Chelsea as the bogeyman
Wednesday, 22 August 07, 02:48 PM · Comments (50)
Am I the only one scratching my head over this Juande-Ramos-to-Chelsea-if-something-happens-with-Jose-Mourinho story? Guillem Balague of Sky Sports claims Fabio Capello told Ramos at a meeting in Madrid a few days ago that he has friends at Chelsea who “think the world of him” and who are lining him up to replace Mourinho if the latter, for one reason or other, moves on. Now, since when has Capello become a managerial recruitment consultant for Chelsea when he himself needs a job, having just been sacked by the most notorious Mickey Mouse outfit in world football? How naive is Ramos to sit in Sevilla and wait for that call from Roman Abramovich when there is no obvious vacancy at Stamford Bridge now or in the near future? Or, is this just another journalistic ploy to unsettle the Chelsea hierarchy once more now that peace has broken out between Jose and Roman? Perhaps Ramos is so confident that by the end of his present contract term at Sevilla in June next year, Chelsea would be in need of a new manager and he, in a list of one, would be the one to fill that vacancy. And maybe he possesses an iron-clad guarantee that he will remain the shining managerial star he’s been in these past two seasons of dominating the UEFA and Spanish cups. However, if he thinks winning the Champions League the Mourinho way (with a medium-sized club with a medium-sized budget) is a cakewalk, I have a sneaky feeling that reality will dawn harshly after AEK Athens.
I don’t know, but it seems to me that our interest in Daniel Alves is having so many intended and unintended consequences. The impression being created by this story is simple — we are behind the managerial uncertainties at Sevilla, using Tottenham as front. And why else must we be doing so, but to further rattle Seà±or Jose Maria del Nido and his board by opening up another front in our ‘war’ with him (though indirectly) over one of their best players. The guy must feel he’s under a Chelsea siege right now. Not only are we gunning for his star player, we’re lining up his star manager as well! It’s a virtual certainty now that when clubs catch cold anywhere in Europe, Chelsea have got to be responsible somehow for their state.
But, perhaps there could be a simpler explanation. Just as players looking for bigger pay from their employers use the threat of an imminent Chelsea swoop (real or imagined) to get their way, Ramos and his handlers might simply be doing the same to untie the purse strings of the incredibly parsimonious Jose Maria del Nido. If this is the case, I certainly won’t be complaining.
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Good to see Sheva showing some form.
Ukraine 2-1 Uzbekistan: Shevchenko shines
Well it appears the Robben saga is finally over. I am keen to know what price we got for him. I have to say I am really disappointed that we let him go. Sure he can be a little injury prone but on his day he adds such directness to our play. Does that leave us with just Malouda, J. Cole and SWP as our wingers? I suppose you could put Kalou in there as well but only when we play 4-3-3, not 4-4-2.
I take a lot of hope from the fact that most people on this blog seem happy to see him go. I myself think we have lost one of our most creative players that was young and getting stronger with age. but if we win the PL and CL this season then fair enough. If we don't - I think losing Robben will be a big contribution to losing out on it again.
Let's hope we use the money to buy a good right-back - although I still really like Paulo and Glenn. Sure Paulo's form is not great and Glenn is prone to error in defense, but going forward i don't think Alves is much better. If anyone can teach discpline in defense to Glenn it's Jose. I'd rather we put in a massive bid for another young starlet like Pato "the Duck" or Renato Augusto.
Here's to Jose and hoping losing the flying Dutchman was not his biggest ever blunder.
Well Robben's finally gone. Maybe it's my naivety, but could we leave it any later to finalise it, leaving not much of the transfer window left.
Whether we'll make a direct replacement is unclear, but RB is still an issue. Madrid also signed Heinze but they'll probably get Alves as well, then we're left without our first choice - someone we've clearly spent a lot of time pursuing.
Sheva's an interesting one. Not so much as an appearance in a squad this season, yet manages to run the show for Ukraine last night. Conspiracy you say.....
I'll apologise in advance for this - to anyone who's not English, or just can't be ar5ed with the National side - but Mrs Fifty isn't receptive to my post-match feedback from last night.
I cant understand why the FA persist in backing the clown-prince of International management. The blokes got as much tactical nous as my 11-month old. He appears to have no motivation. Plan B ??? He doesnt even have a Plan A.
His squad selections are a farce. He's like a kids team manager who always picks his son (Stewart Downing anyone??). Wes Brown is as likely to be an International footballer as I am Heir to Hugh Hefners throne at the Playboy mansion.
Fair enough the injuries we have didn't help, but we lost at home to Germany reserves. We're simply not going to qualify for Euro 2008.
At 27, I've already seen the best my National side has to offer. And that's depressing.
Belleti?
Okay it's a pity we can't get Alves, Sevilla are really steronging it will the asking price. So Why on gods green earth would we buy a 31 year old who doesn't play first team football.......when Micha Richards is 19 and is the best right back i've seen for a long time and is proven in the prem! I think he's worth well over £20m on his current form. BUY BUY BUY!
As for this Ramos talk, do me a favour! Why would we want another manager? We already have the best in world football.
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Shame about Robben; he could end up European Footballer of the Year with a pile of medals to his name, or he might retire in 3 years due to persistent injury problems, you just don't know with a guy of his seemingly rather fragile nature (both physically and mentally, to an extent).
Wonder if the Belleti story isn't just something to try and gee up Sevilla on Alves?
Tottenham nearly getting a new manager? Hmm, like when they nearly signed Rivaldo (and many others...)
Wouldn't be hugely surprised if someone somewhere hadn't had a quiet word in Ramos's ear about coming here if Jose decides to bail at some point. If he has turned down other offers, it is either a bargaining tool as previously stated or possibly because he's holding out for something bigger.
Ramos who? We don't want the Lurking One; our Special One is here to stay!
I'm very sad to see Robben leaving us, but the headline on CFC Net made me laugh... "ROBBEN OFF, BANDAGE STOCKS PLUMMET". At least, Chelsea have made a good profit on Robben's sale.
50 Comments · Add yours
"The impression being created by this story is simple – we are behind the managerial uncertainties at Sevilla, using Tottenham as front. And why else must we be doing so, but to further rattle Señor Jose Maria del Nido and his board by opening up another front in our ‘war’ with him (though indirectly) over one of their best players."
That's an interesting thought. Spuds have often been the stalking horse for a bigger predator (wittingly or not). I'll be watching this space...
Robben to Real Madrid
It's a pity, but for the best...
Belleti to Chelsea
He's no Alves, but still a very good attacking right-back. I once saw him play a game and thought he was really great. Perhaps Mourinho can bring the best out of him. And he score the winning Champions League final goal! Against Arsenal!!!
And this is a lesson to all the clubs thinking they can force overpriced players on our precious Russian. Not anymore.
Poor Alves, he's too nice. I'm a defender of further player autonomy. I mean, this guy worked his butt six years for Sevilla and still they won't let him go. (Unless crazy Real Madrid gets him, but I doubt).