Chelsea?

I loathe them. But my my question here is, will this dominance thing they are clearly trying to achieve by signing all the best players work? and if so how long will it last?

There's a lot of things to worry about if you dislike them. first that they haven't thrown all there money about in silly places. They've set deals up with PSV (i mean they have a last 8 CL club as their feeder club, Man U have Antwerp) and Corinthians by the looks of things, which seems to be playing the part of a south american storage locker so that Italian and spanish teams can't hoover up the young talent while english clubs have to mess about with work permits. They Kenyon and Mourinho and I imagine a lot of other back room staff has been brought in. The aim seems to be to build a solid foundation so that players in future can be bought with money the club has made rather than been gifted by abrohamovich.

however there are bad points hovering, will any of these be enough to make the empire collaspse.
First that Abrohamovich is no football obsessed freak and he certainly is no Chelsea fan, is this a genuine attempt to set up a huge club knowing the future profits will be worth it or maybe is it a passing interest? the billionaires equivalent of when the new champ manager comes out and we take two weeks off work to play it. Obviously setting it up in London, England makes me believe that it certainly has long term business potential but whether the enthusiasm will be there in a couple of years when they're maybe having a bad run, I don't know. Plus Abro may be given the reputation of being a slimeball but I've heard he's extremely loyal, I believe there is something about a destitute town he is mayor in that he totally rebuilt, this could point to a future that while he may not always throw the hundreds of millions at Chelsea like he is now, he'll always be there with a helping hand if the crown starts slipping.
The second issue is reputation, Chelsea don't have it, and it will be years before they are seen in the same light as Juve, Man U, Milan, Madrid and Barca. these teams are the cream of europe, and the most mentioned in the history books. Even if Mourinho does win the CL, he's no Chelsea die hard would he really be able to turn down a position at Madrid? Players are slightly different as they could refuse any offer and could out bid most teams so the only players that they may lose to their lack of reputation would be ones that knew for sure that refusing chelsea offers would lead to them going to there favourite club.
too many cooks? Having superstars on the bench for the first 2 years of their contract may make them unwilling to sign that extension.

They Kenyon and Mourinho and I imagine a lot of other back room staff has been brought in. The aim seems to be to build a solid foundation so that players in future can be bought with money the club has made rather than been gifted by abrohamovich.

It seems they will spend big on 2 or 3 players, a left back and a central midfielder and maybe a striker too. They are certainly building for the future though, i think only Makelele is in his 30's, most of the rest and early to mid 20's.

First that Abrohamovich is no football obsessed freak and he certainly is no Chelsea fan, is this a genuine attempt to set up a huge club knowing the future profits will be worth it or maybe is it a passing interest? the billionaires equivalent of when the new champ manager comes out and we take two weeks off work to play it. Obviously setting it up in London, England makes me believe that it certainly has long term business potential but whether the enthusiasm will be there in a couple of years when they're maybe having a bad run, I don't know.

I think he's going to be there for some time. The political situation in Russia is extremely precarious but Abramovich knows that with the investments he is making in England the British government will protect him from Putin.

The money he spends on players is effectively buying his freedom too in fact the town you mentioned that he has rebuilt is another example of this. He is the governor of a region of Siberia and has spent more there than he has on Chelsea its a way of appeasing the goverment and makin sure he doesnt end up like Khodorkovsky...

The second issue is reputation, Chelsea don't have it, and it will be years before they are seen in the same light as Juve, Man U, Milan, Madrid and Barca. these teams are the cream of europe, and the most mentioned in the history books. Even if Mourinho does win the CL, he's no Chelsea die hard would he really be able to turn down a position at Madrid?

It wouldnt take that long to rewrite the history books if they are successful enough. Utd are seen as a dominant force in English football but before 93 it had been 3 decades since a title win if they win the Champions League it would give them a solid platform to build quicky.

As for Mourinho, i think he would turn Madrid down, he left Porto because he knew he would be able to defend his title with them, the big teams would have come in and taken the core of his side (Deco, Carvalho etc)

Chelsea are certianly looking to build a proper business franchise. Not just win a few trophies. Abramovich has made a huge investment and going by their recent popularity in 'glory-hunting' regions, which I have fair knowledge of, they are on the right track. The League is theirs to lose (no more on that please, I am a United fan), and they are going strong in the Champions League. If they win those two this season, their popularity will go through the roof.

