When the chant went up from the Chelsea supporters as their side lost to Fulham at Craven Cottage recently, it was as defiant as it was ambiguous. “We want our Chelsea back,” the away supporters sang. They wanted to take back control, they wanted to make Chelsea great again, they wanted the swamp drained. But what Chelsea did they want back and whose club was it anyway? The Chelsea they pine for is the one of Roman Abramovich, a club that was run capriciously and where it was once joked that the manager would be given a rolling week-to-week contract.…

Want to continue reading?

Introductory offer: Sign up today for just €5 for the first month or €200 for the first year.

Subscribe

Cancel anytime.

Are you already a member? .