They are on the top of the Premier League standings and look certain to finish as winners come May. But Chelsea are without a question, one of the most hated clubs across the world. Antonio Conte’s men may have managed to win over hearts with the way they have performed this season, but many fans of the game have a deep-rooted feeling of hatred and resentment towards the Blues.
The treatment that is vetted out to them on several social media platforms might seem harsh, but rival fans and even the neutrals have a sense of bitterness when it comes to the West Londoners. And here are three primary reasons why they get so much flak around the internet and everywhere else:
Success Has Been Bought
This criticism has been leveled at Chelsea since the day Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich took over the club back in 2003 and brought in his oil money.
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that it was the Russian who managed to completely revolutionize the transfer market with the money that he brought in. It is under him that Chelsea began to pay crazy amounts of transfer fees to sign players along with the exorbitant wages. This is something that changed the entire landscape of the transfer period, especially the way clubs from across Europe started looking at the Premier League sides. The market became lopsided when English clubs entered negotiations with clubs demanding outrageous amounts of money and the blame lies at the feet of Abramovich and Chelsea.
And many also are of the opinion that if not for Abramovich’s money, Chelsea wouldn’t be where they are currently and are of the feeling that most of their success, in the early stages of the Abramovich era, have been bought.
Jose Mourinho Era
Another major reason why Chelsea invoke feelings of derision and resentment among people around the world is one man – Jose Mourinho.
“The Special One” first took the reins at the Bridge back in 2004 and with him brought a winning mentality to the team, leading to a period of unparalleled success. However, along with the silverware, he also brought controversies in plenty.
His statements over reputed managers like Claudio Ranieri and Arsene Wenger, his frequent tiffs with the match officials and his general demeanour in his behavior, like the whole world was conspiring against him and his team, courted so much controversies during his first period that fans started to feel the bitterness and the negativity for the Blues.
The Loan Policy
This has been the biggest reason for the hate that Chelsea get in recent times and one would feel rightly so. The fact that 38 players from Chelsea are on loan around Europe is hugely condemned by the fraternity.
Most of these players have come through the academy or have been bought by the club at a very young age but after spending years away on loan, they will hardly get to kick a ball for the Chelsea first-team. Just look at the likes of Lucas Piazon, Marko Marin and Josh McEachran in the past. All promising talents, were with Chelsea for years, but only made a handful of appearances for the senior side.
There have been many more young players like these who have been strung along at Chelsea, with loan spells year after year, but are never given an opportunity to showcase their abilities at the biggest stage, which is another major reason for the hatred around the club.
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