G’day Chidge, Jonathan and guests.
Greetings from overcast Melbourne.
The new season finds me in a strange mood. We are 8 or 9 weeks into lockdown, with loosened restrictions just over the horizon. Super Frank Lampard notching a first up win to start proceedings. All should be good in the world.
If you remember back to my last email, it was sent after the defeat at Everton, when we had not a single left footer on the field. No surprise that we signed 3 lefties in the window.
Anyway, no one could miss Jonathan’s rant in the first couple of minutes of the season opening show.
He made some valid points.
Obviously, Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s problems are mostly mental, and with that a loan to a premier league or Bundesliga team would in my mind be his best option.Some of the reactions, Jonathan’s included, towards Ruben’s performance, or lack of, were over the top, and I personally hate what I see as dancing on someone’s grave. As a man that has just had a shoulder reconstruction, how long before you have full trust in your shoulder, JK?
We are not all physically or mentally the same beasts, and maybe it’s just age, but I fucking hate the way fans are rushing to sink the boot into Ruben, it actually disgusts me.
You don’t have to think back too far to Kurt Zouma doing blanket jobs on Aguero and Kane. Then he did his knee, and suddenly he became a shit player in many people’s eyes.
There are a few similarities between the two situations, and people would be best advised to remember that.
As of the end of last season, who was Chelsea’s best centre back?
Ruben has had a stuttered ascent through the ranks at Chelsea, his body, the revolving door of coaches, bringing in their own players and playing style.None of this has helped not only Ruben, but a long line of players, whether Academy grads, or bought.
Ruben had just had his first injury free year of first team football, when he ruptured his achilles, scoring 10 goals in about 5 months. Probably half the goals our midfield produced. We looked like having our own Yaya Toure for the next 10 years. Then, Bang.
Suddenly, Mateo Kovacic is the name on everyone’s lips, and Ruben has to rehab, whilst his old coaches are now pulling the strings. He must feel cursed.
Yeah, he has his contract with Burberry, and he is well paid, but the guy wants to play for Chelsea so badly, that I think it is eating him up inside.
I have not given up on Ruben, and I hope we as supporters can help him stay the course, and overcome his demons.
Anyway, that’s it for now. Nothing personal JK, but don’t be that guy, you’re better than that.
I’ll try to write more often.
Andrew Bailey