TROPHY parades in recent seasons have become a chance for thousands of fans to get together, line the streets and celebrate their team holding silverware aloft on an open top bus.
But for Chelsea, after their Conference League and Club World Cup victories, it seems becoming Champions of the World wasn’t enough to justify that level of chaos.
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Instead, the Blues opted for an hour-long in-house trophy celebration with a fairly drab atmosphere, leaving the players unenthused and some fans disappointed.
Almost immediately after the ‘ceremony’ one Chelsea fan took to X to vent his frustration, claiming “The players couldn’t care less about this event lmao, very awkward.” It was a statement that was tough to disagree with.
Another added: “This Chelsea trophy event, looks like the men’s players don’t want to be there! Show a little enthusiasm or smile for the fans that showed up! So awkward!”
The Stamford Bridge west stand was far from full, with fans who bought tickets to the far right or left of the stand being instructed to move to the empty seats in the centre for a better view early on.
Despite this, with a ticket costing just £5, less than a beer at the ground, fans were perhaps given fair value.
Members of the Treble-winning women’s team, including captain Millie Bright, were out first with the WSL title, league cup and FA Cup, before being joined by the entire men’s team with the Club World Cup and Conference League trophies.
Chelsea heroes Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo were given huge ovations by the supporters in attendance, before all of the announced new signings were given an official introduction to Blues’ supporters – unsurprisingly it was Estevao Willian who got the biggest cheer.
The new Brazilian was officially announced as a Chelsea player yesterday, a year after agreeing a deal to join Enzo Maresca’s side, and was comically forced by Malo Gusto to watch the French fullback’s goal against Estevao’s Palmeiras side at the Club World Cup on the big screen.
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The idea was for the players to stroll down a blue carpet onto a plinth, before joining their team-mates to one side – though it seemed only Tosin Adarabioyo was fussed about trying to get his team-mates to avoid just walking to the side to join their pals, rather than take to the stage.
The players were also given a chance to do a ‘Donald Trump-less’ lift of the Club World Cup trophy, but again, looked less than thrilled with captain Reece James not even holding the trophy aloft his head.
Though in fairness to James, it may be difficult to get ramped up and celebrate a trophy won over a month ago with few fans in attendance – or a US President looking on.
Before they were allowed to head home, James and Maresca were asked for their message to the fans before their 25/26 campaign gets going with a pre-season friendly against Bayer Leverkusen on Friday night.
It was the manager who raised a few eyebrows in the ground with his ‘rallying cry’, after women’s manager Sonia Bompastor had vowed for the team to target all FOUR trophies next campaign.
Instead of instilling the fans with hope, and daring them to dream that the team will compete for major honours this season, Maresca instead pleaded for the fans to get behind the team.
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He said: “The message from me is quite clear. The players need the fans, so it’s important that they’re always behind them. This is my main message.”
This comes against a backdrop of Maresca last season asking for a more energetic and encouraging atmosphere at home games for the Blues – something that he feels is essential in the team’s quest for Champions League and Premier League glory.
Perhaps we’re old fashioned, but a traditional trophy parade might be a better idea the next time this team do pick up silverware.
