Another in our intriguing series………..
1 – Your favourite memory of the 2012 / 2013 season was?
Two stand out for me. Brana’s last gasp winner in the Europa League Final, and Frank not only breaking Bobby Tambling’s goal scoring record, but scoring a late winner in a hugely important game for our season. And as much I enjoyed both our Europa League campaign and victory, I felt that a Champions League place was the most important thing on our agenda, and Frank’s late goal all but secured that for us. It was a special, special moment too, as at the time, no one was quite sure whether he would even be signing a contract extension, so it was a relief to see Frank break the record with just 3 games to go in the season. It was a fantastic culmination to a turbulent season, and for my first and favourite idol Frank Lampard to become Chelsea’s all time record goal-scorer right at the end, it was something special. You saw what I meant to him as well, and indeed the rest of the team.
2 – Your worst memory of the 2012 / 2013 season was?
Hearing that not only Robbie Di Matteo had been sacked, but that Rafa Benitez had been chosen to succeed him. Much has been said about the sacking of RDM, so I won’t dwell it, but it was utterly atrocious. It was totally unnecessary and it was completely disrespectful both to Robbie himself and the Chelsea fans. Benitez did alright in the end, but that doesn’t mask how terribly he did for his first 2/3 months. When Di Matteo was sacked and Benitez appointed, it felt as if the heart and identity of the club had been ripped out. Our promising season (which had us 4 points clear at the top in October) had been effectively stamped on. I felt horrible.
3 – Your Player of the Season was?
It’s a season of special mentions. Frank Lampard of course deserves huge praise. Once again scoring goals galore and proving to be such an important player for us. Eden Hazard was terrific even if it did take him a few months to settle. He carried us through games all too often and looks a real gem (and a bargain). He’s going to be some player, well he already is isn’t he? Petr Cech has what I would describe as his best 18 months since his head injury. He has been phenomenal this season. How he doesn’t get the recognition for it I don’t know. (I’m talking about David Fecking De Gea getting in the team of the year) his 2012 was incredible, he took last seasons’ Champions league form into this season and his 2013 has been just as good. He is, in my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the world right now. And that save from Hernandez…. Another player who deserves a mention is David Luiz. The media seems to think he’s improved vastly under Benitez. I don’t think that’s quite right. I just think they’ve stopped needlessly criticizing him. He’s certainly improved as a defender recently, but I wouldn’t put that down to Benitez, I’d put it down to the media being far too cynical about him in previous seasons. He’s world class. But my player of the year (and I’m sure most people’s) is Juan Mata. He, like Hazard has carried us. When he doesn’t play, it’s scary how little we’re able to create, and that’s something which will need addressing next season! He’s been incredible this season, somehow outshining his incredible 2011/12 season. Goals assists, tricks, flicks, passes you name it. He’s got it and done it all this season.
4 – Your Young Player of the Season was?
I feel like the young player of the year award is a bit flawed. Given how little chance our youth players get in our team, the award usually goes to the one and only youth player who was given a few games during the season. This year it was Nathan Ake. While I felt he looks a decent prospect, I’ve decided to give the award to someone out on loan. My young player of the year is Nathaniel Chalobah. On loan at Watford, I was gutted last night to see him and Gianfranco Zola lose the play-off final. But I’ve watched a lot of Watford this season, and Chalobah looks the real deal. I was impressed enough with him that I’d confidently have him as a member of the squad next season, although a Premier League loan would probably be more advisable. He and McEachran could make an excellent midfield partnership in the future. Sadly, my hopes for Josh are fading, but my hopes for ‘Nate dogg’ are sky high at the moment. (I’ve considered other young loanees like Courtois, Lukaku and De Bruyne too old to receive this award)
5 – Your goal of the season was?
My goal of the season has to be Oscar’s second against Juventus. In close second is David Luiz’s brilliant left foot screamer against Basel. But Oscar’s goal was truly breathtaking. The first touch to take it out from underneath him, away from his body, bamboozling two defenders, swiveling instantly, and then swerving and crashing a beautiful shot into the top corner leaving Buffon utterly helpless. Imagine the orgasms the media would’ve been having if Oscar did that wearing a Man United shirt… It was an incredible display of skill, technique, close control, intelligence and audacity. I will never tire of watching it.
6 – Our best performance of the season was?
Funnily enough, there are various 45 minute displays which were amazing this season. The first 45 against Arsenal at Stamford Bridge. Unfortunately, we had a torrid second half and let them back into it. The second half against United at Old Trafford (FA Cup – 2-2). Benitez brought on Hazard and Mikel and we turned a 2-0 deficit into a 2-2 draw. We dominated the second half and almost masterminded an incredible 3-2 turnaround right at the death. The last 40 minutes of the FA Cup semi-final against Man City was brilliant too. We were unlucky not to find an equalizer, and they were camped in their box for the entirety. But the best performance of the season I’d say was our 4-2 win over Spurs at White Hart Lane. We looked fearsome every time we went forward and it was when I first started to believe we could mount a serious title challenge. MaZaCar were incredible and Spurs had no answer. But when we fell 2-1 behind, we responded magnificently. We didn’t put our heads down, despite losing to our rivals, and despite the prospect of losing to AVB, the lads kept plugging away and just kept on playing their game, knowing that we were the better side and knowing a result would come, and it did. I’d also like to briefly mention when we beat West Ham 2-0 in March. We played with such a freedom and such expression that for the first time under Benitez it really was pleasure to watch us. Hazard, Mata and Oscar were linking up in a Barcelona-esque fashion and we dominated the game. West Ham hardly had the ball and it was miraculous that it stayed at 2-0. Other mentions must go to our two 1-0 wins over Man United at the Bridge in the FA Cup and at Old Trafford. We nullified United, Van Persie was utter shoite in both games and we were the better side in both. Two very impressive performances. But my deciding vote has to go to our game at Spurs.
7 – Our worst performance of the season was?
Our worst performance of the season was our 1-0 loss to QPR. It was the height of winter and Benitez was as unpopular as ever. We were playing poorly and looking like a mid-table side. Then QPR came to the Bridge, bottom of the league, couldn’t buy a win, and they outplayed us. It was an extremely low point of a horrible winter of football. Rivaling that would be our 3-1 loss to West Ham in December. Benitez had drawn his first two games and was about to lose his third. And West Ham hardly played well, but we just looked total crap. It was difficult to watch.
8 – Best opposition player we faced was?
I’d probably go for Yaya Toure in the FA Cup semi-final. I hate the guy for his dirtiness and pettiness, especially towards Mata last season, but (for the first half anyway) he was a one-man team. He was exceptional. He faded in the second half and if he could put a bit more consistency into his game he would be utterly fearsome.
9 – Best opposing team we faced was?
I’d say without a shadow of a doubt Juventus. They would have won the PL if they were in it for sure. They were an extremely impressive machine. Their midfield of Pirlo, Vidal, Asamoah and Marchisio is one of the world’s best. I was convinced that they would go far in the Champions League after knocking us out, but was disappointed that they drew Bayern Munich and lost. Had they got an easier draw and gone further in the competition, people in England would have appreciated just how good they are. Unfortunately, they were beaten by the eventual winners, so had a hard time standing out. But they were terrific. Much better than any English side we’ve faced this season.
Our thanks go to hazzabee for taking time out to participate.
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