Roman Abramovich, a Russian footballing phenomenon, sailed into the the history of Chelsea Football Club, our great club, by becoming the club’s owner during the midst of a cold rainy season in June 2003.
The Russian, relatively unknown in the UK at the time, saved the club from an uncertain future and possible bankruptcy, and provided the platform for which we have grown into one of the world’s largest and elite football clubs. The takeover was touted as the biggest in British football history without doubts.
It was indeed a night to remember in the history of the club, making Chelsea Football Club the richest club in the world, with the Forex playing a part in making the Roubles pour into the UK.
The papers read “Roman weds Chelsea FC, Football made in heaven!”, ”From the pensioners to the blues!”. Indeed it was like a wedding reception, because Chelsea fans didnt waste any time to welcome him on board and welcome him to our wonderful stadium, Stamford Bridge, The home of the mighty blues.
It was the beginning of THE golden era……….
From then on it was just the color of the mighty blues all around the world that went through a rigorous and sensational makeover making Chelsea a brand name worth reckoning within the shortest period of time. Not only has Roman embarked on this ambitious programme of the financial development of the club, but he has also shown considerable passion towards the game and the club.
Under his tenure, Chelsea has gone on to become a face of English football and one of the most consistent and successful clubs of the contemporary times. We have won Three Premier League titles, Two FA Cups, Two League Cups & Two Community Shields during the Roman era.
We have also reached the Champions League Final for the first time in the history of Chelsea Football Club in the month of May’08, under his ownership making it even more special by playing the final under his home town, yet another historical night to forget for the club considering the five times consistent Champions League semifinal performance.
A £100 million outlay on world-class players, that was the prize from Roman on his new foundation for the club, others called it a dangerous gambling spree. Indeed it was dangerous considering the enormous amount of money that was put forth infront of Claudio Ranieri but the resulting product was the end of Chelsea-Ranieri Era.
It was during the start of his tenure that a host of transfers of considerable importance was done, that of Joe Cole, Glen Johnson, Wayne Bridge, Arjen Robben, Damien Duff, Adrian Mutu, Hernan Crespo and Claude Makelele, the notable additions, but with the departure of Chelsea’s all time favourite and Legends of the legend Gianfranco Zola.
Success followed the next year with the additon of Champions league winning manager Jose Mourinho, the special one, indeed the special one within Chelsea hearts and a Premier League title, which made the Russian more than happy. Records spoke for us. Chelsea went on scoring spree and defended like a wall infront of goal. But the moment came when it was the night to be recorded as the most precious for Chelsea fans when Jose took Chelsea for back to back Premier League titles and embedded “Chelsea” in the history of English Football.
There were notable additions under Roman era the year later like the ones of Didier ”The Warrior” Drogba, Michael “The Bison” Essien, Michael “13” Ballack etc. Although there has been success through transfers under this era, there was considerable amount of flops too, like that of Andriy Shevchenko and Shaun Wright Phillips.
But Roman Abramovich’s efforts to strengthen the club is without any doubts crucial in our fortunes to date.
The one thing that makes Roman stand apart from any of the owners of English Top Flight Football is his passion for the club, an unquestionable scene, as he is seen cheering for the team in nearly every game, which has led to his liking by the fans. That is solely why this “We have the Roman Empire” makes us different from the “Hate you Glazers” to “Tom Dick and Harry, do whatever you want, don’t mess with our Club”.
With the long-term future of the club now secure, we can look forward to a continuing period of growth that has seen us become the world’s fourth-largest club in terms of turnover.
It is upto you to hold him high up in the sky or to criticize him just like how every other Manc does their owners. Let’s see if we still trust on the Roman blood and believe he can take the club further for even more greater heights.
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