Slipperduke
The Camden Cad
Who would you rather be this summer? Multi-billionaire owner of Chelsea, Roman Abramovich or reasonably wealthy owner of Everton, Bill Kenwright. Think carefully before you choose, there's more to this than meets the eye.
Kenwright may have left Wembley empty-handed on Saturday night, but at least his future seems relatively calm. After showing faith in the initially inconsistent performances of his manager, he now has one of the most stable football clubs in the country. David Moyes flirted with relegation in his second full season in charge, but Kenwright wasn't concerned. He knew that sometimes you have to take a quick step backwards in order to make a great leap forwards. His faith was rewarded with a top four finish the next season. Now Everton are strong and organised with a string of youngsters breaking into the first team. They may not have the resources to compete on a level playing field with the cash-bloated members of the big four, but that won't stop them trying. The future is bright.
Abramovich, by comparison, is still to decide upon the identity of his fifth manager in under two years. Whoever takes over will have to contend with an ageing squad of players who have seen it all, done it all and bought shares in the t-shirt factory. The only manager they have truly respected since the departure of Jose Mourinho was the outgoing interim boss Guus Hiddink, who they have publicly begged to stay. Whoever the new manager is, he has some very big shoes to fill and he will have to work under the knowledge that even second place has not been enough to save his predecessors. To make matters worse, he will have to introduce some fresh blood to the squad to replace the old and the weary. Of their starting eleven at Wembley, just two players were signed after Mourinho's departure. How long can they continue with his team? Ricardo Carvalho's struggles for fitness have been as concerning as Michael Ballack's increasingly casual attempts to dictate the play and Didier Drogba's self-defeating fragility.
Chelsea's youth policy has been so shambolic that, unlike Everton, they haven't got a next generation to call upon.No-one knows if the youngsters are good enough because, with the exception of Michael Mancienne, no-one has been given a chance to prove themselves. That means a trip to the transfer market where prices are higher than ever. Given that Chelsea haven't come close to making a profit since Abramovich's first day, it will require an injection of cash similar to the crazy summer spending spree of 2003. Back then, the Russian oligarch was very clear that he would invest heavilly, put a structure into place that would generate profit and then allow the club to run itself. It hasn't happened like that, has it?
So think again about whose seat you'd rather be sat in this summer. Everton have, like last season, enjoyed a fine campaign with their excellent manager and there's nothing to suggest that next season will be any different. Chelsea, for the second summer in a row, have no manager and no clear direction. They will have to spend big just to stand still. All in all, I'd rather spend my summer on the blue half of Merseyside.
Kenwright may have left Wembley empty-handed on Saturday night, but at least his future seems relatively calm. After showing faith in the initially inconsistent performances of his manager, he now has one of the most stable football clubs in the country. David Moyes flirted with relegation in his second full season in charge, but Kenwright wasn't concerned. He knew that sometimes you have to take a quick step backwards in order to make a great leap forwards. His faith was rewarded with a top four finish the next season. Now Everton are strong and organised with a string of youngsters breaking into the first team. They may not have the resources to compete on a level playing field with the cash-bloated members of the big four, but that won't stop them trying. The future is bright.
Abramovich, by comparison, is still to decide upon the identity of his fifth manager in under two years. Whoever takes over will have to contend with an ageing squad of players who have seen it all, done it all and bought shares in the t-shirt factory. The only manager they have truly respected since the departure of Jose Mourinho was the outgoing interim boss Guus Hiddink, who they have publicly begged to stay. Whoever the new manager is, he has some very big shoes to fill and he will have to work under the knowledge that even second place has not been enough to save his predecessors. To make matters worse, he will have to introduce some fresh blood to the squad to replace the old and the weary. Of their starting eleven at Wembley, just two players were signed after Mourinho's departure. How long can they continue with his team? Ricardo Carvalho's struggles for fitness have been as concerning as Michael Ballack's increasingly casual attempts to dictate the play and Didier Drogba's self-defeating fragility.
Chelsea's youth policy has been so shambolic that, unlike Everton, they haven't got a next generation to call upon.No-one knows if the youngsters are good enough because, with the exception of Michael Mancienne, no-one has been given a chance to prove themselves. That means a trip to the transfer market where prices are higher than ever. Given that Chelsea haven't come close to making a profit since Abramovich's first day, it will require an injection of cash similar to the crazy summer spending spree of 2003. Back then, the Russian oligarch was very clear that he would invest heavilly, put a structure into place that would generate profit and then allow the club to run itself. It hasn't happened like that, has it?
So think again about whose seat you'd rather be sat in this summer. Everton have, like last season, enjoyed a fine campaign with their excellent manager and there's nothing to suggest that next season will be any different. Chelsea, for the second summer in a row, have no manager and no clear direction. They will have to spend big just to stand still. All in all, I'd rather spend my summer on the blue half of Merseyside.