T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
I've always felt the same Prof. He's been fed on scraps all the time he has been at Chelsea, I'd love to see him get a decent bit of service.
Chelsea Thread
- Thread starter Sulph
- Start date
YoungGun_UK
20 TIMES!
Nice idea but to be honest its like he hasnt had a competitive run of games for 2 seasons. Would need to have a good pre season to stand any chance of featuring next season IMO.
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
Roman Abramovich to pay £25m for Robinho
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 1:22am BST 02/07/2008
Roman Abramovich marked his arrival at Stamford Bridge with an unprecedented spending spree and, exactly five years into the 'Chelsea project', an extravagant return to the transfer market looks assured. The arrival of Deco on Monday took Chelsea's spending in 2008 beyond £50 million and the expectation is that the club's Russian owner will dig further into his pockets over the next two months to satisfy the requirements of new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Real Madrid's Robinho is believed to be the next target and, though his availability may depend on Cristiano Ronaldo's possible move to the Bernabeu, Chelsea appear willing to pay a transfer fee that could exceed £25 million. There have already been talks with Frank Arnesen, Chelsea's chief scout. "It's true that Chelsea are interested in signing Robinho," said the Brazilian's representative, Wagner Ribeiro. "They have been after him for a while and there has been much more contact since Scolari became the new coach. I met with Arnesen in London and he confirmed to me that Chelsea wanted my player for next season."
Although Chelsea's recent transfer activity can be set against the possible departures of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho, it is difficult to escape the impression that Abramovich will approach this season with a renewed passion. During 2007 investment in the squad was limited, while his dissatisfaction with some of the football played under Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant has been well documented. Close associates, however, consistently reject any suggestion that Abramovich has lost some of his interest in Chelsea.
Chairman Bruce Buck has pointed to the substantial investment last year in the training ground as further proof of Abramovich's ongoing commitment, while the development of the academy illustrates a vision that is said to look as far as 10 years into the future. "He's as committed as ever - nothing has changed," said a close friend. "I think what people forget was that in the first year, when he was at just about every game, he was possibly there to the detriment of other things. Now it's more of a balance.
"He missed maybe four home games earlier this year, but it was at a time when the Russian elections were taking place. The previous season when he missed games, he was going through a divorce." As well as Chelsea, Abramovich's interests include his role as the governor of Chukotka, an impoverished region in the far eastern tip of Russia, as well as his work with the National Academy of Football in Russia, which helps sponsor Guus Hiddink's national team and grassroots projects. To put the £625 million he has invested in Chelsea over the past five years into context, it is said that Abramovich has ploughed around £1 billion into the development of Chukotka.
Chelsea, though, could use the five-year anniversary to look back with pride yesterday at their achievements. A first European Cup remains the outstanding goal and managerial stability has proved elusive in recent years but, under Abramovich, Chelsea have lifted themselves into the elite tier of world club football. There have also been considerable strides in growing the business. In the Deloitte Football Money League this year Chelsea climbed into the top five clubs in terms of turnover, with the commercial revenues of £56.4 million an area of particular growth.
The main scope for further improvement in relation to Arsenal and Manchester United is in matchday earnings, with the club considering either extending Stamford Bridge or moving to a new ground.
Chelsea will also visit China and Malaysia this summer as they seek to expand their global commercial base, yet the goal of breaking even by 2010 still looks extremely difficult. The most recent accounts showed an annual trading loss of £74.8 million.
"It is possible to be over-dramatic about Chelsea's dependency on Abramovich," said Paul Rawnsley, a director in the sports business group at Deloitte. "It was a big club before and, while an adjustment would be required, it would continue to be a big club. "However, there has been an investment in management, players and staff and that has all helped them to push on. They are also spreading their brand globally.
"The next step is to monetise global support. If Chelsea do that, they can move on another level again."
