November 14, 2003

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was forced to shelve his bid for Valencia defender Roberto Ayala after protests by the club's players.

Marca says Abramovich was all ready to match Valencia's asking price for the Argentina international until his interest was made public.

Upon reading press reports of Chelsea's move for Ayala, Blues players made their protests known to club officials and Abramovich.

A source close to the Russian billionaire told Marca: "The players feel there is no necessity to buy anybody because the team is working well.

"John Terry said this to his (Abramovich's) face. They do not understand the reasoning behind signing a 30 year-old player midway through the season."

The source also said: "At this time there won't be any new players arriving in January. We do not want to affect the team spirit that has been generated."

Its understood manager Claudio Ranieri agrees the with the players' stand, as he is also concerned a spate of new signings could affect morale within the squad

And rightly so, they have enough god damn players they were lucky to get because a billionaire took over. They should be happy with what they currently have.

(Y)

they're on a roll. everything looks high and mighty as far as chelsea goes. team morale and spirit is extremely important. kudos to the players for bringing roman back to earth.

(Y) John Terry. His only had that arm band for a few games since Marcel hasn't been playing, but isn't he acting like a seasoned captain?


Also soccerbest, could you post the links please? :) Or the source of the articiles.

rob: meet your future captain, john terry.

good player, he is. give him the #5 shirt, already.

Numbers in the end mean nothing Jedi, but John Terry is a class player and I don't think Marcel will be starting as much games with Bridge, Gallas, Terry, and Johnson all hitting form and getting pretty used to each other.

Side for the future (H)

of course numbers don't mean anything. but don't you think that #5 shirt is just waiting for him? (not trying to get all superficial with numbers and all that. just saying)

I don't see why we should change what is working :p

DUH!!! :ewan: what if roman leaves chelsea...hmmm..:confused:

Originally posted by soccerbest
November 14, 2003

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was forced to shelve his bid for Valencia defender Roberto Ayala after protests by the club's players.

Marca says Abramovich was all ready to match Valencia's asking price for the Argentina international until his interest was made public.

Upon reading press reports of Chelsea's move for Ayala, Blues players made their protests known to club officials and Abramovich.

A source close to the Russian billionaire told Marca: "The players feel there is no necessity to buy anybody because the team is working well.

"John Terry said this to his (Abramovich's) face. They do not understand the reasoning behind signing a 30 year-old player midway through the season."

The source also said: "At this time there won't be any new players arriving in January. We do not want to affect the team spirit that has been generated."

Its understood manager Claudio Ranieri agrees the with the players' stand, as he is also concerned a spate of new signings could affect morale within the squad

Problems already?. :rockman:

Roman won't be scared to chuck them out and buy a new batch. (H)

Originally posted by Fernandez
DUH!!! :ewan: what if roman leaves chelsea...hmmm..:confused: lol, Man United Fans. :rolleyes:

applaud the move..very good sense indeed

Thats good for Chelsea and even better that Roman listen to them

We are a civilized mob :)

We don't throw boots at each other.

I guess you are if you call throwing money around civilised :crazyboy:

uhuh...
As opposed to throwing ourselves around in the Pen Box. :evil:

Good move in terms of keeping the spirit within the camp however, I don't think Ayala would have been a bad capture. Everyone knows player for player Chelsea have the best defence in the Premiership but against Arsenal they started with Huth and Melchiot which wouldn't have pleased Claudio Ranieri.

rite:hump:

Originally posted by Rob
uhuh...
As opposed to throwing ourselves around in the Pen Box. :evil:

:funny:

Anyways, its good to hear. The squad is showing confidence.

It had to happen someday the players get unhappy. But if Ranieri agrees with them he'll soon be unemployed:(

Ayala is already 30 years old?? I thought he was still in his middle 20's :o IMO Chelsea definately don't need him....