In the leadup to the match against Liverpool, Steven Gerrard’s name was mentioned ad nauseam by the pundits and media. The prospect of him being forced to give an honor guard that ended his title hopes so many times was discussed over and over. Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho even spoke about Gerrard and revealed that he was one of his great enemies that he tried to recruit so many times over his managerial career.
Even on Sunday during the match, rather than focus on the fact that Chelsea FC were in the midst of their coronation as champions, Steven Gerrard was the focus of the conversation. The announcers went on and on about the great Stevie G and all the great fight and character he has shown over the years.
Chelsea fans made sure that he heard the abuse all match long about slipping last season and costing his team the title but they also gave him a standing ovation as he was subbed off. He was focused more on the abuse after the match and made a snide remark about how nice it was for the Chelsea supporters to show up.
We here at the Pride of London have mixed feelings about the sendoff Gerrard received today as we do believe he is to be respected as a player but is often undeservedly deified by the media. Instead of sharing our feelings on the matter at length we decided to ask some members of the Chelsea In America Supporters Club how they felt about Steven Gerrard and why so many of them hate him so much.
Here are their responses, some of which had to be edited to be made fit for this fine publication.
“He’s constantly compared to Frank Lampard. Yet Lampard is leaps and bounds better then Gerrard. Lampard has more Trophies and yet the English Media and Media in general rate Gerrard better”
– KC
“Lampard has more goals in the Prem, obviously lifted more trophies, including the Champions League. Also has scored more international goals than Slippy G, even though he’s started less games for England. Lamps is lightyears ahead.”
– TWP
“Goes hand in hand with FSW [Fat Spanish Waiter i.e. Rafa Benitez], also the fact he was signing for us, before being threatened to have his playing career ended if he did by some would be Scouse gangsters.”
– PP
“We hate Steven Gerrard? Never really got that. Can’t stand Liverpool for sure, but I don’t think there is a centered hatred toward him specifically. More so the club. He was an extension of that. When I think of hate, I think Arsenal and Ashley, West Ham and Frank, Everton and Rooney, everyone and JT. It’s a grand time poking fun at Stevie G, but PF summed it up perfectly. It’s Liverpool.”
– DC
“I hate Slippy G for the following reasons, 1. When he and Lamps both played for England he would never pass to Frank, he wouldn’t return to Frank for a one-two. If he passed to Frank it was only out of desperation or to set Frank for the loss of the ball. 2. He pretends like he is Jesus but he is a dirty player. 3. Everything is about him. 4. The media think he is Jesus and can walk on water.
5. The media think he is the best player to have ever played in the Premier League. I can think of a lot of players from other clubs that I would rate over him. 6. Minor point he is a bin dipping hubcap stealing scouse coward.
7. He has off pitch discretion which the media hide for him. 8. He plays for the Scousers. BY THE WAY I WOULD HATE HIM IF HE PLAYED FOR ANY OTHER TEAM JUST BECAUSE OF THE FIRST 7 REASONS. I didn’t want him to come to Chelsea because he would have been a selfish playing partner with Lamps in Chelsea games as well. RANT OVER”
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– PF
“I don’t hate him. I think it’s hilarious the English media think he’s the greatest English midfielder to ever live and he constantly fails to win trophies. I think it comes down to our hate for Liverpool and their claims that “we don’t have no history”. Also many Chelsea feel Lampard is better than Gerrard while the media tend to say otherwise.”
– JS
Well there you have it. Some fans hate him because of the way the media portrays him while others hate him because they think he is overhyped and given more love than Chelsea legend Frank Lampard. Others never really hated him but just enjoyed having a go at him because he plays for Liverpool.
Either way the Blues will be losing a foil in Steven Gerrard but since he rarely manages to score against Chelsea it is hard to truly describe him as a rival. His playing days in the top flight are over and ending his career on such a poor note must be a bitter pill to swallow but at least he scored an inconsequential goal against Chelsea before his journey across the Atlantic.
Next: Chelsea FC vs. Liverpool Player Ratings