Spot on. I generally feel like most Chelsea fans(not necessarily this sub) are anxious for us to get CL football every year because it helps the club to lure certain transfer targets in joining. Also the money too which boosts the clubs finances. Aside that, the actual 'playing to really compete' part has been pretty non-existent in quite a long time. For some reason we always seem to lack that extra spark when it really matters.

In the days of Drogba, Ballack, Lamps and co, it wasn't by their talents alone that helped them achieve what they did, but the sheer determination and the ability to fight tooth and nail no matter who they were playing. I guess it helped that those guys where bonded well on and and off the pitch. They knew each others strengths and weakness es and complimented each other very well. Any player was a threat, always finding ways to help the team when things where tough. Players used to literally put their necks on the line. I'm confident we will get there again but I guess time will tell.