Chelsea's Keeper Kit: the Beginning of a New Era in Tactical Play?

Pictured above is Chelsea's new illuminous orange keeper kit. Yes, as if their illuminous yellow away kit wasn't bad enough, they've designed an even worse one.

They have also changed the colour of the Chelsea badge so it fits with the kit, something that should be the other way round. The badge is the symbol of the team.

However, there must be a good reason for this kit design—it can't be because it looks good!

And I think I know exactly the reason behind it.

Picture this: you're a striker, through one-on-one when you suddenly see a bright orange flash out of the corner of your eye. It will undoubtedly put you off. And, with a world-class keeper like Petr Cech wearing this bright orange kit, you can't afford to be put off.

That's right—this kit has been designed purely for tactical purposes. And I think I'm right in saying that it's the first time it's ever happened.

The distraction power of this kit could put ten strikers off in a season, saving ten goals. Ten goals which could contribute hugely to a title challenge.

You could see this as a disgrace to football or a stroke of genius.

I see it as a bit of both.

On the one hand, I wouldn't want my own team to intentionally design an ugly kit, but on the other I would want them to do whatever it takes to win the title.

The fact that kits have been brought into the tactics side of the game shows the change in the game. Kits used to be just football shirts and shorts to go and kick lumps out of your opposition in.

Now they are specially made to keep the player cool, stop him sweating, and lots of other technological mumbo-jumbo.

I'm not saying this is bad—in fact I think it's a vast improvement.

However, this could be seen as taking a bit too far.

Or, it could be seen as pushing the boundaries and unleashing a superb weapon. I wouldn't be happy if Liverpool brought out a similar kit, but all ill-feeling would be banished if they won the title.

I think, as more and more managers notice this new tactical development, the idea of gaining every advantage possible—even through kit—will grow and grow.

In fact, I predict that it won't be too long that all the teams are employing this secret weapon.