Roman Numerals
5Years as Chelsea owner
£625mTotal amount spent
523%Growth of Chelsea’s global fan base
4Managers
298Matches
529Goals5Major trophies
82 Home league games unbeaten
£134mSpent on wages (2006-07)
World’s top five clubs in annual turnover
1 Real Madrid (£236m)
2 Man United (£212m)
3 Barcelona (£195m)
4 Chelsea (£191m)
5 Arsenal (£178m)
(Source: Deloitte analysis)
By Jeremy Wilson
Last Updated: 1:22am BST 02/07/2008
Roman Abramovich marked his arrival at Stamford Bridge with an unprecedented spending spree and, exactly five years into the 'Chelsea project', an extravagant return to the transfer market looks assured. The arrival of Deco on Monday took Chelsea's spending in 2008 beyond £50 million and the expectation is that the club's Russian owner will dig further into his pockets over the next two months to satisfy the requirements of new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Real Madrid's Robinho is believed to be the next target and, though his availability may depend on Cristiano Ronaldo's possible move to the Bernabeu, Chelsea appear willing to pay a transfer fee that could exceed £25 million. There have already been talks with Frank Arnesen, Chelsea's chief scout. "It's true that Chelsea are interested in signing Robinho," said the Brazilian's representative, Wagner Ribeiro. "They have been after him for a while and there has been much more contact since Scolari became the new coach. I met with Arnesen in London and he confirmed to me that Chelsea wanted my player for next season."
Although Chelsea's recent transfer activity can be set against the possible departures of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba and Ricardo Carvalho, it is difficult to escape the impression that Abramovich will approach this season with a renewed passion. During 2007 investment in the squad was limited, while his dissatisfaction with some of the football played under Jose Mourinho and then Avram Grant has been well documented. Close associates, however, consistently reject any suggestion that Abramovich has lost some of his interest in Chelsea.
Chairman Bruce Buck has pointed to the substantial investment last year in the training ground as further proof of Abramovich's ongoing commitment, while the development of the academy illustrates a vision that is said to look as far as 10 years into the future. "He's as committed as ever - nothing has changed," said a close friend. "I think what people forget was that in the first year, when he was at just about every game, he was possibly there to the detriment of other things. Now it's more of a balance.
"He missed maybe four home games earlier this year, but it was at a time when the Russian elections were taking place. The previous season when he missed games, he was going through a divorce." As well as Chelsea, Abramovich's interests include his role as the governor of Chukotka, an impoverished region in the far eastern tip of Russia, as well as his work with the National Academy of Football in Russia, which helps sponsor Guus Hiddink's national team and grassroots projects. To put the £625 million he has invested in Chelsea over the past five years into context, it is said that Abramovich has ploughed around £1 billion into the development of Chukotka.
Chelsea, though, could use the five-year anniversary to look back with pride yesterday at their achievements. A first European Cup remains the outstanding goal and managerial stability has proved elusive in recent years but, under Abramovich, Chelsea have lifted themselves into the elite tier of world club football. There have also been considerable strides in growing the business. In the Deloitte Football Money League this year Chelsea climbed into the top five clubs in terms of turnover, with the commercial revenues of £56.4 million an area of particular growth.
The main scope for further improvement in relation to Arsenal and Manchester United is in matchday earnings, with the club considering either extending Stamford Bridge or moving to a new ground.
Chelsea will also visit China and Malaysia this summer as they seek to expand their global commercial base, yet the goal of breaking even by 2010 still looks extremely difficult. The most recent accounts showed an annual trading loss of £74.8 million.
"It is possible to be over-dramatic about Chelsea's dependency on Abramovich," said Paul Rawnsley, a director in the sports business group at Deloitte. "It was a big club before and, while an adjustment would be required, it would continue to be a big club. "However, there has been an investment in management, players and staff and that has all helped them to push on. They are also spreading their brand globally.
"The next step is to monetise global support. If Chelsea do that, they can move on another level again."
Roman Numerals
5Years as Chelsea owner
£625mTotal amount spent
523%Growth of Chelsea’s global fan base
4Managers
298Matches
529Goals5Major trophies
82 Home league games unbeaten
£134mSpent on wages (2006-07)
World’s top five clubs in annual turnover
1 Real Madrid (£236m)
2 Man United (£212m)
3 Barcelona (£195m)
4 Chelsea (£191m)
5 Arsenal (£178m)
(Source: Deloitte analysis)
D
DagsJT
Guest
Deco, Ronaldinho and Robinho?!