With consistent glory on the pitch and a relatively fat paycheck, Mourinho won't be going anywhere.

However, they have to make sure they sustain that sporting glory without much more investment (incremental investment is required, but I don't think they will be buying big anymore, unless absolutely necessary), to have a good return on the money that has already been invested. Otherwise, they'll end up with a massive running debt like Real Madrid.

Abramovich will wait five to eight seasons at least to break even, I think. If he sees the club moving towards proper profits he will continue to invest. However if the debt keeps getting bigger, he may look to bail out.

As of right now though, things are looking rosy for him. A new kit deal will bring in more cash, they are looking like they can achieve a lot this season, and their popularity is on the rise. Only upto United (Pool n' Arse are out of the picture), to try and make a dent in their plans.

Someone should tell those glory-hunters that Chelsea is a world-renowned racist club with a history of racist and hooligan violence. But, perhaps they don't really care. And they'd probably say that I am just saying that because I am a United fan.

Originally Posted by meazza

I loathe them. But my my question here is, will this dominance thing they are clearly trying to achieve by signing all the best players work? and if so how long will it last?

Do they really sign the best players? Robbens probably the best player they have, but even he hadnt really proved himself before they signed him. if you look at their team man for man, Im not so sure they can match Milan, Inter, Juve, Barca etc but they obviously do. I think they key to their success is that they have plenty of money and the owner knows he doesnt have a clue so he lets his manager make all the footballing decisions. The way a football club should be ran.

why dont you try AntiChelsea thread

Originally Posted by K77SH C

Do they really sign the best players? Robbens probably the best player they have, but even he hadnt really proved himself before they signed him. if you look at their team man for man, Im not so sure they can match Milan, Inter, Juve, Barca etc but they obviously do. I think they key to their success is that they have plenty of money and the owner knows he doesnt have a clue so he lets his manager make all the footballing decisions. The way a football club should be ran.

well not literally a world eleven. but they have gone for big reputation players, big things where/are expected of Mutu, Dorgba, Robben and Chech; Makele was already considered one of the worlds best defensive mids and Carvahlo had moved into being considered a world class defender after euro 2004.

It's defiently an attempt to have unquestionably the best side in the world in 2-3 years time.

Originally Posted by K77SH C

Do they really sign the best players? Robbens probably the best player they have, but even he hadnt really proved himself before they signed him. if you look at their team man for man, Im not so sure they can match Milan, Inter, Juve, Barca etc but they obviously do. I think they key to their success is that they have plenty of money and the owner knows he doesnt have a clue so he lets his manager make all the footballing decisions. The way a football club should be ran.

Are you kidding?!?!? Robben didn't prove himself? Robben was a great player at PSV and had some great games with Holland!

2 of the best defenders in the world, Terry (Possibly the best in EPL) and Carvalho, add in 2 more world-class defenders Ferreira and Gallas and 2 VERY fruitful prospects Huth and Bridge.

And that's just the back four. Robben who's already proved himself in Europe in domestic league AND internationally, Duff who had a decent season last year but was injured a few times, is still an incredibly talented attacknig Midfielder. LAMPARD, need I say more??? Tiago and Cole, got a HUGE future ahead of them.

Cole is a pimp by the way. He really impressed against Barcelona man...

Kezman obviously ain't what he was last year, but Drogba and Gudjohnsen, maybe not top notch but they get the job done.

Robben may be their most TALENTED player IMO, but when it comes to world-class players Chelsea has more than a handful

Uefa Charge Chelsea
3/21/2005 9:38:00 PM
Chelsea have been hit by threat of expulsion from the Champions League after being accused by Uefa of purposely telling lies about Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard and referee Anders Frisk.
The club, along with manager Jose Mourinho, his assistant Steve Clarke and security official Les Miles were all charged with bringing the game into disrepute for making "false, wrong and unfounded allegations" that Rijkaard met with Frisk during half-time of Chelsea's Champions League tie with Barcelona at the Nou Camp last month.

