Blackpool boss Ian Holloway insists defending champions Chelsea are not facing a crisis
Blackpool boss Ian Holloway insisted that Chelsea had not been going through a crisis this season, as his side prepares to take on the defending champions on Monday. The Blues travel to Blackpool after a somewhat surprising 2-1 win over league leaders Manchester
United in their previous fixture, which lifted them to the top four in the English Premier League table.
Chelsea have recently just returned to good form, having previously had a very inconsistent season. The Blues started their title defense in style, with big wins. However, they failed to maintain their performance and suffered their worst slump in over 15
years which saw them eliminated from the Carling Cup, the FA Cup and drop out of the top four.
However, Holloway said he believed the Blues had been in good form since 2003, when Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich bought the club. Holloway admitted the Blues had been in crisis before the arrival of Abramovich, he said while speaking to reporters,
“I think they were in a crisis a few years ago - and then they were sold and I don't think they have ever been in a crisis since.”
The various managers at Chelsea have always had money at their disposal and have used it to bring in whatever player they have wanted. That was especially true when Jose Mourinho was in charge at Stamford Bridge and now with Ancelotti. The Italian manager
spent some £70 million during the January transfer window to bring in striker http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Luiz-c10542.
Holloway spoke of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786’s run under Abramovich; the Blues have won three English Premier League crowns, three FA Cup titles and the Carling Cup and Community Shield twice. The Blackpool boss was certain it was because of the funds available to them, he
continued, “They have gone on, spent money wisely and got trophies. They have dispatched of a few managers pretty quickly, probably too quickly.”
The Seasiders boss was of course talking about Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and now Carlo Ancelotti, who have all had a short time in the hot seat at Chelsea. Holloway said, “But I think they are in fine
fettle and although they had a sticky spell, I think they always will be now if you look at the ground and Mr. Abramovich's money.”
Holloway admitted he didn’t necessarily agree with Abramovich’s policy of spending large in the transfer window but went on to say that it had been good for Chelsea so far. He continued, “He's just bought someone for £50 million. Do I agree with that? Probably
no. But can I argue with it? No - he has, and he can do that. They are certainly not in crisis.”
Blackpool host Chelsea at the Britannia Stadium on Monday.
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