INTERVIEW

Wise talks about England and rotation.
24 October 1998

Interviewer: Ian Bolton
Place: Arkles

Wise was first asked to talk about his chances of playing for England.

DW  If I was ever going to be picked I think it might have been last year because I done very well last year for the club, so I can't ever see me being picked under Hoddle. I don't know why - probably doesn't think I'm good enough - that's his choice. I think somethimes when you do well you feel you have a little chance at some stage, but I think it was put quite clearly to me that I wouldn't have a chance. My main ambition now is to wise the Prem with Chelsea.

IB  Chelsea are unbeaten since the opening day of the season. Do you feel you're not getting the credit you deserve?

DW  We don't mind it like that. We're tucked away in 4th with a game in hand and we're happy. People give us a little bit of stick and say we've got a lot of foreigners, not enough of this, not enough of that, but we're not too worried about that. People above us like Alex Ferguson and the Liverpool manager, which ever one it is, they're a little bit worried about us. I think deep down inside they'll know at the end of the year we'll be close to all of them if not on top of all of them.

IB  What's your view of the current squad selection policy?

DW  It's a very difficult situation for Luca, especially the fact he's got so many good players and he has to disappoint a few. That's the hardest part about it because everyone wants to play. We've got 18 or 19 quality players. Not everyone can play and he has to upset people every week. As long as we can keep the team spirit and keep the lads together, I'm sure we'll be close and do well this year.

IB Vialli has said this week he's going to crack down on players who publicly criticise his policy. As Chelsea captain what do you make of that?

DW  I don't know whether Luca would say taht. He probably said it but i doubt he means it in the way the press have portrayed it. I don't think he's that type of person. He'll have a chat with the lads and treat them as normal. He won't try and come down on them and fine them and rant and rave. He'll speak to them as people. I don't think it's a problem myself.

IB  What's all this about a racing club?

DW  I'm going to be one of the directors, so that's going to be interesting. Basically we're ging to have a bit of fun. Get some horses and try and win some races.

IB  Are Chelsea a good bet?

DW  Yes. We fel we've got a great bunch of lads here an d we've got a very strong squand. We're in with a chance with a few trophies this year.

IB  There you are, you're in the dressing room, you're the captain, and obviously it depends on who's playing, but you look around and you see two World Cup winners for a start..

DW (jumps in)  Frank ain't stopped telling us that as well, but go on

IB  what thoughts go through your mind when you around and think?

DW It's nice to be playing with them players. They're exceptional players and they can make average players look quality players.

IB You're such a cosmopolitan bunch of players though. How on earth do you go about maintaining team spirit?

DW  They're all a good bunch of lads really. We've decided to out for a few beers and a few meals and all the lads have to come. Gianfranco and Gigi paid for the last one because Gianfranco got clamped and was half an hour late for training. Gigi was also late. So they paid which was very nice of them.

IB  So what' left for you in your career?

DW  I'm happy here.

IB  Would you like to see out your career here?

DW Yes of course. I don't think at the moment there's many places you'd want to go to. This is the only team I think you'd want to be playing for. This place is getting bigger and better and we're winning trophies at the moment and the players we're buying are all world class. so yes, you don't really want to go anywhere else as there is nowhere better at the moment.