Dear_Claudio
15 Jul 2006, 04:12 PM
Eidur reflects on fantastic Chelsea time
Barcelona-bound Eidur Gudjohnsen has been speaking about bringing the curtain down on his six-season career at Chelsea.
Only John Terry and Carlo Cudicini of the existing squad were at Chelsea when Gudjohnsen arrived from Bolton in the summer of 2000 for £4 million. He has seen many changes including three managers and a change of club ownership, but despite the recent success that has brought two championships, a Carling Cup and a Community Shield to add to the Charity Shield won in his very first game, he has decided the time has come to move on.
“It was a big decision,” he told Chelsea TV. “It was a difficult decision because I feel like a Chelsea boy. I grew up with the likes of JT, spent a lot of time together, been at the club for a long time and I really appreciate what the club means.
“It was difficult but I obviously felt through the latter stages of last season that it was probably time for a new challenge.”
“I have always taken on the challenge at Chelsea of doing my best and getting myself into the team but I felt that it was the time to move on. I had a chat with José and we both agreed. He told me to my face I won’t ever say I want to sell you but we both felt it was probably the right time.”
Despite a versatility that had seen the Iceland international captain play in midfield as well as up front in the past two seasons, he was finding himself a less-frequent first choice. The arrival of Andriy Shevchenko, Salomon Kalou, Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel is unlikely to ease competition for places. Gudjohnsen’s Chelsea career ends at 177 starts, 86 sub appearances and 78 goals.
“There are mixed emotions,” he explains. “I’m obviously looking forward to a new challenge but I am sad to be leaving one of the clubs that has grown very close to my heart.
“It’s been six great years and the last two with winning the Premiership just crowns them off. I think we as a team and a club managed to get the success that we have been longing for for a long time.
“I never thought that when I signed I’d be looking back and saying I have played 260-odd games for Chelsea, some better than others obviously, and it is amazing how quickly it has gone by. But it’s been a fantastic time.”
Nice to see some positive comments, even though there must be some bad feeling there. Taken from the official site, by the way.
Barcelona-bound Eidur Gudjohnsen has been speaking about bringing the curtain down on his six-season career at Chelsea.
Only John Terry and Carlo Cudicini of the existing squad were at Chelsea when Gudjohnsen arrived from Bolton in the summer of 2000 for £4 million. He has seen many changes including three managers and a change of club ownership, but despite the recent success that has brought two championships, a Carling Cup and a Community Shield to add to the Charity Shield won in his very first game, he has decided the time has come to move on.
“It was a big decision,” he told Chelsea TV. “It was a difficult decision because I feel like a Chelsea boy. I grew up with the likes of JT, spent a lot of time together, been at the club for a long time and I really appreciate what the club means.
“It was difficult but I obviously felt through the latter stages of last season that it was probably time for a new challenge.”
“I have always taken on the challenge at Chelsea of doing my best and getting myself into the team but I felt that it was the time to move on. I had a chat with José and we both agreed. He told me to my face I won’t ever say I want to sell you but we both felt it was probably the right time.”
Despite a versatility that had seen the Iceland international captain play in midfield as well as up front in the past two seasons, he was finding himself a less-frequent first choice. The arrival of Andriy Shevchenko, Salomon Kalou, Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel is unlikely to ease competition for places. Gudjohnsen’s Chelsea career ends at 177 starts, 86 sub appearances and 78 goals.
“There are mixed emotions,” he explains. “I’m obviously looking forward to a new challenge but I am sad to be leaving one of the clubs that has grown very close to my heart.
“It’s been six great years and the last two with winning the Premiership just crowns them off. I think we as a team and a club managed to get the success that we have been longing for for a long time.
“I never thought that when I signed I’d be looking back and saying I have played 260-odd games for Chelsea, some better than others obviously, and it is amazing how quickly it has gone by. But it’s been a fantastic time.”
Nice to see some positive comments, even though there must be some bad feeling there. Taken from the official site, by the way.