Bloody hell, an AWESOME set of players there!
Bloody hell, an AWESOME set of players there!
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
I can't see us going for Ronaldinho now. The Robinho rumour seems to have been confirmed but there is nothing going on with Goofy - and to be honest, where the hell would we fit them all!?
The_Special_One
I like Unicorns
I agree with him.
Milanista
Mangiamoli!
I think hes a manager that more 'messy' with his managing than tacticians such as Grant, Benitez and Ancelotti. They focus heavily on tactics, but Scolari seems like one that focuses on other aspects such as mentality etc.
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
:w00t:
:-ll 
:lmao: :applaud:Milanista - comedy genius!
As for Ian Wright - I'm guessing Big Phil has just told SWP it is time to exit stage left. He's usually that transparent.
Professor Nutmeg
ML Fanatic
- 3 July 2002
Grant! Tactician? Are you feeling ok?
gerd
Retired Footballer
You're probably (W)right but i agree with him...
Wheni wrote that i have a bad feeling about Scolari, i would have used exactly the same arguments as Wright...and after all...he surely is (W)right....
(i know when non-native speakers are trying to be witty...i'm sorry...but i still agree with Right...euhrm Wright....oops)
Nick Cave
Wrexham fan for my sins...
He's a good motivator in my books and that will get you a long way, but against the bigger sides and how he can change things when it's not going well remains to be seen.
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
I've got no worries. Fergie is no tactical genius either, but he seems to have done ok.
Big Phil is what this club needs.
Big Phil is what this club needs.
YoungGun_UK
20 TIMES!
Agree with TB, Scolari is what Chelsea need, I personally think he'll do well that might not mean good things for my club but just my honest opinion. Also i STILL think Ronaldinho and Robinho will be coming with probably the later playing CF.
airjoca
International
Reports in Portugal saying Abramovich demands that Scolari signs at least one russian player for Chelsea... :lol:
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
The Press haven't exactly disntinguished themselves this summer so I will choose to believe they have made this up.
Wouldn't be surprised if we sign one though, Grant said we'd been sniffing round Zhirkov already.
Anyway, the daily lies:
But Arshavin is actually on his way to Chelsea, who have had a bid accepted by Zenit and the player is now London-bound to hold personal talks. (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea have offered Frank Lampard £140,000 a week to try to persuade the midfielder to reject Inter Milan's advances and sign a new deal. (Daily Express)
It's a typically busy summer at Stamford Bridge with the club's board being told to sell striker Didier Drogba by new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. (The Sun)
Scolari also wants to offer Florent Malouda to Barcelona as part of a deal to sign striker Samuel Eto'o from the Nou Camp outfit. (The Sun)
After missing out on midfielder Jonas Gutierrez, Pompey have now switched their attention to luring Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea. (Daily Star)
Wouldn't be surprised if we sign one though, Grant said we'd been sniffing round Zhirkov already.
Anyway, the daily lies:
But Arshavin is actually on his way to Chelsea, who have had a bid accepted by Zenit and the player is now London-bound to hold personal talks. (Daily Mirror)
Chelsea have offered Frank Lampard £140,000 a week to try to persuade the midfielder to reject Inter Milan's advances and sign a new deal. (Daily Express)
It's a typically busy summer at Stamford Bridge with the club's board being told to sell striker Didier Drogba by new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. (The Sun)
Scolari also wants to offer Florent Malouda to Barcelona as part of a deal to sign striker Samuel Eto'o from the Nou Camp outfit. (The Sun)
After missing out on midfielder Jonas Gutierrez, Pompey have now switched their attention to luring Shaun Wright-Phillips from Chelsea. (Daily Star)
Last edited:
Pretty stupid that. Haven't they already signed Branislav Ivanović? He's russian isn't he? Plus he's got Shevchenko who's sort of Russian anyway and he's ruined his career over there :-ll
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
In fairness Lami, you're choosing to believe a tabloid rumour - and you've used as examples two people who aren't Russian.
