Fulham Broadway

Roman Abramovich owes Chelsea fans some answers An indication of Chelsea supporters' fears over the club's future is eloquently contained in an open letter sent by a lifelong fan to Roman Abramovich this week. By Henry Winter Last Updated: 8:46AM GMT 30 Jan 2009 Seeking clarification: Roman Abramovich has been given an unltimatum by a lifelong Chelsea fan Photo: GETTY IMAGES The angry missive reflects rising terrace concern over the squad's lack of depth and doubts about the owner's commitment. During the transfer window Chelsea have lost top-class understudies in Wayne Bridge and Carlo Cudicini and, as yet, no one has come in. Bridge sources point out that Abramovich simply wants Chelsea to be more self-sufficient, generating income rather than relying on his largesse. Oligarchs are also being discouraged by the Kremlin from parading their wealth at a time of widespread hardship in Russia. But with Manchester United threatening to disappear over the horizon, and Chelsea over-reliant on Frank Lampard, Luiz Felipe Scolari could do with some money to spend, whatever the coach's protestations that he is happy with his playing options. He can't be. Chelsea are a couple of metatarsals away from meltdown. So why is Abramovich not sanctioning transfers? What are his plans for the club? One supporter sought clarification. "Most fans would understand if you said your finances had taken a major hit in the economic downturn, and that you are no longer able to fund the club,'' wrote Tony Russell, a Chelsea follower of 40 years' standing (and sitting). "But, Mr Abramovich, to have your management inform us that the squad doesn't need strengthening, and is good enough to mount a trophy-winning challenge, is not only preposterous, but quite frankly insulting. "You would do well to remember that whilst you might own the club legally, morally it belongs to the fans, who are its heart and soul. You should definitely not be playing fast and loose with our emotions or indeed insulting our intelligence. "I would like to reiterate my eternal gratitude for the brief spell of success you have brought to the club, but it's high time you came clean and informed us of your intentions, and either sell up or do the job properly.'' Chelsea fans owe Abramovich a lot – but he also owes them some answers. Telegraph Agree, what with reports of Ivanovich off to Fiorentina this morning and discarding Carlo and Bridge, the squad needs strengthening. By the same token you dont want to fuck the oligarch off too much, as he might (ha ha ha ) have some masterplan off bringing youth through the ranks.....

Bring back Gudjohnsens Girl - Incisive, intelligent contributions - ''OMG!! OMG ee iz soooo fit OMG''

Lol is that two blokes on the same team ?

Would normally agree with that , what with our recent performances, but the dippers have been shite recently as well, so if Drogs is on form maybe 3 points

He's definitely gone a bit special needs. Subs were bizarre as well -handing Keane the poison chalice, after taking Gerrard off. Also taking Torres, your best striker off when 0-1 up was risky. Notice a lot of Liverpool fans are wanting Rafa out now.....

Agree with most of that. With one of Anelka or Drogba alone though, the attack will be like a eunuch, and the dippers defence will cope. Whether Scolari will play both is doubtful, but it's a must win game. With Stoch and Kalou interweaving from the wings, goals would be scored....if only Essien was fit

Some classic here ! Especially football message boards and tatoos http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/foo...icle5589815.ece

Its a five week gap for most people between payday, most people got paid the week before Christmas which explains the boro ticket surplus. The club 'tightening up' by making the players pay for their own meals and reducing their freebie ticket allocation is just petty. It explains the immediate loss of morale and point dropping. Things like that and letting Bridge and carlo go are just fucking idiotic in my book. Even West ham said they wouldnt let Bellamy go to the Yids because they are rivals, and dont want to upset the fans Yes, Abramovich has put money in -he wants it back interest free though. The consortium members made money slowly through property deals, Abramovich with other oligarchs put himself in the right place just as all Russias oil and gas was up for grabs at knockdown prices when communism collapsed, he didnt have to work for it. Instant £13 billion. So hes not that fussed about spunking £500 million away on a football club, painting or yacht. One thing is for sure, I dont think there will ever be a spending spree again like there was when he took over. The new consortium would however make immediate money available if they buy the club.

