Robbie Di Matteo, who was once described by Colin Hutchinson as “rightly having a prominent place in Chelsea’s history”, is a player that was born to be Blue. Will we ever be able to replace his creative genius in the middle of the park? Many believe not...?
I still feel the hurt from that fateful night in Switzerland against St. Gallen in the UEFA Cup, when Robbie received the injury that would ultimately prove to finish his career. The loss of Robbie so much more important and crucial than our early exit from that “luckless” competition. His loss….heartbreaking.
The popular midfielder would score so many great goals during his time with Chelsea but surely he will be remembered by most for scoring Wembley’s fastest goal after just 43 seconds of the 1997 FA Cup Final win over Middlesbrough. 
Talking to BBC Sport Online Robbie recalls "that" goal and the awful, abrupt manner in which his career ended. He said, "Talking about that goal gives me goose bumps every time. I know it was five years ago but the memory is vivid."
“The moment of picking up that injury still haunts me," he revealed.
"I remember the guy slipping just in front of me on the wet pitch and there was no time to stop. There was a massive crunch and I remember looking down and my leg appeared to be disconnected. I dont remember much more because, within half an hour, I was spaced out on morphine".
Since playing his last game, he has turned his interests elsewhere.
He works as a pundit for Italian television, has owned and since sold two restaurants in London - Friends and Baraonda - and boasts a “mini” property empire in Rome from his Lazio playing days.
“Friends (his old restaurant) helped me settle into life at Chelsea," he added.
“I had left my family behind in Rome, was single and needed something that felt like home. And the restaurant did that.”
Despite close links with Chelsea - he regularly trains with the club's fitness coach - he has no immediate desire to return to the game.
He said: “Coaching is not something I want to do for the moment. I've seen the stress of it but maybe I'll fall for it in the future.”
Of the three coaches he has worked under, he is clear on his role model.
“It has to be Ruud Gullit,” added the former midfielder. “He did a fantastic job.”
Life under his successor was more brutal.
“I didn't enjoy my time with Gianluca Vialli,” he added. “We just didn't get on but you'll have to ask him why.
“He simply benefitted from what Ruud had put in place.
“I only played under Claudio Ranieri and then got injured which is a shame as he's a good manager.”
Under Ranieri, Chelsea have notched up one of the most embarrassing results of the season - being knocked out in the first round of the UEFA Cup by Viking Stavanger.
Asked what went wrong, Di Matteo is at a loss.
“I don't think anyone really knows the reason why they lost,” he confessed. “It was in the UEFA Cup that I was injured - perhaps they've had a curse on that tournament ever since.
“As for the Premiership Chelsea have played the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. It's too early to make harsh criticisms.”
Other criticisms centre on their plethora of foreign players often accused of enjoying massive wages on the Chelsea sidelines.
Di Matteo rebuffed such suggestions and said: “People say the players are all mercenaries and that really annoys me.
“A lot of Premiership teams have a lot of foreign players on high salaries that aren't always playing. So why does Chelsea get the hard time?
“These are genuine professionals who give their all. I know that when I went out in a Chelsea shirt I was always full of pride.
“And I think that's the case now.”
As to where that pride can take them, he is quite clear.
“I genuinely believe a Champions League place is attainable,” he insisted. “The doubters should watch out.”
stevefurlong@chelsea-mad.co.uk