In the second edition of the Chelsea ‘IF’C series we travel back to the turn of millennia and imagine “What if… Lionel Messi had been found by the Chelsea scouts and was signed by the Blues”

Yes, he probably would’ve been sold to Huddersfield Town or shipped off abroad only to shine on international waters and make the fans wonder “why have we let another one go?” But what if he managed to replicate his progress at Barcelona and even have his size overlooked (This really is a fictional tale). Well he’d obviously struggle on a rainy day in Stoke… but let’s face it, who doesn’t?!

It’s the year 2000 and the Chelsea scouting system has been busy, the club have had little funds to spend on bringing in new players, so bargain buys and talented youth players have been the focus of the club’s transfer policy. After an extensive search reaching as far wide as Rosario in Argentina, where the scouts report they have found a gem, a diamond in the rough, excited by the prospect Chelsea sign the youngster and in the summer there is a new face at the Harlington training ground.

The youngster is reserved and even for his age (13) he is diminutive in size. He doesn’t speak English but he doesn’t need to, he amazes those in attendance with his skill on the ball, he lets his feet do the talking. Staff and players alike turn to each other and a buzz is already being created but there are worries about his size. For all the skill in the world, the Premier League, the competition he will have to grow up competing in is physically draining. To make matters worse he suffers from a growth hormone deficiency, but Chelsea are prepared to finance his medical costs. Of those watching the little Argentinian, one Chelsea player has taken particular interest, Gianfranco Zola approaches the youngster and asks him what his name is, to which he replies “Lionel Messi”.

Messi finds his first few years are a struggle to adjust, the coaches say that his ‘footballing brain’ is far too advanced for this level and that others around him find it difficult to keep up. Individually his star shines brighter than anyone they’ve seen. I got the chance to interview him as his English had improved.

When asked what he thinks has gone wrong he answers “What, they call this…’Route one’ football, it is just not for me. I’ve tried to adapt but I prefer playing with the ball on the ground” he is humble and from what I can tell hungry to learn and yearns to improve. Maybe we can make a player out of him yet.

It’s 2004. His goal scoring records in the youth and subsequently the reserves are frighteningly good. Not known for its production of youth in its recent past, the Chelsea academy has long awaited Lionel Messi’s chance at the big time and his performances have been noted by new manager Jose Mourinho and the self proclaimed ‘Special One’ is prepared to give Lionel Messi his debut at the age of 17. He plays on the right of a front three and immediately impresses, his first game is against Arsenal and his ability coupled with new signing Arjen Robben are too much for the gunners to handle down the flanks. Chelsea win the game 3-1. In his next few games, Messi fails to have the same impact. His physical presence comes into question with the media claiming that he is too weak for the Premier League. (If only they looked at actual talent, eh?)

A long winter was to follow, fans wondering if it would be better for Messi to go on loan or if his style was better suited to a team like Barcelona (They must have been having a laugh, right?). Mourinho still stuck with his guns and kept the young 17 year old at the club but performances went from bad to worse. A poor work rate on the field was met with trouble off it. Messi was living every 17 year olds dream life, but was he throwing it all away? Kept out the team by Robben and Duff, he failed to make his substitute appearances pay and remained on the sidelines.

Despite all this, he had built a relationship with manager Jose Mourinho and the pair seemingly shared a more father/son relationship rather than player/manager.

“He’s not one from the bottle. He’s like me, special,” said Mourinho when asked about Messi.

Was the manager really prepared to throw away the title bid, to accommodate the player he loved as a person? Thankfully for Chelsea they didn’t have to find out. A knee ligament injury ruled Messi out for the season and the team seemed all the better for it. They raced to the league title without their promising youth player, who unfortunately had only played 9 games in the season and therefore missed out on a winners medal.

Messi now 18, was maturing slightly on the field but his off the field antics worsened. Pictured clubbing before match days, the Argentinian was doing his best impression of Brazilian legend Ronaldo, however his performances weren’t good enough to excuse his behaviour. Which wasn’t far off him receiving an ASBO.

Finding first team opportunities hard to come by and showing that he was far too good for the reserve league in the country, Messi was loaned out to Ajax, a team renowned for its upbringing of youth. He raised eyebrows in the Eredivise, playing an integral part in their bid for the title, in which victory was sealed on the last day of the season. He racked up 12 goals and 14 assists in his 30 appearances. His form in Holland saw him called up to the Argentinian national team for the first time and although early days in his career he was drawing comparisons with former great Diego Maradona. Not convinced by his achievements in Holland many still question whether he can pull of the same back in the Premiership for Chelsea who won their second straight Premier League title.

On his return to Chelsea, Messi is told he is being loaned out to Championship side Nottingham Forest to get a feel for the English culture and its style of football. Reluctantly he accepts but when told for the first game of the season he will start on the bench, Messi packs his bag and goes on a vacation to Argentina, reports circulate that he spends most of his proposed 3 month loan period at Forest, playing golf.

