Chelsea Transfer Analysis Under Abramovich

Summer 2003

The new owner made a huge splash at the start of his tenure, and the outlay in that initial summer has never been matched again. The contrast between this and Claudio Ranieri's shoestring budget from the preceding summer was nothing short of breathtaking.

Biggest signing: Duff (£17m)

Best signing: Makelele (£16.8m)

Other arrivals: Crespo (£16.8m), Mutu (£15.8m), Veron (£15m), Bridge (£7m + Le Saux), Geremi (£7m), Joe Cole (£6.6m), Johnson (£6m), Smertin (£3.5m)

Total spend £111.5m (plus January arrival Parker (£10m))

Summer 2004

The arrival of Jose Mourinho as coach saw the arrival of a pair from his Champions League-winning squad at Porto, Marseille's Didier Drogba (who had impressed the coach when playing against Porto) and goalkeeper Petr Cech, who together with John Terry and Frank Lampard, complete the spine of today's side.

Biggest signing: Drogba (£24m)

Best signing : Cech (£7m)

Other arrivals : Carvalho (£20m), Ferreira (£13.2m), Robben (£12.5m), Tiago (£10m), Kezman (£5m)

Total spend £91.7m (plus January arrival Jarosik (£5m))

Summer 2005

There were two big arrivals in Essien and Wright-Phillips to supplement the title-winning squad, but in general it was the quietest summer since Abramovich's arrival - perhaps reflecting Jose Mourinho's satisfaction with his group.

Biggest/best signing: Essien (£24.4m)

Other arrivals : Wright-Phillips (£21m), Del Horno (£8m), L Diarra (£1m)

Total spend £54.4m (plus January arrival Maniche (loan))

Summer 2006

Spending was up on the previous summer, mainly due to the record arrival of Andrey Shevchenko, but the Blues started to recoup significant funds from the market for the first time in the Abramovich era. The departures of Eidur Gudjohnsen (£8m), Damien Duff (£5m) and Asier Del Horno (£4.8m) headed the exit list.

Biggest signing: Shevchenko (£30m)

Best signing: Ashley Cole (£5m plus William Gallas)

Other arrivals: Mikel (£16m), Boulahrouz (£9m), Kalou (£8m), Ballack (free), Hilario (free)

Total spend £68m

Summer 2007

A significant change in tack, with only £19m in fees leaving the Stamford Bridge coffers and a quartet of free transfers arriving. The £33m raked in from the sales of Arjen Robben, Lassana Diarra and Glen Johnson gave the Blues a transfer window profit for the first time under Abramovich, though January 2008 saw a substantial spend on Nicolas Anelka and Branislav Ivanovic.

Biggest/best signing : Malouda (£13.5m)

Other signings : Belletti (£5.5m), Pizarro (free), Ben Haim (free), Sidwell (free), Alex (free)

Total spend £19m (plus January arrivals Anelka (£15m), and Ivanovic (£9m))



Summer 2008

The arrival of Luiz Felipe Scolari saw a slight increase in summer spending, with the signings of Portugal internationals Bosingwa and Deco. Again, major funds were generated by the departures of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Tal Ben Haim (both Manchester City), Khalid Boulahrouz (Stuttgart) and Steve Sidwell (Aston Villa).

Biggest/best signing : Bosingwa (£16.2m)

Other signings : Deco (£8m), Mineiro (free)

Total spend £24.2m (plus January arrival Quaresma - on loan from Inter)




Summer 2009

Carlo Ancelotti's arrival heralded a quiet summer, with the new coach opting for the sort of stability that had characterised his spell in charge of Milan. Ancelotti had an eye on the future, with the arrival of Russian international Yury Zhirkov supplemented by the arrival of three young prospects.

Biggest/best signing : Zhirkov (£18m)

Other signings : Sturridge (£3.5m), Matic (£1.5m), Turnbull (free)

Total spend £23m

Courtesy :: Goal.com

Chelsea conquered Old Trafford and claim the top of the Table

         Chelsea overpowered Manchester United in the much awaited "Clash of the Titans " to claim the first spot in Premier League table once again. If the things go smoothly from here onwards , The Blues may bring the Cup back to Stamford.

Drogba only emerged as a late substitute after being left on the bench in favour of Nicolas Anelka, but his priceless strike was a moment of triumph for coach Carlo Ancelotti and perfect reward for his bold tactical move.
Joe Cole's clever flick gave Chelsea a well-merited lead after 20 minutes as Sir Alex Ferguson's champions struggled for creativity with injured inspiration Wayne Rooney watching in frustration from the sidelines.
Drogba's goal looked to have sealed Chelsea's win, but Federico Macheda's scrambled effort - which also had a hint of handball - set up a grandstand finish in which Rooney's replacement Dimitar Berbatov wasted a glorious chance to equalise.
Chelsea, who had the game's outstanding performer in Florent Malouda, have produced the perfect response to their Champions League exit against Inter Milan and a tame draw at Blackburn. Twelve goals against Portsmouth and Aston Villa provided the platform and confidence for what could prove to be a pivotal victory.
United looked jaded after their midweek exertions in the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich and they will rightly be furious at the manner of Drogba's debatable goal, but Chelsea were the more impressive team for long periods and have been swiftly reinstalled as title favourites.
Ancelotti created a stir with his starting line-up by keeping Drogba on the bench and retaining the team that thrashed Aston Villa 7-1. He saw his faith reap rich dividends as Chelsea dominated the first 45 minutes.
Chelsea were the sharper team in the early exchanges and it was no surprise when they took the lead with a goal that typified their approach.
Malouda, a player transformed from the struggles at the start of his Chelsea career, drove deep into United's penalty area and his low cross was cleverly flicked past Edwin van der Sar by Cole.
United, with Berbatov isolated, were left frustrated and this was illustrated by Paul Scholes, who was lucky to still be on the pitch after escaping with a late tackle from behind on Deco before being booked for a foul on Malouda.
Referee Mike Dean, at the centre of controversy after wrongly awarding Blackburn a penalty at Burnley last Sunday, was in the spotlight again as he waved away spot-kick appeals from both sides.
United felt Ji-Sung Park had been fouled by Yuri Zhirkov, while Chelsea believed Anelka had been bundled over by Gary Neville. Dean ignored the appeals, and, in his defence, both incidents were inconclusive.
Chelsea were inches away from a second goal shortly after the interval when Cole's perfectly weighted pass played in Paulo Ferreira, but the defender was indecisive in an attacking position and his half-hit effort rolled inches wide.
United finally managed to build momentum as the hour approached, and Berbatov stretched to direct Ryan Giggs' cross just off target.

