Chelsea did more harm than good to football

As the rain lashed at everything in its wake at the Luzhniki stadium, John Terry‘s tears were washed away by the downpour. His slip had just cost Chelsea the Champions League title. Four years later he was seen hoisting the trophy with both hands, as a distraught Munich side took comfort in the reclusivness that their dressing room had offered. That was yesterday, and today is the four year anniversary of Terry’s fumble, that gave birth to the pro-Man Utd chants – viva John Terry!

For a player who has missed this year’s final for kneeing Sanchez from behind, and forcing his team to dig a deeper trench than usual to counter Barcelona‘s onslaught in the semifinal, Terry doesn’t deserve to lift the trophy so much as Chelsea didn’t deserve to be in the final.

That second leg win against Napoli was a one-off; they were pushed around by a 10 man Benfica close to the edge of getting knocked out; were completely outplayed against Barcelona, and flirted dangerously close to another final loss against Bayern Munich.

“Chelsea winning the CL-final is a defeat for proper football. I’d rather not win it, then to have to play this way.” ~ Johan Cruyff

It is easy to point fingers and complain how undeserving Chelsea were and wash one’s hands. However, the fact remains that there is no art in throwing 11 bodies behind the ball.

Scoring against the run of play is an art by itself, but sitting back and absorbing pressure for most of the game – despite a 50 million pound striker at your disposal –  is like hustling your opponent.

Chelsea has destroyed football brick by brick this season. If there is anything that they deserved to win this season, it is a sixth place medal for finishing 25 points behind leaders Manchester City. Their crimes don’t stop here. Chelsea have successfully pulled down what Tottenham have built this season to a rubble. Star players will move out of the club, their manager might retire, and the North London derbies will lose the excitement they bring to the league table.

There is however, one man and not a team, that deserved to win the Champions League this year. Agree or disagree, Drogba has earned his place in the pantheons of Champions League winners.