No one likes them but Chelsea do care! Carlo Ancelotti's Premier League leaders should be flattered

[DYC. 7,542]

By Leo Spall Last updated at 9:48 AM on 22nd September 2010

It may not seem much after the sums of money invested and the number of trophies they have collected. But Chelsea should revel in rather than rail against the indifference with which they are viewed by the football public - because it shows how far they have come. Florent Malouda sounded a little irked this week that more credit has not come his team's way after their blistering start to the season. He has a point too

They have been scoring so freely that it has begun to be taken for granted. After also breaking the Premier League goalscoring record by banging in 103 on their way to the title last time out, we would be more surprised now if they were only winning by the odd strike. Maybe it shouldn't be this way, but the backhanded compliment is there to be taken nonetheless. After all, it is not that long ago that one of the most frequent questions at Chelsea's press gatherings asked how the players dealt with the general hostility aimed at them.

Those who hate the way the club have been bankrolled by Roman Abramovich and took such exception to the arrogance and grandstanding of Peter Kenyon and Jose Mourinho are not going to change their mindsets overnight. Yet Chelsea are beginning to be accepted as a free-scoring, silverware-winning team and there are a lot worse reputations to have.

No longer the rich upstarts jostling for position, the role of big-spending, chippy club has been assumed by Manchester City. Under the cover provided by Manchester United's noisy neighbours, and now with a more attacking philosophy, Chelsea have taken a small step towards acceptance as the top team they are.

Three Premier League titles, three FA Cups and two League Cups in six years can do that if the manager is happier on the training ground than in the limelight. Then it is all about the team and, with the performances so far this season, what is not to like?

Carlo Ancelotti's first term at the club was navigated impressively too and Abramovich cannot help but be pleased with him.

Of course, Chelsea have tougher tests to come and how they react to setbacks will be as important as the maturity they have shown in victory.

Off-field shenanigans would set them back too and it is too early to rush to proclaim the club as having reached a reputation watershed. But in a tribal sport where admiration is usually grudging and seldom without reservation, respectful indifference is not to be sniffed at.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1314178/No-likes-Chelsea-care-Carlo-Ancelottis-Premier-League-leaders-flattered.html

Finally some positivity from the media

:cfc:

[BomTrett 50]

Reminds a bit of the mirror article in the same vein.

Except the mirror article had to include a lil dig at Chelsea, talking about Drogba's diving, and us 'falsifying a big night atmosphere with plastic flags under the chairs'

Nice to see Chelsea being respected in the media for once, rather than slated, despite being the best team in the country

[Madmax 9,219]

I don't see why we should be happy with this 'back-handed compliment' as they put it. If United or Arsenal would have been champions, there would be raving articles about how great they are, their manager is blah blah. We don't get the credit we deserve, and that doesn't change no matter how many trophies we win.

[Jose M 140]

Guys the more the press slates us the better because as soon as we prove them wrong once again they feel like right idiots. I would go a whole season loosing every game aslong as we beat United Home and away, as most of the press suck uniteds jellytot balls.

[Term-X 7,891]

Much better, considering it's the daily mail.

Under the cover provided by Manchester United's noisy neighbours, and now with a more attacking philosophy, Chelsea have taken a small step towards acceptance as the top team they are.

amen.

[zolayes 14,489]

the expression "damned with faint praise" springs to mind ...similar comments in the mail earlier when 7 of their writers said they disliked us a little less.

I despise the mail as much as ever

[BlueLion. 21,491]

If you're impressed by that, you should read The Independent... a proper sports section where bias doesn't affect the quality of journalism.

[Kostas 1,468]

Can't say I give a sod about whether the press or the other fans like us or not but I would be delighted if it could change the way refs treat us in Europe