So you think Frank Lampard’s “proper Chelsea fans” was about you

So you think Frank Lampard’s “proper Chelsea fans” comment was about you. We’re here to help you sort through that phrase and its meaning.

Let’s just pull up a chair and sit backwards in it Captain America style. So, you think Frank Lampard’s “proper Chelsea fans” comment was about you. You’re probably feeling a lot of emotions about that. We’re here to help.

For the unaware, this all started with Mason Mount, as so many completely articulate and fair discussions about Chelsea do. The English wonderkid has been getting criticism, again, seemingly for breathing but also because he starts for club and country over supposedly “better” players. Lampard has been asked about it in presser after presser and it is hard to keep finding new things to say when so many call Mount his “son” because isn’t that just so funny? Anyways, Lampard said everyone would see Mount supported when “proper Chelsea fans” return to the stadium.

A whole lot of people seem to think he’s talking about them. Particularly, they seem to think he is saying that only fans in the stadium have opinions that matter. Which, of course, isn’t what he’s saying at all. What he is saying is that the fans overly critical of Mount aren’t the proper Chelsea fans, and frankly, they probably aren’t the ones that are going to go out of their way to go to the stadium no matter where in the world they live.

A key word in all that is “overly”. Criticism of a player is one thing. Spending every day slating a player, claiming he is only playing because he is the manager’s “son” or has his nudes or putting a red “X” over his face isn’t criticism. It’s hate.

Imagine coming through the entire Chelsea academy, one of the toughest in the world. You’re a starter for both club and country not because you’re the best player, but you’re certainly the best player for the team (if that sends head spinning, the best XI isn’t necessarily the best 11 players; it’s the 11 that fits together best). The world is at your feet, and then because some Twitter warrior rates another player better thanks to FIFA 21, they attack you. Daily. You’re supposed “fans” bash you over and over for doing little to nothing wrong.

There is a quote from the show 21 Thunder, which despite its cancellation provided a gem to the world. “”Those people aren’t fans; they’re fanatics. They don’t love the game, they want to own it.” That’s the defense. Lampard isn’t talking about the fans that love the game, love the team, love the players. Those are the proper fans. The people upset about his quotes? It’s either a lack of understanding of nuance (a plague these days) or they are the fanatics. They buy the shirt, they maybe watch the games, but they want to own them, not love them.

By all means, have opinions on players. But know that there is a line there and it is crossed constantly with Mount. He is not only Chelsea through and through, but he is arguably the most important (again, not the best) player for club and country. He is going to go right to the top. Don’t be the fanatic that spent years slating him only to hurriedly delete tweets and going “always rated him!”.

Proper fans will be back in the stadium for the Leeds match most likely. Meanwhile, the proper fans will keep backing Mount. He is one of our own. The fanatics will keep wringing their hands over perceived slights as they look for the next player to hype over Mount.