Interestingly for me anyway whilst I agree with many comments in the article particularly about the use of past players to install the sense of pride in the players and to run the extra mile I defy anybody to define what is proper Chelsea (Chels)?
I’m in my 6th decade of supporting the club and I can tell you, clubs have ups and they have downs especially when a club has been through what it’s been through in the last couple of years it’s a wonder we are still rebuilding and competing.
So it seems to me having lived through past times that saw the club relegated and come bouncing back that what people mean by “proper chels” is a team that competes in Europe and in the cups as well as being top 4 or better in the premiership.
There is no such thing as “proper manc” or “proper liver” although there may be “proper Arse”!
Chelsea are evolving we will be back it is the fans who are the soul of the club and the team that is tasked to deliver the results to feed our addiction.
I first started supporting Chelsea listening on the radio in country australia to the fa cup final in 1970. I don't feel that Chelsea has any more or less soul than then. Sure it's a bigger more commercial business but that's every football club that plays at the top level.
Lampard came from West Ham and left us to play at Manchester City. Is that soul? Terry was a one club man.
Personally and it is a personal view I think we are closer to the idea of a club taking a bunch of youngsters through and forging them into a new team we can be proud of.
I don't ever expect us to be less commercial if that is what you mean.
I agree with a lot of this, unfortunately it seems like there's very little appetite from the club to do anything like what you've suggested. I'd go as far as saying that they are actively doing everything they can to strip away the old identity. Burning it down so they can design *their* idea of what a football club should be. Turning fans into consumers, players into products. Chelsea is a brand to them. I hate to say it but it's stinking more and more of the worst side of American ownership. They don't care.
Dont mean to be a conspiracy theorist, but I strongly believe there are elements at the club who try to distance JT from the 1st team and just minimize his role at the club as they fear he may have strong influences on the players and fans, which are not aligned with the "club" agenda.
I suspect this when JT spoke in defense of Mount, claiming he's a proper Chels and alluded that something BTS was not going pretty. I felt at the time JT may have rubbed people in charge of negotiating contracts the wrong way by defending Mount.
We need this to be sent as an open letter to the owners and to the club. Chelsea has not felt like Chelsea for quite a long time. I agree that it is not about winning, but about the fight, the passion, and the desire to be your best for Chelsea.
Never felt so detached from the club. Have been supporting it for more then 2 decades now. Im not sure if you are on the CST board.... but is there any way they can raise concern about the club with the owners / directors? They do a great job on so many other issues but this is the biggest one i think. If the supporters start feeling detached from the club then there is nothing left.
Interestingly for me anyway whilst I agree with many comments in the article particularly about the use of past players to install the sense of pride in the players and to run the extra mile I defy anybody to define what is proper Chelsea (Chels)?
I’m in my 6th decade of supporting the club and I can tell you, clubs have ups and they have downs especially when a club has been through what it’s been through in the last couple of years it’s a wonder we are still rebuilding and competing.
So it seems to me having lived through past times that saw the club relegated and come bouncing back that what people mean by “proper chels” is a team that competes in Europe and in the cups as well as being top 4 or better in the premiership.
There is no such thing as “proper manc” or “proper liver” although there may be “proper Arse”!
Chelsea are evolving we will be back it is the fans who are the soul of the club and the team that is tasked to deliver the results to feed our addiction.
I first started supporting Chelsea listening on the radio in country australia to the fa cup final in 1970. I don't feel that Chelsea has any more or less soul than then. Sure it's a bigger more commercial business but that's every football club that plays at the top level.
Lampard came from West Ham and left us to play at Manchester City. Is that soul? Terry was a one club man.
Personally and it is a personal view I think we are closer to the idea of a club taking a bunch of youngsters through and forging them into a new team we can be proud of.
I don't ever expect us to be less commercial if that is what you mean.
Well said I agree
I agree with a lot of this, unfortunately it seems like there's very little appetite from the club to do anything like what you've suggested. I'd go as far as saying that they are actively doing everything they can to strip away the old identity. Burning it down so they can design *their* idea of what a football club should be. Turning fans into consumers, players into products. Chelsea is a brand to them. I hate to say it but it's stinking more and more of the worst side of American ownership. They don't care.
Dont mean to be a conspiracy theorist, but I strongly believe there are elements at the club who try to distance JT from the 1st team and just minimize his role at the club as they fear he may have strong influences on the players and fans, which are not aligned with the "club" agenda.
I suspect this when JT spoke in defense of Mount, claiming he's a proper Chels and alluded that something BTS was not going pretty. I felt at the time JT may have rubbed people in charge of negotiating contracts the wrong way by defending Mount.
We need this to be sent as an open letter to the owners and to the club. Chelsea has not felt like Chelsea for quite a long time. I agree that it is not about winning, but about the fight, the passion, and the desire to be your best for Chelsea.
exactly.
@Score - i love your thoughts!
Never felt so detached from the club. Have been supporting it for more then 2 decades now. Im not sure if you are on the CST board.... but is there any way they can raise concern about the club with the owners / directors? They do a great job on so many other issues but this is the biggest one i think. If the supporters start feeling detached from the club then there is nothing left.