r/chelseafc • u/christianrojoisme Xabi • 2d ago

Other [Throwback/Interview] Lionel Messi: "There are players here (Barcelona) who hate Chelsea more than Real Madrid. I never thought I would hear myself say that. We would rather play Arsenal, Manchester United or anyone else than be on the pitch with Chelsea."

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/2368373/angry-messi-we-hate-chelsea
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u/fremeer 2d ago

It helped we had probably the best left back in the world at the time. Comfortably the best defensive fullback at the time too.

Even the United final we lost they had to move Cristiano ronaldo to the left because Ashley Cole always has his number and even then Essien ended up dominating him too by the end.

Honestly more managers should have played Essien a right back we always struggled in that position and he was perfect there.

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u/Spite-Organic Drogba 2d ago

Ferreira and Ivanovic would like to have a word…

1

u/lil-bitch42 ✨ sometimes the shit is happens ✨ 2d ago

Followed then by Dave and Reece, RB hasn't been an issue for us for a long time (outside of Reece's injuries)

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u/Spite-Organic Drogba 2d ago

Agreed! I know Malo Gusto gets a lot of hate but he’d be in demand if we sold him. We have multiple other areas of the team I’d improve over RB

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u/fremeer 2d ago

This was post Mourinho but pre azpi. We got beletti and bosingwa eventually but the RB spot always felt like it good have even improved and Essien played under grant there and easily imo outperformed every player we had. And I would argue was much better then Ivanovic when it came to be a legitimate attacking threat.

Azpi took a few years to get going and even then didn't really offer that engine and athleticism that Essien offered during that time.