With the Six Nations in full swing, we caught up with Chelsea followers Ollie Lawrence, Nick Isiekwe and Chandler Cunningham-South because the England internationals visited the Dugout Club at Stamford Bridge for our Premier League conflict towards Leeds United.
The rugby union stars sat behind the Blues’ dugout, only a few ft away from Liam Rosenior and the Chelsea substitutes, for the Leeds conflict on February 10. And after the sport, they went pitchside and caught up with our two goalscorers on the evening, Cole Palmer and Joao Pedro, and Blues midfielder Moises Caicedo.
It was then our flip to place just a few inquiries to the England trio, earlier than they posed for pictures in entrance of the Stamford Bridge East Stand…
It’s been nice to have you ever at Stamford Bridge – and we hope you loved your Dugout Club experience! Explain to us what Chelsea means to every of you?
Ollie: For me, it’s historical past. We have received so many trophies and are the one group to have received all of it! The historical past itself speaks so much.
Nick: Simply, it’s my childhood.
Chandler: Sensational. That’s what Chelsea Football Club is.
Obviously, all of us have our favourite gamers, both as kids or within the current day. Who was it for you?
Ollie Lawrence: Didier Drogba is up there for me. He’s one of many GOATs (Greatest Of All Time) and a few of my earliest memories are of Drogba enjoying for Chelsea. I liked it when Eden Hazard was right here, too. They had been each unbelievable.
Nick Isiekwe: Similar for me. My favourite rising up was Drogba as properly. Every massive sport, the man confirmed up and scored for us, particularly towards Arsenal! So, Drogba, Lamps (Frank Lampard), (John) Terry – all of the greats.
Chandler Cunningham-South: I like Cole (Palmer). He’s the man. I even did his ‘cold’ celebration towards Australia!
We’ve had many nice moments and matches down the years, and lifted a number of trophies! But is there a specific Chelsea reminiscence that stands proud in your thoughts?
Ollie: For me, it’s the 2012 Champions League remaining. Drogba’s header – wow!
Nick: One of my favourite childhood memories ever was once we performed Fenerbahce round 2008. My dad introduced me to the Bridge and that was the primary time I noticed Drogba dwell. I used to be gassed!
We’ve received a fantastic squad of gamers, however in your opinion, Ollie, who would make the very best rugby participant?
Ollie: I’d say Reece (James). He’s an enormous man. Most wingers that play towards him say he’s one of many hardest to go towards. I may put him on the wing or within the centre – he’d hustle and work for me!
We did not get the outcome we wished [against Leeds], however discuss us by your expertise of watching the sport from the Dugout Club, which will get you nearer to Liam Rosenior and the gamers throughout the sport?
Ollie: It was class. I couldn’t have requested for far more for my first time. I’ve supported Chelsea since I used to be a child, however simply haven’t had the prospect to come back right down to video games. It was unbelievable. To sit within the Dugout Club, near the gaffer and witness all of it was class.
Even earlier than the sport, strolling in, having meals, and coming by right here and being behind the bench, you get to listen to what’s going on and the fervour that the supervisor has – it’s superb.
Nick: What I didn’t realise was the quantity of speaking between the supervisor and the gamers. We don’t have that, as rugby gamers. When you watch it on TV, generally you miss that, so to be up shut was nice. The ambiance and the closeness of the pitch, all of it feels prefer it’s on high of you – that’s distinctive to soccer.
Chandler: The ambiance was nice. It’s continuous. I find it irresistible. It’s simply noisy the entire sport. The away crowd over there may be giving it again too, it’s nice. We don’t have that as a lot in rugby!
