In the southwestern suburbs, about an hour's drive from London, and southeast of the town of Cobham, there is a modern training base covering an area of nearly 800 acres.
Turn into a two-lane road from the town road, and drive forward for two to three hundred meters in a zigzag way. You will see a long row of parking spaces on the left side of the road. At the end of the parking space is a magnificent long strip.
The building has an arched roof and looks very modern and stylish.
This is the heart of Chelsea, and it is another masterpiece of Abramovich after he took over.
Across this small road, there is a lot of construction work going on on the opposite side, and two tall tower cranes have been erected.
"This is the second phase of our Chelsea Cobham training base. A training building is being built specifically for the first team. Next door is an indoor training ground. In the future, even if it is the coldest month of winter or snowy weather, there is no need to worry about it being affected.
Come to training.”
As soon as he got off the bus, Chelsea's Russian owner, Roman Abramovich, pointed at the construction site in the distance and introduced it to his fellow travelers with a proud tone.
"We will be one of the first clubs in the Premier League to be equipped with this kind of indoor training ground. This also proves that since the opening of this training base, our Chelsea team has been one of the teams with the best training facilities in the Premier League. Finally, we no longer have to
Training in a shabby warehouse at Heathrow Airport."
At the end of the sentence, Abramovich couldn't help but laugh at himself.
In 2003, when he first acquired Chelsea, he brought many superstars to the team, such as Makelele.
These superstars spent huge sums of money, but what was embarrassing was that Chelsea's training ground at that time was just north of London Heathrow Airport. It was an old training ground that looked like a dilapidated old warehouse from the outside.
So much so that at that time the whole world was laughing at Chelsea for being a nouveau riche who actually let their superstars train in such a terrible vegetable patch, just like driving a Ferrari to carry cargo. It was a waste of money.
But few people know that in fact, not only Chelsea, but almost the entire Premier League, the training bases of all teams are very poor, including the wealthy team Manchester United.
The more far-sighted one is Arsene Wenger of Arsenal. After selling Anelka, he bought Henry and built the Colney training base, so that Arsenal has always had the best training base in the Premier League.
After being ridiculed by the outside world, Abramovich learned the hard way. After several choices, he finally decided to locate Chelsea's training base in Cobham, and the training base was officially opened in 2007.
…
Standing next to Abramovich is the Dutch coach Hiddink who just led the Russian national team to a brilliant performance in the European Cup this summer. He is more familiar with leading the South Korean team to the World Cup in 2002.
Top four.
But everyone knows what's going on.
As a famous European coach, Hiddink has a close personal relationship with Abramovich. There are even rumors that his coaching of the Russian national team came from Abramovich, so this time he failed to refuse Abramovich.
Qi’s invitation.
"Further forward, there is our club's youth training base, which is now basically in use. It will cultivate an endless supply of talents for us in the future."
After finishing speaking, Abramovich made a gesture of invitation toward Hiddink and led him into the building with a vaulted roof.
As soon as he arrived outside the gate, he saw a group of people coming out. The leader was a bald middle-aged man wearing a blue Chelsea training suit. Hiddink knew him. He had played for Chelsea, Manchester United and AC Milan in England.
Midfielder Wilkins.
After retiring, he coached Queens Park Rangers and Fulham, and later joined Chelsea, worked as an assistant coach for Vialli, and followed the Italian to Watford.
In 2002, he served as an assistant coach for the England U21 youth team. In 2008, when Scolari coached Chelsea, he was invited to Stamford Bridge to work as an assistant to Big Phil. After Scolari was fired, he temporarily
Lead team training.
It can be said that he is the person who is most familiar with everything about Chelsea now, and will also be Hiddink's most effective assistant after taking charge of Chelsea.
Abramovich introduced Wilkins to Hiddink, and after shaking hands, the two went directly to the team's locker room.
"The players are already waiting in the locker room." Wilkins led the way.
Chelsea this season can be said to be very strong, and all the humerus players from when Mourinho was in office are still there.
Originally, everyone was looking forward to Scolari's coaching of Chelsea. Phil's start was also quite amazing, he played offensive football, the game was beautiful and full of aggression.
There was even a saying at that time that you should watch Naples in Serie A, Chelsea in Premier League, and Barcelona in La Liga.
What I mean is that these three teams all played very well and had strong offensive power in the game.
But gradually, Naples and Barcelona continued to dominate, but Phil's Chelsea suffered heavy setbacks one after another.
