Hey Chelsitos! Wish you all a very happy and prosperous new year. May you all be blessed with peace, harmony, tranquility and joy. Take care of your families. Do well at work place. Pay your taxes. Be nice to your neighbours. Drink less. Smoke less. Be good, responsible citizens. Do all those good things that you wanted but didn’t do last year. Don’t repeat all those mistakes and sins you committed last year. Most importantly, please realise that there are some things in life that are more important than football. Okay, now that I got my new year speech out of my way, let’s talk about football ahead of the new year 2009.

Today being the new year day, I’ve decided that I’m going to talk about positives only. Do I want to talk about the year 2008? May be yes. Year 2008 was one of the most remarkable years for Chelsea, just pipping the year 2007 in terms of sheer drama and excitement. We had a rollercoaster ride to our first champions league final ever. That was a memorable night at Moscow. Though it was a very painful one, a champions league final is something to be proud about. And then, the premier league. Chelsea stormed into the title race with a late blitzkreig forcing Man Utd to wait until the last hour of the premier league to be crowned champions.

Though we had lost both these titles so closely, there was one thing about Chelsea that stood out – the spirit. As it stands now, we are in second place in the premier league. We’re drawn against Juventus in champions league. We are in the hunt. Our ride so far might have been a bit bumpy but no one would rules us out from winning the premier league or champsions league. Chelsea proved in 2008, why they are very dangerous and why Sir Alex always considers Chelsea to be their main threat irrespective what happens at Stamford Bridge.

There may or may not be a signing in this January. But we have made a very important signing in the summer which should see us through. No, I’m not talking about Deco (didn’t I say I’ll talk about positives only?). It is Scolari I refer to. Incidentally, I was today checking the comments posted in this blog on the day Scolari was appointed. We had/have so much faith and trust on this man. Whether he gets his winter budget or not, I’m fairly convinced that he has a fantastic squad full of top professionals and full internationals. With Essien returning and Drogba getting back to his fitness and form, we’ll be once again a fearful force in England and in Europe. Against FuIham, I think we have seen a glimpse of the old Chelsea. I hope that we’re back.

Press is having a field day with the rumours about Roman considering to sell Chelsea. Even worse, that he has a decision to make between his yacht and Chelsea FC. My take is this. As far as I have tracked the global financial crisis, I don’t think Roman would have lost as much as is being quoted by the press. Everyone was hit, he was also hit. When oil prices fell, some journalists spread rumours that Roman lost his billions without knowing that Roman had long liquidated his positions in oil related business. Journalists love to exaggerate. For each and every billionaire, there has been an erosion of wealth in the last quarter of 2008. Roman is no exception. But even if you go by the unsubstantiated press reports, his remaining wealth is about 2300 millions. Not bad eh?

As far as Roman’s concerned, Chelsea FC is a project. He has invested the money, he has spent his valuable time, he has waited so long and he should start seeing the financial benefits from 2010. Given the current economic scenario, football clubs are a better investment option than the ‘here today, gone tomorrow’ hedge funds. The notion that Roman has to choose between the yacht and Chelsea FC is absolutely ridiculous. Chelsea FC is a revenue generating business proposition. His yacht is a symbol of luxury. And it’s not that he has only one yacht okay? He owns several yachts in addition to his airplanes and private jets. To think of selling Chelsea FC at this point of time is downright imprudent. I’d advise you to ignore these rumours and get on with the game.

The transfer window opens. The black suits at Chelsea FC have already said that there won’t be any new signings. I assume that Scolari can sell players and buy from the proceeds. I have a feeling that there would be some Chelsea activity this January without any net cash outflow. Signing or no signing, we’ll be back. We have too much quality and too many match winners not to bring back the fear factor in our opponents. For now, in Scolari I trust. May this year be a trophy-filled one.

Future’s bright! Future’s blue!