It’s a rivalry that not many people talk about, but the hatred between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea is definitely there.
Chelsea’s Cesar Azpilicueta with Chelsea manager Antonio Conte after a win
As local rivals you would expect Chelsea and Queens Park Rangers to be at each other’s necks, but due to the difference in stature between the two that has not been the case for a long time. Over the last few decades Chelsea have flourished meanwhile the Rs have bounced up and down between leagues, which begs the question of why they are still rivals to this day.
The answer is simple – history. Whilst Chelsea have forever been the more dominant of the two, QPR are the closest thing the Blues have to a stern, committed derby game. Some will point to Arsenal and Tottenham but in reality, that North London derby has taken on a mind of it’s own. Chelsea are just the third wheel looking in.
The passion when these two squared off in QPR’s return to the Premier League was evident, with the underdogs pulling off the victory against a Chelsea side suffering from two red cards. If that doesn’t prove how heated things can get, nothing will.
Because these sides have not crossed paths much over the years there has not been much said about the derby, however all that does is intensify things for when they meet again. There is never a dull moment when they play one another and with Fulham and Brentford included, the dominance of Chelsea does not detract from the importance of the chasing pack.
R’s supporters in particular will be hoping to take up that rivalry sooner rather than later, and with the hope of a playing home and away over the season, with it signifying a return to the top flight .
General view outside Loftus Road
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