Ancelotti responded by shuffling his resources in attack with 20 minutes left, replacing Anelka with Drogba, who was being watched from the stands by new Ivory Coast coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.
And he demonstrated what he is all about within 10 minutes of entering the action, albeit in controversial circumstances. He raced on to Salomon Kalou's pass and buried a finish past Van der Sar, but he was at least a yard offside when he received the pass.

If Chelsea thought this would pave the way to a comfortable conclusion, they were thinking again inside two minutes as Macheda pulled a goal back for United. He bundled a finish over the line after Petr Cech half-cleared from Nani, although there was a suggestion of handball from the Italian.
In a predictably hectic finale, Berbatov should have levelled for United, only to volley Neville's cross straight at Cech.
It was the final act of the drama - and the Chelsea celebrations illustrated the significance of these three points.

Chelsea 4 - 1 West Ham

Dominant Chelsea thrashed relegation-threatened West Ham to return to the Premier League summit.
Florent Malouda crossed for Alex to open the scoring for Chelsea with a powerful header from six yards.
The Hammers hit back through Scott Parker who scored with a vicious half-volley from outside the area.
But Didier Drogba headed home a Malouda cross to regain the lead, before Malouda coolly slotted a third and Drogba tapped in a late fourth.
From the start, West Ham defended deep against title-chasing Chelsea - perhaps unsurprisingly considering they started the day only three points outside of the bottom three, yet it was the Hammers who had the first chance to take the lead.
Jonathan Spector outmuscled Paulo Ferreira on the byeline and the loose ball fell to Mido who squared to Ilan, unmarked on the edge of the six yard box, but the Brazilian hammered his effort over the bar.
Chelsea might have seen their formidable Stamford Bridge record dented by a loss to Manchester City in their previous league match, but they were in no mood for a second setback and took the lead just two minutes after Ilan's miss.
Malouda, in space on the left, produced an inch-perfect cross which defender Alex powered past Robert Green to open the scoring.
Carlo Ancelotti's side almost made it 2-0 moments later courtesy of another cross from the lively Malouda, but the ball clipped the bar after taking a deflection off Matthew Upson's thigh.

Ancelotti praises 'improving' Chelsea

But if Chelsea thought the game would go all their way they were mistaken as Gianfranco Zola's well organised side harried and their tenacity was rewarded when Parker struck in spectacular style.
Kieron Dyer's throw in, which television replays suggested was a foul throw, was flicked on by Jon Mikel Obi and bounced kindly for Parker.
The former Chelsea man, who left Stamford Bridge for Newcastle in 2005, took one touch before launching a looping right-footed half-volley beyond Turnbull and into the top right corner - for the midfielder's first goal of the season.
That was to be as good as it got for West Ham who, despite no lack of effort, were overpowered by Chelsea.
The main source of danger for the home side was France winger Malouda, who continued to torment Spector, but Chelsea's second goal owed more to a piece of John Terry-inspired attacking play.

Second Chelsea goal was cruicial - Zola

The former England skipper dribbled the ball into West Ham's half before finding Drogba who slipped the ball out to Malouda, the winger returning the compliment with a perfect cross for Drogba to score.
As Chelsea threatened to add another, Green, playing his 116th successive league game, at least had the opportunity to impress watching England boss Fabio Capello.
And Green did exactly that when another Chelsea cross found Alex who saw the England goalkeeper palm the ball around the post at full stretch.
Malouda finally added the goal his endeavour deserved when Drogba controlled a long ball and laid it off to the winger, who coolly passed his finish beyond Green.
Frank Lampard hit the post from Malouda's cross as Chelsea threatened to give the score a slightly unfair edge but West Ham could not hold out for long.
After finding space Lampard struck another fierce effort, this time spilled by Green, and Drogba was perfectly placed to score his 27th goal of the season.
Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti:
"I think Malouda was the best player in this game.
"He was always giving us ideas on the left hand side, putting in crosses and when he scored that was a good moment.
"We maintained a good balance in the second half. We had a bit of a problem but we are improving and are confident for Tuesday [against Inter Milan]."
On goalkeeper Ross Turnbull, Ancelotti added:
"He did well, he played with confidence and good personality and he is a good goalkeeper.
"I think he will be in goal on Tuesday, we have confidence in Turnbull."
West Ham manager Gianfranco Zola:
"It was very good for 65 minutes but as soon as we conceded the second goal it was too hard for us.
"I saw the boys go flat because they had used so much energy trying to contain them.
"It is vital that you keep it on the positive side. That doesn't mean you turn your back on the problems, we will be dealing with those in the week.
"The attitude that we put forward against team like Chelsea can make the difference when we play against teams around us.
"I am not going to give up anything. We have another tough game against Arsenal next week and I'm not going to go there already beaten."