Big Daddy Abramovich’s Wallet Now Open For Service

By: chris | April 10th, 2009

And so it begins. After two summers of what could only be considered financial prudence by his lofty standards, the rumors of Roman Abramovich spending and spending big to usher his Chelsea to Europe’s promised land have popped up again.

Yesterday it was the signed, sealed and delivered signature of Carlo Ancelotti – along with Rafa one of Europe’s two greatest Champions League specialists – and today it’s the blank cheque which will be heading Valencia-way for the world’s greatest striker: David Villa. I think Roman has found himself with a Champions League hard-on.

Of course, it’s all very coincidental that these rumors have popped up in the hours after ~~Branislav Ivanovic’s~~ Chelsea’s 3-1 Champions League demolition of Liverpool on Anfield soil. A theory posed by Daryl, and a good one at that. Roman had a taste last year, he can taste it again and he doesn’t want to give it up til the whole of the pie is his and only his. With Guus looking more and more likely to keep his word and leave to usher Russia to a World Cup 2010 title (bet against ‘em at this point – I dare you), it’s time to bring in some bumper reinforcements.

After all, why would Roman want to go back to the days of semi-final losses – a certain possibility this year, albeit for different reasons – and disappointing group stage runs? Why lose the progress? Why leave the table when the smell of glory is wafting in from the kitchen? Why go back to the days of…..Mourinho? (Incidentally ‘The Special One’ looks to be the only Chelsea manager who can’t beat Liverpool in the Champions League. Special One my arse.) And so he lines up next year after the earliest hint of that bountiful feast makes its way through the doors.

I do see one hole in this theory of the 3-1 win at Anfield sparking a renewed interest, only because these things have clearly been in place for some time – they’d have to be for rumors to pop up so soon after a fixture (provided they aren’t bullshit, of course). But it doesn’t detract any less from the fact that Roman wants Ole Big Ears at Stamford Bridge. Or maybe as a mantle piece on one of his yachts. There’s never been anything subtle about it, and despite the fact that he and Mourinho had found themselves in the midst of a power struggle for some time, Jose’s exit coming on the back of a 0-0 draw with Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge hardly turned the world upside down (unless you query Ruud Gullit’s eminent genius).

So why not bring in one of Europe’s finest Champions League specialists in Ancelotti? Last summer’s courtship was again no secret and they danced the dance in Paris, only for the deal to remain on the table as they both parted ways. True love lost in circumstance? Perhaps. This year, with Ancelotti simply running his course in Milan while also running out his contract, seems like the perfect time to capitalize on the perfect coach for his perfect plan. And even more, given the rate Rafa and Carlo meet in Champions League finals, we’d be guaranteed at least two Chelsea v Liverpool trophy games in the next half-dozen years or so. Perfect all around. So perfect they’re reportedly going to pay Carlo £5.8m a year for his CL services.

David Villa is just as easy: after trying to break the British transfer record last summer for Robinho, Roman will look to up it by 40% for a player who is worth every damn penny. David Villa walks onto the Mestalla pitch every other weekend with a big fat For Sale sign on his back by and the bidder able to meet that €50m reserve will bring home no less than the world’s finest all-around striker. A declaration of intent across all fronts, surely.

It may be hot wind, but it’s seemingly shaping up into an awful big summer for Chelsea with the right rumors swirling once again. Roman wants his Champions League cake, and he’ll pay any price to eat it too.