ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has authorised an astonishing £80million move for Lionel Messi.
Chelsea's move for the Barcelona maestro would shatter the world transfer record of £46.5m that took Zinedine Zidane to Real Madrid in 2001 and send shock waves through the football world. The Spanish giants are desperate to keep Messi but have been stunned by news Abramovich wants the Argentine so badly. And with almost £100m on the table, the Barca hierarchy are split on the decision to sell.
It's a massive statement of intent from Chelsea's billionaire owner who, even before Messi's superb individual performances against Manchester United in the Champions League, had identified him as the kind of player to bring fantasy football to Stamford Bridge.
Abramovich has made it clear to Avram Grant the style of Chelsea's football MUST change. He has tolerated what's been on offer since the sacking of Jose Mourinho because he accepts that it takes time to change. A source close to the proposed deal said: "Roman is convinced Messi could change the whole face of Chelsea and is willing to spend what it takes to get him.
"He has always wanted that type of player. Under Jose Mourinho he accepted the football because it was bringing in the trophies but he got bored. Grant wants to change things but has explained it takes time and a lot of money to alter the style.
"Now is the time for Roman to finance that change. Chelsea are attractive because of the wages on offer and they are in the Champions League Final." Abramovich is also considering making other changes. Grant's position will be discussed after the Final while Frank Arnesen's position is under threat.
Arnesen, whose job title is chief scout and director of youth development, was brought in to oversee the identification and coaching of young talent but Blues chiefs have been disappointed with the calibre of player coming through the ranks.
Championship Manager 08/09 ?
If this works out, Chelsea may just become the club with the largest fanbase.
if chelsea wants to really change the style of playing, they really need to change many of its squad.
madness! messi is usually a 1/2 season player.. with 80mil u can so buy so many others good exicitng players also!!! wth...
i hope its not another shevcheko...pls
Originally posted by I_love_my_toilet:Championship Manager 08/09 ?
that roman is playing real life fm!
Originally posted by Agenda:If this works out, Chelsea may just become the club with the largest fanbase.
You think one Messi alone can make them a club with the largest fan base meh... It will take more than this... History is very important to a club... Look at Liverpool, never win any EPL but still the top two supported clubs in England... Perhaps it will take another 20 yrs like what Pool has done in their last 20 yrs... I think today they are getting the support for their earlier good work...
to remember i spend 109mil to release messi from barca in my fifa 08 manager
Aiyah so what. They get Lionel Lewis better lah.
Let's just request for £0.1 million for ourselves ba. Can a not ah?
wtf, that russian siao si bo.
knn, crazy fellow
Originally posted by eagle:Let's just request for £0.1 million for ourselves ba. Can a not ah?
u must have talent in kicking a ball then he will come look 4 u
Originally posted by zocoss:
You think one Messi alone can make them a club with the largest fan base meh... It will take more than this... History is very important to a club... Look at Liverpool, never win any EPL but still the top two supported clubs in England... Perhaps it will take another 20 yrs like what Pool has done in their last 20 yrs... I think today they are getting the support for their earlier good work...
Yea true, but nowadays history doesn't matter to anyone anymore. So many people are not putting what Liverpool has won into mind anymore. They think very little of it.
Originally posted by Agenda:
Yea true, but nowadays history doesn't matter to anyone anymore. So many people are not putting what Liverpool has won into mind anymore. They think very little of it.
unless you are not a Pool's fan, I recalled pools fans wearing the jersey like "Istanbtul 5" to remind the world that they are the most successful in terms of UCL in EPL.History makes the club not the money. And of course, Pool's fans got nothing else to shout about.
As for Messi, it is all down to the manager. So what if U got messi, Chelsea used to have Robben, Duff who plays almost similiar but still they got kicked out.
i thot i saw 80mil for lionel lewis
Originally posted by pigsticker:i thot i saw 80mil for lionel lewis
you tickle my funny bones...
80 million rupiah??
Originally posted by pigsticker:i thot i saw 80mil for lionel lewis
that one 80 dollar can oredy la
from home united to geylang united
wa lao he think foottball is like playing share ah? buy sell buy sell ...= =
What is $80m to him... People like Roman got too much money... They only want to buy respect...
messi indeed is a 1/2 season player. showing bit parts brillance occassionally.
i guess it make the work of arnsen and peter kenyon clash. one try to find the players which roman crave, while the other try harder to balance the books.
i still think , messi will make chelsea weaker.
Originally posted by zocoss:What is $80m to him... People like Roman got too much money... They only want to buy respect...
but unless he changes chelsea's way of spending on the transfer market, he probably can't get the respect he craves...
wa knn...go any club but chelsea !
This roman have no business acumen when it comes to buying players . Spending 80 million pounds on a 1/2 season player is crazy . Furthermore this is EPL , where the players are more physical . He may just end up hanging his leg in the hospital .