All I wanted this season was to be less than ten points from whoever won the premiership. Arsenal are already 18 points ahead. Sorry the project is failing.
Fantastic article. Well balanced. Been a Chelsea fan for nearly 70 years and right now I'm almost embarrassed to admit it. However once a blue always a blue
The thing that frustrates me most about Chelsea is that right before Putin attacked Ukraine, Chelsea was finally beginning to do the things we had hoped for, for years. Chelsea had IMO one of the top 2 coaches in the world at the helm. They also had Petr Cech on the board. We even had academy players in the team like Reece James and Mason Mount. We had been crying out to have former players back involved in the club, check. We asked to trust the academy, check. Finally we had harmony between those upstairs and the manager and we still had an owner ready to splash the cash on the very best. This all came crashing down for political reasons that had nothing to do with Chelsea. We possibly could’ve been dominating football if Putin didn’t start a war. Now we are left with fan protests because the new ownership couldn’t be further away from what we hoped for. Sliding doors moment.
The UK Govt were very happy to take the Russian ruble for years and former PM Johnson was very cosy with certain individuals. Fact is we were thrown to the wolves when it was politically expedient to do so
Wasn't the real fact that Abramovich was seen as being too close to Putin when Russia invaded Ukraine and being an Oligarch he and many others were sanctioned.
I.e. there assets were frozen it just so happened Chelsea Football club was an asset Abramovich you may or may not realise was granted HNW status in Jersey and when all this occurred his assets there were frozen as well.
Its probably also true that only MI5 know the truth about who MP wise is taking the Russian Ruble.
If only it were possible to keep politics out of Football we would all be happy.
Yes correct the Govt were very happy to take the money and let London become a Russian playground while Putin invaded Donetsk and of course host the 2018 world cup. While Roman was looking to sell this was a major sliding doors moment in our history. I guess if someone had the time it would make for a compelling podcast or documentary series.
I'm sure it's planned Si, but I'd be interested in a larger article specifically looking back on Maresca, and evaluating the job he did. Like you I wanted him to stay while still having issues with him, but now that he's gone I don't feel bad about it whatsoever. His win rate in the Premier league was 49%, which is the same as Frank's first time round. And I far preferred the atmosphere and football under Frank. And those two trophies he won, in reality, are not serious trophies. The CWC win was exciting but it was only in the final that we looked good, and we've not matched that level since.
On the protest, good that it's happening, it'll apply some pressure but probably won't do too much as you say.
A) we were so lucky to have Roman as an owner. Despite all the dodgy ness behind it he was prepared to win at all costs. But we still went through managers.
B) we were bought as a cheap asset and we had some major issues. The squad at the time was old and aging. Wages were unsustainable in FFP terms. The young player model seeks to readdress that balance
D) the ownership sees player trading as a way to balance the books and make some kind of profit when the ground is constrained in terms of match day revenue.
E) We all want a successful Chelsea. How we get there is divided into a million opinions. But we dropped points both from ill discipline, poor game management, and poor selection. That sits on the manager. If and its a big if - would we be in this situation if we were 10 points better off (wins against Brighton and Sunderland and Brentford, draws vs Utd and Villa). We've had our best player out all season pretty much too.
I back the protests. It’s good to see younger supporters doing something like this. It won’t make a jot of difference to Egbhali but it’s good to see the baton being passed to a new generation of supporters groups. There is an element of not wanting to upset the status quo with relationships within the Club creeping in amongst the big groups now.
I fully back people being able to show their frustration with the ownership. The fans are the most important thing about any club. Owners, players and managers come and go but real fans are constant. American involvement and ownership is ruining football for me because is just about money and nothing else. Sorry but it’s more than that.
That doesn’t make it right. It’s about balance which is in very short supply in the world today. Money has always been part of the game but at least for our ownership that’s all it’s about. Their return. Fans don’t just move on but they will. They should also be custodians of the club.
Unfortunately we've missed the boat in this country when it comes to fan involvement in the PL. The regulator will be powerless. Fans can vote with their feet but eyeballs on tv screens mean more and if fans do boycott a game operationally clubs will take steps to mitigate cost. Not to disagree with your points but traditional season ticket fans who drink in pubs, don't buy merchandise, scrimp and save to go to games are expendable pawns in this day n age
Thanks Si. A measured response to the situation. I saw a comment somewhere that the fans need to keep their demands simple and focussed. That is basic political nous so I agree with that as a strategy. I’ve worked with private equity managers: their attention span is very limited. So what demand or demands should the protest unite around? Well, once again I saw a comment that I liked for its simplicity and potential benefits: the ownership should commit to the SDs being available at pressers to answer questions that the coach should not be expected to answer. Of course many fans will want more than this but in the unlikely event that these demand were met it would be the start of an adult culture of accountability.
Serious question…what’s actually better under Clearview? Results on the pitch haven’t improved, and the case can be made that we’ve regressed. Manager stability (we’re soon to be on to number 7 counting interims) is actually worse, which is truly saying something. We’re spending more money than other PL team by a wide margin on player transfers and we have a group of talented youngsters that don’t fit together, lack leadership, and have clear holes at key positions. We are the only PL team with no FOS sponsor. Ticket prices continue to rise with a broken system. There’s been no tangible movement (certainly none that we can see) on a new or redeveloped stadium. Supporter enthusiasm and optimism is tanking by the day. Chelsea have essentially become a meme for bad management broken promises.
All I wanted this season was to be less than ten points from whoever won the premiership. Arsenal are already 18 points ahead. Sorry the project is failing.
