Published22. August 2024, 06:06
Football: Servette is unknown at Chelsea
The Grenats may come to challenge the Blues on Thursday (9 p.m.) in the Conference League, but no one really cares.
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Chelsea are preparing to face Servette on Thursday evening.
John Walton/PA Wire/dpa
Small, peaceful village. Typically English. On the terrace of the Old Plough, the only pub in the area, nothing seems to disturb the daily life of these young retirees. Welcome to Stoke d’Abernon, in the county of Surrey. It is no longer Greater London. But it is here that the Chelsea training center is built.
In front of the entrance, teenagers are waiting around. Ben is 14. He comes from the area. A self-proclaimed Blues fan. He hopes for autographs, while a sign clearly warns passers-by that because of the road that passes there, no player’s car will stop. No matter. The youngsters are trying. It helps pass the time, before being at Stamford Bridge on Thursday (9pm).
Because there is the European Cup. The Conference League, to be exact. Servette is on the program. What does Ben know about the Grenat club? “Nothing at all.” Honest. Two young adults of Asian origin are also there. The answer is less brutal, but it speaks of the same ignorance: “I heard the name of the club for the first time during the draw,” admits the most talkative.
Other problems
We have to face the facts: Servette is an anecdote for Chelsea. For its followers too. At the press conference, Enzo Maresca has nothing to say about it. “It would be embarrassing if you didn’t qualify, wouldn’t it?” he was asked. “I play every match to win it,” retorts the Blues coach. We move on to something else.
Because there are many other subjects that agitate the life of this Chelsea, where forty players are under contract, where João Felix has just signed, where Raheem Sterling is pushed towards the exit. So, Servette is not the most important. It would only become so if the Grenat were to achieve the feat.
“Be in the game on the return”
To create a surprise, the Grenat will have to “put in a 100% collective performance, otherwise, it won’t be possible,” insisted coach Thomas Häberli on Wednesday. He wants to believe it. The goal? “To still be in the game for the return match in a week.” At Stamford Bridge, Servette will in any case be able to count on a full squad, since Stevanovic should be available. The conditions for the feat also depend on that. Especially since, this time, everyone should be fresh.
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