Abramovich

CPO – Grounds for Progress

January 27, 2017
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The Chelsea Pitch Owners 2017 Annual General Meeting took place in the Drake Suite at Stamford Bridge stadium today, with a significant turnout of shareholders attending in person. This is perhaps unsurprising given the agenda included a crucial item of business at Resolution 9 which, if voted through, would enable the Directors to approach the owner and propose an extension of the current lease. Chairman Charles Rose declared the meeting…

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Out Of The Blue

June 18, 2014
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A quiet Tuesday evening in June.  The nation awaits the next instalment of World Cup games later that night and the publication of the fixture list for next season the following day.   Then, out of the blue, a statement is published on the Chelsea FC website announcing that Roman Abramovich has commissioned a “study of the area from Fulham Broadway town centre to Stamford Bridge and beyond … This study will…

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Ten Years of The Roman Empire

June 30, 2013
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“We are delighted to agree this deal to acquire what is already one of the top clubs in Europe. We have the resources and ambition to achieve even more given the huge potential of this great club.” (Roman Abramovich, 1st July 2003) “I want to know whether this individual is a fit and proper person to be taking over a club like Chelsea. Until that question is answered, then I’m…

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Decline of the Roman Empire?

January 27, 2013
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Since Roman Abramovich took over Chelsea FC in the summer of 2003, with reports claiming the club was just days away from bankruptcy, he has enjoyed the virtually uncritical adoration of the Stamford Bridge faithful. That’s not to say that there haven’t been periodic rumblings of discontent. Jose Mourinho’s departure in September 2007 was the subject of some, albeit muted, criticism. Before, during and since the infamous CPO EGM in…

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Journey Into Chaos

December 2, 2012
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On 20th October, in a dramatic lunch-time kick off, Chelsea defeated Tottenham Hotspur 4-2 at White Hart Lane, having found themselves 2-1 down early in the second half. To come from behind in a derby against bitter rivals gave the Stamford Bridge faithful the belief that, given indifferent early season performances from all the title contenders, what had promised to be a transitional season could yet turn out to contain…

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Fear and Loathing in SW6

November 22, 2012
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Already reeling from the departure of Robbie Di Matteo, the suits at Chelsea FC inflicted a further blow on the club’s supporters last night with their appointment of the almost universally-despised former Liverpool boss, Rafael Benitez, until the end of the season. Let’s take a look at some of his pearls of wisdom on CFC whilst he was in charge at Anfield:- “Drogba is a coward, a diver and a…

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Another Fine Mess

March 4, 2012
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Shortly before Christmas, off the back of a poor run but following qualification for the last 16 of the CL, this column wondered if the season could turn out to be something special (see Special Ones Too). And it certainly has, but not in a good way. A slew of defeats, players who don’t seem to be bothered about putting in a shift but are only too happy to collect…

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No, Boys. There’s Two U’s In Guus

June 14, 2011
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In case you don’t recognize the quote, it’s from one of the best films to come out of the 1980’s: Top Gun. I did change the spelling from “Goose” to “Guus,” for many Chelsea supporters’ favorite Dutch manager: Guus Hiddink. Right about now, the speculation is swirling that Guus will be the new Chelsea manager. News has even come out from the Turkish FA that they are powerless to stop…

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If Carlo Goes, Who Replaces Him?

April 21, 2011
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As it looks as though Carlo Ancelotti’s tenure as Chelsea manager is coming to an end after our exit from the Champions League and failure to win any trophies there are a number of candidates that have already been tipped to take over from the Italian. It was recently reported that the players have asked Roman Abramovic for a “dream management team” of Jose Mourinho manager and Guus Hiddink as…

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