Football Food For Thought / Feizal Rahman / 10 May 2009 /

As Chelsea fall short at the business end of the Champions League once more, Feizal Rahman is thankful that Abramovich's spending spree is proof that quick bucks can improve a team but can't guarantee you the biggest prizes in the sport.

Fittingly, both this year's Champions League finalists are current - and soon to be again - champions of the two strongest leagues in Europe. Arguably the continent's two finest footballing sides also, Barcelona and Manchester United ([1.9] and [2.1] to win competition, respectively) have conveniently given UEFA the dream climax to their blue-riband event.

But where the English finalists superbly executed their own version of operation shock and awe in their semi final, the Spanish representatives were instead left thanking their lucky stars. A 93rd minute away goal was a devastating knockout blow for Chelsea, who had kept the Catalan side largely subdued for 180 minutes of football. Subject to a handful of extremely debatable refereeing decisions, several Blues players were quick to vent their anger at the Norwegian official, Tom Henning Ovrebo, at the final whistle but perhaps their frustration was, subconsciously, aimed more at themselves.

With several chances to kill the game, Chelsea failed to do so and for the sixth year running under the ownership of Roman Abramovich, they fell just short at the business end of the most important club competition of them all. Since pumping his petro-dollars into his expensively assembled squad, Champions League success has agonizingly eluded the Russian oligarch. Twice eliminated by each of Barcelona and Liverpool, and denied by Manchester United in last year's final, some at the club must be wondering just what they have to do to establish themselves within the true elite of Europe.

The Abramovich project was clear - a blank chequebook to monopolise the transfer market and purchase a path to total dominance. But while money can buy you football's biggest names, history - and the trophies that go with it - cannot be bought at any price. Despite indulging themselves in 'financial doping', Chelsea have proven that those who take short cuts don't always cross the line first.

An FA Cup final in three weeks is still Chelsea's for the taking ([1.47] to win) but it's the European Cup that the club covets and for some players, time is fast running out to fulfil that dream. Four key members of the line-up against Barcelona on Wednesday night were aged 30 or older - Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard.

While the latter was an immense presence that covered every blade of grass, the former three severely let their team down - with missed chances from the two strikers and an anonymous performance from the midfielder, leaving some to wonder whether they are all on the downward slope.

Ballack has struggled to make an impact that merits his sizeable salary and it seems he left his once imperious Bayern Munich form at airport customs upon arrival. Often hampering rather than helping midfield partner Lampard, the German national captain's days may be numbered. Anelka, meanwhile, has gone some way to justifying his inclusion with more than 20 goals this season ([4.6] to be top Premier League goalscorer) but doubts still remain over his ability to consistently lead the front line at a club of Chelsea's profile.

Drogba's unsavoury antics at the end of Wednesday's match, however, may be the push that leads to him being shoved out of the club in the summer. Epitomising the Chelsea of recent years, the Ivorian is a love-to-hate figure - a powerful force that ultimately lacks class.
That temporary manager, Guus Hiddink, is insistent on making his stay only a short one, tells a story in itself. The scope for improvement at Chelsea is virtually negligible. Chief scout, Frank Arnesen, was tasked with cornering the world's finest youth players to develop a conveyor belt of fresh talent to bring through to the first team and sit along side big-name stars. Yet, none of these have so far made the grade, so whoever next takes charge of the Stamford Bridge hot seat will once again have to turn to Abramovich with cap in hand.

AC Milan's Carlo Ancelotti is current favourite to take the job at [2.4] to be the next permanent manager. The Italian has taken the Rossoneri to three Champions League finals in the last seven seasons, winning two, so his appeal to Chelsea's power brokers is obvious. Though reportedly undergoing English lessons, it will be yet another culture shock for the Blues players should he arrive and, as the fifth manager in as many years, stability is clearly lacking at Stamford Bridge.

Since the departure of the brilliant Jose Mourinho, the warning signs have been visible. While vultures may hover over the Emirates stadium as Arsenal go trophy-less for a fourth season, the dark clouds of doom are also gathering over SW6. Chelsea's quick financial fix has brought short-term domestic success but also long-term concerns.

If there's one thing that an unexposed Arsenal do have over their London rivals then it's potential. And while that may never be fulfilled, where there is room for development, there is hope. And when there is hope, you are still in the game. For Chelsea, however, their billion-pound game may very nearly be up.

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