Slow start

[wendigo100]

It's funny how Chelsea buy all their success, whereas the same is never said about Man Utd, Liverpool or Arsenal.

I think you'll find that every team that wins the title has bought it.

[steve'O]

"I think you'll find that every team that wins the title has bought it."

Ah! the sound of common sense!

[BoredBloke]

"I think you'll find that every team that wins the title has bought it."

Sorry to disagree Marc, but there is buying it and buying it. Man U based the bulk of their success on the group of players which came through the ranks. Obviously they added to the squad but did so from earing the money they subsequently spent.

Chelsea on the other hand can spend whatever they want on any player, knowing full well that if that player does not cut it (Wank Veron from Man U) then he can be offloaded and replaced with another expensive purchase. Part of the benefit of having a owner with an unlimited supply of cash. All other teams have to work within a budget. So if any other team bought a lemon then that proportion of the budget is lost and has to be earned back before they can purchase again.

[voron]

The difference between Chelsea and Blackburn (and please correct me if I'm wrong) is that Blackburn's success was built on short term solutions. Chelsea are looking to build for the future, which is why they hired Mourinho, Kenyon and Arnesen. It's why they have spent a lot of money on developing a new training facility and forging links with feeder clubs.

[voron]

Tony, I don't see any evidence of such an attitude with Mourinho. That is why we have a team of hard working players rather than a collection of superstars like Real Madrid.

[BoredBloke]

How many top players were bought then pushed out on loan. How many players were bought and never given a run in the side? The simple fact is, if a player does not work for Chelsea, they can always use the unlimited funds at their disposal and get another. Yes they are building for the future, but they are doing so with the benefit of being bankrolled.

Imagine the criticism Man U would have got if it were Man U which was bought instead of Chelski.

The difference between Blackburn and Chesea is simply one of scale. Jack Walker, although very rich did not have a bottomless supply of cash.

[voron]

There is certainly some truth to your last statement, but I believe that was more the case with Ranieri than Mourinho.
I never understood why we bought Smertin. I like Smertin; he's a class player. But Ranieri bought him and immediately sent him on loan. Why??? I never worked that one out.
A lot of players found themselves on the outside when Mourinho took over. That's natural; each manager has his own ideas, and with Mourinho it's more about a player's attitude than their talent. Mutu was a rebel and not a team players, so out he went despite his great talent. Veron was probably too lazy for Mourinho's liking, so out he went. Not too sure what happened with Parker, and I'm confused about Jarosik, but the manager obviously has a good reason and I think he's earned some trust in that respect.

[BoredBloke]

But the simple fact is, that all the players you listed were relatively expensive imports and who were all farmed out and/or replaced thanks to the owners very deep pockets. All other clubs could do that but would have to deal with the financial fallout which it would bring.

[steve'O]

Could be world domination!
before long we have players in every side in the Country "on loan"

Tomorrow the World!!

[Paco]

(and please correct me if I'm wrong)

I'd be happy to! Rovers actually spent plenty of Uncle Jack's money developing probably the finest youth academy in the country (see recent FA youth cup results). However, although this has unearthed us a few absolute gems (most notably Damien Duff, and to a lesser extent David Dunn) you can't rely on it to build a team capable of challenging for the title every season. So you also need plenty of money to be able to buy top class players to complement the squad, and without a benefactor Rovers were never going to be able to achieve this - we simply don't have the fan base or merchandising power. So while Jack left us in much better position than many other clubs of a similar (and larger) size, we are no longer able to compete with the big guns. Chelsea might have a better chance than us post-Roman, as they have the glamour to pull in bigger crowds and more importantly to extend their merchandising operation worldwide.