ANALYSISBy Wayne Veysey | Chief correspondent
If Carlo Ancelotti and Roman Abramovich had a remote control that could erase the last six months, they would be jabbing at it like men possessed. In November, Chelsea appeared to be romping away with the Premier League title - now their ambitions rest on securing a Champions League place.
It is a horrific crash landing from the dizzy heights of last year’s domestic double and the majesty of early autumn.
Assessment will now begin in earnest at Stamford Bridge and on a Monaco-moored super yacht on how Chelsea can ensure that one pot-less season is only a blip rather than the start of a Liverpool-style trend.
The January transfer window intervention of Abramovich did not have the desired effect, even if David Luiz has fitted in to his new surroundings as smoothly as Fernando Torres has not.
The football world is preparing for another blue assault on the transfer market this summer, with Abramovich ready to sanction further eye-catching additions to a squad in the face of the threat posed by Manchester City’s financial muscle, combined with the challenges of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and an improving Liverpool.
Yet it is not just the entrance door that could swing off its hinges. Chelsea reported a £70.9 million loss on a turnover of £205.8m for the year ending June 2010 and are a long way off meeting Uefa’s financial fair play regulations, which will be phased in from this summer.
The club will need to secure improved commercial deals, and possibly a new stadium too, to enter the next window with gusto and come close to breaking even, as the new rules dictate.
Roman's empire | Abramovich is preparing for a summer of big spending at ChelseaThere is likely to be the biggest shake-up of the Chelsea squad since Abramovich pitched his tent in west London in 2003 and spent £120m in the space of a few weeks on the likes of Damien Duff, Hernan Crespo, Adrian Mutu, Juan Veron, Joe Cole, Geremi, Glen Johnson, Scott Parker and Wayne Bridge.
There is also the question of Ancelotti’s employment beyond the end of May. Few expect him to be doing anything other than returning to Serie A in the summer, with newly rich Roma his most likely port of call.
When Abramovich and his chief lieutenants scroll down Chelsea’s first-team squad, they will view only the hard core of first-teamers as untouchable.
Thirty-somethings John Terry, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole are still regarded as bulletproof, while the team of the future will be built around Petr Cech, Ramires, Branislav Ivanovic and Luiz. Despite some mischievous rumours, hope will be placed in a system and coaching set-up that can wring the best out of the forlorn Torres. In any case who, given the Spaniard’s current state, would be prepared to pay even two-thirds of his £50m January fee? Yossi Benayoun and Alex are deserving of further opportunities while there will be hope that the academy graduates such as Josh McEachran, Patrick van Aanholt and Gael Kakuta can repay the faith that has been invested in them. Daniel Sturridge is sure to be welcomed back from his goal-studded loan spell at Bolton Wanderers with open arms.
There will be question marks pencilled alongside the other names. The exodus is set to be led by a string of high profile players.
Didier Drogba is no longer the cast-iron first-team starter of recent years and his unhappiness at his reduced status is well known at Stamford Bridge. Like Drogba, attacking ally Nicolas Anelka only has a year remaining on his contract although the Frenchman is a more versatile player and less high maintenance than in his stroppy youth.
The biggest name departure, given his age, could be Michael Essien, 28, whose performances have dipped alarmingly this season. There must also be doubts about the futures of John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou, both of whom have been overlooked in the marquee games of the last few months.
Right-backs Paulo Ferreira and Jose Bosingwa are likely departures, while the club will also listen to offers for Yuri Zhirkov, who has been forced to find a niche in midfield because of Cole’s excellence at left-back.
Chelsea’s outgoing sporting director Frank Arnesen has been busy scouting reinforcements as Abramovich has made clear that the mistakes made last summer, when five senior players were allowed to depart and the onus placed on youngsters to fill the void, will not be repeated.
Arnesen has been quoted as saying Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel is “on our No.1 list”, although Chelsea will face strong competition from Manchester City. Talks have opened with ‘the new Drogba’ – Anderlecht’s 17-year-old Romelu Lukaku – and Santos playmaker Neymar. His fellow Brazilian Kaka, who has fallen down the pecking order at Real Madrid, has also been discussed at the top of the club as Abramovich seeks to bring greater guile to the attack.
