http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/...-face-chop.html

A furious Roman Abramovich has turned on his Chelsea players, asking them if they are at the club only to pocket his money.

The billionaire, who sat stony-faced during the Champions League loss to Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan on Tuesday, challenged the players during a two-hour meeting yesterday.

He asked them: Are you good players or are you well-paid players?

The comprehensive defeat by Inter has also left manager Carlo Ancelotti fighting for his future. He has been made aware that he must deliver the Barclays Premier League title to be certain of avoiding the sack.

Abramovich is already understood to be considering the possibility of looking for his seventh manager since taking over in 2003 if the Italian fails to respond to a huge setback by not landing a third English championship.

Ancelotti admitted on Tuesday night that losing to his most prominent predecessor had put him in a precarious position. ‘I’ve worked for a long time in this environment and I know exactly what the expectations are,’ he said.

‘It’s normal that a manager is going to come under pressure if he loses a few matches.’

Abramovich turned to Ancelotti because he had won the Champions League twice as AC Milan manager. He did not expect the Italian to fail to get beyond the last 16.

The Russian owner fears his side could be declining in much the same manner as AC Milan and accepts that further investment is needed.

Fernando Torres will be a target if Liverpool miss the Champions League places, while there is also continued interest in players such as Franck Ribery, David Villa and Marek Hamsik.

Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder could also soon be on Chelsea’s wish-list, given how impressive the Dutchman was on Tuesday night.

Edited March 18, 201015 yr by El Diego

I have a feeling of déjà-vu about this!

Dont think R.A. having a go will go down well with the players, surely thats the managers job. Abramovic should take part of the blame for sacking Jose M. in Sept 2007.

Said The Daily Mail

Lots of "relaible sources" and "Club Officials" in the press today

Chelsea at least had soul before Roman arrived.

Now we've got lots of money and nothing else.

Awful support at home matches, ageing players, nearly on our 7th manager, ugly playing style, STILL no European Cup.

I could go on & on, I don't blame Roman for the state of things but he has to realise that throwing money around will only bring you mercenary players i.e. the Tevez and Ballacks of this world.

We need passionate players in the mould of Wayne Rooney or Fernando Torres.

I don't blame Roman for the state of things but he has to realise that throwing money around will only bring you mercenary players i.e. the Tevez and Ballacks of this world.

We need passionate players in the mould of Wayne Rooney or Fernando Torres.

And we could get Rooney and Torres without throwing any money around at all, naturally

If the story is true then I think it's good of Roman to react like this.

He might not be the manager, but he is the owner and it's great seeing someone that passionate about the club. I hope Carlo did the same, because the players deserves it.

Chelsea at least had soul before Roman arrived.

Now we've got lots of money and nothing else.

Awful support at home matches, ageing players, nearly on our 7th manager, ugly playing style, STILL no European Cup.

I could go on & on, I don't blame Roman for the state of things but he has to realise that throwing money around will only bring you mercenary players i.e. the Tevez and Ballacks of this world.

We need passionate players in the mould of Wayne Rooney or Fernando Torres.

Wayne Rooney for close to 20 million from Everton and Torres for close to 30 million from Athletico, was that not money that got them to their current clubs. Only if YOU understood what passion is you wouldn't question the soul of Chelsea and the list that you just put up and allege Roman of just pumping money. Have you ever been to a home game to question the atmosphere? I am sure you haven't and its your tele that has a fault if you ask me.

I've been to four league matches, an FA Cup tie and one European game so far this season (at home).

Atmosphere is terrible, probably the worst in the league - it's even worse than The Emirates and that is saying something!

I know the "bigger clubs" have quiet grounds compared to the likes of Stoke but come on, our atmosphere is non-existent. I could hear everything the players were saying in one of the games I went to this season, it's ridiculous.

Lower the ticket prices and get the real supporters (who sing and get behind the team) back please Roman, the current crop that attend home matches are an embarrassment.

roman out ,bates in.

The current state of the squad and selection of 1st team manage is Romans own doing.

We had the best manager in the world and most sucessful in the clubs history until he wasn't backed and eventually sacked.

The current problems need hard work, not money thrown at them, which are the ethic's of THAT manager we let go!

roman out ,bates in.

That would work if you want us to pull a Leeds. Don't kid yourself, without Roman, this club would be in dire struggle, and not fighting for first place.

i was kidding matey

Said The Daily Mail

Lots of "relaible sources" and "Club Officials" in the press today

and yet no solid names or verifiable information, funny that.

