The thread "Shevchenko vs Torres vs Kezman" has given me a fresh reminder of the failures of our club in the centre-forward position. The number 9 has been somewhat of a poisoned chalice, with only Didier Drogba in legendary form, able to break the curse, in the last decade, and even then relatively sporadically compared to some other clubs who seem to find quality forwards at a moment's notice.

 

It led me to think of the historical significance of certain positions at certain clubs. I'm not talking about specific numbers; certain clubs have a knack for producing or nurturing quality in certain positions. For example, I immediately think of Liverpool, who despite their overall inconsistency over the last 20 years, have had top quality goalscorers over the same period (and Andy Carroll). 

 

At Chelsea we have two positions that I think showcase a long and quality pedigree. The first one is on the wing; from Charlie Cooke to Gronkjaer to Hazard, the club has always showcased quality wingers in its best side. It feels like fielding a 'wing wizard' is an integral part of the culture and the identity of the club.

 

The second one is far more niche and recent, and that is the the club's knack for goalscoring central midfielders which is unrivalled in England. Central midfielders, traditionally, were expected to be workhorses or warriors with good enough ability to pick out their wingers and occasionally bang one in from distance. Scholes got a lot of credit for this at United but he is an exception in that club's history; at Chelsea, it's a culture that began with Di Matteo, progressed to Poyet and culminated in the greatest exponent of the art (arguably of all time) in Frank Lampard.

 

So what is it? Is it an intangible force, a spirit of the club if you will, that seems to magically transform players in those roles? Is it the expectation/burden of tradition that forces players to aspire by way of comparison to the club greats?

 

Does it even exist, or should I lay off the Laphroaig and stop imagining things?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We're really good at getting cheap but quality defenders.

 

Ivanovic, Cahill, Azpi and I'm sure I'm missing some. 

 

Even when not cheap, we rarely get bad ones.

Drogba, Anelka, JFH, Gudjohnsen, Flo, Zola, Hughes and Vialli in the last 20 years have all been good (or in some cases fantastic) players for us and all worth the money we paid for them, I wouldn't say that Sturridge or Eto'o did too badly either.

Conversely, Veron is an example of an absolutely awful midfield signing.

Most clubs have made good and bad purchases in each position over the last 2 decades, if you pick and choose examples then it obviously warps the trend.

Edited February 19, 201412 yr by Jonty

Very interesting post. It's obvious strikers are the main concern. Every other position, however we have really excelled in. Especially GK.

Even though we've had the same keeper for a decade that just goes to show what a world class player Petr really is. Excited yet slightly worried at the prospect of Courtois next season as Cech is still very much at his peak. I don't think he'll willingly sit on the sidelines like Cudicini did.

You used Jesper to back up your arguement that we always have good wingers. You're barking fekin mad you are!!!

And on your man utd bit, scholes, Keane, Ince, Robson????

No I don't think there's anything in it. We do seem to ruin a good striker but for me that's as far as it goes.

You used Jesper to back up your arguement that we always have good wingers. You're barking fekin mad you are!!!

And on your man utd bit, scholes, Keane, Ince, Robson????

No I don't think there's anything in it. We do seem to ruin a good striker but for me that's as far as it goes.

I would have gone with Robben, myself. :P

You used Jesper to back up your arguement that we always have good wingers. You're barking fekin mad you are!!!

And on your man utd bit, scholes, Keane, Ince, Robson????

No I don't think there's anything in it. We do seem to ruin a good striker but for me that's as far as it goes.

 

Hang on..... not a playing legend granted and maybe should not be used in this context; in fact you are right he is mad………….

 

HOWEVER, I would never miss a chance to talk about our Jesper, a supporters legend and possibly one of the most important players in our history.

 

If he hadn't have scored against The Scousers last game of the season we would have had no champions league football the following year and I expect (I could be wrong) Roman probably wouldn't have given us a second look.

 

Also a damn decent chap, at the time I was going to all home and away matches and even the training ground. Jesper was there rain or shine, good or bad game.. applauding the supporters at the end of the match, genuinely appreciative we were there, where ever we went. Good man (Fair do's he probably just grateful to be playing for Chelsea) .... and I miss the chants of "run Forest run!"

 

When talking about United players I believe you spelt the word wrong mate, you put an "L" where an  "N" should be.

Hang on..... not a playing legend granted and maybe should not be used in this context; in fact you are right he is mad………….

 

 

 

HOWEVER, I would never miss a chance to talk about our Jesper, a supporters legend and possibly one of the most important players in our history.

 

 

 

If he hadn't have scored against The Scousers last game of the season we would have had no champions league football the following year and I expect (I could be wrong) Roman probably wouldn't have given us a second look.

 

 

 

Also a damn decent chap, at the time I was going to all home and away matches and even the training ground. Jesper was there rain or shine, good or bad game.. applauding the supporters at the end of the match, genuinely appreciative we were there, where ever we went. Good man (Fair do's he probably just grateful to be playing for Chelsea) .... and I miss the chants of "run Forest run!"

 

 

 

Didn't he have a chant to the Flintstones theme tune?

 

"Jesper, Jesper Gronkjaer.. You will see him running down the wing.

 

From the country Denmark"

 

Then I forget the rest.... 

It's an interesting topic, but I wouldn't say we're any more or less successful with strikers than any other club (Jonty gives some good examples of forwards who have had success here), it's just unfortunate that we've signed a couple of very high profile players in that position who have flopped which naturally draws a lot of attention. Jonty's list only includes players from the last twenty years but if you go back another five then you could add Kerry Dixon, who was my hero as a kid.

Hang on..... not a playing legend granted and maybe should not be used in this context; in fact you are right he is mad………….

HOWEVER, I would never miss a chance to talk about our Jesper, a supporters legend and possibly one of the most important players in our history.

If he hadn't have scored against The Scousers last game of the season we would have had no champions league football the following year and I expect (I could be wrong) Roman probably wouldn't have given us a second look.

Also a damn decent chap, at the time I was going to all home and away matches and even the training ground. Jesper was there rain or shine, good or bad game.. applauding the supporters at the end of the match, genuinely appreciative we were there, where ever we went. Good man (Fair do's he probably just grateful to be playing for Chelsea) .... and I miss the chants of "run Forest run!"

I remember Gronkjær's goals quite well. That one against Liverpool springs to mind but not as much as his goal against Monaco the season after. Unstoppable.

Also his cracker against United.

Agree...

Also I remember rightly he had a cracking game at The Library and was intrumental in the build up to the Wayne Bridge goal...another big moment for The club

his goal against Monaco the season after. Unstoppable.

 

You know it was a cross