News, Roundup - Written by BlueChampion on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 4:34 | 1,595 Views | 21 Comments | Add Comment
The Big Bully Is Back!
To all fans, bloggers and supporters of Man Utd: Don’t feel apologetic about the way your club is spending this season; we didn’t either, in the last two seasons. This time, Man Utd has really splashed the cash, as they say. They’ve bought some good youngsters, who may not retire at Man Utd, but might still earn the club some handsome cash when they leave. All in all, some good business propositions.
Jose said this few weeks back:
People ask Chelsea, ‘Last season you won two trophies; why did you not win four?’ But not many journalists ask Rafael Benitez and Arsene Wenger, ‘Why zero?’ And not many people ask Manchester United, ‘Why only the Premiership?’. Is it about money? If it is, I hope that next season the media put pressure on the big spenders because the big spenders for sure will not be Chelsea. The spenders will be Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham and maybe Arsenal. I don’t know, but it won’t be Chelsea for sure. So maybe at the beginning of next season they will say that Chelsea are not the favourites any more because the club did not spend so much money.
When Jose Mourinho said that the pressure is on Man Utd this season because of their spending, I thought he was just trying to psychologically pass the pressure to Man Utd. Either Jose did that to perfection or [tag]Man Utd[/tag] are truly feeling the heat to deliver. The Reds are a big club in every sense of the word and there is always pressure to finish on top. The aspirations of Chelsea are much more modest. If you remember well, Roman’s expectation, when he took over in 2003, was to win one champions league title by 2010 and and the second one by 2015. In a league where we have teams of high quality in the top 4, back-to-back premiership titles is quite an achievement and we could end up with one or two more by 2010.
Sir Alex had said this about Jose Mourinho:
Forget the mind games - I like him. I think he sees himself as the young gunslinger who has come into town to challenge the sheriff who has been around a while. He was certainly full of it, calling me “boss” and “big man” when we had our post-match drink.
This applies to Man Utd - Chelsea situation too. Man Utd has been the ’sheriff (or gunslinger, depending on your allegiances) who has been around a while’ and Chelsea is the new gunslinger/sheriff that has moved to the town. To match clubs like Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal, without huge investments of money is not impossible but it would have taken much more time. You can call yourself a good team and forever finish at No.4. In all the premier football leagues in Europe, victory is not guaranteed without sufficient investment. If this sheriff/gunslinger has to challenge the one who has been around, they have to beat them in their own game.
When Chelsea spent huge sums of money, it was not without a reason. The club was bought by an ambitious football-loving billionaire businessman (unlike Mr.Glacier from the Himalayas) and he brought the best coach available. In such circumstances, you’d surely expect these two to revamp the whole team to get settled down with the players and staff of their choice. Roman and Jose were on a mission to rebuild the team and launch ourselves to send out a message to the Premiership. All teams would have done this at different scales at some point of their history.
This whole exercise came with a heavy cost and thus the 04-05 and 05-06 were expensive. In 06-07, only Shevchenko’s transfer was believed to be on the higher side. As of now, there are no confirmed reports on the total amount of the deal, so we can all that we want. In this season, we’ve spent only on [tag]Malouda[/tag] and probably would spend on a right back.
Truly, Chelsea does not seem to be interested in being the big spenders anymore. The core of the team is there. We’ve managed to retain the key players despite poachers from Europe. Free signings and high salaries would still mean heavy expenditure but, Roman is ready to take the losses now and you might know that Chelsea does not expect to break-even before 2010. And that’s why Chelsea may not be able to use the generated revenues for transfers, which is absolutely natural, given the circumstances.
Talking about future of these two football clubs, I’d put my money on [tag]Roman[/tag] than [tag]Glazer[/tag] to stay in the business of football. While Glazer came in and put Man Utd in a $850 mn debt, Roman has created a trust fund of about $900 mn for safeguarding Chelsea’s future. Also, Roman loves football. In addition to his ownership of Chelsea, his connections with CSKA Moscow, the Russian national team, his football academy and the new multi-million dollar training facility at Cobham etc all point to his love for football and his willingness to take this very seriously and also with a long term view. On the other hand, Glazer’s intentions with Man Utd are still unclear. Oh, I almost forgot. As a football fan, I had also contributed to Shareholders United with a little of my hardearned money.
