To mark the release of “Why Don’t You Listen”, James Cherry discusses his beloved Chelsea.
How did you come to support Chelsea?
My mum met a new partner when I was 5 and he was a Chelsea fan, so I fell into into supporting Chelsea from a young age.
What are your expectations for the season?
After last season I expect so much more from us. I’m glad we’ve gone for a new manager.
I don’t think we’ve got a shout for the league but if we don’t get Champions League for next season then there’s gonna be trouble at Stamford Bridge. Please Lord…we can’t finish 10th again.
What do you think of the new manager?
I’m glad we went for Conte. I was pretty unaware of him up until the Euros but I love his passion – kinda similar to Mourinho in my opinion.
I read that he wants to cut down on the players in the squad which I am all for. We had 33 players on loan last year!?
So ridiculous, I understand football is a business but 33 players is practically another squad!
Which areas of the team/squad would you like to see strengthened?
I’d say the back, John Terry has been outstanding but unfortunately I can honestly see this being his last year at Chelsea, and he’s a tough act to follow.
I rate Zouma an awful lot, he reminds me of a young JT or even Marcel Desailly, reads the game very well and is strong on foot or in the air, but we need someone else as Cahill isn’t getting any younger and Zouma is still injured.
I’d have to strengthen up front too, I rate Costa but his attitude wears thin in big games. He’s the guy that can make a difference but he’s too unreliable. Why did we sell Lukaku?!
Have you managed to get to Stamford Bridge much to watch them over the years?
Yeah I’ve been a fair few times, not in recent years though I must admit.
Would you be able to name the first, best and worst games you’ve ever been to?
The first game I went to was at Stamford Bridge and we were playing Leicester, must have been ’98-99 as we were calling Robbie Savage Lily Savage and I remember him snapping to the Chelsea fans haha.
It ended 2-2 I think, pretty shit game to be honest but I didn’t care, the atmosphere was electric. I knew from the first minute I stepped into the stadium and saw that beautiful green grass that I was in love with the game.
Best game I went to was when we won the league in ’04-05, we beat Newcastle 4-0 I think. All I remember though was seeing Drogba play for the first time.
He came on at half time, and I remember thinking, “Look at the size of him.” I think Robben scored too – great vibes.
I can’t remember specifically going to any bad games, I remember boring games and the drive home being pretty shit.
Last season was the worst though, I went to the local to watch Leicester v Chelsea with most of my Leicester mates, and we lost 2-1. Mahrez scored that beauty and I was left alone surrounded by Leicester fans. That was a f***ing dreadful day.
Finally, if you had to select a five-a-side team out of all the players you’ve seen play for Chelsea in your time as a fan, who would you pick?
GK – Carlo Cudicini
DF – John Terry
MF – Dennis Wise
MF – Eden Hazard
FW – Gianfranco Zola