Surprised no-one has really mentioned Gullit... or was that because he didn't really play enough games for you?
Actually it was Glen Hoddle who arrived when Chelsea were in the absolute pits, and got Gullit involved when he moved on to greater things! They will of course be remembered as key people in Chelsea's rennaiscence, but neither were around long enough to go down as true legends. In fact, if I remember correctly, Ruud left the club under a cloud when he asked for some ridiculous amount of money for his services. Roman wasn't around then and I can only guess at the colourful response that came from Ken Bates when he turned him down!
Fair enough I know he only really had one season at you and wasn't great in defence, but played a blinder in midfield... I think he was runner-up to Cantona for Player of the Year that season..?
As I said earlier picking an ultimate Chelsea team is like making a list of your most favourite 20 records of all time. Chelsea who like music share the embarrassment of choice would probably pick an entirely different one next week depending on one's memory. So here goes this choice is based my admiration and the happiness they have given to me over the years win or lose. But have tried to keep within the criteria of picking a team that would do well in today's premiership given they were all at their prime condition. Gingers ultimate Chelsea team part 1: Manager: Jose Mourinho please log in to view this image Irrepressible tactician, unequalled in the modern game. Goalkeeper: Petr Cech please log in to view this image Agile, dependable and tipped by many to surpass Peter Schmeichel as the greatest goalkeeper of the modern game Right Back: Ron Harris (Captain) please log in to view this image No nonsense Captain, leader & Chelsea legend 795 games, a virtual fixture in the team Left Back: Ashley Cole please log in to view this image Considered by pundits, journalists and his peers as the world's best left back. Supreme defender with an attacking game Centre Back: Marcel Desailly (The Rock) please log in to view this image World class defender who was twice a european champion and a world cup and european championship winner with France. Centre Back: Ricardo Carvalho please log in to view this image Fast, impressive and the vital ingredient in making Chelsea's back pair virtually impregnable throughout 2004/5 & 2005/6 Defensive Midfielder: Claude Makelele please log in to view this image The only player ever to have a position named after him, awesome and effectual master in the craft of protection E.O.S Midfield: Gianfranco Zola [video=dailymotion;x1nv0l]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1nv0l_zola-chelsea-vs-norwich_sport[/video] Voted Chelsea's most popular player ever, had everything Super player Lovely man God bless you Franco Midfield: Frank Lampard please log in to view this image Mr consistant, ever present for Chelsea & England until a bad injury last season. Only the 4th Chelsea player ever to accrue over 500 league games and scorer of 115 goals from midfield. Still more to give
Gingers Ultimate Chelsea Team Part 2: Centre Forward: Peter Osgood (The King) please log in to view this image Supremely talented, comfortable with the ball at his feet. Marvellous header of the ball and Chelsea icon scoring 150 goals. The last player to score in every round of the F.A.Cup. Once ran 60 yds at Burnley dribbling past seven outfield players & the goalkeeper to score into an empty net. Absolute genius [video=youtube;22Q9Gsfhojs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22Q9Gsfhojs[/video] Forward: Jimmy Greaves please log in to view this image Goal poacher extra-ordinaire. Instinctively knew where the goal was and was always first on any goalkeeper making a save looking for spillages. The supreme optimist, no one better then or now His record of 357 goals in 514 league games speaks for itself. Speed, the ability to beat an opponent, and the knack of stealing into space brought him goals at every level. Three times he scored 5 in a match for Chelsea, and he finished top scorer in each of his 4 seasons at the club, moved to AC Milan in 1961. Winger: Bobby Tambling please log in to view this image Fast and elusive winger / striker, Chelsea career took off when Jimmy Greaves left for Milan Still the record Chelsea goalscorer with 202 goals in 370 appearances Subs Bench: Peter Bonetti (The Cat) please log in to view this image Called 'The Cat' due to his agility, ever dependable servant for Chelsea with 495 appearances John Terry please log in to view this image Chelsea legend with heart, ability & never say die attitude. 510 appearances with 42 goals The governor Dan Petrescu please log in to view this image First foreign player for Chelsea to play 100 games great defender with attacking flair and an eye for a goal. Remember his goal in the 6-1 thrashing of Spurs at White Hart Lane? Dennis Wise please log in to view this image A winner through & through, tough nut with a bite. This diminutive midfielder came to Chelsea with attitude and came on bundles for playing with so many marvellous world class players. Got better with age
Gingers Ultimate Chelsea Team Part 3: Subs Bench Continued Ray Wilkins (Butch) please log in to view this image The Rock during our dark days, great all round player with a the ability to thread a ball through the most stubborn defences. Unfortunately for Ray he came into the side when the great Chelsea team was being broken up. Ray became Chelsea's youngest captain at 18 and went on to play 179 scoring 30 goals. Better known by our younger fans as Carlo Ancelotti's right hand man in delivering Chelsea's first ever league and cup double Kerry Dixon please log in to view this image Over nine seasons between 1983 and 1992, Kerry Dixon became one of the best loved players ever to appear for Chelsea. Had a lucrative partnership with David Speedie who were known as 'Smash & Grab' (in response to Shearer & Sutton). Dixon made 335 appearances scoring 147 goals Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink please log in to view this image Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played for ten clubs over 18 seasons, scoring 245 goals in the process, but it is as a Chelsea player that his career peaked. Jimmy was a club record signing when he joined form Atletico Madrid in 2000. The fee of £15m could be considered a bargain as he averaged nearly a goal every two games over the next four years. Scored the perfect hat-trick against Spurs at headquarters in 2002. Top draw! [video=youtube;nnio6seiRiM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnio6seiRiM[/video] Well there it is? please log in to view this image
It's from 606 about 18 months ago. I cant remember the OP, but I have saved it like yourself and use it as often as I can, if only we could view old 606 pages eh mate.
Yeah, it's a brilliant read. I googled the first line and there's a different version on the CFC.net forums. As you say, would be brilliant to see old 606 posts
Ginge---No one who's watched Chelsea for 50 years could disapprove your selection . It was great! This is a bit like Desert Island Discs though! I get them all set down and then a month later I hear something that HAS to be included, and then have to struggle over what it has to replace! I'm now having the problem over Charlie Cooke not even making the subs bench! There was a man I worshipped! We still see him making cameo appearances on CTV, even though he's domiciled in the USA.