So, surely Chelsea’s spending is not the same as Man Utd’s. After a buying spree during the seasons of rebuilding and consolidation, Chelsea seems to have settled down with their budget and their cost of transfers. Man Utd has been traditionally a big spender (from self-generated or borrowed or invested, whatever you call it) and after a couple of quiet seasons, they are back at it again.
I could’ve provided a lot of relevant links, but I’m too lazy to search for them now. As you made out, nothing significant in the transfer market. To end on a positive note, Gallas is extremely happy that he moved to Arsenal and he never waits for a moment to express that. Rot in hell!
21 Comments
1. Athul lovz u
2. Nimz
Very well said.
It’s not just Manu either. Liverpool is at it too. They are spending and are not done yet. More big names will be on their way to anfield. This is what professional football has come to. Winning matches constantly requieres a strong squad with enough backups (You all remember what happend when John Terry was sidelined last season). Now whether your club generates top level players that can be promoted to play first team football or you will have to cough up big money to employ them. No other way around it. I fully agree that what Roman has done for chelsea although similar but it is fundamentally different than what’s being done at any other club. Money spent on bringing stars from across the world is in no way comparable to the massive investment that has been done to develop and generate young talents. I guess you can say chelsea has acquired a great squad and a few signings this season will make it even stronger but let’s not forget while all the attention is lured by the media to which club landed which star, young talented kids are found by Roman’s football academies and developed into stars of tomorrow who will form an even stronger chelsea army.
3. gol
good article. man utd have always been notorious and have tried every page from the book. they were overshadowed by chelsea only for two seasons of overspending. glazer will go and sink the club.
4. Giridhar
Now for sure I know what Gallas meant by “OWN GOAL”. He scored one for himself.
With all the money pouring in from the TV deals look at the spending by Spurs, ManCity, WestHam… this year Permiership is going to be tough and I dont think there will be many easy games… Waiting for Augst 11 really.
5. Rear Gunner
Chelsea have spent fairly wisely this season, which is no surprise. Chelsea weren’t going to be splashing large sums of money each season and they now have a great squad. I think the free transfers bought in have been good signings and despite Man Utd’s huge spending spree, believe Chelsea will be the team to beat next season.
6. Jo
Yea! Now with Malouda who can play as a winger and also a second striker, we will be left with one more target…a right back…DANIEL ALVES!!!!!!!I think Bohlahrouz may be leaving…Chelsea can use the cash to bid for alves or include alves in bohlahrouz deal…
7. Maysam
Hey guys , I watched a clip about Jose mourinho in this website months ago , I need the link . where can i find that clip
thank you
8. Anonymous
maysam, do a search for ‘jose’ or ‘mourinho’ in the top right search bar.
9. bluewinner
Mourinho is quoted as saying that Boula is leaving, so all signs point to that being true. Alves may be overpriced at this point. I hate the idea of just spend, spend, spend.
10. Manchester United vs Chelsea: The Big Bully Bites Back | Soccerlens - Football News Blog
[...] This article is a reply to BlueChampions’s piece on Manchester United’s spending. It’s a good article and raises some interesting points [...]
11. Berniethecat
You miss the main point , Fergie has bought young players who will provide the backbone of the team for a few years . He has not spent £30m on a 30 year old striker ! Also the payments are ’staggered’ and although it looks like £50m it really is somewhere around £20m , initially , considerably less than Sheva cost .
Oh yes , and United are entertaining !!
12. Jetix
HELLO!!!
in case you havent noticed chelseas buys last year were not what everyone thought it would be. You buy great players and they didnt do what was expected. Carrick scored goals Ballck was expected to score.And by bringing him in disrupted the partnership of Lampard and Essien which felt would have been one of the most deadliest combos in the prem.so kenyon should shut up and get a life ,the hypocrite
13. V
giggs, scholes,beckham,neville brothers, butt, — all from the academy who made the core of the team in 90s …. plus ole,keane, cantona etc who were bought and stayed long like rooney, ronaldo and others will … big difference ..
chelsea supporters should be talking about its youth system only once you generate such kinda players and gain their loyalty …. not like robben, boula etc who leave as they please or cashley cole, lampard etc who are in just for the money….