The press just take what the popular perception is and stretch it over real characters to make their stories. This is no different

and speaking of "reliable sources":

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/ma...s-libel-damages

Roman Abramovich accepts libel damages from Italian newspaper

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich wins apology and substantial damages for false claim he had gambling problem

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich accepted a public apology and substantial libel damages at the high court in London today over false allegations in an Italian newspaper that he had a serious gambling problem.

Abramovich's solicitor, John Kelly, told Justice Eady at the high court that the claims had caused the "internationally well-known and wealthy" Russian businessman "distress and embarrassment".

The legal action arose out of allegations published in Italian newspaper La Repubblica last May in an article headlined "A black year for Abramovich as he loses a yacht at poker".

Kelly told Eady that the newspaper's publisher, Gruppo Editoriale L'Espresso, had agreed to pay Abramovich "substantial damages", which he intends to donate to charity. The damages sum was not disclosed.

Edited March 18, 201015 yr by b00gamaster

Chelsea at least had soul before Roman arrived.

Now we've got lots of money and nothing else.

Awful support at home matches, ageing players, nearly on our 7th manager, ugly playing style, STILL no European Cup.

I could go on & on, I don't blame Roman for the state of things but he has to realise that throwing money around will only bring you mercenary players i.e. the Tevez and Ballacks of this world.

We need passionate players in the mould of Wayne Rooney or Fernando Torres.

blatantly not a chelsea fan, speaking of 'our ugly style' not sure what team you supprt, but have you seen how many goals we have scored this season. Some of the football we have watched from the lads this season has been nothing short of sublime. I think you should go back to your manc or scouse forum and realise that we are a serious force in world football and we are styaing at the top no matter what setback we had today.

Enjoy your american owners dikhead

American owners?! Scouse forum? What planet are you on? I've followed Chelsea for 21 long, hard years.

I don't like where the club is at the moment and yes, our football is UGLY compared to the likes of Barcelona, Man United, Arsenal, hell, even Spurs!

We lack passion on and off the pitch, we've got far too many plastic supporters (and flags) which simply embarass me.

Just because you don't like my opinons doesn't mean you have to resort to your insults, I've probably been to more Chelsea matches home & away than you. I just dont feel we have the passion like other clubs do i.e. the Mancs, Spurs, Liverpool etc.

Dont think R.A. having a go will go down well with the players, surely thats the managers job. Abramovic should take part of the blame for sacking Jose M. in Sept 2007.

Spot on Clubby, though Kenyon must be blamed as well of course. :Whistle:

Spot on Clubby, though Kenyon must be blamed as well of course. :Whistle:

Washing machine breaks down, blame Kenyon.

Teenage son gets caught with a gram of Bolivia's finest, blame Kenyon.

Step in dog sh*t, blame Kenyon.

Mrs gets pregnant even though you can't get it up, blame Kenyon.

You win 1 pound on a scratch card and not 25mil on the Euro lottery, blame Kenyon.

Cat gets run over, blame Kenyon.

You get autided by the inland revenue, blame Kenyon.

Got the clap ? blame Kenyon.

Parachute doesn't open when sky diving, blame Kenyon.

Taxes are too high, blame Keny.........na you can blame Brown for that.

Chelsea wins nothing this season, BLAME PETER f**kING KENYON !

Edited March 18, 201015 yr by Bridgeboy

Well done Roman, it was time to be told to our players that they were not good enough, time to ask them for performances, ENOUGH PERFORMANCES AND GOALS HAVE WE SCORED OFF THE FIELD. IT IS TIME TO PUT SOME DISCIPLINE BACK AND HARD WORK. TIME TO TELL THIS GUYS, START DELIVERING TROPHIES OF GET OUT. THIS GO FOR TERRY( WHOSE GOALS OFF THE FIELD HAVE DISTURBED THE TEAM),LAMPARD FOR NEARLY TWO SEASONS U ARE NOT THE PLAYER U WERE ONCE, BALLACK, ANELKA ( NIKO WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?), JOE COLE WHO SEEMS MORE INTERESTED ABOUT A PAY RISE RATHER THAN PLAYING FOOTBALL, DECO ( DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE HE IS?),ASHLEY COLE ( YOU CAN BE THE BEST LEFT BACK IN THE WORLD BUT U ARE AN IDIOT OUTSIDE, U SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOUR BEHAVIOUR), FOR TWO TIMES YOUR PERSONAL LIFE IS ON THE TABLOIDS, COME ASHLEY IS TIME TO PUT AN END TO THIS SITUATIONS, BAD FOR U AND FOR THE CLUB. IN GENERAL I FEEL IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A GO AT THE PLAYERS, THEY GET PAID VERY WELL, AND THE ONLY THING WE ASK IS PERFORMANCES AND GOOD BEHAVIOUR.