Not one for tough love, Mourinho defends his star pupil and puts an arm round his shoulder after convincing Messi to return to Stamford Bridge. With ten games left in the season, Chelsea’s attacking options have been limited through injury and their title hopes hang in the balance, Chelsea need Messi to step and to fulfil the potential everyone has seen in him. Next stop is away to Stoke on a Tuesday night, the recently promoted side have built a fortress at the Britannia Stadium. Pouring down with rain and the pitch in almost unplayable condition, Mourinho names his team sheet with the little Argentinian in the starting XI.

“He could never do it on a rainy day in Stoke…” The phrase became history after an incredible one man display, Messi scored 4 and set up the other in a crushing 5-0 victory. To quote a line from a Hercules song “You can shout it from the mountain top, A STAR IS BORN.” The little boy from Argentina became a man tonight.

In a magnificent turnaround, Messi’s attitude has been changed. First in, last one out at training he seems to have now understood what it takes to be the best in the world.

Chelsea are propelled up the table in the following games, relying on his incredible talent alone to take the game by the scruff of the neck. Never has a 19 year old shown this much promise in the Premier League. Going into the final day of the season Chelsea are one point behind leaders Manchester United and prior to the game, Alex Ferguson has a few words to say about the new sensation.

“They told me I couldn’t win anything with kids, now I’m hoping it’s true. We have a couple of young talents here in Rooney and Ronaldo, but this lad plays like he’s not from this world.”

As the line ups are announced, what seemed an unlikely event a few months ago is now reality (It’s reality within a dream, inception style). Messi is the source of the biggest cheer from Chelsea fans, he has scored 13 goals in his previous 9 games. From kick-off the United team look frightened of him, he’s everywhere like an energiser bunny from the adverts. The crowd are reminded of a young Zola but even better. As he goes on what has become one of his famous dribbling exhibitions, he leaves Rio Ferdinand flat on the floor and the rest of the team chasing shadows as he lobs the ball over keeper Edwin Van Der Sar… who was still on his line!

Chelsea win the game 2-0, they’re champions once again but more importantly so is Lionel Messi. He picks up the award for young player of the year for his contribution to the champions.

Oh and just before you thought the fairytale story was over, Messi would go on to become the World’s best player an unprecedented five times and lead Argentina to World Cup glory. Not to mention win successive Champions League titles for Chelsea (Still Pele argues that he scored 600 more goals in his career). Claims that he was the greatest ever, mooted by Spanish reports that he couldn’t pull off such performances “On a sunny day in Malaga…”

Investment in the youth has gone a long way and history has been rewritten.

This piece originally aired on Mowing Meadows.

TheChels.net welcomes Mowing Meadows and the Chelsea IF’C series; taking a look at what could have happened IF an event in the past occurred differently at Chelsea FC and how events would unfold there on after.

In the first of a regular series to be serialised on this website, we begin our first instalment with a look at ‘what if’ Nicolas Anelka wasn’t banished from the club and exiled to China. ‘What if’ Nicolas Anelka remained at Chelsea and after the sacking of Villas-Boas, the player nicknamed ‘Le Sulk’ was made the interim manager.

Not many would’ve bet on Nicolas Anelka ever becoming a manager, he never looked the managerial type. Yet, football is an unpredictable game on and off the field and Nicolas Anelka finds himself as player/manager at his current club Shanghai Shenhua to the surprise of many in the footballing world I’m sure.

Rewind, it is March 4th and Chelsea have parted ways with Villas-Boas after his rocky tenure. In a surprise move, Roman Abramovich has bowed down to player power and installed Nicolas Anelka as player manager. His fellow colleagues are delighted at the appointment. Anelka prefers a more Laissez-faire approach compared to the more autocratic style of his predecessor and the players couldn’t be happier. The decision has left fans somewhat bemused but a situation like this requires outside of the box thinking. A criticism of AVB was the lack of playing experience, the same cannot be said for Mr. Anelka.

In his first press conference, Anelka is asked what he thinks owner Roman Abramovich saw in him in terms of managerial qualities and why he decided to take on the role?

“I have always thought that there was a manager in me. I knew it was something I wanted to do ever since I told that fool Domenech where he could go, if he could manage then so could I!” Anelka responded. “As for the qualities I bring… well I get along with the players, I’m a man of the people. I’ve learnt many things from those who have coached me and I will look to impart that knowledge on those that have now become my students.” (For those unaware that means teaching laziness and excellent hold up play)

After one too many questions however the Frenchman decided that he was bored of the media’s enquiries and left the press conference in a blaze of glory.

On the training pitch, Anelka’s attempts in boosting team morale mean more sessions playing ‘hide and seek’ and less time focusing on the nuances that are involved in the game of football. He claimed that as a footballer you either have “it” or you don’t. One thing is evident, the players seemed to be enjoying their time under Anelka more than any other manager. For a man nicknamed ‘Le Sulk’ he sure knows how to bring a smile on other people’s faces.

