Chelsea in danger of becoming a fading force at home and abroad

Simon Johnson
12 Mar 2010

If Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was having any hesitation about the need to re-open his chequebook this summer, then AC Milan's humiliation at the hands of Manchester United in the Champions League will surely cause him to think again.

While it may appear to be alarmist, there is a distinct possibility that United could inflict a similar embarassment on Chelsea in years to come.

Right now there is barely a gap between the two sides, as a quick glance at the current state of the Premier League table will testify.

But Chelsea are in danger of making the same mistakes as AC Milan and could end up just like them - a fading force domestically and in Europe.

The secret of United's success under Sir Alex Ferguson over the years has been to rejuvenate the squad on a regular basis, while the Italian club have taken great pride in an ability to prolong the careers of their many stars.

They have certainly looked to get value for money from their signings. Ten of the players named in Leonardo's squad at Old Trafford were over 30, while Ronaldinho was within two weeks of making it 11 as his birthday is on on 21 March.

All of them played under coach Carlo Ancelotti, who is now at the helm at Stamford Bridge in charge of another group of veterans.

At present, nine of his minions have passed the significant 30-years-of-age barrier, but they will be joined by John Terry, Ashley Cole and Florent Malouda later in 2010.

While Chelsea are hesitating at offering the relatively youthful Joe Cole, who is still only 28, the contract he desires, negotiations are well under way with Michael Ballack (33) and Nicolas Anelka (32).

After an intial burst when he first arrived at Stamford Bridge, Abramovich has been relatively frugal in the past few years.

The team's failure to win the League for three straight seasons appeared to suggest the need for an increase in investment in the transfer market, but last summer only heralded the arrival of squad players in Yury Zhirkov, albeit for the extortionate price of £18m, as well as Daniel Sturridge and Ross Turnbull.

They have still led the League for most of the campaign, yet recent weeks have suggested the rigours of the game is starting to catch up with the oldest team still involved in the title race.

Should they fall short for a fourth successive season and suffer the huge blow of being knocked out of the Champions League by Inter Milan as well next week, then they will have no choice but to act.

However, even if they triumph in one or both of their main targets come May, it should be seen as a fitting end to an era and the start, via some significant spending in the summer, of a new one.

Failure to act will cost them - just ask the fans of AC Milan.

Real need to use money more wisely

At the other end of the scale, though, comes Real Madrid and their dismal exit at the last 16 stage of the Champions League for the sixth year in a row.

Apart from those with an affection for the Bernabeu, most people probably raised a smile when they saw or heard the news about their exit to French club Lyon.

Cristiano Ronaldo's sulky face at the final whistle provided enough mirth to satisfy all those who grew irritated by his prima donna behaviour while in English football.

No doubt coach Manuel Pellegrini will pay the price with his job come the end of the season, if not sooner, but surely the powers-that-be should take responsibility.

They can't be blamed for not spending enough, just questioned for not using their money in the right places.

Of the ridiculous £220m they spent on new players last summer, the majority was paid out for the attacking trio of Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema, while the midfield flair of Xabi Alonso cost a cool £30m.

It is not the first time that the obsession in the boardroom with buying the best players rather than assembling the best team has undermined the club's efforts to dominate on the pitch.

A committment to using funds to strengthen their obvious weakness, the defence, would clearly provide them with a much stronger chance to fulfil such ambitions, but stubbornness, not common sense, seems to rule in the Spanish capital.

No doubt over Rooney clean sweep

Wayne Rooney has ensured there will be little debate when it comes to awarding this country's Footballer of the Year trophies.

More interest could be generated in whether he will make history in 2010 and go on to become the first English footballer to be crowned World Footballer of the Year.

David Beckham (1999, 2001) and Frank Lampard (2005) have finished as runners-up, but the ultimate honour has eluded a footballer from these shores thus far.

Obviously, much will depend on what happens at the World Cup, yet he is playing so well at the moment he is certainly leaving his most likely competitors in Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in the shade.