Interview: Kevin Pietersen discusses football, Chelsea and Delhi Daredevils
Kevin Pietersen at the Adidas Flagbearer event alongside a Dani Alves supporter
Delhi Daredevils’ captain Kevin Pietersen was up and running, along with hundreds of kids who swarmed Delhi’s Ambedkar stadiumat the Adidas FIFA Flag bearers initiative – an initiative to choose two kids from the lot and give them the opportunity to be official flag bearers representing India at the FIFA World Cup.
Pietersen was there to select the finalist as well as interact with the media. With a bevy of young ones swarming around him, Pietersen was more than happy to show off his football skills as well as show that he bleeds blue when it comes to football. A big Chelsea fan, Pietersen’s first question to the kids was a pretty obvious one, asking them who all supported Chelsea. Then he invited one of the Chelsea fans to showcase his skills.
Concluding with the event in hand Pietersen was happy with opportunity provided to the kids by Adidas. He then sat down to have a little chat on all things football and the job in hand for Delhi Daredevils.
About his love for Chelsea and his friends within the current Chelsea squad.
Chelsea is my team; I have supported it for years. I have lots of friends there. (Frank) Lampard is a good mate of mine; I have known him for years. And then I became quite friendly with Ashley Cole and John Terry when I was doing my rehabilitation for my Achilles surgery few years ago.
What do you have to say about Jose Mourinho and his second homecoming?
Outstanding! He’s been an absolute superstar. The best thing about him is that he makes his players feel like they’re the best in the world. He’s takes the rap for his players and takes lot of pressure away from them, which is what international sportsmen need.
What are your thoughts on Chelsea possibly going trophyless this season and this season being termed as failure?
Not so sure (if this is a failure). Mourinho has been saying it for a few months that they won’t win the Premier League, they were not the favorites. I think he is targeting next season.
About possible signings for the Blues, and how signings don’t really mean success.
I don’t know, we can get anybody. You never know. I mean we bought (Fernando) Torres for 50 million and the geezer scored one goal in seven years (sic).
What are your thoughts on the England Football Team?
They are going to be very bad at penalties.
Kevin Pietersen
What about the Delhi Daredevils’ chances in the IPL from here on?
We have got to win and just get on a roll, and I think the momentum needs to start against Chennai. It’s a big game. Some of our players like big games. Our batting is absolutely fine. We are not far off with our bowling, we just need to tie up few bits and pieces and we will win some games and (we’re) just going to try to get into the play offs.
About Imran Tahir slated to come in for Nathan Coulter Nile for Delhi Daredevils.
Yes there is rumour about Imran. Nothing confirmed, we should know more in the next 24-48 hours.
How are the Indian youngsters in the Delhi Daredevils dugout?
Brilliant! One of the things I love about IPL, you have got all the young Indians who come and ask so many questions – they literally badger you all day. It is refreshing to hear and speak to youngsters. It is something that I have committed to in my captaincy reign, that is to help as much as I can.
On the Indian cricket team’s upcoming tour of England
I think it’s going be a fantastic test series. England are obviously rebuilding; Graeme Swann would be a big miss for England. India has got some incredibly good talent. You have got (Cheteshwar) Pujara, Murali Vijay,Virat (Kohli) who have got the technique to score runs in England. If young Indian batters can score runs it is going to be great series.