14. Maverick
Hey BC!!
Great new look to blog (isnt styling it similar to classic mac)…
BTW cool article…this may clear some confusions…
15. Maysam
i did bit i can not find that. I remember the name of clips were “The Best Of Jose”
16. Little Dud
I think the real reason behind Man Utd’s big spending this summer is largely down to the lack of spending on Chelseas part. If there is less competition for players, it would be easier for Man Utd to get the players that they wanted, and pay reasonable prices for them too if they are not in demand. Man Utd only bought one player last season, mainly because they couldn’t due to Chelsea’s massive power in the transfer market, but when they arent spending anything, Man Utd would be free to buy most of the players they want, if not all.
17. danski blue
ManUre’s spending is down to Glazer trying to win over the fans by throwing them a couple of turkeys! nani and anderson are good but UTD have ronaldo they dont need another flappy footed, diving, twig darting down the side and as for owen hargreeves… he’s going to flop… Mark my words!!!
18. Aniket
Dudes…you all are mistaken…nowhere does the chelsea signings compare with that to what MAN U are doing now…let me analyse it player by player.
1. Nani( 17m)- Replacement for Giggs. Good young 20 yr oldlad who has loads of talent, somewhat like Ronaldo. Will learn from Giggsy this yr and then will take on the mantle.
2. Anderson(16m)- Replacemnt for Scholes. Again a 19 yr old talent, dubbed as the next Ronaldinho, and strongly vouched for by none other than Scolari himself. So he must have some potential.
Hargreaves- A player whom Man U have been chasing since last year, to replace Keano. Bundesliga and Champions league winner. Has the experience. And doesnt have a star billing.
Tevez(possibly)- First of all…it will be a loan deal, then he has already proved himself in the premiership, thirdly he is young and really really talented. Played less league matches than super flop Shevchenko and still scored as many goals.
What has to be noted that Chelsea have been buying players who have played half or 3/4th of their playing careers-Shevchenko, Ballack, Malouda. No focus on youth at all.Looks like they just want to win for the moment. Even if they do buy some youth players, they are not as replacements, but just beacuse they are the best available and therefore should naturally (and foolishly) play for chelsea.
Finally, when you have two players for the same position, one of them must be either very young or more of a squad player. By buying players like Malouda JM is showing what a big idiot he is.
Lastly, United might have bought very expensive players but they wont be paid huge salaries, thus meaning a huge saving. Compare 130000 pounds a week to 50000 a week!!! And since they are yound, if they are sold after 6-7 years at max, they will be in their prime, so Man U will surely make a profit.
Man U have been big spenders, but never have splashed big bucks just to prove themselves or catch attention. Cmon now, agree that Chelsea doesnt have any history or heritage. Bloody losers, surely you will get relegated after 3 years when all the rats jump off the ship
19. danski blue
Aniket u do make a good point but players have been endorsed in the past and failed to live up to the hype! they may have suceeded in foreighn leagues but not every ManUre purchase will be as succesful as C.Ronaldo!!!
as for the history and heritage…. F*** YOU!! Manure only got to the point they did by doing business the way chelsea is now! ManUre fans only kick up that argument as they know what a force we now creating History and herritage….In a Nut shell ur just gutted that a greater team has stolen the lime light from under the American manchester Reds!! dont worry glazer will look after you…oh no sorry he will be busy over in USA with his “football” team wont he. Shame, Not to worry u always got the cofin dodger Sir Alex to look after ya!
20. rory mills
I want to chang team to joes new team but i just can not it harts just to think like that help!!!!!!!!
21. josh cloutman
thay are gay like joe ball
Last season chelsea made the same mistake that manu it doing now.that is spending money on big guns.chelsea learned from their mistake and is now spending wisely.
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