A few days ago, the Chelsea FC megastore 'announced' Oscar's squad number as #11, when they put the kit on sale. Although you won't find any evidence of this supposed gaffe on the website anymore, the news spread like wildfire & also sparked a bit of a debate on Twitter. Many argued that Oscar had done nothing to earn the #11 & shouldn't be given the number, while others shrugged off the story, saying that it's just a number. Some even called for the #11 to be retired in honour of Drogba.
The reaction actually got me thinking. No one can refute the fact that Didier is a club legend. But does that mean we need to retire the number? The answer is a big "No".
Since I'm being honest, I may as well admit that I'm not a fan of squad numbers being retired. In certain cases, maybe. But not all cases.
One argument I've heard is, "If Chelsea could retire the #25 in honour of Zola, we can definitely retire the #11 in honour of Drogba". That argument is factually incorrect, as the #25 has NOT been retired by Chelsea. The number is still active, but hasn't been used by anyone else since Zola's departure.
Also, one can admit that Drogba isn't the only Chelsea player of his generation that can be considered a legend. John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole & even Petr Cech could & should be considered legends whenever their Chelsea careers do come to an end (I honestly hope they all retire at Chelsea). Does that mean we should retire the numbers 26, 8, 3 & 1 as well? If we keep doing that, soon we'll arrive at a situation when the club will have no squad numbers to give to our future squad!
Another argument I've heard is, "Oscar will never be able to live up to Didier". That's laughable. It's foolish to expect Oscar to "live up to Didier". Rather, we should give the talented young lad all the encouragement he needs to become a star for Chelsea. He already has to prove himself on the big stage, so why burden him with the unnecessary pressure of having to live up to a squad number? It's ridiculous.
At the end of the day, it's just a number.
Shayne Dias
TweetFollow @CFC360Official
#11 is not just a number!
ReplyDeletewhy not give him the #25 or #13?
ReplyDeleteI tink he is yet 2 prove himself, why nt give him d number 13 shirt until he is ready 4 it...d number 11 is nt just a number @ chelsea........blues till enternity
ReplyDeletePlayers always have their preferred numbers and would take that if available or given it if they are better than the person who it is assigned to just to please them and make them play better. In the absence of their preferred number, they can take any random number they like.
ReplyDeletethat #11 siuts Oscar fullstop
ReplyDeleteJoke....!!!
ReplyDeleteJoke....!!!
ReplyDeleteAs far as I am concerned #11 is nothing but just a number. We should give Oscar a chance. The looks like a big talent to me anyway.
ReplyDeleteLet almighty Drogba say something about it.
ReplyDeleteInstead let chelsea give the number to a striker that will soon arrive like Moses orCavani
ReplyDeleteGOD bless the brain of the writer of this incisive article. You made your point so precise and analytical. If most of those fans (both in England and outside) can read this, am sure, the wise ones will learn sth this and stop saying rubbish. Simple!
ReplyDeleteI agree. It's stupid to retire numbers because somebody who wore it before was a legend. I'd understand if that player died while he was still playing for the club.
ReplyDeleteWe are entitled to our opinions but its just that stupid opinions come from debased minds. I can bliv some people saying they shud retire numbers.
ReplyDeleteI am Chelsea fan and my wife n kids are Chelsea so my family is Chelsea.
ReplyDeleteThe point is "lets give honour to whom it's due.
#11 should be retired in honour of D.Drogba.Reasons:
1.In the last 8yrs, since arriving at Chelsea,he was dreaded by all defences in England and abroad.
2.Drog has won 2 golden boots in the blue jersy
3.Drog has won(amongs carling and FA cups)3premier leagues and 1 CHAMPS
4.Drog was the SOLE motivator and ultimate winner of the FA and CHAMPS for Chelsea last season
5.Drog always rose up to the occassion when there was a need
6.Drog won back to back premier leagues
7.Drog's #11 is still being sold and bought in the market
8.Drog is still Chelsea albeit he left on a very emotional note because of our desire to re-build a younger squad
Zola and Drog are on different pedestals.I appreciate Zola's contrbution to Chelsea in his days but honestly if you compare Zola with Drog on the few points above(besides many other points which space will not permit),you may see a need to retire #11 for Drog.
Fellow fans the arguement for him could be so long but if I may ask "what will a player do or achieve to deserve the retirement of his jersy no.in chelsea?I pray and hope that we are neither hoping nor praying that a player should die on the field before his jersy no.could be retiered in his honour and I also pray that it will not take us onwards of 5 to 10 yrs before we could get a player that will contribute to the chelsea course as much as Drog did.
Let me quickly add that am a very big fan of Terry,Lamps,Cole and Chech but I don't think they deserve this honour,presently,as much as Drog does.