and that is a great point Toon. Chelsea have always maintained a squad of 25 players. At the moment there are 30 but some will leave, and that will bring the numbers down. I dont think a squad of 25 players is excessive.
I dont like to see good players underused either. SWP is a great player and I was looking forward to him being a regular at Chelsea. Even now I am at a loss to find an exlpanation for Jose's reasons for starving him of action. All I do know is that Jose thinks the World of him and would not think of letting him go.
Toon Army was right using Joe Cole as an example. Maybe Jose likes to see how some players cope in the first season with so much bench time. Will they sulk and want out, or will they fight for a place when they get the chance? SWP is not the kinda young fella to be happy doing a Bogarde. He wants to play, and to give the guy his due, he has said he will wait for his chance.
As for having quality players on the bench. What else would you want on the bench...crap players? We want quality players in the team, on the bench and waiting in the wings. If every club had the rescources that we have, they could afford to do the same. If that seems unfair and seems to give Chelsea an unfair advantage. Tough, thats life. We had to live with it for decades when all the big boys of Europe threw us their scraps. Now the role is reversed, the big boys and all their fans don't like it.
I don't agree with everything Jose does at the time that he does it, but time has taught me that, as far as man management is concerned, he seems to be able to tell the men from the boys. The funny thing is though is that, everyone says SWP should leave Chelsea. Everone but SWP himself.
William, Crespo and Gallas are first team players. They do not sit in the stands. If people think that we should sell our fringe players thats fine. Does Milan want Huth,Carlton Cole,Del Horno,Glen Johnson,Oliveira, or Scott Sinclair? No? I thought not. Not many other teams want them either mate and thats why they do not play for us.
Only 11 players will ever be on the pitch at any one time. We know that and all the players know that. If they want to come to Chelsea to chance their luck then they are welcome to. As said earlier, nobody puts a gun to their heads, but when they sign a contract they do not leave without the clubs say so. Personally I would let Crespo go tomorrow, he has whinged for 2 years that he wants to return to Italy, and to be honest we are sick and tired of his crying, but if he is not happy then let him go. I do agree that if someone is not happy at a club then let them leave, for a fair return in a transfer fee of course.
Gallas is a different matter. He is sulking until he gets the deal that he wants. He wants more money, which he deserves, and a longer contract which he also deserves. Chelsea should give him what he wants and then he will be happy and stay.