Respect Chelsea: Other Ways To Honor The New Premier League Champion
Respect Chelsea: Other Ways To Honor The New Premier League Champion
Chelsea is the 2014-15 English Premier League Champion. That means that their next opponent, Liverpool, per tradition, will have to form a guard of honor to welcome the new champions onto the field next Sunday at Stamford Bridge. But Mourinho doesn't really feel the guard of honor. So here are some alternative ways Liverpool could honor the champions.
Chelsea is the 2014-15 English Premier League Champion. That means that their next opponent, Liverpool, per tradition, will have to form a guard of honor to welcome the new champions onto the field next Sunday at Stamford Bridge. But Mourinho doesn't really feel the guard of honor. So here are some alternative ways Liverpool could honor the champions.
Insult Chelsea players
José Mourinho is an expert at using his words to get under another manager's skin. Famously, he has used that skill to torment Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger and generally any other manager within a 500 mile radius. He'll do anything to get an edge.
Liverpool could honor the champions by lining up and insulting Chelsea players as they walk onto the field. Everyone would laugh, especially if all of the Liverpool players hurled their insults with Mourinho facial expressions.
Form a defensive guard of honor
Liverpool could employ a very defensive, disciplined guard of honor and try to prevent Chelsea from taking the field. Tactically, if the two rows of players can keep it narrow, they may have a chance; that is, if Steven Gerrard doesn't fall over.
All of this would honor Chelsea's pragmatic run to the title. The Chelsea players would probably laugh, because it's funny, and because they've already won the title.
Alternative: Only put defenders in the guard of honor.
Boo Chelsea fans
Earlier in the season, Mourinho criticized Chelsea fans for a lack of atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. “At this moment it’s difficult for us to play at home, because playing here is like playing in an empty stadium,” he said, probably with equal parts disdain and disgust.
Chelsea fans complained. I mean, how dare this man who's brought the club unprecedented success critique the fans, right? And then, when the complaining subsided, the fans upped their level.
It was genius man-management by the Special One. It's the same psychological tactic Mourinho employs on his players: say whatever you need to say to get the desired response.
Liverpool players could boo Chelsea fans. The fan response would probably be electric. Not like Anfield, but definitely better than regular Stamford Bridge. The players deserve as much for their season of exemplary service.
Sacrifice Steven Gerrard
The storied career of Captain Liverpool is thankfully coming to an end. Don't lie to yourself; the Gerrard Appreciation Tour isn't getting any easier to watch.
Perhaps the greatest show of respect Liverpool could bestow on the new league champions would be the gift of human sacrifice. Think about it. Before next Sunday's showdown, Mr. Liverpool gets trotted out onto the field. Think Roman colosseum. Children are crying. Gerrard begs for forgiveness.
Roman Abramovic, up in the stands smiling, cups his ear, asking the crowd for more energy.
Eventually, the Chelsea owner speaks: “Any last words, Steven?”
“I will never walk alone!” he screams.
The masses erupt.
Abramovich gives the signal.
And then nothing happens, because ARE YOU CRAZY? WHY ARE YOU EVEN READING ABOUT A FAKE GERRARD SACRIFICE? WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU? You have problems.