So while browsing the shed end, munching on a few ferrero rocher's and sporting my trusty tinfoil hat, I was pondering the question that has been asked so often the last few weeks. Probably since November actually.

If we are a club run by a billionaire who wants a winning product on the field, why on earth are we refusing to spend a dime on new players when they are needed

It might be one of many factors causing this problem. Maybe Roman is broke and not letting on. Maybe he is sick with the millionaire earners on the squad that have done feck all, and wants them gone before getting any new ones. The list of possibilities goes on, because surely with an astute football man like Roman Abramovich, its not as if he doesnt notice the fact that this team is noticeably worse than previous editions.

Okay, so for a minute lets assume the cash is there and Roman is willing to spend it. If we were really on the verge of getting Robinho, that was quite alot of money. And according to our good buddy Kenyon, it was practically a "done deal".

Ahh, Peter Kenyon. The man that keeps going on about 2010. 2010 this, 2010 that, profitability, etc. His entire justification for being here is to turn this club into a long term money maker. An international cash cow. Like he did for w**kchester United. Now with marketable stars and success on the pitch, they are pulling money in hand over fist. But its not quite like that here, yet. Despite Kenyon's promises to put the club on a five year plan in 2003 when he first arrived, 2008 has come and gone and the result has still been fiscal losses for CFC.

Kenyon is just one man behind the scenes, but he has to be a very important one. Or else, why would Scolari constantly reference him in press conferences about transfers? 'I tell Peter this, I tell Peter that'. We know Peter was in charge of many big money deals, like getting Essien and Ballack, and many that were not so great, like when he failed to get Robben and Ronaldinho for the Mancs, and Robinho for us. That is part of his job, allegedly. He does the bargaining, while Scolari is supposed to point and say "I want". But I think you will agree, LFS sounds like he is reading from a cue card or memorized statement whenever he mentions Kenyon's name in front of reporters. He hardly seems happy about bringing up the fact that Kenyon is the man he has to go through to change the team.

I will stop dithering and just come out and say it; is it possible that Peter Kenyon, in having dangled this carrot of 'profitability' before Roman, and being the point man on transfers, is pulling one over on Roman and Big Phil alike? Could he be keeping one side believing there is no money for players, and the other side believing there is no need for his money to buy players? Is he sticking to the mantra of 2010 and profitability so much so that the team on the field is suffering? And could he be willing to do this because even he sees there is a need for what would be an expensive overhaul of the whole squad, with so many expensive players, including the loss of his prize acquisition, Michael Ballack, who just no longer fits?

Why would he do something like this? Well, as long as the financial matters are in the black and the numbers of shirt sales in the Far East are reaching their target numbers, Peter Kenyon keeps his job. If the product on the field fails no matter who built it, Phil Scolari loses his job. If Peter lets Phil spend, bring in the wide players we are calling out for, we might go on to win trophies but we might do so at a 50 million pound loss. That wouldnt look so good, a year before 2010.

I know alot of you would say this is total crackpot stuff, and it is. I hope it makes a few people think, and maybe cracks a few smiles. But to me, with Roman's distractions, and Phil's language skills, this isnt exactly the most far fetched thing ever. Alot of people at the Bridge are living high off the hog, it seems, and I doubt many would want to give that up. And if something a little more sinister like this isnt at work, then my conclusion would have to be that Roman has lost his precious billions and we are in far deeper trouble than we realize.

Big grains of kosher salt available upon request after your replies :D or maybe this is just what everyone sees and Star has the incredulity to point out

It's an interesting point, but I'm not entirely sure it's true - I imagine it's more a case of either Roman is becoming dejected with the whole thing (sigh) or that, despite being willing to spent £30m on Robinho in the summer, now doesn't trust Scolari with any more money.

Or! It could all be a smoke screen, and we'll end up buying a decent player or two - we did get £10m for Bridge after all, and if we ditch Drogba in this window too for example, there's no reason why we couldn't get someone good in.

You're barking up the wrong tree, Westway. I think Abramovich has been blinded by slap of a triffid.

Lets be honest here, anything is possible with this club.

I wouldn't scoff at your theory at all actually.

In fact if you told me that you had discovered through "sources" that Peter Kenyon was actually an alien from another planet doing survey work down here I would give it some serious consideration.

Communication problems with one side being told one thing and one side being told another by the people (or person) in the middle due to an agenda?

Hell why not it.

That said it could be other things of course:

He's getting bored with his toy - although Jose said just the other day that this is not the case when he has spoken with Roman (and I don't see why he has reason to lie about that).

