The Rise and Rise of Chelsea Football Club... Is it all About the Money?

In the last ten years foreign investors have been eyeballing English clubs like Homer Simpson does a donut. Manchester City, Aston Villa, Sunderland and Chelsea all have had financial investment towards transfers, wages and stadiums from from rich owners. But only Chelsea have paid their investor back with success, so how did this happen? I hope I will be able to answer that question.  

Pre-Abramovic Chelsea were  decent club owned by businessman Ken Bates. Chelsea won a few cups here and there, made a few high profile signings but at the end of their careers more notably Gianluca Vialli, Marcel Desailly and Didier Deschamps. But they didn't come close to winning the Premier League or Champions League.

Then came the day that shook the world of English football, a Russian Oil Oligarch came in and bought Chelsea FC for £140m from owner Ken Bates. At this point their were quotes like... "I think it's disgraceful because I always thought that Ken Bates was Mr Chelsea." being bandied about in the English press.

Once Abramovic moved in, all the fans who doubted his clout were silenced, in his first season as owner a whopping £153,350,000 net amount was spent on transfers... This was more than he paid to buy the club. That season they finished 2nd in the league this was their highest finish in the top flight for over 45 years further to this they got to the Semi-Finals of the Champions League for the first time in their history. But ultimately they didn't win anything.

Following his first season Abramovic sacked coach Claudio Ranieri and brought in European Cup winning coach Jose Mourinho and net spent £138,250,000 in two seasons which is less than what was spent in one season when Ranieri was manager. But Chelsea went on to win the Premier League two years in a row. This was their first major success in 50 years. Mourinho's tenure lasted for 3 years in which he won 6 trophies. But the clubs spending would become more restricted as the hierarchy looked for ways for the club to break even, this then coincided with Mourinho's leaving of the club.


Once Mourinho left the trophies dried up, the next two managers after him were Avram Grant and Luis Felipe Scolari. Their reigns coincided with turbulence in the board and dressing rooms and zero trophies.

But recently Chelsea have bought in Carlo Ancelloti an experienced and respected manager although they haven't spent as much money they have won the Premier League and FA Cup in his first season at the club. Currently they are top of the Premier League and playing arguably the best and most effective football in the league.

Champions 2009-2010 Cech, Cole, Terry (not signed but made Club Captain my Mourinho), Obi Mikel, Essien, Lampard (not signed but Mourinho but during Mourinho's first season he scored 13 goals and provided 16 assists as he was made the main play-maker of his Chelsea side), Malouda, Drogba were all key Mourinho players.

Mourinho had the biggest impact on the club from all the managers Abramovic hired, so much so that the team the season he was was sacked was practically the same as it is now under Ancelloti bar a few signings. This stability on the field has been key to the recent success of the club.


They have also hired Frank Arnesen as their talent scout in a drive to find young talent from around the world. This led to the signings of Gael Kakuta, Patrick Van Aanholt and Fabio Borini who are all in the first team squad this season. This really shows that the club are thinking about building the future with younger players rather than expensive ready made superstars. 


What this story says Manchester City fans... is it isn't all about the money. Chelsea have been at their best when they have had stability but not necessary larger financial backing in comparison to their rivals. Yes I accept that the money gave Chelsea the stepping stone, but I think it might get you close but that extra step can only be made with a top manager at the helm like Mourinho or Ancelloti.

Chelsea's overall model of spending early to clear debts and set up a foundation, aiming to break even and having managerial stability seems to be working. I think the Sheikh and the board room at Manchester City could learn a few things from Chelski.