TIME FOR A CHANGE ROMAN, SOME OF THE PLAYERS MUST GO, i GIVE U A LIST:

-BELLETI, CARVALHO, BALLACK?,PAULO FERREIRA ( THANK YOU), HILARIO, DECO WELL I EXPECTED A LOT MORE, BUT U ARE NOT INTERESTED ABOUT FOOTBALL OR ABOUT THIS CLUB SO GET OUT, JOE COLE? WHO KNOWS IF HE ACCEPTS OUR CONTRACT STAY BUT NO WAY FOR 120 GRAND A WEEK.

- NOW PLAYERS WHO SHOULD STAY:

didier drogba, iva, alex, ashley cole depends on his mood,essien, mikel, malouda, Kalou??? depends, Cech, Turnbull, Terry, Lampard, Sturridge, Kakuta, Borini etc.

L Essien, stop using caps, it looks ridiculous and makes people not want to read your views as they are a pain on the eye.

L Essien, stop using caps, it looks ridiculous and makes people not want to read your views as they are a pain on the eye.

ok sorry, you are right, but I guess you agree with me

The current state of the squad and selection of 1st team manage is Romans own doing.

We had the best manager in the world and most sucessful in the clubs history until he wasn't backed and eventually sacked.

The current problems need hard work, not money thrown at them, which are the ethic's of THAT manager we let go!

I do appreciate the fact that your stance hasn't changed Bluenut and there's certainly some truth to what you're saying about Roman carrying at least some of the blame (I wouldn't put it all on him, it's never that simple) for the current state of the club.

However, speaking of hard work instead of throwing money at the problem I thought one of the biggest reasons of the split between Jose and Roman was the fact that your favorite manager demanded to continue throwing money at the problems( the "good and bad eggs" speech) while the owner refused to spend anymore and wanted "more hard work" from the squad we've already assembled.

Abramovich has made his share of mistakes but Jose was no saint you're trying to make him out to be.

I do appreciate the fact that your stance hasn't changed Bluenut and there's certainly some truth to what you're saying about Roman carrying at least some of the blame (I wouldn't put it all on him, it's never that simple) for the current state of the club.

However, speaking of hard work instead of throwing money at the problem I thought one of the biggest reasons of the split between Jose and Roman was the fact that your favorite manager demanded to continue throwing money at the problems( the "good and bad eggs" speech) while the owner refused to spend anymore and wanted "more hard work" from the squad we've already assembled.

Abramovich has made his share of mistakes but Jose was no saint you're trying to make him out to be.

Quite an accurate and balanced summary here

I do appreciate the fact that your stance hasn't changed Bluenut and there's certainly some truth to what you're saying about Roman carrying at least some of the blame (I wouldn't put it all on him, it's never that simple) for the current state of the club.

However, speaking of hard work instead of throwing money at the problem I thought one of the biggest reasons of the split between Jose and Roman was the fact that your favorite manager demanded to continue throwing money at the problems( the "good and bad eggs" speech) while the owner refused to spend anymore and wanted "more hard work" from the squad we've already assembled.

Abramovich has made his share of mistakes but Jose was no saint you're trying to make him out to be.

Our original problems began when we sacked him.......and not finding and replacement who could match him for sucess, and you cannot blame the state of the current squad at Jose's feet. Actually the problems began before he was sacked him, when Sheva was signed alledgedly against the managers wishes. Thats rocky road was paved by Roman and has been unbalanced ever since.

The egg's and omlettes was in regard to Sheva, playing in Jose's last game when we beat (Rosenburg - was it? not sure) and Sheva needed 20+ chances to find the net.

I think there is a fundamental difference between throwing money at a problem and not having a fit central defender to play at Anfield, and publically fail to back your manager. We currently have an ageing squad because Roman hasn't backed a manager with funds since Jose was sacked, one of the reason behind his departure, as you mention above.

Were Turnbull and Sturidge CA's signings? I very much doubt it! Zhirkov wasn't signed by CA, he was lined up by his international boss while temping here. Who is signing our players?

There's no point bollocking the current players, they were out witted and fairly beaten by the man Roman let go, not matter how much his ego is dented.

He is partly to blame for the current state of affairs at Stamford Bridge, and shouldn't be blaming it on the ageing squad he has helped create! Just check the pre-season 'clear-out' threads for the past few seasons, it's not as though it's an overnight phenomenon.