He is running out of cash and may be thinking of selling.

He has lost trust in Scolari so has decided to cut his losses and leave things idle for now until next season and then make a fresh start with a new coach.

He is busy with his other businesses and just does not have the time right now to concentrate fully on this and spend cash but will do so later - and he still trusts Scolari.

Here's a conspiracy theory for you, just a theory mind you............

Kenyon is in bed with Addidas, hence the sponsership deal. The signing of Ballack (brand No13) German captain, who play in Addidas, from an Addidas club, the same year our sponsership deal started with Addidas. A german company!

Sheva (brand No7) From an Addidas club, international captain wearing his traditional No7, same as Ballack with the No13, (ala Beckham No23 or No7). Went back to an Addidas club.

I could mention Robben, Duff, Malouda, all going to to or from Addidas clubs in the past couple of years.

Kenyon wants us to be a brand before a football club. it's what he was brought in to do!!! He started out the MD of a sports wear firm remember, sadly, this is his only link to football! he just doesn't get it.

The introduction of Addidas, then Ballack and Shevchenko is where it all fell apart, and we've gone backward since...

Like I say it's only a theory, but as 'out-there' theories go,........ well you decide.

How do we class a billionaire, even a millionaire come to that ?

All those i've ever met, none of which are lottery winners I hasten to add, are both shrewd and careful with their money, but have clearly taken risks IN THE PAST to get where they are. They also are generous to their close family and friends when the time dictates.

Before Roman came to Chelsea he was a relative unknown outside Russia. Lottery winners go mental, the majority blow it and are back to square one.

Unless you have a base to start with and a tradition and global support like a Manchester United or a Liverpool you are well and truly up against it, in fact only a fool would think merchandising of the Chelsea brand would exceed these two teams.

Roman took another risk in buying Chelsea, but WE WERE LOTTERY WINNERS.

Now Roman has his Billionaire head on again, KENYON is still that lottery winner, down to his last few quid.

Like someone who has got money by picking six numbers on a Saturday Night, he has spunked himself and cocked up everything he set out to do.

A mighty fine time we all had on the way, two title's a Champions League final, cups galore !

Now we are going all business like, er if we acted like that from the start Peter maybe Jose would be still here, Ballack, Shevchenko and Deco wouldn't be and we might have just still won everything and the Champions League in a years time.

Something tells me if Roman had bought Arsenal or Liverpool and kept their board and Manager intact, they would be in a far better position than us now and in the future.

Saying that they both probably are without him :)

this is what you get when you employ a man u c@~t like kenyon, doesnt help by the fact that players come to chelsea for money only as man city will learn, the same players dont give a sh#t about the team the club and the fans.

I think the problem lies with Roman losing loads over the past few months. Companies he has stakes in fell as much as 90% in their value and if he used those stakes to borrow any additional cash he would be in even more trouble. (which media reports he has). So his reported wealth (Russian media being the unreliable source) has fallen from £12-15bn to a "mere" £2-3bn. And the market woes aren't over yet. Hence he is tightening the screws on big spending and Kenyon, Scolari and however else were probably told "it's enough". And given that we are not the only club who would suffer from the credit crunch the Chelsea staff would be happy to oblige so long as they keep their very well paid jobs.

I think the problem lies with Roman losing loads over the past few months. Companies he has stakes in fell as much as 90% in their value and if he used those stakes to borrow any additional cash he would be in even more trouble. (which media reports he has). So his reported wealth (Russian media being the unreliable source) has fallen from £12-15bn to a "mere" £2-3bn. And the market woes aren't over yet. Hence he is tightening the screws on big spending and Kenyon, Scolari and however else were probably told "it's enough". And given that we are not the only club who would suffer from the credit crunch the Chelsea staff would be happy to oblige so long as they keep their very well paid jobs.

This is the most likely theory here (although the Adidas tangent has got me going).

I also think that Roman may have been bemused but not concerned by all the crap that Kenyon got us involved in at the start of his role (Cole-gate / Ferdinand-gate / handling of press re. Ranieri / Mikel etc). However, he then got thoroughly alarmed with the effect of the signings of Sheva and Ballack (when, in my mind, the rot started) and saw that it was actually possible to bugger up a decent team by spending too much.

If I was in his shoes now, I'd offload 5 or 6 first teamers and bring through some academy players.

It is possibly the only way Roman will achieve credibility in the game he's spent so much on

Edited January 18, 200916 yr by Mike O