The arrival of the owner of the Blues has changed the conformation of the Premier, with sensational signings and very high salaries, and has transformed the Stamford Bridge team into one of the powers of European football. Yet it could have ended differently …
Desperately looking for a team. Possibly in the London neighborhood. This, more or less, the mood of Roman Abramovich almost twenty years ago, when in the end the Russian tycoon decided to buy Chelsea. An arrival, that of the owner of the Blues, who changed the conformation of the Premier League, with sensational signings and very high salaries, and who transformed the Stamford Bridge team into one of the powers of European football. Yet, as the Sun recounts, it could have ended very differently. And other London fans would enjoy Abramovich’s money. Not blues, but reds. And the oligarch’s home could have been Emirates Stadium.
NOT FOR SALE – Abramovich’s willingness to buy Arsenal is told in a book entitled The Club, written by two expert Wall Street journalists. In 2003, the Russian asked the UBS bank to examine the economic and market values of Premier League clubs, with some interest in those based in London. One of the research findings reported that Arsenal were absolutely not for sale, despite being the tycoon’s primary target. That at that point he had to … settle for Chelsea. But were Arsenal really untouchable? In the book, the opinion of former Gunners vice-president David Dein is different. “If Abramovich had offered a lot of money, he could have bought the club.”
AND THE SPURS? – An … error of assessment that has completely overturned the hierarchies of London football. In the 2003/04 season, Arsenal degli Invincibles won the last title (so far) in the club’s history, but since then, thanks to Abramovich’s funds, Chelsea have triumphed five times in the Premier League and led to the his showcase, among other things, two Champions League and two Europa League. And in the book there is also some for the other great Londoner, Tottenham. Abramovich would also have organized a meeting with the Spurs management, only to abandon the idea of buying the club. Reason? Driving past White Hart Lane in his car, he would comment on the areas surrounding the stadium with an unflattering comparison: “It’s worse than Omsk.” That is, the Siberian city of its refineries. Certainly not a compliment!
November 10, 2021 (change November 10, 2021 | 10:37)
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