STEVE SIDWELL knows that Chelsea has become a graveyard for
many midfielders.
Since Roman Abramovich bought the club several hopefuls have
signed, dreaming of glory, only to end up moving on.
Juan Veron, Tiago, Scott Parker, Alexei Smertin and Jiri Jarosik
are just a few who have come and gone.
Even Michael Ballack struggled last season.
But Sidwell, 24, is happy to give it a go.
The former Arsenal rookie, who signed on a free from Reading in
May, decided the offer to play for the Blues was too good to
refuse.
He said: There has been a lot of negativity, people saying I
wasnt going to play and that.
But its all down to me. If I dont get into a squad on a
Saturday, Ill try even harder in training the next week.
I thrive on competition. Ive got a strong mentality you get
that growing up at Arsenal and aim to do well and achieve.
I know it is going to be a big, big challenge. But theres one
thing that I can guarantee when people put challenges in front of
me, Im not one to lie down.
If I get knocked back, I get up. Im still fighting. And this
wont change me at all. This will make me stronger.
Im going to get a chance. Its not worked out for others before
me but I cant go through my career, not coming to Chelsea and
then saying I could have played for them.
Id rather give it a go. If it doesnt work Ill hold my hands up
and say I wasnt good enough. At least Ive got the bottle to do
it.