Chelsea won the second leg 4-2 to progress to the quarter-finals, but now face a serious charge from Uefa, which could result in serious penalites.

Uefa chief, Gaillard explained: "They were basically using lies as a pre-match tactic. They were trying to qualify for the next round by putting pressure on referees and officials through false statements.

"They were ready to use disloyal methods and, frankly, this is totally and completely unacceptable."

He added: "I can categorically state that this alleged meeting (between Rijkaard and Frisk) did not happen.

"There is a clear contradiction in Chelsea’s complaint. They say Clarke and Miles saw the meeting but we know by looking at the architecture that from where they were they could not have seen anything.

"Then Mr Mourinho says in a signed article he says he was the one who saw it.

"What we do know from the reports from the referee and the venue director is that Mr Mourinho came out of the Chelsea dressing room and shouted in a quite aggressive way at Anders Frisk: ’Can I also come into your dressing room!"’

Referee Frisk has since retired from officiating after receiving death threats.

If Chelsea DOES get disqualified from the competition, it seems logical that Barcelona may take Chelsea's place, and that will be SWEEEEET

don't expect too much xzero, i just think mourinho will get banned from hte sidelines, get massive massive fine and maybe the club will be severely warned and fined, but disqualificated or making the match re-played, i swerously doubt it

Originally Posted by K77SH C

Do they really sign the best players? Robbens probably the best player they have, but even he hadnt really proved himself before they signed him. if you look at their team man for man, Im not so sure they can match Milan, Inter, Juve, Barca etc but they obviously do. I think they key to their success is that they have plenty of money and the owner knows he doesnt have a clue so he lets his manager make all the footballing decisions. The way a football club should be ran.

I fully agree with you. There have been many other clubs that spend like crazy but many of them have got nothing which would justify the waste of money. Inter is just the top of the iceberg. I also believe that it is thanks to Mourinho that they are where they are - top of the Premier League and hot favourites to win the CL, after Milan that is, but it is a given.

Originally Posted by XZeRo3003

Are you kidding?!?!? Robben didn't prove himself? Robben was a great player at PSV and had some great games with Holland!

2 of the best defenders in the world, Terry (Possibly the best in EPL) and Carvalho, add in 2 more world-class defenders Ferreira and Gallas and 2 VERY fruitful prospects Huth and Bridge.

And that's just the back four. Robben who's already proved himself in Europe in domestic league AND internationally, Duff who had a decent season last year but was injured a few times, is still an incredibly talented attacknig Midfielder. LAMPARD, need I say more??? Tiago and Cole, got a HUGE future ahead of them.

Cole is a pimp by the way. He really impressed against Barcelona man...

Kezman obviously ain't what he was last year, but Drogba and Gudjohnsen, maybe not top notch but they get the job done.

Robben may be their most TALENTED player IMO, but when it comes to world-class players Chelsea has more than a handful

