Chelsea's real revolution
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the new owner of Chelsea Football Club, has written a blank cheque of 225 million euros for Blues boss Claudio Ranieri to build a squad of stars to rival the celestial brilliance of Real Madrid.
Virtually every player who might be available this summer, and a few who aren't, is being linked with a move to Chelsea. A wish list that reads like a who's- who of world football: Patrick Kluivert, Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera, Alessandro Nesta, Edgar Davids, Andriy Shevchenko.... The list goes on!
Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has indicated that any changes will be gradual. But the quality of players being looked at would indicate that Chelsea are looking for established stars to immediately strengthen the team.
"We're only four or five weeks from the season and it would be madness to buy players and throw them in willy nilly."
"But we are looking to strengthen as we're one or two short after letting a few go at the end of the season. We're looking for quality players and were looking for them before Thursday [when Abramovich took over]. You'll be pleasantly surprised when the first team selection is announced."
MONEY TALKS
As Real Madrid boss Fiorentino Perez has shown in the Spanish capital; offer enough money and you can prise the most loyal servant away from home.
Amongst the rumours and gossip that have engulfed Stamford Bridge since Abramovich's arrival, there might be some grains of truth. After all, Real Madrid are proof of the 'where there's smoke there's fire' world of football transfers.
Barcelona have refused to pay a loyalty bonus to Kluivert, triggering a release clause in the Dutchman's contract that could see him leave the Nou Camp for as little as £1.2 million.
Chelsea are apparently ready to offer Kluivert £3.5 million in wages in an effort to lure the Dutchman to the club and replace crowd favourite 36-year-old Gianfranco Zola, who has returned to his childhood club Cagliari in the Italian Serie B.
Another target that Ranieri may realistically investigate is the marauding midfielder Davids, whose position at Juventus is under threat from new boy Stephen Appiah. The 22-year old Ghanaian is a tireless bundle of energy and smooth technique, and is earmarked as eventual replacement at the Delle Alpi, but a 'silly money' bid in the region of £20 million would tempt even La Vecchia Signora, to cut short the grooming process.
AMBITIOUS MOVES
Perhaps Chelsea's most ambitious raid will be on fellow-London club Arsenal. Abramovich has unashamedly declared his admiration for Gunner Thierry Henry and reports in the British media claim that the Russian will stop at nothing to bring Highbury's French trio to King's Road.
Arsenal's financial plight is well documented and huge offers for Henry, Viera and Robert Pires might tempt Arsene Wenger. Henry is contracted to the North London club until 2006, but Viera, on the other hand, is out of contract at the end of the next season, and Arsenal may prefer to cash in now, before he is free to leave for nothing.
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225 mil dollars? this is unfair man...and they are smart enuff to not buy every1 in one season..:down:
Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, the new owner of Chelsea Football Club, has written a blank cheque of 225 million euros for Blues boss Claudio Ranieri to build a squad of stars to rival the celestial brilliance of Real Madrid.
Virtually every player who might be available this summer, and a few who aren't, is being linked with a move to Chelsea. A wish list that reads like a who's- who of world football: Patrick Kluivert, Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera, Alessandro Nesta, Edgar Davids, Andriy Shevchenko.... The list goes on!
Chelsea chairman Ken Bates has indicated that any changes will be gradual. But the quality of players being looked at would indicate that Chelsea are looking for established stars to immediately strengthen the team.
"We're only four or five weeks from the season and it would be madness to buy players and throw them in willy nilly."
"But we are looking to strengthen as we're one or two short after letting a few go at the end of the season. We're looking for quality players and were looking for them before Thursday [when Abramovich took over]. You'll be pleasantly surprised when the first team selection is announced."
MONEY TALKS
As Real Madrid boss Fiorentino Perez has shown in the Spanish capital; offer enough money and you can prise the most loyal servant away from home.
Amongst the rumours and gossip that have engulfed Stamford Bridge since Abramovich's arrival, there might be some grains of truth. After all, Real Madrid are proof of the 'where there's smoke there's fire' world of football transfers.
Barcelona have refused to pay a loyalty bonus to Kluivert, triggering a release clause in the Dutchman's contract that could see him leave the Nou Camp for as little as £1.2 million.
Chelsea are apparently ready to offer Kluivert £3.5 million in wages in an effort to lure the Dutchman to the club and replace crowd favourite 36-year-old Gianfranco Zola, who has returned to his childhood club Cagliari in the Italian Serie B.
Another target that Ranieri may realistically investigate is the marauding midfielder Davids, whose position at Juventus is under threat from new boy Stephen Appiah. The 22-year old Ghanaian is a tireless bundle of energy and smooth technique, and is earmarked as eventual replacement at the Delle Alpi, but a 'silly money' bid in the region of £20 million would tempt even La Vecchia Signora, to cut short the grooming process.
AMBITIOUS MOVES
Perhaps Chelsea's most ambitious raid will be on fellow-London club Arsenal. Abramovich has unashamedly declared his admiration for Gunner Thierry Henry and reports in the British media claim that the Russian will stop at nothing to bring Highbury's French trio to King's Road.
Arsenal's financial plight is well documented and huge offers for Henry, Viera and Robert Pires might tempt Arsene Wenger. Henry is contracted to the North London club until 2006, but Viera, on the other hand, is out of contract at the end of the next season, and Arsenal may prefer to cash in now, before he is free to leave for nothing.
-------
225 mil dollars? this is unfair man...and they are smart enuff to not buy every1 in one season..:down:
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