INTERVIEW

Chelsea sign Wise for life
By Steve Stammers
Tuesday, July 6, 1999

Chelsea received a double English boost today as it was revealed that Dennis Wise has signed a new, two-year contract.

The deal means the Chelsea captain can end his top-level playing career with the club he joined nearly 10 years ago from Wimbledon.

The news follows yesterday's ?0m signing of Chris Sutton, who was manager Gianluca Vialli's first English signing since he took over from Ruud Gullit.

Former Wimbledon star Wise, who will be 33 in December, had been linked with Sunderland as the Premiership newcomers look to add proven experience to their squad.

But Chelsea Managing Director Colin Hutchinson said today: 'We have had no inquiries for Dennis and we are not looking to let him go.

'He was offered an extension to his current contract because he has been such a great servant to the club in the time he has been at Stamford Bridge. We are delighted that he signed it.'

The new deal will take Wise through to the summer of 2002 and effectively means he will fulfill his ambition to end his playing days at Chelsea. He has a testimonial against Bologna coming up during pre-season.

He said: 'In many ways we have a stronger squad of players than we have ever had and I feel we can win more next season. I want to be part of that and I want to finish my career at Chelsea.'

Wise joined Chelsea in July 1990 from Wimbledon for a club record ?.6m and has seen the club undergo a huge transformation.

Wise captained the team to their first major honour for more than 25 years when they beat Middlesbrough in the 1997 FA Cup Final.

The following season, after the sudden departure of Gullit from the club, Wise lifted the Coca-Cola Cup and the European Cup Winners' Cup.

And last year Chelsea won the European Super Cup by beating Real Madrid in Monaco.

However, Wise's career has also been highly controversial. Renowned for his volatile temper, he missed a third of last season through suspension when he was sent off three times and was booked on eight other occasions.

His fiery reputation is almost certainly responsible for the fact he has won only 12 England caps.

Chances of more honours have been improved by the arrival of Sutton and French World Cup winning captain Didier Deschamps for ?m from Juventus.