Especially since entering the winter break, Chelsea have suffered consecutive defeats. In the five games against the top four teams, Chelsea has one draw and four losses. The results are disastrous. The overall winning rate of 56% is also Chelsea's best performance in recent years.
The lowest among the head coaches who have come here.
Recently, after a disastrous defeat to Liverpool, even the players and fans in the locker room objected. Scolari could be said to have betrayed everyone, and in the end he could only leave in despair with a liquidated damages of 7.5 million pounds.
Big Phil's transformation of Chelsea failed!
At this time, Hiddink could not stand in the way of Abramovich and took over this hot potato.
Hiddink stood in front of the players in the locker room, his eyes scanning each of their faces.
What he saw was listlessness and discouragement.
This is no longer the Iron Lion team trained by Mourinho.
Confidence is hard to build, but easy to destroy.
Fortunately, he still has some time.
From taking over to the game, there are still two weeks.
Abramovich personally came to the scene to introduce Hiddink to all Chelsea players. This in itself was already a manifestation of authority, and all Chelsea players also felt the pressure from the management.
This is to warn them to cooperate well with Hiddink.
After Abramovich finished speaking, there was a burst of warm applause in the dressing room, both for the boss and to welcome Hiddink to his first speech since coaching Chelsea.
Hiddink took a step forward under Abramovich's please gesture.
As a world-famous coach who has just led his team to a brilliant performance in the European Cup, Hiddink has a certain magnanimity. Standing in front of the players, everyone can't help but feel a sense of respect.
This is a tribute to his past achievements!
"Do you still want the championship?" Hiddink's first sentence was a question that shocked everyone.
champion?
Is it still possible?
All the players looked at each other, obviously not knowing how to answer.
On the contrary, Abramovich, who was behind Hiddink, smiled secretly in his heart. He understood Hiddink.
"I know you are thinking, how is this possible?" Hiddink said what the players were thinking.
"But I want to remind you that in the world of football, nothing is impossible."
After a pause, Hiddink looked straight at the Chelsea players.
"In late February of 2006, Real Madrid was ten points behind Barcelona in La Liga. At that time, the whole world felt that this aging Galactico was finished, and the arrogant Real Madrid had completely fallen."
Hiddink's deep voice rang out in the locker room, and all other noises disappeared.
"But as you know, the temporary head coach turned all the impossible into possibilities. In the end, they not only reversed Barcelona, but even won the Champions League, achieving a great double success.
Crowned King!"
Everyone present had heard of this legend, and even Abramovich behind him had his eyes shining.
Gao Shen was once one of the goals that Chelsea considered when changing coaches.
"This head coach is profound, and the Real Madrid he leads has really achieved everything you thought was impossible. He will also be our first opponent in the Champions League next."
When Hiddink said this, he stopped immediately and allowed time for the players to slowly chew on his words.
There is no problem with Chelsea's strength. The team's overall combat effectiveness is very strong. The key lies in the players' psychology, morale and tactics.
"I want to say, what those old Real Madrid guys were able to do back then, do you think you can't do it yourself?"
Hiddink's rhetorical question made many players shake their heads involuntarily.
Who wants to admit that their skills are inferior to others?
Even if the opponent is a lofty Real Madrid superstar.
"Before I came to London, I watched some of your games. I won't say anything to my predecessor, but I feel that you are not suitable to blindly learn how other teams play, even if you have advanced tactical concepts.
If it's advanced and doesn't suit you, it just doesn't suit you. You can't force this. Chelsea has its own style of play and heritage."
Many players nodded.
"I want to tell you that we are all adults and many of you have achieved success, whether it is in the Premier League or the Champions League, whether it is the World Cup or anything else, I know that you are the best players in the world."
"Before I walked into this locker room, I was very worried. I was afraid that I would take over a team whose players seriously lacked fighting spirit and had a lax attitude. But after seeing you, at this moment, my
I am very clear in my heart and full of confidence.”
"Because I know you will not be afraid of any challenges!"
"I also want to tell you that I am here to help you. I hope that in the next period of time, we can respect each other and meet challenges together."
"I am confident that I can help you and our team to reverse the past decline and find the key to victory again in the next Premier League, Champions League and cup competitions!"
"I hope to get your cooperation and assistance."
"And me, and all my new colleagues..." Hiddink pointed to Wilkins and others behind him.
