
But now, you become the hunted. The scalps of the holders are always treasured and just like the Gunners last season, you are the new targets. It's the same for us in Europe. Everyone wants to knock us out, and everyone wants to knock you off the top. Your major problm is still upfront. Crespo obviously resents not being in Milan and his troubled family life will take his mind off his game. Cole is not as good as Forsell and I'll never understand why you sold him. Drogba was never worth £26m or however much you payed for him. And Gudjohnsson, probably the best of your bunch, looks better as an attacking mid-fielder and not an out and out man. But hey, you've got Lampard, Robben, Duff, Cole, SWP and JT right? Not bad, i'll give you that.
You're also going to find it very hard to aquire players soon. I'm suprised that it is only the French clubs that have adobted the "1 price for Chelsea, 1 price for everyone else" stance. If we had gone for Drogba before you guys, we may well have got him for £15m, and the stance that Lyon are taking with Essien will catch on. For Arsenal it's £21m, for you it's £31m. This will catch on. It did for Real. Look at how much Robinho is going to cost them, £28m, but if it had been Real Zaragoza before anyone else, they may have been talking £10m.
Mourinho's attitude is also a danger. Strong personalities tend to clash and Mourinho, Kenyon and Abramovich do possess these. One fall out and it's bye bye Jose. And FYI, apparently Arnesen isn't that easy to work with. But this sort of thing may not happen for five years.
My biggest concern, and I would be very interested to find out what you think about this, is "what if Roman goes?". Unless you can find another Billionaire to front up the wage bill and everything else that Chelsea has become since his arrival, you may face administration. Of course this is all very hyperthetical, but if you don't continue winning, is Roman really going to hang around? He isn't a "real" fan, he has no emotional attachment, he has no loyalty and he still has CSKA to crawl back to. Not to mention that rumours abound that the KGB (which of course don't exist anymore, yeah right) are after him and all his other oil baron buddies fuel the suspition that his reign at Chelsea will be short lived.
I would like to know if you guys do actually have any real concerns for the fast approaching new season. Good luck, but it's gonna be a tighter finish.