batman

He'll probably trouser about £2.5m .... he obviously approved Avram's contract with the knowledge it probably run it's course. Roman must be willing to spend the money which is why I don't think he'll pull the plug ... I think he genuinely wants to move the club forward but gets some duff advice from the likes of Kenyon and Buck.

I wish I had claws.

penfold

I knew the answer to that one when I had two separate punctures on the way to work this morning....front left blew, then the spare picked up a nail within three miles....

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

billy bentley

Bats, I don't doubt Roman's willingness to spend a ruble or two, But perhaps he has become something of a mark ?

batman

I think it is highly possible that people will continue to accept a contract at Chelsea (player or manager) simply for the money on offer (A Cole being the most high profile example).

It has just been announced that Avram managed to agree a settlement deal worth £5m and good luck to him.

I am a huge fan of the Blues and will continue to be one but these off field shenanigans are beginning to leave a sour taste in my mouth.

On the pitch we still have some players who want to play for the team but many are transparent in their desire to look after number one.

The Royal Blue has faded a bit me for following the Grant sacking.

I wish I had claws.

David Brent

The list of possible replacements for Avram Grant at Chelsea is now getting very silly.

Didier Deschamps claims that he is on the short list for the Chelsea job and the 'Daily Express' reckons that the Blues are lining up Roy Keane for the job.

Someone's having a laugh.

Dave.

batman

Of the 'candidates' named so far the only who has raised my interest has been Big Phil Scolari.

I wish I had claws.

DB7

Hopefully it'll be Sven, Keane or Mark Hughes.

batman

Apparently Abramovitch wants someone who can handle big egos in a strict manner .... that rules out Sven. I don't think Hughes is a big enough 'name' and Keane is a non-starter IMHO.

Outside tip is Dick Advocaat, who managed Zenit St Petersburg to their UEFA Cup win, with Arshavin a player target as well.

I wish I had claws.

billy bentley

Whoever takes the job is going to have to put up with Roman interfering with team selection and Abramovitch sacking them at the end of the season if they don't win something suitable. I guess it will come down to how much his going to pay for it.

batman

Abramovitch has never interfered with team selection .... I'm afraid that is one rumour that isn't true. He has bought players (Shevchenko and Ballack) without reference to the manager but in one of those cases it backfired big-time so I reckon he won't be doing it again.

I wish I had claws.

billy bentley

Without being bloody minded and only wanting to put this "rumour" to bed. How Bats, can you be so certain about Roman's hand's off approach to team selection ?

batman

Because Jose has stated this in the past as have other people who no longer work there .... ie Ranieri and Rix, so they have no reason to suck up to him. Also, my mate who does a lot of work for a supporters association has an 'inside' contact and he tells me that Roman has never interfered in team selection and that Kenyon and Buck are bigger pains in the arse for the coaching staff than Roman.

I wish I had claws.

billy bentley

Bats, I'm still not 100% convinced, even if you are. Still it's not my problem. I can honestly say I don'ty envy you being a Chelsea suuporter for one minute.

batman

It's not my problem either, I just watch football. Quite why people get so worried about these things is beyond me.

I wish I had claws.

David Brent

"Football is not a matter of life or death - it's more important than that."

- the great Bill Shankly.

Dave.