retired_amyslack

Thanks Spav

The Sunday Times
Sunday August 29th, 2004
Keegan Left Frustrated As City Draw

Manchester City manager Kevin Keegan saw yesterday’s 1-1 draw at home to Chelsea as two points dropped rather than one gained. “I’d have taken a point at the start of the game� said a disappointed Keegan later, “but on balance of play we really should have got the win�. His team got off to the perfect start when livewire Shaun Wright-Phillips scored after just two minutes. They enjoyed a fair amount of possession in the first half and were frustrated not to add to their lead before the break. Chelsea certainly improved in the second half and scored a neat equaliser through Mateja Kezman within ten minutes of the restart. But neither manager was really happy with the result. Speaking through an interpreter after the game, Chelsea boss Yuri Djerkinov commented “If we continue to concede early goals and hand our opponents the initiative we will always struggle to come back and win. In the circumstances a point was reasonable but I am not pleased with how the team played today�.

retired_amyslack

The Sun
Wednesday September 1st, 2004
Chelski Flash The Cash

£120M – that’s how much Roman Abramovich splashed out on players just before the end of the transfer window yesterday. In a move that has sent shock waves throughout the game he confirmed the recent rumours of a major signing by announcing not one, but two huge deals. He has signed Patrick Vieira from Arsenal and Ronaldinho from Barcelona. None of the clubs involved will reveal the full details of the sums involved but the Sun can reveal exclusively that documents lodged with the FA just before yesterday’s deadline indicate that the two deals together are worth just short of £120M. How many teachers, nurses or policemen would that sort of money pay for we ask? In our opinion Abramovich is ruining the game by his uncontrolled spending. How can any other club compete with his bottomless money pit? So we appeal to all you true football fans out there – whoever Chelski are playing this season, let’s cheer on the opposition and let them know that the Premiership title is not for sale!

retired_tracie

Fanastic start, this should be really intresting. I was a bit iffy anout your signings, until that last paragraph made my jaw drop to the floor. Good luck.

retired_embartl

typical Villa still good start Bob!

retired_amyslack

Decoded Despatch from Agent Sokolov
Wednesday September 1st, 2004

It has been a hectic month here in London as we begin our mission and we have all been kept very busy. Yuri Igorevich has been working hard with the players and I have had to spend more time than I expected translating his instructions during the training sessions. So far I have been able to keep him sober most evenings and he seems genuinely pleased to be working with such capable footballers.

Mr. Abramovich has been most insistent that as much money as possible is spent on new players. Towards the end of the month he was getting increasingly adamant that we should make some big signings and then a few days before the close of the transfer window he took things into his own hands. We were unaware, but he had already been negotiating for some players and without the knowledge of Yuri Igorevich he closed two huge deals. Ronaldinho was purchased from Barcelona for £53M and Arsenal captain Patrick Vieira was signed for £66M. Both players have been offered quite long contracts – both are on 4-year deals with Ronaldinho earning £80K a week and Vieira £55K.

Abramovich seemed almost desperate to spend the money and my next task is to try to get closer to the financial systems of the club to find out more about how there deals are funded and where the cash is routed. As you have always told me Comrade Colonel – follow the money!

retired_amyslack

Thanks lawsy and BoN for your support

From the Diary of Yuri Djerkinov
Monday September 5th, 2004

What a joy it is to be working with players of such quality, and despite my unease about the real reason that I am here and the murky characters that surround me, I cannot help but be rejuvenated by the challenge in front of me. What a chance I have to prove myself as a coach and to rid myself of the tag of a washed-up drunk. And what a talent Ronaldinho is – it will take him a little time to settle into the English game but I am sure that he will be a superstar for Chelsea. When I heard that both he and Vieira had been signed I could barely believe it, but they are so good to work with. I must say that whatever Misha’s real purpose is, he does a very good job of translating my ideas to the players. The boy has a real feel for the game and it shows in the way that he understands what I am getting at. The rest of this season is going to be very interesting indeed.

retired_amyslack

The Sunday Mirror
Sunday September 12th, 2004
Drogba Double Sinks Addicks

With new signings Vieira and Ronaldinho both making their debuts it was a sellout at Stamford Bridge yesterday and two goals from Didier Drogba either side of half time completed a 2-0 win for Chelsea at home to Charlton. The Blues were in total control of this London derby with Alan Curbishley’s team rarely able to mount an effective attack of any sort. Dean Kiely was called into action throughout the game but there was little he could do to stop either of Drogba’s efforts.

retired_amyslack

The Times
Thursday September 16th, 2004
Celtic Take The Spoils

Ever since the draw for the Champions League groups threw together Chelsea and Celtic there has been great anticipation north of the border. And it was Celtic who came out on top in the group opener, triumphing 3-1 with a powerful and energetic display. Despite the promptings of Patrick Vieira in midfield the visitors appeared strangely lethargic and never really looked like winning. Celtic were out of the blocks quickly as Chelsea did their usual trick of conceding an early goal, John Hartson on target after just 5 minutes. Stilian Petrov doubled their advantage on 27 minutes and even when Didier Drogba reduced the deficit 10 minutes later the Blues still looked unconvincing. Commanding centre back Bobo Balde re-established the two goal cushion when he powered home a header just before the break. Chelsea did create further chances in the second half but when tested the Celtic keeper proved equal to the task. It’s never easy to qualify when you lose your opening game and Yuri Djerkinov now has his work cut out to get his team back on track.

retired_amyslack

The Sunday Times
Sunday September 19th, 2004
Chelsea On Top After Midlands Win

A 2-0 win at West Brom has taken Chelsea to the top of the Premiership on goal difference over unlikely challengers Everton. Dominant throughout, the visitors got off to a great start when Frank Lampard fired home from the edge of the area inside the first five minutes. They went on to carve out a number of presentable chances before the break, none of which were converted. The home side showed more of an attacking threat after the break, looking to use the pace of substitute Rob Earnshaw to catch Chelsea on the break. The Welsh international came close to equalising on two occasions but each time his finishing let him down. The Blues finally put the game to bed inside the last ten minutes when they caught their hosts on the break and some crisp passing found Patrick Vieira powering into the area and he finished neatly past Russell Hoult.

retired_amyslack

The Sunday Express
Sunday September 26th, 2004
Ronny On Target For Blues

Chelsea mega-signing Ronaldinho has a lot to do to live up to his price tag but yesterday he displayed some flashes of brilliance against Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge. After a fairly even and goalless first half he opened the scoring just after the restart. Damien Duff picked him out on the edge of the area and the Brazilian finished with a low shot into the corner. On the hour mark he turned provider, cushioning a Duff cross on his chest before laying the ball off for Frank Lampard to fire home. A late penalty for the home side was tucked away by fullback Paolo Ferriera to make the final score 3-0 and underline Chelsea’s dominance.