Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is still keen to cut the cord that has financially fuelled the club over the past seven years. But as their poor form continues and injuries bite it is becoming increasingly obvious that money will have to be spent in January if they are to have a chance of retaining their title.
A 3-3 draw with Aston Villa, which saw the Blues score in injury time only to concede an equaliser seconds later, highlighted to those following their Live scores regularly, the flaws in a side that appeared to be strolling to the title at the start of the season.
Injuries to key players such as Alex have not been adequately covered while returning stars like Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry have yet to return to form of old. Add a Nicolas Anelka goal-drought into the mix and it is little wonder they have slid to fifth in the table, five points off leaders Man United.
A number of targets have been mentioned at both ends of the pitch to cure Chelsea’s woes. Gary Cahill of Bolton Wanderers and the Benfica’s David Luiz are defensive options while Romelu Lukaku of Anderlecht and Ajax striker Luis Suarez have been named as possible solutions to their goalscoring problem.
But naming targets and actually buying them are two completely different things; especially as now Chelsea don’t have the financial muscle of a few years ago with Abramovich attempting to make the club self sufficient.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle will only do business if a massive offer is made – in excess of £15million has been mentioned by those often studying the Live football scores.
Luiz would also cost big money, Lukaku is seen as one for the future and has pledged his allegiance to Anderlecht for now anyway while Suarez would not be able to play in the Champions league after playing in the tournament for Ajax this season.
With Man City looking to solve their striker issue with a £35million signing Chelsea can only look on through misty eyes, knowing they will have to do things the (relatively) old fashioned way.
And after several years of oil fuelled financial excess, it is proving to be a hard adjustment to make.
Written by TCB reader Thomas Rooney
