Wearing blue they have impressed; against it they've struggled consistently
Mere coincidence, or something more problematic? Either way, this season Chelsea have had real problems in dealing with teams that play in blue, something that has already affected their season on a number of decisive occasions.
Looking at the evidence below, it is hard not to believe that the colour John Terry and co. wear at Stamford Bridge becomes some sort of kryptonite when worn by the opposing side:
How it began: Arguably the warning signs were there in pre-season, as Carlo Ancelotti's side struggled to beat Championship side Reading, who raced into a 2-0 lead at the Madejski Stadium before a Salomon Kalou strike and a late own goal ensured Chelsea avoided an embarrassing defeat, albeit in a friendly.
But the foundation had been laid, and the curse would strike next time the side played a team in blue:
Sep 26, Wigan Athletic (a), lost 3-1: After reeling off eight wins in a row to start the season, Chelsea headed for the DW Stadium full of confidence. But a fine performance from forward Hugo Rodallega — coupled with Petr Cech's sending off — consigned the Blues to a highly surprising 3-1 defeat (both Arsenal and Manchester United had already thrashed the Latics).
Oct 17, Aston Villa (a), lost 2-1: Admittedly a tenuous link, but the blue trim around Aston Villa's kit must have caused problems for Chelsea's players who, having returned to winning ways after that Wigan defeat, were brutally exposed at set-pieces with two goals from defenders Richard Dunne and James Collins.
Dec 2, (League Cup) Blackburn Rovers (a), drew 3-3 (lost 4-3 on penalties): After eight wins in nine games since that defeat at Villa Park, including a 5-0 home win against Sam Allardyce's side, Ancelotti's men headed to Ewood Park and were knocked out of the League Cup, even after Didier Drogba had been thrown on to pursue victory and Paulo Ferreira had sent the game to penalties with a last-ditch extra-time equaliser.
Dec 5, Manchester City (a), lost 2-1: After defeat by Blackburn, Chelsea headed to Eastlands for a tough game where a Carlos Tevez-inspired City scraped a 2-1 win, thanks to a good slice of luck and a late Frank Lampard penalty miss. City would later do the double over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in February.
Dec 5, Manchester City (a), lost 2-1: After defeat by Blackburn, Chelsea headed to Eastlands for a tough game where a Carlos Tevez-inspired City scraped a 2-1 win, thanks to a good slice of luck and a late Frank Lampard penalty miss. City would later do the double over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in February.
Feb 10, Everton (a), lost 2-1: John Terry, usually so reliable as the club's captain, committed two important individual errors to allow Louis Saha in for two goals that propelled David Moyes' side to a memorable victory, and let Manchester United decisively back into the title race.
Feb 24, Inter Milan (a), lost 2-1: Diego Milito caught Chelsea cold with a third minute opener in this vital Champions League clash, before Salomon Kalou's second half equaliser got Chelsea back on level times. Then Esteban Cambiasso notched what turned out to be the winner, leaving the Blues to regret the referee's decision not to award what looked a clear-cut first-half penalty for their side.
Further evidence: Chelsea haven't lost to every team who have lined up against them in blue this season, but they have never put in a convincing performance. Other dubious results include at St. Andrew's (Dec 26), where Birmingham City were denied a victory only after some last-ditch Chelsea defending in a 0-0 draw.
Porto (Nov 26) were slightly unlucky to lose 1-0 at Estadio do Dragao in their Champions League game, a result that looks better or worse in light of Arsenal's travails depending on your opinion.
Burnley's similar kit to Aston Villa (perhaps) helped them to an impressive performance against Chelsea at Turf Moor (Jan 30), where they looked on course to grab a surprising 1-1 draw until John Terry popped up with a late winner in a game his side were expected to dominate. West Ham used the same principle to help themselves to a 1-1 draw at Upton Park in December.
Overall record: Played 10, lost six, drawn two, won two.
Taking advantage Milito wasted no time in putting Inter ahead
Still to come: Fortunately for Chelsea the rest of their Champions League campaign should not be unduly affected by opposing blue kits. Jose Mourinho's Inter will not play in blue on Tuesday night — their away strip, like Chelsea's, is predominantly white — and if the Blues progress there is no other side in the competition that feature blue prominently on their home kit.
In the league it is a different matter, however, with otherwise straightforward looking away trips later this month to Blackburn (Mar 21) and Portsmouth (Mar 24) suddenly becoming a lot harder in light of this season's problems.
Chelsea will likely have to beat both of them if they want to win the Premier League — so those would be two great games for them to finally break this 'blue kit curse'.
LET THIS BLUE CURSE CONTINUE TILL THE END OF THIS SEASON SO THAT WE CAN WIN THE TITLE..
Thanks to goal.com
