From: Stephen O'Connell on
"Ray" <rayh(a)iol.ie> wrote in message
news:0q3016hg94jbhe40fh3uqu78r32i72k9oe(a)4ax.com...
> Not surprised about Cole... I had hoped he's stay, but we can't tie the
> man down... Am surprised about Ballack... I read he was willing to take a
> pay cut and a 1 year extension to his contract with a possible further year
> based on performance. I like Ballack and wished he'd gotten that
> extension.. Not too surprised about Belletti, and I thought I read that
> Carvalio was going but no sign so far...
>
> Comments?

Out with the old, in with the new.

I would also have liked to have seen Joe Cole stay. But Ballack and Belletti
are surplus to requirements and no big loss. None of the three have really
done anything at Chelsea in the last season to justify their (probably) large
wages, so I can see why they was released.

There could be one or two more exits before August, as Ancelotti shapes the
team his way...

> Also, who should we bring in now?

Roman Abramovich would say, anyone that can bring us the Champions League!

--
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From: JAB on
On 11/06/2010 12:54 AM, Stephen O'Connell wrote:
> "Ray"<rayh(a)iol.ie> wrote in message
> news:0q3016hg94jbhe40fh3uqu78r32i72k9oe(a)4ax.com...
>> Not surprised about Cole... I had hoped he's stay, but we can't tie the
>> man down... Am surprised about Ballack... I read he was willing to take a
>> pay cut and a 1 year extension to his contract with a possible further year
>> based on performance. I like Ballack and wished he'd gotten that
>> extension.. Not too surprised about Belletti, and I thought I read that
>> Carvalio was going but no sign so far...
>>
>> Comments?
>
> Out with the old, in with the new.
>
> I would also have liked to have seen Joe Cole stay. But Ballack and Belletti
> are surplus to requirements and no big loss. None of the three have really
> done anything at Chelsea in the last season to justify their (probably) large
> wages, so I can see why they was released.
>
> There could be one or two more exits before August, as Ancelotti shapes the
> team his way...
>
>> Also, who should we bring in now?
>
> Roman Abramovich would say, anyone that can bring us the Champions League!
>

I think Ballack had a good second part of the season but should we keep
him on - probably not as we do need to start getting new players through
the squad. As for Joe Cole he hasn't been playing that well so I'm not
sure why he thinks he deserves such a hefty pay rise. Could be
interesting if he ends up at Arsenal - do you think he would be
criticised for only moving for the money?
From: Stephen O'Connell on
"JAB" <nochance(a)nohope.com> wrote in message news:
>
> I think Ballack had a good second part of the season but should we keep him
> on - probably not as we do need to start getting new players through the
> squad. As for Joe Cole he hasn't been playing that well so I'm not sure why
> he thinks he deserves such a hefty pay rise. Could be interesting if he
> ends up at Arsenal - do you think he would be criticised for only moving
> for the money?

I can't see Arsenal paying Joe Cole what he wants either. I suppose it
depends on how good a World Cup he has. If he plays a blinder in every game
for England, the likes of Man City will throw money his way... if he doesn't,
he could end up at Tottenham!

--
Classic literature on audio:
http://www.textbookstuff.com/





From: Stephen O'Connell on
"Ray" <rayh(a)iol.ie> wrote in message news:
>
> He's obsessed with it... I'm happy enough with the Prem League.. The CL
> is icing on the cake, but for me, beating all the other teams in the PL to
> come out top after a full season... That's worth more to me...
>
> Where do you see things?

I'd rather the Premier League before the Champions League too. For any team
their domestic league is the bread and butter competition, and you strive to
be Champions as that makes you the best. Whereas winning a knock-out cup
tournament is a bonus, and can depend on getting a lucky break here and
there.

However, I am not Roman Abramovich, and he has pumped his own money in to
Chelsea - which has helped us to win three premier League titles - so if
that's where his efforts are focused, who are we to argue? It might be an
unhealthy obsession that is going to cost one or two managers their job. But
as Roman is the one buying the players, we'll just have to take what comes!

My worry would be if we was to win the Champions League once or twice, would
Roman then get bored and look for a challenge elsewhere?

--
Classic literature on audio:
http://www.textbookstuff.com/