George Benson is best known for his videos on YouTube. As well as his highly successful channels, he is also a massive Chelsea supporter.
We quizzed George on his love for the club, his favourite players and how he thinks we’ll do under Guus Hiddink.
How did you become a Chelsea fan and what is your earliest memory of the club?
I became a Chelsea fan as soon as I was old enough to make a football decision. My Dad is a massive Chelsea fan so I was brought into the world with no other club around me than Chelsea. My earliest memory of the club was that 5-0 win against United in 2000. What a start, the Poyet header, the Babayaro skill in the box. The abundance of replays. At six years old I thought we were winning 30-0 with all the replays going in!
Growing up, who was your favourite Chelsea player?
My favourite Chelsea player growing up was Frank Lampard. I was fortunate enough to get myself a signed shirt from Super Frank which I still keep un-worn until this day. Didier Drogba was also a hero. Cemented beautifully by that penalty. It doesn’t really need explaining.
What was the best Chelsea game you’ve ever attended?
The best Chelsea game I attended was in 2004, the 4-2 victory at home to Barcelona. From the brilliance of Ronaldinho, the electric Chelsea start finished off by the JT header. Unreal.
How would you describe this season and where do you think it went wrong for Jose Mourinho?
As much as I don’t want to place all the blame on the players, I think the attitude and desire has not been strong enough right from the word go during pre-season. It has been frustrating to watch all season as despite not wanting to believe it, it has seemed as though a few key players have not been interested in wearing the shirt.
Mourinho’s departure is still pretty raw as I was hoping and looking forward to seeing a long term dynasty under the world’s most passionate manager which could have been a beautiful second coming, but no.
Where do you think we’ll finish under Guus Hiddink?
Realistically, I think a surge in the second half of the season will not be as easy as it ‘should be’ with the squad we have. I think we will be very lucky to finish 6th.
Who would you like to see take over in the summer?
Pep Guardiola.
Who would you like that manager to try and sign to improve our squad?
This January, I would not buy anyone. Wait until the summer to make squad personnel changes so the new (long-term) manager can make the decisions for the player that he wants to bring in. As for now, let’s give the likes of Kenedy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Patrick Bamford some game time. Undoubted talents who deserve the opportunity in the first team.
If you could bring back three former players into the current squad? Who would you pick and why?
Frank Lampard, doesn’t need explaining.
Arjen Robben, I think still has a couple good years left in him.
Would love to see Juan Mata return to the Bridge one day too. How we ever let our player of the year for two years straight get sold to United, I will never ever know.
Big thanks to George for taking his time to answer these questions, you can subscribe to his channels here.
