As international fever..aka boredom sets in, does anyone have any players they’ve noticed magically become better/rated higher when viewed retrospectively?
This one will be contentious but I think for me, Ballack sticks in mind. I distinctly remember in his last season a lot of Chelsea fans were happy to see him go. He was 34, he was slow, and no longer able to get up and down the pitch. It’s times like this an archive of BBC 606 would be great, but here’s another example of a Chelsea blog post from 2010 encapsulating the feeling around Ballack at the time. The comments make an interesting read too:
http://worldsoccertalk.com/2010/03/01/ballack-the-symbol-of-all-of-chelseas-troubles/
He was released over summer, and to be fair, the club did a terrible job in replacing him. Yossi Benayoun was the only midfielder to come in and he got a long term injury within like two games. As our squad looked thin, form got worse, Ballack went from ‘it was probably his time to go’ to ‘what I’d give for Ballack in the side now’. Had he stayed, for me he only would have added to a massive problem for us in 10/11 season, stagnating older players.
While not doubting his effectiveness before 09/10 I think there was a clear ‘grass is always greener’ opinion on his last season at Chelsea, when seen in hindsight. I also recognise that, conversely, maybe he was just underappreciated at the time. You dunno what you have tell it’s gone. Still, any other suggestions for players who get rated higher looking back?
Players who got better in hindsight
posted on 12/10/18
comment by Erik (U21750)
posted 9 minutes ago
comment by Under The Bridge (U21614)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by Erik (U21750)
posted 37 seconds ago
Cech did his job as a goalkeeper. He played well and he is a hero. But Drogba was the one who stepped up when we needed someone to. How many players would score with two minutes to go in a Champions League final in those circumstances where one team has been dominated for the entire game and has just conceded a late goal which seems to make it game over for them? Only Drogba could have done that. Not Messi, not Ronaldo, not anyone. It's the most heroic moment I've witnessed in football ever. That night was Drogba's night.
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Your totally missing the point. Drogba delivered the goals when it mattered but if it wasn't for Cech putting in one of the greatest keeper displays you will ever see (including saving a pen DD gave away) he wouldn't have had the platform to do what he did.
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I have to disagree totally. I agree Cech played really well, but the biggest hero that night was Drogba. He was the one who scored when it seemed like it was all over. That was the moment for me. It genuinely looked like it was over until Drogba scored. I actually can't believe you give Cech more credit for that night than Drogba.
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Yeah, and if it weren't for Cech it would have been over and that header would have been a consolation.
posted on 12/10/18
And? It would have been over without Drogba as well wouldn't it?
posted on 13/10/18
comment by Erik (U21750)
posted 4 hours, 41 minutes ago
And? It would have been over without Drogba as well wouldn't it?
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My god you are completely ignoring the whole context and acting like a complete simpleton.
posted on 13/10/18
Controversial one, but I will say Ashley Cole.
His last four seasons were a bit of mixed bag, he was brilliant during our Champions league run, but there was a good reason why Azpi pushed him out of the team. His performances did not particularly drop that season, he had just got pretty stale towards the end.
posted on 13/10/18
comment by Under The Bridge (U21614)
posted 13 hours, 6 minutes ago
comment by Erik (U21750)
posted 4 hours, 41 minutes ago
And? It would have been over without Drogba as well wouldn't it?
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My god you are completely ignoring the whole context and acting like a complete simpleton.
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You’re talking nonsense bro. Ask any Chelsea fan who the biggest hero in Munich was and they’ll say Drogba. You seem to have something against him for some reason, not sure why. But that game and that entire champions league campaign belongs to Drogba as far as I’m concerned
posted on 13/10/18
So saying Cech made the biggest contribution means i have something against Drogba
You really are the most stupid man alive.
posted on 13/10/18
Drogbas contribution was more important easily
posted on 14/10/18
Dzeko
posted on 14/10/18
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 1 day, 16 hours ago
comment by morespurs (U15748)
posted 6 seconds ago
As international fever..aka boredom sets in
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You're bored? Maybe because Chelsea players don't really represent England, so no club interest really
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yeah chelsea players are winners, England are not.
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Yeah...doesn't it show...
posted on 14/10/18
comment by Nickasaurus (U9257)
posted 1 day, 16 hours ago
comment by Dominic Shimmin (U1734)
posted 18 seconds ago
Lampard. Chelsea have a habit of overrating their players when they retire. I have seen some saying Lampard was as good as the best midfielder of all time, Paul Scholes. Have some humility like us United fans and stop overrating your former players.
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quite good for you
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I'm not familiar with Dominic...he's quite the wag...isn't he