A New Chelsea?

Last updated : 24 November 2002 By -

Are we really witnessing a new Chelsea? Chelsea have always had flair and quality but take a careful peek – can you see consistency? A consistency born from determination, resilience and hunger. Jimmy, Claudio (and Steve) believe so.

Ask yourself:- “How many times have you watched Chelsea fall fowl to the so called “lesser” clubs?

“How many times have you witnessed Chelsea go to places such as Bolton (on a cold November, December, January etc. afternoon) and come away with nothing?”

Answer? Too often!

Okay, so Saturday afternoon’s battle was a close call but THEY NEVER GAVE UP – and more importantly – they BELIEVED they could get something from this (and any other) game.

Judging by this result and performance, and performances against Charlton, Southampton, Blackburn etc. etc. to name but a few, this side has fight and determination that perhaps, may have previously been lacking.

Quality and style has always been part of Chelsea Football Club’s make-up (well mostly), but we have never been able to add consistency to our many talents – but that all appears to be changing.

How many of our heads dropped when not only Bolton had taken the lead, but we also managed to lose Babayaro along the way?

Me?

Yes (ashamedly) I thought it was “game over” – surely we were dead and buried. Okay, I’m ashamed, I’m sorry, I will repent, but how many of us believed it was all over?

But wouldn’t the Chelsea of old simply have just shrugged their shoulders and admitted defeat. Am I wrong? Surely we were justified in our pessimism.  But....everything seems to be different now.  Does this Chelsea have a new edge about it?

Under Claudio’s guidance have we really found consistency, resilience and a revived belief? Surely the proof is in the pudding. How many of these “lesser” teams have we lost to this season?  Work it out.......!

Following the game, Claudio was quick to praise the fighting spirit of his players and admitted that while this was a fixture they might have lost in previous years, times have certainly change for the better.

“We have a new Chelsea now, a Chelsea that always seeks one result, no matter who we are playing,” he said.

“We always try to win, no matter who we are playing.

“I do not look at who we are facing before each game. I treat them all the same. Nobody looks at a team from the bottom anymore and thinks it will be any easier.”

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who believes Chelsea now have the grit to go with the glamour, secured an unlikely point when he headed home a delightful cross from Gianfranco Zola on the stroke of full time.

With time running out this “new” Chelsea never gave up and once again demonstrated their resilience, focus and determination.

The Dutch striker said: "You can talk about Chelsea not being focused against the small teams but that was not the case at Bolton.

"The team is working hard to get in the Champions League and the spirit is there but we are not talking about the championship.

"I know Arsenal and Liverpool both lost but you have to look at yourself most of all.

"It would have been nicer for us to win at Bolton with those two losing, then we would really have done something.

"We should have won this game as we had more chances but it was not meant to be and we had to settle for a point.

"I thought we played some great stuff for the first 20 minutes then we faded a little bit. But we got it back in the second half and played some good football.

"You need a little bit of luck and we didn't have that. They cleared two shots off the line and their goalkeeper did well."

Hasselbaink is pushing for a place in the starting line up against Sunderland after scoring his fifth goal of the season.

He said: "It is always important to score when you are a striker and more special when you get a result.

"I got the ball from Marcel (Desailly) and laid it off to (Gianfranco) Zola. He crossed a wonderful ball and I got a little touch on my head and their keeper was off-balance."

Is this a new Chelsea? Personally I really believe so and come Christmas/New Year if we continue to progress and are still in touch and part of the top three/four – who knows how far we can push!