"PORTSMOUTH"
Smertin had the opportunity to play in England six months before joining Chelsea. Bobby Robson, sorting out the candidates for supporting midfielders who could strengthen Newcastle, settled on the Russian. However, Bordeaux was not very impressed with the forty transfer offer. Alexei had to postpone moving to foggy Albion.
However, such a move might not have happened at all; in July 2003, the deal on the acquisition of the Moscow Torpedo by Alexander Mamut had not been broken. Smertin had already managed to sign a personal contract with black and white and even had a medical examination. But he ended up in the team of Roman Abramovich, who was just conducting the first recruitment. And then, having adequately assessed his chances of getting into Chelsea as low, Alexei agreed to spend a year at Portsmouth on loan.
For the team with Fratton Park, the 2003/2004 season was debut in the Premier League. She dedicated it to a desperate struggle for survival. Smertin quickly adapted in the new championship, immediately became one of the main players of Harry Redknapp and did not go out against the background of experienced veterans - Teddy Sheringham and Stephen Stone. The latter’s goal, by the way, brought the team the brightest victory that season - 1-0 over Manchester United, which Portsmouth could not beat for as many as 47 years. Smertin not only participated in a historical match - he was recognized as his best player.
In an interview after the game, Alexey called the victory over the Mankunians one of the most important in his career. And it was not just an emotional statement.
Redknapp assigned Death to the role of one of the three central midfielders, along with Faye and Berger. Skills for implementing such a scheme were then useful to Alexei in London.
Having occupied 13th place with the Portsmouth quite acceptable for the debutant, Smertin decided to try his luck at Chelsea, although the then President of Portsmouth Milan Mandarich, together with Harry Redknapp, tried to persuade him to stay.
“Tell me why you are leaving, what do you want?” If there is money, there will be money for you! Do you want to be a captain? Please! ”- Alexey subsequently confessed about the conversation with the head coach.
Smertin at Portsmouth -2003 / 04: 33 matches without goals and assists
Chelsea
Over the year, competition in the midfield of Chelsea, of course, has not weakened. To Lampard, Makelele, Parker and Jeremy added compatriot Jose Mourinho Tiago Mendes. Smertin still hesitated: to remain in Portsmouth or to dare and try to gain a foothold in the “blue”? But everything changed on a hot June day, when the morning after the Russia-Portugal game at Euro 04, Roman Abramovich invited Alexei to his yacht moored in Lisbon. There the acquaintance of the supporting midfielder with the new Chelsea head coach took place.
“Mourinho said that he had seen all the matches of the Russian team and that my game made a good impression on him. Then they started talking about Chelsea. Mourinho's plans were to create a team of 25 football players, equal in class. At the same time, at least two should have claimed for each position, and the strongest at that time had to compete in the starting lineup. He also said that I myself must choose: either to be the first guy in the village, or to take risks and try to become my own in one of the best clubs in the world, ”Alexey described that historical conversation in an interview with Sport-Express.
Already in one of his debut matches, in the Champions World Series commercial tournament, Smertin hit the goal of Celtic with a brilliant long-range strike from the left. Jose Mourinho was not really eager to see the Russian in the team, but at least he was not averse to giving him a chance. A vivid example: in the first round, Chelsea rivals went to Manchester United, and Smertin spent all 90 minutes on the field.
Unfortunately, with every week the then captain of the Russian national team appeared in the “blue” less and less. First, he played in turn with Tiago, then settled in the quintet of spare, and later completely stopped falling into the application. Nevertheless, Alexey did not lose heart: “The first time I got into the team without weaknesses. None: an excellent selection of players, all are subject to a common goal. In other clubs I didn’t have such sensations, some drawbacks were necessarily noticed. Chelsea are a pleasant exception. The team plays great, it is on everyone’s lips. The feeling that I put on a tuxedo at the end of summer and the holiday will not end in any way, ”Alexey told Izvestia.
However, even despite the fact that Smertin only appeared on the field 16 times in the matches of the 2004-2005 championship, this year of Alexey’s career should not be called unsuccessful. He became the champion of England and did not look like a black sheep in the company of Lampard and Terry. Having a chance that none of his generation of compatriots had fallen to, Smertin left good memories of himself at Stamford Bridge. In any case, he had every right to quote the hero of Jack Nicholson from “Flight over the Cuckoo's Nest”: “At least I tried.”
Smertin at Chelsea 2004/05: 25 matches, 1 goal, without assists
CHARLTON
With the transition to Charlton, Alex seemed to find his team. Under Kerbisley, this club was not a fighter for survival. But, of course, a super club with an enviable selection of players, too. A strong team, with a successful scenario, had a chance to compete for a ticket to the Champions League.
Charlton started the season great, which is typical for him in recent years. However, closer to Christmas, he began to rapidly lose points. Particularly depressing team Murphy, Young and Bentov looked on a foreign field. Smertin had time to get used to regular victories and therefore he was having a difficult time.
Perhaps this was one of the motives for his unexpected return to Russia. However, if the charm of Alexei Fedorychev captivated Maniche and Koshtinya, then in the case of Smertin there was also a bonus in the person of Yuri Palych Semin. Not to mention the fact that the salary promised by Dynamo far exceeded the Charlton salary ...
Smertin in Charlton 2005/06: 22 games without goals and assists