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After being voted Chelsea's Young Player of the Year in 1987, Jason
Cundy had to wait a further three years before he was finally given his
full debut. Once selected however, he immediately impressed with a
string of aggressive performances which had the supporters labelling him
the club's best youth product since Ray Wilkins. An old-fashioned
centre-half, strong in the tackle and good in the air but less assured
with the ball at his feet, Cundy cut a powerful figure and his
inspirational performances in the Rumbelows Cup, particularly over two
games with Spurs when he shackled Gary Lineker, played a significant
part in the club's run to the semi-final. With his place in the team
assured he continued to make rapid progress, his importance being
highlighted when in his absence the team conceded seven goals at
Nottingham Forest.
He returned in time for the final game of the season
and scored his first goal for The Blues in a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.
Jason was hampered by injuries as the new season began and with Ken
Monkou performing admirably alongside new signing Paul Elliott, he was
restricted to just two starts prior to the end of the year. His luck
changed when he was restored to the line-up on New Year's Day and
quickly struck up an understanding with the experienced Elliott. Forming
a formidable barrier alongside the new man, Cundy's performances
reached ever higher standards and he played a major part as Chelsea
achieved their first league victory at Anfield for sixty years and
reached the quarter-final of the FA Cup.
However, when The Blues' cup
run ended in a devastating last-minute defeat at Sunderland, the
decision was taken to raise funds for new signings and in March 1992
Cundy played, and scored in, his last game for The Blues before moving
to Tottenham for £800, 000 five days later, the move sparking angry
protests among the Chelsea following. (Kelvin Barker)
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