I hope so. This arabs background, and German the investors is real estate, and that is their main interest. The main reason they're interested is the potential doubling in value of Stamford Bridge as luxury flats in 10-15 years time. It would mean a souless 'emirates' stadium somewhere, ha ha -not even sold out tomorrow and even more Kenyonesque agressive far east marketing. Better the devil you know with Abramovich methinks

One of those rare games that isnt sold out yet. S'pose peeps are skint after Christmas. Maybe tourists arent intersted in a wet mid week boro game . This, and the dippers game are must wins to stay in contention

I thought the club made it pretty clear that there would be no signings in January. There are cutbacks right across the club from players given only four complimentary match tickets, to having to pay for their meals. Abramovich loses some money, and everyone does. That said, it's a fairly formidable squad capable of winning anything -the mental attitude was lacking a few games back, but things seem a bit more on an even keel now. Boro and Dippers are watershed games.

Letting Bridge go was daft, all I can think, is that there must be some master plan for another keeper , which I seriously doubt. Cech has been out enough to almost guarantee he'll be out for another spell.

Similar, and why to those cnuts ! Could have surely waited to the end of the season. He could have then had his 10 year testimonial where he keeps all the dosh. Sometimes I think the people running our club are idiots.

Nice to have a three dayer ! Miss your posts you rascal. Mumbai returned to its normal semblance of chaos now ?

Yeah ? well thats ok then. Smartarse. How ya doin Aroop ?

he will improve, its not just him -what has become apparent recently was the lack of belief and desire, which with the last two games has returned. That said -Large Phil is no spring chicken, cant see him being round for long, so who would people want instead, hypothetically ? At the moment for me David Moyes would be the best. Knows his football inside out, can match the other Merseysiders easily with a whole squad that costs less than two liverpool players. Knows how to motivate better than Ferguson imo.

Independent was saying theres a strong chance it'll happen before the January window shuts. I think they're forgetting FIFAs ruling about no player playing for more than two clubs in a season though. Unless of course the third club is Liverpool....

Guten tag mein herren und dammen. Theres quite a few billionaires that see top flight football as a way making more dosh and being a bit of a plaything. To me Abramovich is one of those, though he is definitely a football fan and he had so much cash he wasnt afraid (at first) to chuck it about. Now with the credit crunch -hes reportedly lost £3 billion, his costly divorce, and spending more time with his new bit of skirt, it's perfectly conceivable that he will listen to offers, and is potentially a bit bored and disaffected after Terrys missed spot kick. The consortium would be buying a prime chunk of real estate in SW6. What better time to buy than in a slump ? At the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, football has been ruined by rich cunts.

Couple more energetic youngters would work wonders -like Yernited have done, and bring the combination of experience and yoof

Have to confess I left early, gutted in retrospect - but a long way to travel, and I bet Giles doesnt slum it on the tube !

£91,000,000 for Kaka. Cant help thinking if they ploughed that into Youth Development instead.... Ruining football

Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal vary them. OK the Ronaldo disallowed one just happened to be in ''You are the Ref'' in a national newspaper the week before, but they at least keep the opposition guessing. If you have 30+ corners against a Div 1 team, cant for the life of me see what's good if fuck all comes of them.

It's not only defending set pieces. 30+ corners against Southend ? and all wank. Someone needs to sort out set piece attacking and defending, with some kind of proper TRAINING SESSION, and sack the cnut who's currently responsible.

Cohesion and playing as a unit, well impressed, resulted in a quality performance. The goal celebrations -particularly the fourth - I hope wasnt contrived, showed a solidarity which looks good for the future.....

It would be good to bring back Sinclair not just for width -maybe as a striker role , can see him being quite devastating centrally. Yup teams have sussed the short interpassing down the middle now. With Drogba and Anelka, cant see anything wrong with the odd long ball , and chest down tactic...