The man every Chelsea supporter knew wouldn't play -- and didn't -- has finally move on (we hope). Sky, among numerous other outlets, are reporting that the Blues and Aston Villa have agreed a £5.5 million transfer fee for Chelsea reserves stud Steve Sidwell.
Cashley escorts Siddy out of town.
Sidwell spent just a year at the club after moving on a free from Reading (what's all this I've read about him moving to us for 3mil?). He made only a handful of appearances for the first team but, along with Sheva and Ben-Haim, formed one of the most intimidating -- and expensive -- trios in the reserve league.
A poorly-written article I cam across in the Birmingham Post claims as many as nine Premeriship teams were interested in Sidwell. Among them: Tottenham, Sunderland, Blackburn and Newcastle. But it looks as if Villa has run the race for a player they know all too well. Sidwell notched a brace against the Villains during a 2-0 defeat in February 2007.
Yeah, he was never going to make an impact at Chelsea. But that doesn't mean Sidwell is not a quality player. Under Martin O'Neil I think he'll thrive, and regain the form he showed at Reading. Later Siddy, all the best.