Roberto De Zerbi *OFFICIAL*

[robp135]

Genuine Question Rob, how old are you?

40 next month

 

[Gazza Dazzla]

40 next month

Ok just wondered whether it would affect the judgement on Chelsea, I think it’s borderline. I’m late 40’s and remember Chelsea as a yo-yo club then bates and Harding bank rolling them to the point of extermination, before Roman swooped in and saved the day.

The spending WAY beyond their means started long before Roman and took them from that yo-yo status to a European team.

I just don’t respect that model

 

[Goatleaf]

Its not just under Abramovich - this goes back to when Ken Bates bought the club for £1 back in 1982. He had a number of "investors" who he never identified who poured a ton of money (money laundering some suggested) into the club. At that time Chelsea were nothing. Spurs would beat Chelsea routinely up to then. Suddenly in 1983 they manage to sign Eddie Niedzwiecki from Wrexham, Joe McLaughlin from Morton, Nigel Spackman from Bournemouth, Kerry Dixon from Reading, Pat Nevin from Clyde and John Hollins from Arsenal. Since then they have spent roughly £2.5 billion more on players than Spurs who pretty much only ever spend what they earn. Not a very level playing field is it?

 

[robp135]

Ok just wondered whether it would affect the judgement on Chelsea, I think it’s borderline. I’m late 40’s and remember Chelsea as a yo-yo club then bates and Harding bank rolling them to the point of extermination, before Roman swooped in and saved the day.

The spending WAY beyond their means started long before Roman and took them from that yo-yo status to a European team.

I just don’t respect that model

As did we pre Sugar though. Does our 1991 Cup win not count?

Chelsea qualified for Europe every season from their FA Cup win in 1997 to when Abramovic bought them.

 

[thfcsteff]

In the late 70s through to mid 90s, Chelsea were a tinpot club. That's a fact.