Chelsea for more spending?
By Michael Lynch
January 15 2004
Claudio Ranieri could spend more money on talent with the club having such a rich chairman in Roman Abramovic and still only 3rd in the table.
Chelsea, backed by Roman Abramovich's millions, proved this week how money counts in football these days talk in soccer by thumping two ailing sides 4-0.
Despite his team's defeat Watford coach Ray Lewington, who may be able to restore pay levels after the players took a voluntary cut, commented: "The chairman's smiling."
Chelsea's next FA Cup opponents are minor league Scarborough for whom the gate receipts they earn from this match will seem amazing for them.
"Financially this is beyond our wildest dreams," Scarborough chairman Malcolm Reynolds said.
Though the Italian coach refuses to confirm or comment on any deals, constant newspaper and internet rumours have inflated the speculative prices of many big names.
British newspapers say Chelsea's interest in Italy striker Christian Vieri has come to an end because of Inter Milan's 21 million wanted fee.They have also linked him with Louis Saha and a lot of others.
"I am already at the station meeting all these players," he joked about the speculation. "Even my mother believes all the newspapers and TV and does not believe her son."
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England Independent(Topsites)