Chelsea: Blues in Brazil

Article by Chelsea Correspondent Lee Beevor

With just a week to wait, the majority of Chelsea’s first team squad will be anxiously awaiting the draw for the group stage of next year’s World Cup. Potentially, there could be as many as twenty on their way to Brazil, taking into account those currently on loan. With such a large number set to be involved, the void of the close season becomes a great deal more appealing. Historically, this was not always the case, as Chelsea internationals were at one time very thin on the ground. With the cosmopolitan nature of today’s squad, it is hard to believe the contrast with that of the not so distant past.

During the eighties, Chelsea fans were starved of any such interest, with only Ray Wilkins to feature significantly in a World Cup. Whilst Ray will always be considered Chelsea to the core, technically even he failed to qualify, having been sold to Manchester United in 1979. Nevertheless, we all felt proud to see him take his place in the England midfield at España ‘82. 

This feeling diminished somewhat during Mexico ‘86, as Ray’s final appearance for his country was cut short by a most uncharacteristic red card! All in all, the competition was another failure from a Chelsea perspective, as another club legend, Kerry Dixon, was restricted to a place on the bench. Whilst nobody could argue too strongly for his inclusion, given the form of Lineker and Beardsley, it was none the less a bit of a let down, given that Kerry had notched a brace in a friendly just prior to the finals.

The nineties started in a similarly low key manner. At Italia ’90, two of west London’s finest made the England squad. Sadly, neither Tony Dorigo nor Dave Besant made it onto the pitch. Gordon Durie faired a little better, lasting an hour in Scotland’s midfield, having been kept out of his preferred position by Robert Fleck. This was during Fleck’s time at Norwich, when he famously scored more goals at Stamford Bridge in a single match than he mustered in his entire Chelsea career!

In 1994, the United States hosted three current and one recently departed Blue. Here there are signs of the development of football on a global basis, as Chelsea were represented by Dmitri Kharine, the Russian captain, as well as Norwegian Erland Johnsen. These were joined by two Irishmen, Tony Cascarino and former player of the year Andy Townsend.

By the end of the decade a full transformation had taken place, as Sky television’s millions ensured a flood of foreign stars arriving to the Premier League. France ’98 saw the Chelsea contingent soar to eight, with each player a different nationality. In full, the roll call was Tore Andre Flo (Norway), Robbie DiMatteo (Italy), Celestine Babayaro (Nigeria), Ed de Goey (Holland), Graeme Le Saux (England), Dan Petrescu (Romania), Frank Sinclair (Jamaica) and one eventual champion, Frank Leboeuf (France).

After a dip to 5 players at Japan & Korea 2002, our representation has been impressive. There were 14 players taking part at Germany 2006, with 12 at South Africa’s World Cup in 2010. Allowing for an army of ex-players, these days seldom does a game pass without some form of Chelsea participation. Indeed, whatever the result of the draw on Friday 6 December, one joyous fact is almost certain. The fixtures revealed for 2014 are to be enriched by record levels of Chelsea!

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