Interview with a Chelsea supporter

The last Opposition View of 2011 comes from a friend of mine who is a Chelsea fan through and through. David Pickett is also a member of staff on Talk Chelsea.

Why and how long have you supported Chelsea?

I never really supported any team for the first few years i watched football, but my first Chelsea game was in 2002 against West Ham in the cup when i was taken along for a friends birthday, which got me hooked. Been to most home games since and a season ticket holder since 2004.

André Villas-Boas hasn’t had the best of starts as manager when you compare him to the likes of Carlos Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho. Do you believe he has what it takes to bring the glory days back to the bridge?

I think its still quite early to judge villas-boas, but his credentials in his short career are very good, and there’s definitely something about him. the talk of him getting sacked is ridiculous considering the squad does need his own tweaking.
He’ll still be in the job this time next year and that’ll be a fair point to judge him. I’d say the competition at the top of the league from 4/5 teams now is a lot stronger than its ever been also.

Chelsea spent a lot of money on Fernando Torres and he is in danger of becoming one of football’s biggest flops. Do you believe he has what it takes to turn things round and become a star?

Torres still shows the odd moment of absolute brilliance, but they are probably becoming further and further apart. The amount of games that he started at the beginning of the season was the best thing for him and villas-boas got rewarded for it with a few goals, but his red card against Swansea seems to have completely halted his season and he can’t get a kick. He’ll start games from January with Drogba away at the African Nations, and I’d imagine that’ll be his real big chance with a few big names likely to leave in the summer and a few to probably come in. He’s not ‘finished’ yet but he needs to be starting games regularly if he’s going to ‘come good’.

Gary Cahill looks almost certain to join you in *anuary, who else would you like to see come in and why?

With Cahill coming in and Essien returning from injury, i doubt we’ll sign anyone else in January but 4-5 of the older players such as Drogba, Malouda, Ferreira etc are likely to go in the summer and will need replacing. As always with Chelsea, who we’ll sign is any ones guess. Would rather the likes of Hazard and Higuain rather than the inevitable link (again) to Kaka.

You probably already answered this in your previous answer but I’ll ask it anyway. Some neutral football fans believe that Chelsea’s squad is becoming past it and they need to rebuild. Would the #helsea faithful agree with this statement?

I think its fair to say that the majority of #helsea fans think that the squad needs a bit of a refresh. The likes of Anelka, Malouda and &erreira all did good jobs for the club but are considerably past their best. For me, Drogba and Lampard still have a future in which they can contribute a hell of a lot to our cause, just not on a week to week basis, and no one would want to see them leave the club. As for JT, his performance at Spurs showed he’s still different class.

You have drawn Napoli in the Champions League and they boast players such as Marek Hamsik and Edison Cavani (both who have been linked with moves to #helsea). Do you fancy your chances in this fixture?

They look a decent side and obviously fared well in a really difficult group stage and have done well domestically for a good few years. But I think we have more for them to worry about, and our experience will hopefully see us through. If we defend properly (unlike the first few months of the season) over in Naples then i think we’ll be fine.

With both #helsea and Man City being taken over by sugar daddies, as a #helsea fan would you say this is for the good or bad of football on a whole?

I think its created more competition in the league which I’d say is a good thing. We all want to see 3/4/5 teams in the title race and with the money that not only us and city have spent, but also spurs and Liverpool then we have a real chance of seeing an open title race over the next few years.

Aston Villa are currently going through a difficult period. What are your views on the club as an outsider?

I think with Bent and Agbonlahor, Villa probably have the best forward line outside the top six/seven, but unlike under O’Neill where by you had 6/7 key players who allowed you to compete against some of the top teams, you now only have these two along with perhaps Shay Given. I think the fight and quality in your midfield has gone and needs to be addressed quickly but just like Villas-Boas, Mcleish should be given beyond this season to put his stamp on the side in the transfer market.

And finally, Match predictions?

A not too confident 2-0 chelsea.

Interview by Stuart Young.