Thats not quite true Ace
Yes the clubs want the rich/corporates to attend matches but they still need the common man to play his part-buying merchandise on a regular basis for the whole family
Why else would Real Madrid buy Beckham?
Nothing to do with football but marketing IMO
As I said its a business not a sport sadly
If it were sport there would be a salary cap for each club
so that they can't destroy the club through unsustainable spending
Loyalty like Zola displayed is a rarity
Case in point...Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink v Leeds
Money or Silverware...obviously Jimmy chose the money
I sometimes wonder about these high profile sports stars and their mentality
Its in all codes...a recent prominent woman made the ridiculous statement that USD600,000 wasn't enough prizemoney for winning a grand slam
2 weeks work for USD600,000
How much money does one really need to live comfortably?
cheers
B....OZ
Chelsea FC Sold to a Russian Billionaire
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Bob Singleton
Re: Chelsea FC Sold to a Russian Billionaire
I've been a Chelsea supporter since 1966. I went to almost every home game, plus quite a few away games from about 1969 to 1994. I stopped going in the mid-nineties because it just became too expensive. Now I just go to "less glamourous" home games such as against Bolton, WBA etc as it's easier for a non-member to get a ticket.
I'm sad to see Franco leave... undoubtedly the best player I've seen in a Chelsea shirt and one of the few foreign players to come to England in the last ten years not to be a mercenary. But I'm also happy for him that he is still physically able at 37 to see out his career at a club, Cagliari, which means so much to him, and I wish him all the best and thank him for the pure pleasure he has brought us all.
As for our Russian friend... what multi-millionaire business man has made his money 100% honestly? To reach that level of wealth dodgy deals have been done along the way, so he's no better or worse than any other wealthy businessman. Look at Robert Maxwell as a case in point. Or Hans Rausing (food packaging) who pays less than ?100,000 in tax on a ?2bn fortune!!
If the injection of cash into the club means we can not only hold on to players like Gallas and Gudjohnsen but also maybe bid for such as Joe Cole, Harry Kewell or Scott Parker (and I've read that Inter Milan have rejected a ?34m bid for Alessandro Nesta from an un-named English club... can't think who other than Chelsea or Man Utd could afford to bid such a sum for one player) then I'll be happy.
I wasn't born when Chelsea last won the league in 1955. Chelsea have the beginings of a very good side... Cudicini, Terry, Gallas, Babayaro, Lampard, Zenden, Gudjohnsen and Cole... who are mostly all on the right side of 25. With this new owner freeing up the debts of Chelsea Village plc, we not only have the foundations of a great side, we also have one of the best grounds in the country. Now all we need is some more silverware. Football is big business now, and that means success has to be "bought". Chelsea are now probably in a financial situation to rival and maybe eclipse Man Utd. After all, would Sir Alex be able to bid for Ronaldhino if Becks hadn't been offloaded? Now, financially, we're up with the big boys... only time will tell if that can be translated into results on the pitch.
Bob S
www.fullservice.org.uk
I'm sad to see Franco leave... undoubtedly the best player I've seen in a Chelsea shirt and one of the few foreign players to come to England in the last ten years not to be a mercenary. But I'm also happy for him that he is still physically able at 37 to see out his career at a club, Cagliari, which means so much to him, and I wish him all the best and thank him for the pure pleasure he has brought us all.
As for our Russian friend... what multi-millionaire business man has made his money 100% honestly? To reach that level of wealth dodgy deals have been done along the way, so he's no better or worse than any other wealthy businessman. Look at Robert Maxwell as a case in point. Or Hans Rausing (food packaging) who pays less than ?100,000 in tax on a ?2bn fortune!!
If the injection of cash into the club means we can not only hold on to players like Gallas and Gudjohnsen but also maybe bid for such as Joe Cole, Harry Kewell or Scott Parker (and I've read that Inter Milan have rejected a ?34m bid for Alessandro Nesta from an un-named English club... can't think who other than Chelsea or Man Utd could afford to bid such a sum for one player) then I'll be happy.
I wasn't born when Chelsea last won the league in 1955. Chelsea have the beginings of a very good side... Cudicini, Terry, Gallas, Babayaro, Lampard, Zenden, Gudjohnsen and Cole... who are mostly all on the right side of 25. With this new owner freeing up the debts of Chelsea Village plc, we not only have the foundations of a great side, we also have one of the best grounds in the country. Now all we need is some more silverware. Football is big business now, and that means success has to be "bought". Chelsea are now probably in a financial situation to rival and maybe eclipse Man Utd. After all, would Sir Alex be able to bid for Ronaldhino if Becks hadn't been offloaded? Now, financially, we're up with the big boys... only time will tell if that can be translated into results on the pitch.
Bob S
www.fullservice.org.uk
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Ace
Re: Chelsea FC Sold to a Russian Billionaire
Disagree about Babayaro Bob. Never a big fan of his, particularly with his 'off-field' antics. Zenden IS commited, and would like to see him given a run like Gronkjaer had. JFH can go, he has lost his touch, and I would like to see Mikael Forssel given a run.
Totally agree Zola was the best ever player for CFC, and even Scousers and Mancs I work with all agree he brought pleasure to these shores with his sub-lime skill, manners and clean living.
Totally agree Zola was the best ever player for CFC, and even Scousers and Mancs I work with all agree he brought pleasure to these shores with his sub-lime skill, manners and clean living.
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Bob Singleton
Re: Chelsea FC Sold to a Russian Billionaire
"Baba" could certainly do with growing up (I keep seeing him in Secrets, Grays Inn Road "Champagne Lounge" most Saturday nights when we've played at home.... but then if I was in my mid 20's on +?20k a week and single I'd probably be in there even more than I already am! lol), but I still think he's one of the better and more versatile left sided players in the premiership... a better defender than Ashley Cole and nearly as good as him in attack... and able to play full back, wing back or wide midfielder.
Agree than JFH is now past his best, and yes it would be good to see Forsell given more chances. He showed what he was capable of a few years ago when he first joined and Borussia M'gladbach wouldn't be willing to spend money on him now if they didn't think he could do a job for them.
I would dearly love to see someone like Joe Cole join to bring back the creativity we've lost through Franco going. ?6m could do it... who knows!
One player I rate really highly is Alexander Farnerud of Landskrona in Sweden... only 19 but what a talent. I saw him play a few times earlier this year when I was in Sweden. I'd love to see him at the Bridge. He has vision and can pass a ball as well as Beckham, but he's also a box to box runner too, not frightened to mix it with bigger guys. Looked after he could be another Zidane.
Bob S
www.fullservice.org.uk
Agree than JFH is now past his best, and yes it would be good to see Forsell given more chances. He showed what he was capable of a few years ago when he first joined and Borussia M'gladbach wouldn't be willing to spend money on him now if they didn't think he could do a job for them.
I would dearly love to see someone like Joe Cole join to bring back the creativity we've lost through Franco going. ?6m could do it... who knows!
One player I rate really highly is Alexander Farnerud of Landskrona in Sweden... only 19 but what a talent. I saw him play a few times earlier this year when I was in Sweden. I'd love to see him at the Bridge. He has vision and can pass a ball as well as Beckham, but he's also a box to box runner too, not frightened to mix it with bigger guys. Looked after he could be another Zidane.
Bob S
www.fullservice.org.uk
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The Last Word
Re: Chelsea FC Sold to a Russian Billionaire
Chelsea have just bought an ex-Liverpool veteran to replace Zola - Kremlin Hughes.
(cheers, Chris, for that)
The Last Word
(cheers, Chris, for that)
The Last Word