T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
Chelsea players said no to Fabián Ayala
Was there a revolt by Chelsea squad at the idea that yet more players could come to Stamford Bridge - in particular Fabián Ayala? That's what Marca is saying this morning. As a result, continues the article, it would appear that Chelsea have decided that the current team is more than adequate.
It's in the Spanish sports daily this morning: when the Chelsea players heard that the club was moving to sign Valencia captain Fabián Ayala in January, the Blues made their opposition clear at the beginning of this week.
Apparently it was John Terry, who, as acting captain has to be considered as the representative of the players, who made known to Roman Abramovich that the players don't see the need for any new additions to the squad. Marca quotes 'a source close to Abramovich' as saying that "the players feel that there is no need to sign anybody, particularly as the team is working well. Terry said that to our faces. They don't understand why we might be signing a player who is 30 years old at the middle of the season". The same source adds that all negotiations for Ayala were promptly suspended: "the situation today is that there won't be any signing. We don't want to spoil the current team spirit that has developed".
The squad's decision was a consensual one, and Claudio Ranieri agreed. Claudio had already said, before the Newcastle game, that there would be no new signings. Indeed, he is said to consider that any new signing could disrupt the good atmosphere in the Chelsea dressing room. It is this atmosphere that has contributed to the Blue's current run of good results and great performances - and an exceptional team spirit.
Chelsea have therefore pulled out of discussions with Valencia for Fabián Ayala, which has come as a surprise to Valencia. Apparently the coastal club had more or less written off their talismanic captain after a visit from Chelsea representatives. This visit had left Valencia with the sensation that he was as good as gone and that Ayala's departure was inevitable. Since that meeting Valencia had received no news from Chelsea, and the club hadn't heard about any decision by Chelsea not to pursue Ayala, and were, in fact, already looking at several possible replacements.
Meanwhile, a short distance away from Valencia down the Mediterranean coast lies the modest Primera club Villarreal. There, a young midfielder by the name of César Arzo is claiming that Chelsea are interested in him. Indeed, he told the Spanish news agency 'Efe' that "the offer from Chelsea is very serious". Although his intention is to stay at Villareal ("I wouldn't want to leave Villarreal"), he also warns that "my agent has told me that Chelsea's interest is developing, and it is hard to see it not growing to fruition". So he's hedging his bets there. Quoted in a local newspaper, he says that "My agent has told me that Chelsea have asked about me, and I can't say anything more, although I want to make it clear that I owe a lot to Villarreal, who are informed of everything."
Actually Villarreal are stating that they have no knowledge of any possible offer from Chelsea for Arzo. According to the club, they have only been told by Arzo's family, but Villarreal have also acknowledged that if Arzo wants to leave, the club's possibilities of holding him back are negligible. Especially since, given his age, he doesn't have a professional contract.
So who is Cesar Arzo? Well, he's 17, he's made 2 starts for the first team this season after coming through the youth team and the B team, er, he's 1m 86 tall and weighs 72 kilos and plays in an unspecified midfield position. Frankly that is all we can find about him, so it's impossible to judge whether he would be a useful addition to the squad. One for the future?
Was there a revolt by Chelsea squad at the idea that yet more players could come to Stamford Bridge - in particular Fabián Ayala? That's what Marca is saying this morning. As a result, continues the article, it would appear that Chelsea have decided that the current team is more than adequate.
It's in the Spanish sports daily this morning: when the Chelsea players heard that the club was moving to sign Valencia captain Fabián Ayala in January, the Blues made their opposition clear at the beginning of this week.
Apparently it was John Terry, who, as acting captain has to be considered as the representative of the players, who made known to Roman Abramovich that the players don't see the need for any new additions to the squad. Marca quotes 'a source close to Abramovich' as saying that "the players feel that there is no need to sign anybody, particularly as the team is working well. Terry said that to our faces. They don't understand why we might be signing a player who is 30 years old at the middle of the season". The same source adds that all negotiations for Ayala were promptly suspended: "the situation today is that there won't be any signing. We don't want to spoil the current team spirit that has developed".
The squad's decision was a consensual one, and Claudio Ranieri agreed. Claudio had already said, before the Newcastle game, that there would be no new signings. Indeed, he is said to consider that any new signing could disrupt the good atmosphere in the Chelsea dressing room. It is this atmosphere that has contributed to the Blue's current run of good results and great performances - and an exceptional team spirit.
Chelsea have therefore pulled out of discussions with Valencia for Fabián Ayala, which has come as a surprise to Valencia. Apparently the coastal club had more or less written off their talismanic captain after a visit from Chelsea representatives. This visit had left Valencia with the sensation that he was as good as gone and that Ayala's departure was inevitable. Since that meeting Valencia had received no news from Chelsea, and the club hadn't heard about any decision by Chelsea not to pursue Ayala, and were, in fact, already looking at several possible replacements.
Meanwhile, a short distance away from Valencia down the Mediterranean coast lies the modest Primera club Villarreal. There, a young midfielder by the name of César Arzo is claiming that Chelsea are interested in him. Indeed, he told the Spanish news agency 'Efe' that "the offer from Chelsea is very serious". Although his intention is to stay at Villareal ("I wouldn't want to leave Villarreal"), he also warns that "my agent has told me that Chelsea's interest is developing, and it is hard to see it not growing to fruition". So he's hedging his bets there. Quoted in a local newspaper, he says that "My agent has told me that Chelsea have asked about me, and I can't say anything more, although I want to make it clear that I owe a lot to Villarreal, who are informed of everything."
Actually Villarreal are stating that they have no knowledge of any possible offer from Chelsea for Arzo. According to the club, they have only been told by Arzo's family, but Villarreal have also acknowledged that if Arzo wants to leave, the club's possibilities of holding him back are negligible. Especially since, given his age, he doesn't have a professional contract.
So who is Cesar Arzo? Well, he's 17, he's made 2 starts for the first team this season after coming through the youth team and the B team, er, he's 1m 86 tall and weighs 72 kilos and plays in an unspecified midfield position. Frankly that is all we can find about him, so it's impossible to judge whether he would be a useful addition to the squad. One for the future?
for the rest of the season, we red devils went the entire season with i think 3 defeats? and already we have 2, soo i dont think it is time to call this a downturn yet, but it's getting there 