I am not sure that you know very well what you are talking about. Most of the really fundamental players you mentioned above already played for Chelsea even before Abromovich bought the club.
Terry - he has been playing for Chelsea since he was 17 or so, from the time when Gullit and then Vialli coached the Londoners. He is probably their most important and influential player aling with Lampard.
Carvalho - true he became famous and attracted attention with Porto after winning the CL but don't you think it was Mourinho who signed him and not Abramovich? Before Porto won the CL, I really doubt that you could even name their central defenders what is left to brand them "world class". Mourinho is the one who introduced the name Carvalho to the world before that he was just a guy who played for a side that could only dream of doing anything more that reach the 1/8 finals in the CL or win the UEFA cup on occasion. And Mourinho is the reason why Carvalho is playing for Chelsea. Just because Porto tried to and succeeded in MILKING Chelsea for twice the money Carvalho was really worth, it doesn't mean that Chelsea got out there with their deep pockets and bought themselves a Nesta, Maldini, Stam, Cannavaro or Thuram. All in all, Carvalho is very good but nothing like any of those I just mentioned and if his name is being discussed now it is thanks to Mourinho, his coach at Chelsea, and not anyone else - he is a Mourinho product and there is nothing wrong (read mercenary) in trusting those you know real well.
Ferreira - a world-class defender? For how long have you been following football? he is at best average and plays for Chelsea only because Mourinho has woked with him in Porto and knows him - it is a common tactic for a coach to take players he knows well when he goes to new club. Ferreira is not first choice even in the Portugese Nat'l Team and could only warm-up the bench at Milan. There are at least 5 players better than him in the Serie A alone. Just because Chelsea were dumb enough to pay 20+ mil euros for him this doesn't make him a great player - he is anyhting but one.
Gallas - I believe Chelsea bought him before Abramovich bought the club and when Gallas arrived at Chelsea he was nothing but a good prospect for the future i.e. he was a gamble that Milan, Juve, Barca, etc didn't wanna take. Well, Chelsea did and he bacame the best defender in the EPL in his first year at Chelsea. In the end of the day, he was virtually noone in World football when Chelsea got him.
Huth - yes a very hot prospect but he has been with Chelsea since he was 15 or so years old, maybe even younger than that, so Abramovich's money have absolutely nothing to do with that.
Bridge - a star? Yeah, in the EPL maybe. The guy is a very average player and is not good enough even for Milan's bench. I am not sure what Chelsea saw in him when the paid close to 15 mil euros for him. He is for sure their worst purchase since Abromovich took over, after Mutu that is. For next season Chelsea are looking for a player who will take Bridge's place on the left so his days in a blue shirt could well be counted.
Lampard - I believe they bought him from West Ham long before Abramovich. Back then he was a player with good future but that was about it - he became the player he is today while playing for Chelsea and deep russian pockets have no contribution for that.
Robben - a proven star? Where if I may ask? In the Dutch League that has 2-3 good clubs in it and a whole bunch of punching bags? All the guy did was play a couple of good games for the Dutch National team and the Dutch media hailed him as the next Cruyff, saviour of the used-to-be great Dutch National team. At the price of 20+ mil pounds and the fact that he played in a weak league as the Dutch, made him anything but a safe investment - that was just too much money for an unproven player. Chelsea took the bet and won, cudos to them and a "try-again" to the other clubs who didn't bet on Robben. He became a star after Chelsea bought him and before that he was just a talanted prospect - there are so many of them around and truth is the majority will never live up to the expectations.
What goes for Robben, goes for Cole too - a prospect in England with West Ham but nothing close to a world-class player. In all truth I wouldn't call him one even now - he has to yet to prove that he is not a one season, more like a couple-of-games, wonder. Compared to what players ManU have been buying in the past 2-3 years and more, whether they prooved to be good buys or not is a totally different matter, Chelsea buying Cole from the relegated West Ham is more like a poor-man's shot in the dark.
Tiago - I won't even bother to comment on him, he is noone and I am not sure what makes certain people to even see anything special in him. There are a thousand like him out there and can't understand why Chelsea even bought him. Maybe because he is Portugese and Mourinho is a patriot. Go figure

Originally Posted by XZeRo3003

If Chelsea DOES get disqualified from the competition, it seems logical that Barcelona may take Chelsea's place, and that will be SWEEEEET

I don't have any sympathy for Chelsea but its not fair diqualify them and pass Barca. Don't forget that in the first match, Drogba got expelled for nothing.

