Chelsea icon slams 'horrible' and 'embarrassing' stars who 'think they're better than they are'

Chelsea legend Ruud Gullit did not mince his words as he offered his scathing assessment of the Blues' season, calling out the "embarrassing" players and manager alike

Kasra Moradi Senior Sports Journalist

14:51, 23 Apr 2024Updated 14:53, 23 Apr 2024

Ruud Gullit has taken aim at Chelsea's current players(Image: Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

Ruud Gullit has slammed Chelsea’s “horrible” and “embarrassing” players for thinking “they are better than they actually are”.

The Dutch legend, who played for Chelsea between 1995 and 1998, won the FA Cup as player-manager in his first season in charge of the Blues. But as someone who knows a thing or two about successful teams and players, Gullit has been left disgusted by the current state of the Chelsea team.

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The 61-year-old, who appeared at the 2024 Laureus Sports Awards on Monday, took aim at the west Londoners from top to bottom, highlighting poor squad building and criticising the current crop of players for their “lack of quality” and egos.

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Gullit said: “When I watch this Chelsea, it is not going to work. They signed too many players and it is a mess. When you bring in so many new players like that, it’s almost impossible.

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“But Pochettino knew this was the case when he took the job. So he has to take responsibility for that. Do I blame him? No. But he is responsible for it.”

The Dutchman added: “There really is a lack of quality. You see that in the important moments, when the pressure is on. Then they can’t pass the ball quickly enough, taking an extra touch every time, so that it’s too late when they finally play the pass.

Do you agree with Gullit? Let us know in the comments section.

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Ruud Gullit arrives at the Laureus World Sports Awards at GalerÃa De Cristal on April 22, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Image: Getty Images for Laureus)

Gullit became Chelsea's player/manager aged 33(Image: Photo by Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

“Too often, they don’t seem to see the danger from the opponents. You have to see them coming and make that pass early. But if you keep on taking the extra touch, that chance is gone - and that is a lack of quality.

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“If there was a moment when they could beat City, it was on Saturday, because you could see they were f*****, they were gone. They were making mistakes they wouldn’t normally make because they were tired. And if you are Chelsea and you can’t take advantage of that - my God! It was horrible."

Chelsea players were recently thrown into the limelight for all the wrong reasons during their 6-0 win over Everton. Their forwards argued on the pitch with each other over who should take a penalty - something which Gullit was less than impressed by.

“It was like watching kids, children," he said. "In a proper team that doesn't happen. It’s embarrassing. For Pochettino it’s embarrassing. For the board, it’s embarrassing.

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Chelsea players have not covered themselves in glory this season(Image: Getty Images)

“Can you imagine me having a fight with Marco van Basten, on the pitch? That’s crazy? Or someone at United having a fight with Roy Keane? What are you doing? Ridiculous.

“And they ALL think they are better than they are. And that’s the worst thing of all. They have too many players who think they are better than they really are.”

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Gullit made 63 appearances for the Blues, scoring seven before hanging up his boots. He won three Eredivisie titles in the Netherlands and three Serie A titles in Italy, as well as two European Cups and the 1988 Euros.