An Open Letter To Mr Abramovich

[octville]

Firstly, I would like to thank you for bringing us success since the day you bought the club.

Chelsea fans have waited for decades to experience prolonged success at this elevated level, such that it is always a major disappointment now if we do not at least reach the quarter-finals of the Champion's league.

To say that Chelsea is the best in Europe is sheer arrogance, but we have probably progressed to the echelon which traditionally belonged to the eminent few - Inter, Real, Barcelona, AC, Manu and Liverpool.

These achievements cannot be under-emphasised. To be at least in the champion's league semis consecutively in the past few seasons speak volume of the quality of the team. The team ain't broken. It just played to a different philosophy of football from AC or Barcelona which Alex Ferguson emulated to his own success.

While it was difficult to understand the dismissal of Mourinho for us, we accept the importance of keeping the club's good reputation with a manager who is not in the whirlpool of controversies every week and make you feel that it is him, not you, who own the club and inspired fan's loyalty to the Special One.

The legacies of Mourinho were not easily forgotten though. He built an effective, tactical team known for being a miser in conceding goals that lasted even with Hiddink's arrival, where we ended the season with the best defence.

When Avram Grant continued his legacy, Scolari flopped when he tried changing but Hiddink harnessed what he inherited to two great games against Barcelona and a Cup Final.

We are grateful for Hiddink's appointment and it is a pity that such a great man cannot continue his Stamford Bridge legacy. However, I respectfully urge you to re-consider Ancelotti's appointment as the new manager.

I fear that we may see another Scolari in the offing. While he is credited with winning the Champion's league twice in the last nine years, AC has also endured the ignominy of absence in the Champion's league this season because of their poor league standing last year and has not won the Scudetto in five seasons.

I feel that Ancelotti is poor in renewal of his squad because of his affably good relationship with his squad.

Hence, he may feel it difficult to release players who did well for him and who are starting to be past their prime.

For example, it seems senseless to be linked to a 30 year old Pirlo when we had limited success with Deco, Ballack or Mineiro whom were signed past their best playing years.

Alas, Chelsea is ageing, with Lampard, Anelka and Drogba in their 30s. I remembered the time when Mourinho brought Carvalho, Tiago, Ferreira and Drogba with great success. Any fans will be wary of the qualities of Ribery or Alonso but a good manager is one who finds an unknown at good price and make them into household name.

Also, it may be disrespectful for someone to reveal the detail of your discussion with him even before he was even appointed.

I fear that Ancelotti will not enjoy loyalty of many die-hards though we will try our best to give to the Chelsea's cause. The answer is even more difficult than the asking. Who else could fill the role? Marcello Lippi? Trapattoni?

Speaking for myself, I will like Hiddink to return some day.

Finally, please enjoy Wembley with us hopefully when we earn a farewell gift to Hiddink. The FA Cup is a special one because of its great tradition and sub-plots of David vs Goliath. We look forward eagerly to announcement soon and the transfer window with great expectation.

[MHedges]

Firstly, I would like to thank you for bringing us success since the day you bought the club.

Chelsea fans have waited for decades to experience prolonged success at this elevated level, such that it is always a major disappointment now if we do not at least reach the quarter-finals of the Champion's league.

To say that Chelsea is the best in Europe is sheer arrogance, but we have probably progressed to the echelon which traditionally belonged to the eminent few - Inter, Real, Barcelona, AC, Manu and Liverpool.

These achievements cannot be under-emphasised. To be at least in the champion's league semis consecutively in the past few seasons speak volume of the quality of the team. The team ain't broken. It just played to a different philosophy of football from AC or Barcelona which Alex Ferguson emulated to his own success.

While it was difficult to understand the dismissal of Mourinho for us, we accept the importance of keeping the club's good reputation with a manager who is not in the whirlpool of controversies every week and make you feel that it is him, not you, who own the club and inspired fan's loyalty to the Special One.

The legacies of Mourinho were not easily forgotten though. He built an effective, tactical team known for being a miser in conceding goals that lasted even with Hiddink's arrival, where we ended the season with the best defence.

When Avram Grant continued his legacy, Scolari flopped when he tried changing but Hiddink harnessed what he inherited to two great games against Barcelona and a Cup Final.

We are grateful for Hiddink's appointment and it is a pity that such a great man cannot continue his Stamford Bridge legacy. However, I respectfully urge you to re-consider Ancelotti's appointment as the new manager.

I fear that we may see another Scolari in the offing. While he is credited with winning the Champion's league twice in the last nine years, AC has also endured the ignominy of absence in the Champion's league this season because of their poor league standing last year and has not won the Scudetto in five seasons.

I feel that Ancelotti is poor in renewal of his squad because of his affably good relationship with his squad.

Hence, he may feel it difficult to release players who did well for him and who are starting to be past their prime.

For example, it seems senseless to be linked to a 30 year old Pirlo when we had limited success with Deco, Ballack or Mineiro whom were signed past their best playing years.

Alas, Chelsea is ageing, with Lampard, Anelka and Drogba in their 30s. I remembered the time when Mourinho brought Carvalho, Tiago, Ferreira and Drogba with great success. Any fans will be wary of the qualities of Ribery or Alonso but a good manager is one who finds an unknown at good price and make them into household name.

Also, it may be disrespectful for someone to reveal the detail of your discussion with him even before he was even appointed.

I fear that Ancelotti will not enjoy loyalty of many die-hards though we will try our best to give to the Chelsea's cause. The answer is even more difficult than the asking. Who else could fill the role? Marcello Lippi? Trapattoni?

Speaking for myself, I will like Hiddink to return some day.

Finally, please enjoy Wembley with us hopefully when we earn a farewell gift to Hiddink. The FA Cup is a special one because of its great tradition and sub-plots of David vs Goliath. We look forward eagerly to announcement soon and the transfer window with great expectation.

Hear Hear

;)