‘I have learnt a lot this season’ – City legend discusses life as Chelsea’s number three
Norwich City legend Robert Green has been providing cover at Chelsea this season Picture: Steven Paston/PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
Norwich City legend Robert Green is learning as much as he can at Premier League giants Chelsea this season, where he continues to operate as third-choice goalkeeper.
Now aged 39, the former England keeper joined the Blues after providing cover at Huddersfield last season. He has not even made the bench during the current campaign though, as he covers for £71million number one Kepa and Willy Caballero.
“It is not something I ever envisaged doing when I set out – thinking ‘oh yeah I’d love to be a third-choice keeper’ – but your situation changes as your career goes on,” he explained.
“My involvement hasn’t been as much as I would have liked but it was made clear from the start; if everyone remains fit that is the role I have got. I can’t really complain when that is exactly how it has panned out.”
Green made 241 appearances for Norwich between 1999 and 2006, after coming through the club’s youth system, before going on to play for West Ham, QPR and Leeds, being capped 12 times by England.
Chelsea keeper Robert Green warming up ahead of a Premier League game against Tottenham earlier this season Picture: Nick Potts/PA - Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
His last appearance was for Leeds in August 2017, in a League Cup win over Newport, with his last league appearance coming three months earlier.
“You look at it and think ‘what excites you’,” Green continued. “I have learnt a lot this season.
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“It is the first time in my career I have not looked at 40 points and thought ‘thankfully we have made that’. To see how the players operate has been a real insight.”
MORE: Norwich City top 100 appearances – Robert Green (47)
Robert Green made 241 appearances for Norwich City Photo: Angela Sharpe - Credit: Archant © 2005
Speaking to BBC Sport, he added: “There is a lot of tactical work before games so generally on a Thursday and a Friday I am more often training as the opposition than the Chelsea goalkeeper.
“That is a big difference. The motivation of the game on the Saturday isn’t there.
“Ultimately you rely on yourself to find tools to keep motivated and keep fit, rather than use external factors like the games.”
Green, who signed a one-year deal at Chelsea concluded: “You are disappointed when the team loses and delighted for them when they win but it is not you. It is something you are a part of but it is not you saving the shot.”
Robert Green, pictured in friendly action against Colombia in 2005, earned 12 England caps Picture: AP Photo/Mel Evans - Credit: AP
