Abramovich: I'll Splash The Cash

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Roman Abramovich will back under-fire boss Avram Grant with a £100 million spending spree this summer – if the Israeli can keep his rocking ship afloat and ensure Champions League football next season.

Abramovich staged a very public show of support for Grant yesterday as he and chief

executive Peter Kenyon were at Chelsea’s Surrey training ground standing side by side with their Israeli coach as the players returned to work after their shattering

Carling Cup final defeat against Tottenham.

But it has been made crystal clear to Grant that he is expected to win something this season – or at the very least finish in the top four of the Premier League.

If he can do that, then Abramovich will back him with a massive spending spree to enable Grant to bring in his own players and build his own team.

Top of the shopping list are AC Milan’s £25million Brazilian star Kaka and £15m Valencia striker David Villa. Abramovich is also prepared to let Didier Drogba, who has publicly voiced his unhappiness, and Frank Lampard leave if they do not want to stay at the club.

Grant, whose stock has taken a battering inside and outside the club after Sunday’s dismal display, cancelled a trip to Israel on Monday to complete his UEFA Pro Licence coaching badge in order to have a clear-the-air meeting with his players, several of whom were unhappy at being left out of the final.

These next few weeks are now crucial.

Grant cannot allow his team to slip further back in the title race behind leaders Arsenal and Manchester United, so starting at West Ham on Saturday he needs wins – and fast.

If Grant can pull his squad together and win something, his job is safe.

If he fails, he will be shunted upstairs in the summer, probably back to his old role as director of football, with a big-name manager brought in.

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/36234/...splash-the-cash

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Already posted in Abramovich Hold Crisis Meeting.