The ability of Chelsea fans to put bad news behind them never ceases to amaze, writes Tim Harrison.
No sooner had Darren England blown the whistle on the FA Cup final, with the Blues beaten 1-0 by Man City, than the chat switched to Xabi Alonso's move to SW6.
The 44-year-old, who left Real Madrid in January after a rocky seven months, has a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge, scuppering Scouse hopes of persuading the ex-Liverpool midfielder to replace the underperforming Arne Slot. Alonso, a childhood sparring partner of Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta, starts on July 1; early enough to build a new squad.
Read more
Death notices and funeral announcements from the Your Local Guardian
Southern trains leaving Croydon station cancelled this Sunday
Blues fans again made clear their disenchantment about the club’s American owners as they marched up Wembley Way, chorusing abuse and unfurling banners. The final itself was tight, with a cheeky 71st-minute backheel by Antoine Semenyo separating the sides. Chelsea came close three minutes later, but couldn’t find a leveller.
Across town at the Bridge, Tina Turner’s Simply the best blared out as legends Millie Bright and Sam Kerr left following Chelsea Women’s last game of the season.
Captain and leader Millie, now commemorated on the Shed’s wall of fame, and striker Kerr, who equalled Fran Kirby’s all-time goal-scoring record with a breathtaking volley to seal a 1-0 win over Man U, bowed out with a guard of honour.
Manager Sonia Bompastor, who was booked after a stoppage-time touchline scuffle, said: “For sure, it's nice to finish on a high. I was really hoping for us to perform today and win the game. Sam deserves that. She’s a great player. All the goals she scored in her career at Chelsea, and all the titles and trophies she’s won here, prove that.”
Of Millie’s 12 years and 314 appearances, Sonia added: “Losing a player with her quality, and the person she was in the locker room, will be difficult to replace.”
Chelsea have the summer to reflect on what has been, for them, a disappointing season, lifting the League Cup, but only finishing third in the WSL table. It means this team-in-transition will have to get through the qualifying rounds in August to secure a place in the Champions League.
