FORMER Chelsea winger Pat Nevin has compared the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge to that of a mausoleum.
The Blues have struggled to compete for trophies since Todd Boehly took over in May 2022.
Despite spending £1billion in just over a year, they finished 12th in the Premier League table last season and crashed out of all cup competitions.
Things have failed to improve this term, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side ninth in the league and missing European football.
However, Chelsea will have the chance to reach the Carabao Cup final tomorrow when they face Middlesbrough in the semi-final second leg.
The Blues lost 1-0 to Boro in the first leg at the Riverside Stadium, but they could mount a comeback on home turf.
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A capacity crowd is expected at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday as Chelsea eye a place on the bill at Wembley next month.
However, ex-Chelsea star Nevin is not convinced that the atmosphere will match the occasion.
In a BBC Football newsletter, he wrote: “Last week I was at Sunderland v Newcastle, then Middlesbrough v Chelsea and then Newcastle v Manchester City. For those unaware of the geography, these games were all in cities in the north east of England at big clubs who are passionately supported, are steeped in football, but who rarely win major trophies.
“There are only five in the last 68 years between the three of them, ouch!
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“If there were awards for the quality of the atmosphere however, each would be Champions League contenders. It is very noticeable how different the atmosphere is at various top grounds in England just now.
“My beloved Chelsea at Stamford Bridge regularly has the matchday atmosphere of a mausoleum on a rainy Monday. Quite fitting as there is a cemetery just behind the main stand.”
He went on to make the same point for Manchester United fans at Old Trafford, adding: “Old Trafford did not have the graveyard excuse when Spurs came at the weekend, though to be fair there was not much for the home fans to get excited about in the second half.
“It was however a desperately odd atmosphere that new part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe witnessed; he would have been disappointed on so many levels.
“It seems to take a lot to get Chelsea and Manchester United fans stirred at the moment, but the passion will hopefully come back if and when they ever get back to the top table of the game.
“The problem is, it doesn’t look imminent for either.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
