Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck says the club would still be a force without the backing of Roman Abramovich.
The 42-year-old's vast spending potential inspired the Blues to back-to-back Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006 and end a 50-year wait for the top-flight title.
While he has brought success to Chelsea there has been an underlying fear that the club's finances rely too heavily on Abramovich remaining.
The club's losses have been reduced in recent times and Buck said that while Abramovich was going nowhere, Chelsea could withstand his departure.
"I think we'd be in a reasonably good state (if Abramovich left)," he told BBC Radio Five Live.
"To be perfectly honest as directors we have a responsibility under the Companies Act and we have a responsibility when we deal with the orders at the end of the year.
"We are comfortable - the directors of Chelsea Football Club are comfortable - that Mr Abramovich is here for the long haul.
"Every year we're required to look at that; we're comfortable and we don't see that as an issue at all."
hmmm.. sounds like they're getting ready when Abramovich decides that Championship Manager (Real Life Edition) bores him
to be honest, without roman buying the club in 2003.. chelsea might be in deep shit and probarly in joing leeds in championship league 1.
i really thanks God for roman to step in and pump lots of $$ into chelsea.
but then again, due to chelsea reputation now, even if roman want to leave, i am very sure its buyer can be at least 2X ricer then roman.
thing is, in the long run, is it good for the team?
would Abramovich leave and the club ends up with a whole lot of debt?
or would someone else come in, pay 2x what he paid and finance the takeover with debt like what happened to a couple of other clubs?
i think the only club now with a really healthy balance sheet is Arsenal... and i think it's due to Wenger's economics background which is pushing that
Originally posted by the Bear:thing is, in the long run, is it good for the team?
would Abramovich leave and the club ends up with a whole lot of debt?
or would someone else come in, pay 2x what he paid and finance the takeover with debt like what happened to a couple of other clubs?
i think the only club now with a really healthy balance sheet is Arsenal... and i think it's due to Wenger's economics background which is pushing that
compare to big 4.
Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool in order from richest to poorer
as roman already "gift" chelsea a 50% discount for the money he loan to them which mean is around 300m
while arsenal still have the burden of the new stadium
man utd well, won't get affected much due to owners backing
Liverpool... well they are just in a pool of shit.
i think the one that can be richer than big 4 is probarbly tottenham/man city
Sure they can survive.
But can they compete?
Look at their team.
Lampard, Ballack, Terry, Drogba, the crux of their team are all in their 30's.
Now if Man City does qualify for the champions league, the situation would be even more complicated because Chelsea would have to pay top dollar to attract talent.
Chelsea has tried for so many years to establish their brand in Asia but after so many years it is still dominated by Liverpool and Man Utd.
Originally posted by Alpha Omega:Sure they can survive.
But can they compete?
Look at their team.
Lampard, Ballack, Terry, Drogba, the crux of their team are all in their 30's.
Now if Man City does qualify for the champions league, the situation would be even more complicated because Chelsea would have to pay top dollar to attract talent.
Chelsea has tried for so many years to establish their brand in Asia but after so many years it is still dominated by Liverpool and Man Utd.
halo..
liverpool and man utd is in top flight for how many bloody freaking years?
chelsea how many years nia?
so what lampard, terry ballack, drogba, are in their 30's? look at how drogba dismental liverpool...
even now they are for tittle. so what if they are in 30's? with mr carlo. the SENIOR mangenment expert, i find no problem.
they just need to look into a pool of young player chelsea have now, like borini, sam, di santo, scott sinclair and my fav stoch. they are future stats, and of cos the black "zidane". no worries.
chelsea, as they are now, look in good shape to take the title. they dont need anyone else to add to their massive squad. this squad was built by Roman's money. In fact, they still need Roman to pay the salaries of the current players but apart from that, no need him at all