Captain. The heart and soul of the team. player of the Year 1997/98. What more can you say about our Den. In a team of glittering foreign stars, the man at the heart of it, and arguably STILL the most important, is a tough tackling, playmaking, creative, Londoner who by lifting the Super Cup in August 98 became the most successful Chelsea captain EVER!
The Wimbledon winger turned Chelsea midfielder. The first player in England to sign a contract into the next century. The only player in the squad with over 50 Chelsea goals and over 300 appearances. The cheeky chappie is now over 30 but playing the best football of his career, improved his skill and passing that has always accompanied his competitive nature. As important for moral as playing - the ultimate captain. Where Wise leads others follow.
He's already gone down in Chelsea history and for all the flair players at Chelsea, every great side needs some to knuckle down and graft, one of the most important of those for Chelsea is Dennis Wise. Often under-rated for his skill and passing, bizarrely and outrageously ignored by England Managers, a crucial influence in the dressing room as well as on the pitch, and adored by the Chelsea faithful. Dennis Wise has remained the kid off the terraces who made it good, and has provided the perfect mix bridge between the foreign stars and the English grafters. A wonderful passer of the ball - he made crucial assists in the goals which won us the FA Cup, League Cup and Cup Winners Cup and the image of him lifting those pieces of silverware will be the lasting memory of him for all Chelsea fans.
Had a thouroughly deserved testimonial at the start of the season and the record 27,000 that turned up was testament to the affection he commands amongst Chelsea fans, often mis-understood, heart of gold and Chelsea legend.
Born: Kensington, London, 16.12.66.
Height: 169cms (5'6.5") Weight: 68kgs (10st10lbs)
Previous clubs: Southampton, Wimbledon.
Signed: July 1990 for 1,600,000 pounds, a club record at the time.
Chelsea debut: Derby County (h) 25.8.90. Won 2-1.
Chelsea honours: FA Cup 1997, League Cup 1998, ECWC 1998, Super Cup 1998 (captain in all)
Player of the Year 1998.
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