First game in charge. Birmingham Vs Chelsea – FA Cup replay. The blues line up in their traditional 4-3-3 formation with a return of the old guard apparent. Chelsea go on to win the game 3-0. Man of the Match Daniel Sturridge was interviewed on the impact of the new manager and how he thinks it will change his game. “The boss has done a marvellous job in the few days he’s been here. He made us play FIFA and every player had to control themselves on the game and play how they wanted to in real life, I think I managed to do that today.” (Well, at least we have an explanation for his solo play) It would appear that Gary Neville was on to something when he claimed that David Luiz was reminiscent of a player being controlled by a 10 year old kid.

Anelka and Chelsea face their biggest task in the return leg of the Champions League against Napoli, The Blues face a 3-1 deficit after the first leg. It’s nights like these were people find out if a manager is worth their salt. In an incredibly open affair the score stands at 4-2 in the 85th minute, with Chelsea on the verge of elimination via away goals. Growing tired and frustrated at the lack of attacking threat since their fourth goal. Player/Manager Nicolas Anelka subs himself on, a scene reminding Chelsea fans of another former manager Gianluca Vialli. The 33 year old striker comes on with immediate impact, latching on to a flick on from Didier Drogba, Anelka rounds the keeper and slots in the winner. Pandemonium in the stands and Chelsea are through to the Quarter Finals. Chants of “There’s only one Nicolas Anelka” echo into the night, a truly memorable day for the club.

In the league, Chelsea have enjoyed a rich vain of form and occupy 4th spot after a brilliant month. 4 wins out of 4 for Anelka’s boys including a crucial victory over Champions League hopefuls Tottenham result in a manager of the month award for the man being labelled as “Le spécial” has taken the league by storm and earned the plaudits from managers around the league.

“He’s a breath of fresh air, I’m thinking of putting some of his methods to use myself,” said Sir Alex Ferguson

“We French people are brilliant at getting the best out of players and he certainly is no different,” Arsene Wenger added.

Any doubts the fans had over the appointment of Anelka have now been expelled, banners around Stamford Bridge now crying out for Abramovich to make the role permanent for the man who only a few months ago was on the fringe of the squad, but he has never looked back since turning down the Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua.

“It’s great to see the team playing with such style and you can tell they’re enjoying themselves. The unity they show is always on display when everyone does Nico’s butterfly hand celebration,” one Chelsea fanzine editorial noted.

Having breezed into the Semi-Finals of the Champions League after dismantling Portuguese side Benfica, Chelsea set up a clash with European rivals Barcelona. Whilst domestically the club are set for another trip to Wembley having easily dispatched of a Tottenham side suffering a catastrophic collapse in the Semi-Final of the FA Cup (Harry Redknapp was sacked after the game and the FA declared they would be looking elsewhere for their England manager vacancy. A crying shame that).

With their Champions League place virtually secured in the league, the Frenchman’s focus is solely on the upcoming Champions League clash with Barcelona and he does not have fond memories of the club that knocked Chelsea out in controversial fashion only three years ago.

“They’re cheats. Nothing more, nothing less.” Anelka roared in the pre match press conference. “We come into the match with great form and self belief, we haven’t lost a game during the time I’ve been in charge and I think we can avenge the demons that haunt us from those years back.”

In a fierce battle during the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea marched out victorious. A 3-1 lead is what they take to Catalonia, it would’ve been 3-0 but for an incredible solo effort from Lionel Messi in the 90th minute has given the Spanish giants hope with an all important away goal.

April 24th, Barcelona. The two teams walk out on to the field in front of a packed Camp Nou. The omens aren’t kind on Chelsea, astonishingly UEFA have appointed Ovrebo as referee for the game to the dismay of the fans and club as a whole. 10 minutes in, Jose Bosingwa is sent off for an ‘elbow’ on Busquets, typical. Barcelona make their numbers advantage count and have a 2-0 lead at half time. Anelka and Chelsea have their work cut out, but in an awe inspiring half time team talk, one that Mike Bassett himself would’ve been proud of, Anelka rallies his troop for a monumental effort. The next 45 minutes would go down in history, as Chelsea played at a level few thought capable, especially given the fact they were a man short. In an epic comeback, Juan Mata scored a second half hat trick in a game that finished 3-3, the few Barcelona fans left in the Camp Nou gave the Spaniard a standing ovation as the final whistle blew. A Champions League final visit awaits against former boss Jose Mourinho.

Munich, Allianz Arena. Champions League final. Chelsea finished the season in fourth place after taking their foot off the gas towards the end of the season but bagged silverware along the way with an FA Cup final victory over the red half of Merseyside, courtesy of an Andy Carroll own goal and Torres brace (You couldn’t make this stuff up). Main event time! Anelka faces the team that made him a champion of Europe and wants to recreate the feat as a manager, Mourinho’s team have recently been crowned La Liga champions, with any luck the team will be suffering from a hangover effect from their domestic dominance. This is a ‘what if’ that grabs that notion by the horns and runs with it. Chelsea are the superior side in the final and it’s a fairytale story for the club that seemed doomed at the beginning of March, they go on to win the match 2-1 but the scoreline flatters Real Madrid who were never really in the game.

“Champions of Europe” the Abramovich dream is fulfilled and all thanks to a stroke of genius by the Russian to employ one of his players as manager. History has been rewritten.

This piece originally aired on Mowing Meadows.