Not the best start to the morning - go and have a cup of coffee!
Not the best start to the morning - go and have a cup of coffee!
Professor Nutmeg
ML Fanatic
- 3 July 2002
Hmm, Arshavin off Drogba could be something.
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
Ukraine yes, Serbia no. I think it was taken over by the Nazi's for a short while, but not the Russian Bear.
But you're warming up. :-pp
Prof, I had to re-read your post a couple of times. At first glance it looked like the sort of activity you would find in a 'specialist magazine'.
YoungGun_UK
20 TIMES!
the tabloids are DEFINITELY! wrong somewhere, there now saying you lot would have Arshavin, Lampard, Deco all 3 creative midfielders Lampard is off by the end of next week and Arshavin is Barca bound. Robinho seems to be on his way with maybe Drogba going the opposite way. Ronaldinho is still in the mix with 3 or 4 other clubs.
Milanista
Mangiamoli!
I dont think Robinho is going to leave Real, unless Ronaldo joins. He's quite important in their play.
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
Roman Abramovich lands Andrei Arshavin for Chelsea
Andrei Arshavin last night flew in from Russia to sign for Chelsea. Barcelona matched Chelsea's £12million offer - but Blues owner Roman Abramovich intervened personally to sign Arshavin. Mirror Sport revealed yesterday how Abramovich even went to the Russian team hotel during the Euros to persuade the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker to join his side.It is the oil tycoon's dream to have a fellow Russian playing in the Chelsea first team - and he persuaded Arshavin that he would be better suited to the Premier League than Spain.
Arshavin, 27, and his agent Pavel Andreev met with Zenit yesterday to tell them officially he wanted to leave and to be allowed to activate the £12m buy-out clause in his contract. And with more than one club bidding it could have turned into an auction. Yet despite Ashavin saying it was his dream to play for Barca, a Zenit spokesman said last night: "Andrei never rejected the idea of moving to Chelsea. "The Chelsea managers know the situation and have already talked to his agent."
Andrei Arshavin last night flew in from Russia to sign for Chelsea. Barcelona matched Chelsea's £12million offer - but Blues owner Roman Abramovich intervened personally to sign Arshavin. Mirror Sport revealed yesterday how Abramovich even went to the Russian team hotel during the Euros to persuade the Zenit St Petersburg playmaker to join his side.It is the oil tycoon's dream to have a fellow Russian playing in the Chelsea first team - and he persuaded Arshavin that he would be better suited to the Premier League than Spain.
Arshavin, 27, and his agent Pavel Andreev met with Zenit yesterday to tell them officially he wanted to leave and to be allowed to activate the £12m buy-out clause in his contract. And with more than one club bidding it could have turned into an auction. Yet despite Ashavin saying it was his dream to play for Barca, a Zenit spokesman said last night: "Andrei never rejected the idea of moving to Chelsea. "The Chelsea managers know the situation and have already talked to his agent."
YoungGun_UK
20 TIMES!
I think he's a good player but for some reason i can see him floping at a big club.
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
Yeh - I can see him being a bit of a Toto Schilacci (sp?). Only £12m though - definitely worth the risk.
Milanista
Mangiamoli!
I think this means no Robinho.
T Butcher fan
Champions League
- 3 December 2001
bebo
Looking for a Manager
good buy! but will Felipe choose the 1st team selection or will Roman, seems all your problems starts when Roman intervenes
gerd
Retired Footballer
I've seensome wonderfull prerformances by him (with Zenith and with the national team against Holland and Sweden).
But i don't think is a natural leader (cfr. Spain, he never was in the game).
On the bright side: with Ballack and Essien Chelsea has leaders on the pitch.
But i don't think is a natural leader (cfr. Spain, he never was in the game).
On the bright side: with Ballack and Essien Chelsea has leaders on the pitch.