Originally Posted by zlatanov

I am not sure that you know very well what you are talking about. Most of the really fundamental players you mentioned above already played for Chelsea even before Abromovich bought the club.
Terry - he has been playing for Chelsea since he was 17 or so, from the time when Gullit and then Vialli coached the Londoners. He is probably their most important and influential player aling with Lampard.
Carvalho - true he became famous and attracted attention with Porto after winning the CL but don't you think it was Mourinho who signed him and not Abramovich? Before Porto won the CL, I really doubt that you could even name their central defenders what is left to brand them "world class". Mourinho is the one who introduced the name Carvalho to the world before that he was just a guy who played for a side that could only dream of doing anything more that reach the 1/8 finals in the CL or win the UEFA cup on occasion. And Mourinho is the reason why Carvalho is playing for Chelsea. Just because Porto tried to and succeeded in MILKING Chelsea for twice the money Carvalho was really worth, it doesn't mean that Chelsea got out there with their deep pockets and bought themselves a Nesta, Maldini, Stam, Cannavaro or Thuram. All in all, Carvalho is very good but nothing like any of those I just mentioned and if his name is being discussed now it is thanks to Mourinho, his coach at Chelsea, and not anyone else - he is a Mourinho product and there is nothing wrong (read mercenary) in trusting those you know real well.
Ferreira - a world-class defender? For how long have you been following football? he is at best average and plays for Chelsea only because Mourinho has woked with him in Porto and knows him - it is a common tactic for a coach to take players he knows well when he goes to new club. Ferreira is not first choice even in the Portugese Nat'l Team and could only warm-up the bench at Milan. There are at least 5 players better than him in the Serie A alone. Just because Chelsea were dumb enough to pay 20+ mil euros for him this doesn't make him a great player - he is anyhting but one.
Gallas - I believe Chelsea bought him before Abramovich bought the club and when Gallas arrived at Chelsea he was nothing but a good prospect for the future i.e. he was a gamble that Milan, Juve, Barca, etc didn't wanna take. Well, Chelsea did and he bacame the best defender in the EPL in his first year at Chelsea. In the end of the day, he was virtually noone in World football when Chelsea got him.
Huth - yes a very hot prospect but he has been with Chelsea since he was 15 or so years old, maybe even younger than that, so Abramovich's money have absolutely nothing to do with that.
Bridge - a star? Yeah, in the EPL maybe. The guy is a very average player and is not good enough even for Milan's bench. I am not sure what Chelsea saw in him when the paid close to 15 mil euros for him. He is for sure their worst purchase since Abromovich took over, after Mutu that is. For next season Chelsea are looking for a player who will take Bridge's place on the left so his days in a blue shirt could well be counted.
Lampard - I believe they bought him from West Ham long before Abramovich. Back then he was a player with good future but that was about it - he became the player he is today while playing for Chelsea and deep russian pockets have no contribution for that.
Robben - a proven star? Where if I may ask? In the Dutch League that has 2-3 good clubs in it and a whole bunch of punching bags? All the guy did was play a couple of good games for the Dutch National team and the Dutch media hailed him as the next Cruyff, saviour of the used-to-be great Dutch National team. At the price of 20+ mil pounds and the fact that he played in a weak league as the Dutch, made him anything but a safe investment - that was just too much money for an unproven player. Chelsea took the bet and won, cudos to them and a "try-again" to the other clubs who didn't bet on Robben. He became a star after Chelsea bought him and before that he was just a talanted prospect - there are so many of them around and truth is the majority will never live up to the expectations.
What goes for Robben, goes for Cole too - a prospect in England with West Ham but nothing close to a world-class player. In all truth I wouldn't call him one even now - he has to yet to prove that he is not a one season, more like a couple-of-games, wonder. Compared to what players ManU have been buying in the past 2-3 years and more, whether they prooved to be good buys or not is a totally different matter, Chelsea buying Cole from the relegated West Ham is more like a poor-man's shot in the dark.
Tiago - I won't even bother to comment on him, he is noone and I am not sure what makes certain people to even see anything special in him. There are a thousand like him out there and can't understand why Chelsea even bought him. Maybe because he is Portugese and Mourinho is a patriot. Go figure

I think Zlatanov pretty much sums it up here. I would like to add though that Chelsea bought Robben before teh Euro Championships so had really not proven anything as the Dutch league is very weak. Also, the original point was about Chelsea buting up all the best players, but how many would get into the Milan side, apart from perhaps a couple of defenders most wouldnt even get into the Inter side.

Originally Posted by Franco6

I don't have any sympathy for Chelsea but its not fair diqualify them and pass Barca. Don't forget that in the first match, Drogba got expelled for nothing.

I agree, the team won the match and shouldnt be punished for the managements actions. problem is how do you punish Chelsea. Unless you fine them a zillion pounds it wont hurt them. maybe they should be forced to play their next two home games behind closed doors only allowing away fans???

they shouldnt be allowed to buy ashley cole either, which would punish them aswel as him and reward the "victim" Arsenal.