Life has come a full circle for Steve Sidwell in inside 12 months, and not in the right sense.
At this time last year, he was Reading's best player, and was inspiring Steve Coppell's minnows to finishing with over 50 points in their first season in the top flight.
Then came a much publicised Bosman move to join an already bulging Chelsea midfield, and it has not quite gone according to plan, particularly after the man who brought him to stamford Bridge, Jose Mourinho, left early in the season.
The former Reading star is now struggling to deal with it.
"It's tough," he told the club's official website. "Obviously everyone wants to play in all the games, big games, whether it be league, FA Cup or Champions League."
However, he is determined to fight on: "Everyone is fighting for places, but it brings out the character in people and the best in players."
He is currently sixth in the pecking order for a three man midfield, behind Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack, Michael Essien, John Obi Mikel and Claude Makelele.
