My (😈🔪) thoughts on Katie McCabe and her transfer are complex and admittedly biased in some respects. I think it is undeniable that she is an extremely talented player, one who theoretically can bring a lot of upside to Chelsea - on a pure playing note, you can't argue it really.
However, she also brings baggage. I think multiple things can be true in this conversation - she gets away with shit that no player of colour could consider, because she is white. She comes with a fanbase (who is not just hers! The Arsenal fanbase is notable for this) that has been out and out racist to players like LJ🔪🔪 in particular to defend McCabe, and it is very hard to separate those things for me. That fanbase also uses the fact that she's Irish to defend themselves and her - as if anti-Irish prejudice is in anywhere near the same league as the racism LJ🔪🔪 faces these days. Its absolutely not. It exists and colours the conversation around McCabe without a doubt, but it is in no way comparable.
I have always and will continue to criticise her for her reckless play at times, her lack of control at times - though this has improved over the past 2 years, and I will always always criticise a two tier system in which white players get the benefit of the doubt from both referees and fans.
Though I will also say white English players get away with shit she doesn't - everyone knows McCabe as a temperamental and feisty player, it is known by refs and fans, and it is a recognised thing, hers is always the name when comparing how players are treated.
Despite this, arguably players like Maya le Tissier are actually dirtier than her on a more recent basis, and their names are never brought up in this conversation. The difficulty we seem to be having though is fundamentally the system in place is designed to fail players of colour, and short of removing herself from that system entirely McCabe is going to benefit from it. I think she should do more to curb her more intense and racist fans, but I think this of all white players. I think the Arsenal fanbase in particular is problematic and causes some of that baggage (though many have the same issue)
So, as I said, complex feelings about McCabe herself as a player. Regarding her move, I think I agree with an earlier message I think I saw here - ultimately, I don't see what other choices she had if as is being reported staying in London and major minutes in big games and competing for trophies is her priority. If Arsenal are pissed off about it, they shouldn't have messed around with her during negotiations, and I will always back a player prioritising their needs in a short career over fan feelings (🗡Player Positive Carnage🗡). Fans are entitled to be annoyed, but I dislike the way people have been talking about her and her family, and the level of abuse is unacceptable. And ultimately, a footballers career is short, the money they're making is not enough to justify turning down good offers because the fans would be mad about it
(I recognise I am a bad football fan 😈 but ultimately I feel like my feelings on a players career decisions should be irrelevant to their decision proccess. I see lots of comments about how she's betrayed the fans, and like I just don't think I care enough - I think fans should recognise this is a job for these players. No one can argue that she gave anything less that 110% to Arsenal when she was there - that's what she owed the fans and the club, now that the club decided she isn't in the plans going forward, is she meant to continuously decide her life based on Arsenal fans feelings?)
Without the discussion of rivalry I think on paper she's an excellent get for Chelsea - they have a lot of young players, she's got huge winning and leadership experience and is still only 30, so should have a good few years of high play left - especially as she's in the more robust category of defender (have we ever seen her injured?). I do think she is an upgrade on Niamh Charles as LB. Both offensively and defensively.
(And to end this - I have strong opinions about the way English people and fans see Irish people and players, and it is not racism, and nowhere near the same experience or level - but there is prejudice there and I am very happy to elaborate further if wanted. Because accusations of anti Irish prejudice gets flung around in this conversation to deflect from racism being actively committed against BIPOC players and that is utter bullshit, however, it is still a thing that does impact the way people talk about McCabe.)
Carnage Anon: This is perfectly put.
Thank you for stating it so well. ❤️
