“I don’t like it” – Pundits agree on “awkward” tradition Chelsea have to perform this afternoon | OneFootball

Today’s game at Stamford Bridge sees Liverpool come to town in their first game since being crowned as Premier League champions.

That means Chelsea have to perform the “guard of honour” for them, forming a tunnel before kick off to welcome the new title holders onto the pitch. They will be applauding – although we doubt the reception from the fans will be as friendly.

Ex-players Ferdinand and Crouch give their thoughts on “awkward” tradition

Chelsea give Manchester United a guard of honour.

Speaking on TNT Sport today, both Rio Ferdinand and Peter Crouch were in agreement about the tradition:

“I don’t like it. Maybe it shows respect, but I just don’t get it. I think it’s really embarrassing for the team who come out, and it’s highly embarrassing for the team who are clapping them onto the field. It’s not for me,” Peter Crouch said.

“I didn’t like it, I’ve been fortunate enough to do the guard of honour and to receive it. Both are quite awkward, Crouchy’s quite right,” Ferdinand added.

You can see them speaking in the clip embedded here:

Chelsea players hopefully inspired by traditions

It certainly is awkward, and it’s a funny old tradition, but equally we’ve never seen it questioned before.

“I think it’s a tradition, it’s something you have to do, and we’re going to do,” said Enzo Maresca, at his pre-match press conference.

In this case, we hope it lights a fire under our players who have to do it, and makes them feel how much they’d like to be on the receiving end of it one day. Chelsea fans have seen plenty of them – we were given one by Man U in 2005, had to return the favour to Sir Alex Ferguson’s men in 2007, received one from Liverpool in 2015, and gave one to Man City just two years ago.