By ANR Correspondent
When Abramovich first took over Chelsea, there were only one or two journalists who sounded the alarm bells, most notably James Lawton of the Independent. I thought it was obvious what was going to happen, and said so here.
But now the mainstream media are catching on. Note this article in the Scotsman today:
“So concerned are the bookies that here is a team capable of sweeping all before them that today they slashed the odds on Chelsea winning a unique quadruple of trophies to 28-1. Meanwhile, the Premiership gets less exciting and less competitive each season.
“What it might not be able to solve is the damage and disillusion caused by Chelsea’s imperious march. Roman Abramovich’s billions mean Chelsea are the only club in Britain who do not have to balance the books.
”They can buy whoever they want, pay whatever they want and the January transfer window might well see such as Liverpool’s Steven Gerrard swell their ranks. The rich have always had an advantage but Chelsea have moved the goalposts to such an extent that not even their own fans can take much pride and honour in their achievements.
“There remains something terribly un-British about Chelsea’s success, something made in Moscow and innately unfair which makes you wish football could introduce a salary and transfer spending cap on the lines currently operating successfully in American football and rugby league.
“Until then Ferguson and Wenger should call a ceasefire and concentrate on the Blue menace in their midst.”
The article also quotes David Dein: “Chelsea are a one-off and if they keep spending money there’s not much we can do about it.”
So it appears it is business as usual. Keith Edelman was quoted in The Straits Times, saying: “He [Wenger] will buy someone in the January window I know who but I’m not telling. But don’t expect a big name. He’ll be a very good player, but he may not be famous. Remember when Patrick Vieira was signed. Besides, Wenger never needed to spend as much as Alex Ferguson to win titles.”
Edelman also said Arsenal have no plans for a full stock market listing. At one point last month, Arsenal were valued at round £450m. And Edelman said the Highbury flats could bring in around £300m.
The events of this week make this current transfer policy questionable.
James Lawton also pointed out that Man U and Chelsea can put out reserve teams worth £50m and £90m respectively, and Arsenal’s are valued at much less – under £10m and says the gap maybe unbridgeable.
Also there are currently eight squad players injured, and Arsenal are struggling to fill positions.
The wage/transfer cap is virtually inevitable, sooner or later. In the meantime, Arsenal should take a middle ground approach – increase their transfer spending, but not go over the top in the process.