outfit kit on, while everyone began changing their kit to the different numbers for the second team sheet.

Three or four minutes later, the referee comes in and says he’s sorry but Mr Robson had said we had agreed to go with the team sheet handed in at quarterto. That team sheet had me in goal, so Steve couldn’t play.

It turned foul on Ipswich in the end because we won 2-0! But the main thing

NEXT MONTH

Peter Houseman filled in at left-b ack

I remember is walking out onto the field and it was like a pantomime scene. So I thought I’d play up to it a bit to try and get the crowd going. I ran to the goal, got on my knees and started to pray. It was the thing everyone remembered because at that moment you realised the crowd weren’t going to let any goals in that day. It was so funny.

Within a few minutes, Paddy Mulligan passed the ball back to me and didn’t realise their forward Clive Woods was between us. Paddy didn’t look first and he passed it straight to him. He only had me to beat and I remember going kamikaze and just throwing myself at his feet. I don’t know where the ball hit me, but it hit me and I think it went over the bar. From then on, I was leading a charmed life!

It was fun, I’ve got to say. I was coming out, kicking balls rather than

catching them, and it was as if we had all turned up at Wimbledon Theatre for the Christmas pantomime. It was surreal, but it’s put me in the history books because there aren’t many who have done that.

The crowd were unbelievable. There was no way the old Shed were going to let the ball go past me. I think they’d have blown the ball out if it had, like the old blow football!

At the final whistle, half a dozen photographers ran on to try and get me and I just leant on the goalpost to make it seem like it was a piece of cake. Everyone had half-written it off but there were some incredible performances from the team that day, none more so than Peter Houseman, God bless him, who ended up at left-back and had a magnificent game. Everyone on our team played their part and Ipswich went off with a bruised ego!

Next month we’ll be looking back at our sensational 4-2 comeback win over Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup in 1997. Twenty years on, we want to hear from you if you were there.

Email us at dominic.bliss@trinitymirror.com if you were at the Bridge that day.

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MESSAGE BOARD

Where fans show the Chelsea colours, wherever they may be

RODERIC E. PEARMAN OBE ARANYA SYED Happy birthday to Aranya Syed, a lifelong Chelsea supporter and resident of south-west London who follows the Blues home and away throughout the year. He met club legend and our highest goalscorer – not to mention Aranya’s favourite footballer – Frank Lampard on his birthday a couple of years ago during a signing session at Stamford Bridge, getting his jersey signed by the former Chelsea midfielder on what he considers the best day of his life!

Happy birthday to Roderic Pearman, who turned 80 years old on 6 December. Roderic holds the unofficial title of Bermuda’s longestreigning Chelsea fan, having started his support while studying to become a teacher in the Shoreditch area of London in the Fifties, when he often attended games to cheer on his college friend and Chelsea defender John Mortimore. Roderic has been a Blues supporter ever since and has even convinced one of his granddaughters, four-year-old AnyaAeleishe, to join him as a Chelsea fan.

EDWARD D’AMATO Edward D’Amato was lucky enough to make the trip from his home in Birkirkara, Malta, to London in May 2015 to see his beloved Chelsea lift the Premier League trophy at Stamford Bridge after our last game of the season, a 3-1 win over Sunderland. As part of his trip, Edward also enjoyed a stadium tour of the Bridge. The day after the game, he attended the team’s victory parade through west London to show his appreciation for the champions at the end of the three best days of his life.

ALEX TARPEY JOEL BELL This photograph shows Joel Bell at Stamford Bridge on his first-ever visit to the stadium, coming to watch our 5-0 win over Everton as part of his 10th birthday celebrations. Joel, from Ballynahinch, County Down, Northern Ireland, had never been to a football match in England before but he will certainly remember his debut after seeing us turn on the style to thrash the Toffees, with his favourite player Eden Hazard running the show and scoring two of our goals. Happy birthday Joel, from Mum and Dad.

WANT TO APPEAR ON THE MESSAGE BOARD? 80

SOPHIE & ETHAN LEVINSOHN Sophie and Ethan Levinsohn can be seen here showing off some Chelsea-themed items from their wardrobe. Sophie, aged five, and sevenyear-old Ethan live in New York and have both been Blues fans for as long as they can remember. Their love of football also extends to playing the sport, with Ethan in particular showing talent as a goalkeeper.

Wishing a very happy birthday to Alex Tarpey, who turned nine years old on 21 November.

Alex is continuing his family tradition by being a big Chelsea supporter, following in the footsteps of his mum Emma and granddad Cliff. The family’s support goes back a long way, with season-ticket holder Cliff being the first to formally propose that the stand at the Fulham Road side of Stamford Bridge should be known as the Shed End, back in 1966. The name has stuck ever since and Cliff’s original letter to the matchday programme was reprinted in this magazine a couple of months ago, as we celebrated 50 years of the Shed.

Send your details and a picture to: Message Board, Chelsea Football Club, Matchday Programme, Third Floor, Stamford Bridge, London, SW6 1HS

@

Or email them to: cfc.programme@trinitymirror.com

Chelsea won the first FA Cup final to be held at the new Wembley Stadium in 2007. What do you know about the players who brought the trophy home?

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TEST YOUR CHELSEA KNOWLEDGE...

1 How old was John Mikel Obi when he signed for Chelsea in June 2006?

2 Claude Makelele appeared 71 times for the French national team, but in which African country was he born?

3 Frank Lampard scored 211 goals

for Chelsea – how many of those did he net in his first two seasons at the club?

4 Which Ballon d’Or winner recently revealed Ashley Cole to be the toughest opponent he has faced?

5 Other than Chelsea, which clubs has

Arjen Robben played for?

0-5 EXTRA TRAINING SESSION REQUIRED!

6 Michael Essien won both the Player of the Season and Goal of the Season awards in which year?

7 How many years separated Paulo Ferreira’s first and last appearances for Chelsea?

8 Only three players have appeared in more Premier League games for a single club than John Terry. Can you name them?

9 Who scored more goals in

the 2016 MLS season: Didier Drogba or Frank Lampard?

6-10 STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT

10 Salomon Kalou finished

one short of 50 European appearances for Chelsea.

How many Blues have reached that milestone?

11 Wayne Bridge

played Premier League football for Chelsea, Southampton, Manchester City and which three other clubs?

12 In which season was Joe Cole named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year?

11-15 EXCELLENT CHELSEA KNOWLEDGE

1. 19 2. DR Congo 3. 15 4. Cristiano Ronaldo 5. Groningen, PSV Eindhoven, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich 6. 2007 7. Nine 8. Ryan Giggs (632), Jamie Carragher (508), Steven Gerrard (504) 9. Lampard (12 to Drogba’s 10) 10. Nine 11. Fulham, West Ham, Sunderland 12. 2005/06 81

’S KING D

ROAique Bout

Football’s – n finest fashio ux pas d fa and the od

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No, we haven’t discovered an old picture from Salomon Kalou’s school days, although it certainly looks like it could have been taken on class picture day, in a uniform his mum promised he would grow into eventually. In fact, this is a youthful-looking Kalou on the day he signed for Chelsea in May 2006, aged 21.

He was clearly keen to make a good first impression at his new club, turning up in a suit, but it looks like he could have done with a bit of practice doing up his tie.

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JOIN T HE WAI T ING LIS T FOR HOSPI TALI T Y 2017/18 Annual packages for the 16/17 season sold out in record time so join the 17/18 waitlist now to avoid disappointment.

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