Other targets include a capable back-up goalkeeper – Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic is believed to have been discussed – and a midfield anchorman who can carry water in the manner of modern-day ‘don’ Claude Makelele. Nigel de Jong is one player that is being considered.
The Chelsea hierarchy are aware that doing nothing is not an option. Prepare for a summer of upheaval at the Bridge.
If Carlo Ancelotti and Roman Abramovich had a remote control that could erase the last six months, they would be jabbing at it like men possessed. In November, Chelsea appeared to be romping away with the Premier League title - now their ambitions rest on securing a Champions League place.
It is a horrific crash landing from the dizzy heights of last year’s domestic double and the majesty of early autumn.
Assessment will now begin in earnest at Stamford Bridge and on a Monaco-moored super yacht on how Chelsea can ensure that one pot-less season is only a blip rather than the start of a Liverpool-style trend.
The January transfer window intervention of Abramovich did not have the desired effect, even if David Luiz has fitted in to his new surroundings as smoothly as Fernando Torres has not.
The football world is preparing for another blue assault on the transfer market this summer, with Abramovich ready to sanction further eye-catching additions to a squad in the face of the threat posed by Manchester City’s financial muscle, combined with the challenges of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and an improving Liverpool.
Yet it is not just the entrance door that could swing off its hinges. Chelsea reported a £70.9 million loss on a turnover of £205.8m for the year ending June 2010 and are a long way off meeting Uefa’s financial fair play regulations, which will be phased in from this summer.
The club will need to secure improved commercial deals, and possibly a new stadium too, to enter the next window with gusto and come close to breaking even, as the new rules dictate.
Roman's empire | Abramovich is preparing for a summer of big spending at Chelsea
There is also the question of Ancelotti’s employment beyond the end of May. Few expect him to be doing anything other than returning to Serie A in the summer, with newly rich Roma his most likely port of call.
When Abramovich and his chief lieutenants scroll down Chelsea’s first-team squad, they will view only the hard core of first-teamers as untouchable.
| POSSIBLE INS AND OUTS AT STAMFORD BRIDGE | |
| STRIKERS | |
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| MIDFIELD | |
|    |
|   |
| DEFENCE | |
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|  |
| GOALKEEPER | |
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There will be question marks pencilled alongside the other names. The exodus is set to be led by a string of high profile players.
Didier Drogba is no longer the cast-iron first-team starter of recent years and his unhappiness at his reduced status is well known at Stamford Bridge. Like Drogba, attacking ally Nicolas Anelka only has a year remaining on his contract although the Frenchman is a more versatile player and less high maintenance than in his stroppy youth.
The biggest name departure, given his age, could be Michael Essien, 28, whose performances have dipped alarmingly this season. There must also be doubts about the futures of John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou, both of whom have been overlooked in the marquee games of the last few months.
Right-backs Paulo Ferreira and Jose Bosingwa are likely departures, while the club will also listen to offers for Yuri Zhirkov, who has been forced to find a niche in midfield because of Cole’s excellence at left-back.
Chelsea’s outgoing sporting director Frank Arnesen has been busy scouting reinforcements as Abramovich has made clear that the mistakes made last summer, when five senior players were allowed to depart and the onus placed on youngsters to fill the void, will not be repeated.
Arnesen has been quoted as saying Ajax right-back Gregory van der Wiel is “on our No.1 list”, although Chelsea will face strong competition from Manchester City. Talks have opened with ‘the new Drogba’ – Anderlecht’s 17-year-old Romelu Lukaku – and Santos playmaker Neymar. His fellow Brazilian Kaka, who has fallen down the pecking order at Real Madrid, has also been discussed at the top of the club as Abramovich seeks to bring greater guile to the attack.
Other targets include a capable back-up goalkeeper – Stoke City’s Asmir Begovic is believed to have been discussed – and a midfield anchorman who can carry water in the manner of modern-day ‘don’ Claude Makelele. Nigel de Jong is one player that is being considered.
The Chelsea hierarchy are aware that doing nothing is not an option. Prepare for a summer of upheaval at the Bridge.
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