Two different models of financing a football club meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday lunchtime for the clash between Chelsea and Arsenal. Alongside Manchester City, Chelsea are the ultimate example of the benefactor club, but the question with such clubs is always whether the money is spent as wisely at it could be.
Two different models of financing a football club meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday lunchtime for the clash between Chelsea and Arsenal. Alongside Manchester City, Chelsea are the ultimate example of the benefactor club, but the question with such clubs is always whether the money is spent as wisely at it could be. Roman Abramovich is known for involving himself in decisions about the team, reflected in the rapid turnover of managers.
There is a lot at stake beyond pride for the two teams in this game. It is bound to be tightly contested and bwin football have Chelsea at 1.8 for the win while Arsenal are at 4.25, fair odds considering Arsenal’s goalscoring struggles this season.
Arsenal have stuck to a model of prudent funding, although in part that was imposed on them by the cost of moving to the Emirates. They have been waiting for financial fair play to be discovered at the end of the rainbow, but have started to realise that the promised prize may turn out to be largely illusory. Hence, they have lined up with other clubs that generate their own cash piles in the ‘gang of four’ which is pressing for a robust domestic version of financial fair play as an insurance policy.
Neither group of fans is particularly happy at the moment, although Chelsea fans are probably more discontented. Their chances of a title push seem to be over and they are out of the Champions League. Indifferent results have done nothing to endear Rafa Benitez to the fans and the intention to send Frank Lampard on his way has also upset them.
Arsenal fans are engaged in the never ending search for a trophy, although at least they are still in the FA Cup. They also have to make sure that they qualify for the Champions League this season where they have been ever present but have never grasped the glittering prize. A hundred year old supporter was interviewed in the press this week and remembered the glory days between the wars when it justifiably be claimed that they were the top club in Europe. He thought that those days would never return.