Which is why Roman astutely severed his Russian business interests over a year ago. His only Russian interests are in oil, and that has seen his fortune increase dramitically lately. It's those Russian billionaires who didn't see this coming that have been hit the hardest. Roman's fortune has been left relatively untouched.
Asked about his financial involvement with Chelsea this week, an Abromovich spokesperson said, "Chelsea for Roman is a hobby and a leisure interest ... It is not a business investment. The sums that Mr Abramovich has given to the club far exceed any return that could possibly be expected". That's nice to know.
He gets a mention in all this of course because he happens to be the most famous of the oligarch's. He just happens to be smarter than most.
The cuts to our scouting department is a much needed trimming down of our massive outlay to these people, many of whom have been sitting on their fat arses doing nothing, but still raking in the money. Most were sacked because of under-performance, rather than a desperate measure to save money as the media would have people believe.
Add that to the fact that our Academy is now bursting at the seams with young talent for the future, and it is even clearer why we no longer need scouts in almost every country in the World.
Kenyon has stated that Chelsea are concentrating more inside countries that have proven to be the most fruitful as regards young talent, and as for those countries that Chelsea are pulling out of, Chelsea still have many people who work inside football in those areas, who will give the nod to the club if any player out there might be worth looking at. If that happens then the agent will be paid a commission, rather than on a regular salary.
Sounds sensible to me.
Ashley is out for a week with a tear in his calf muscle. He will miss the Blackburn game and the Roma match too. We have Bridgey so that will not be a problem at all. Any doubts anymore about which club benefitted more from the Cole/Gallas swap? I don't think so.
A couple of things that made me laugh over the week-end. Wenger said that his tactic to counter Stoke's Rory Delap's long throws, was to play TALLER defenders. Thats it. Thats all there is. I just found that a very funny thing, for a reputedly "top" manager to say. Especially when you see how his one and only tactic blew up in his face. Unbelievable.
Then Rafa came out and said that he is surprised that Chelsea have scored so many goals so far this season, because he has never rated any of our attacking options. What a dumb thing to say from the twat who bought Robbie Keane.
He also added that Harry Redknapp should be EMBARRASSED to win a game that Liverpool dominated so much. Yeah I guess beating Liverpool 2-1 would make you feel embarrassed wouldn't it Rafa.
Lets not forget that Lamps clocked up his 100th league goal this wek end, and Chelsea scored their 1000th goal in the EPL. Well done to Frank. A player to be proud of.