Fantastic article. Well balanced. Been a Chelsea fan for nearly 70 years and right now I'm almost embarrassed to admit it. However once a blue always a blue
The thing that frustrates me most about Chelsea is that right before Putin attacked Ukraine, Chelsea was finally beginning to do the things we had hoped for, for years. Chelsea had IMO one of the top 2 coaches in the world at the helm. They also had Petr Cech on the board. We even had academy players in the team like Reece James and Mason Mount. We had been crying out to have former players back involved in the club, check. We asked to trust the academy, check. Finally we had harmony between those upstairs and the manager and we still had an owner ready to splash the cash on the very best. This all came crashing down for political reasons that had nothing to do with Chelsea. We possibly could’ve been dominating football if Putin didn’t start a war. Now we are left with fan protests because the new ownership couldn’t be further away from what we hoped for. Sliding doors moment.
The UK Govt were very happy to take the Russian ruble for years and former PM Johnson was very cosy with certain individuals. Fact is we were thrown to the wolves when it was politically expedient to do so
Wasn't the real fact that Abramovich was seen as being too close to Putin when Russia invaded Ukraine and being an Oligarch he and many others were sanctioned.
I.e. there assets were frozen it just so happened Chelsea Football club was an asset Abramovich you may or may not realise was granted HNW status in Jersey and when all this occurred his assets there were frozen as well.
Its probably also true that only MI5 know the truth about who MP wise is taking the Russian Ruble.
If only it were possible to keep politics out of Football we would all be happy.
Yes correct the Govt were very happy to take the money and let London become a Russian playground while Putin invaded Donetsk and of course host the 2018 world cup. While Roman was looking to sell this was a major sliding doors moment in our history. I guess if someone had the time it would make for a compelling podcast or documentary series.
I'm sure it's planned Si, but I'd be interested in a larger article specifically looking back on Maresca, and evaluating the job he did. Like you I wanted him to stay while still having issues with him, but now that he's gone I don't feel bad about it whatsoever. His win rate in the Premier league was 49%, which is the same as Frank's first time round. And I far preferred the atmosphere and football under Frank. And those two trophies he won, in reality, are not serious trophies. The CWC win was exciting but it was only in the final that we looked good, and we've not matched that level since.
On the protest, good that it's happening, it'll apply some pressure but probably won't do too much as you say.
Protests are absolutely fine....
Just consider
A) we were so lucky to have Roman as an owner. Despite all the dodgy ness behind it he was prepared to win at all costs. But we still went through managers.
B) we were bought as a cheap asset and we had some major issues. The squad at the time was old and aging. Wages were unsustainable in FFP terms. The young player model seeks to readdress that balance
D) the ownership sees player trading as a way to balance the books and make some kind of profit when the ground is constrained in terms of match day revenue.
E) We all want a successful Chelsea. How we get there is divided into a million opinions. But we dropped points both from ill discipline, poor game management, and poor selection. That sits on the manager. If and its a big if - would we be in this situation if we were 10 points better off (wins against Brighton and Sunderland and Brentford, draws vs Utd and Villa). We've had our best player out all season pretty much too.
I back the protests. It’s good to see younger supporters doing something like this. It won’t make a jot of difference to Egbhali but it’s good to see the baton being passed to a new generation of supporters groups. There is an element of not wanting to upset the status quo with relationships within the Club creeping in amongst the big groups now.
I fully back people being able to show their frustration with the ownership. The fans are the most important thing about any club. Owners, players and managers come and go but real fans are constant. American involvement and ownership is ruining football for me because is just about money and nothing else. Sorry but it’s more than that.
Been about money since post WW2 when floodlight games and European cups were introduced. Its just at a different level now
That doesn’t make it right. It’s about balance which is in very short supply in the world today. Money has always been part of the game but at least for our ownership that’s all it’s about. Their return. Fans don’t just move on but they will. They should also be custodians of the club.
Unfortunately we've missed the boat in this country when it comes to fan involvement in the PL. The regulator will be powerless. Fans can vote with their feet but eyeballs on tv screens mean more and if fans do boycott a game operationally clubs will take steps to mitigate cost. Not to disagree with your points but traditional season ticket fans who drink in pubs, don't buy merchandise, scrimp and save to go to games are expendable pawns in this day n age
Thanks Si. A measured response to the situation. I saw a comment somewhere that the fans need to keep their demands simple and focussed. That is basic political nous so I agree with that as a strategy. I’ve worked with private equity managers: their attention span is very limited. So what demand or demands should the protest unite around? Well, once again I saw a comment that I liked for its simplicity and potential benefits: the ownership should commit to the SDs being available at pressers to answer questions that the coach should not be expected to answer. Of course many fans will want more than this but in the unlikely event that these demand were met it would be the start of an adult culture of accountability.
The SDs and Egghead are a disgrace and need to go , we are a laughing stock.
Serious question…what’s actually better under Clearview? Results on the pitch haven’t improved, and the case can be made that we’ve regressed. Manager stability (we’re soon to be on to number 7 counting interims) is actually worse, which is truly saying something. We’re spending more money than other PL team by a wide margin on player transfers and we have a group of talented youngsters that don’t fit together, lack leadership, and have clear holes at key positions. We are the only PL team with no FOS sponsor. Ticket prices continue to rise with a broken system. There’s been no tangible movement (certainly none that we can see) on a new or redeveloped stadium. Supporter enthusiasm and optimism is tanking by the day. Chelsea have essentially become a meme for bad management broken promises.
Dont forget the great job The Glazers did
Fully back the protests. Agree that something bigger needs to happen before this lot pay attention. Walkouts should happen.
Need to but won't.