Wolves boss: I think I know all the Chelsea players from the last 35 years

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Stale Solbakken during the npower Football League Championship match at the Molineux Stadium, Wolverhampton. Picture: Nick Potts/PA Wire

Monday, September 24, 2012
4:24 PM

Stale Solbakken takes his Wolves side to Stamford Bridge tomorrow with comprehensive knowledge of their Capital One Cup opponents thanks to his fanatic Chelsea-supporting father.

The Norwegian boss grew up following the Blues courtesy of his father, Svein, despite admitting the family ties did not quite rub off as he supported Liverpool during his younger years.

The 44-year-old also has recent personal history with Chelsea, having been dumped out of the Champions League in the last 16 a mere 19 months ago while in charge of FC Copenhagen, losing 2-0 at home before a more than creditable goalless draw in London.

Solbakken, admitting his father will be in the Wolves camp for tomorrow’s third-round tie, said: “I’ve watched Chelsea on TV for a decade and my father is a big Chelsea supporter. I’ve grown up with everything from David Webb through to Kerry Dixon, I think I know all their history and everything.

“I think I know all of the Chelsea players from the last 35 years. I’d be likely to know all their names and backgrounds.

“I met them in the Champions League a couple of seasons ago and after that they won the European Cup as well, so we know it’s tough opposition for us but in a way it’s one of those games where you don’t maybe have that much to lose.”