Chelsea to remain at Stamford Bridge, Carlo Ancelotti’s striker dilemma: Didier Drogba vs Fernando Torres
Chelsea to stay at Stamford Bridge
Ron Gourlay, the http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 chief executive, revealed the defending Champions did not necessarily have to leave Stamford Bridge for a new stadium to break even. There were recent reports suggesting the English Premier League giants would have to relocate to
a bigger stadium in order to earn more revenue.
Stamford Bridge has a capacity of 42,000 and does not quite generate gate revenue to match the likes of other top sides in terms of gate revenue. Manchester United and Arsenal are known to earn much more than Chelsea with bigger capacity stadiums; Old Trafford
and the Emirates Stadium, respectively.
However, the Blues' chief executive insisted a move to a bigger capacity stadium near Earls Court might not necessarily be the solution. He revealed there was a possibility of remaining at Stamford Bridge, which has been the home of the Blues since 1905,
and finding another way of breaking even.
Gourlay said while speaking to reporters, “We are always looking at our options but I can tell you that there is no move imminent. Of course, it would help if we had another 15,000 or 20,000 seats but we don't need to leave Stamford Bridge to break even.”
The Blues recently announced a loss of £70.9 million just before going ahead and spending £73 million during the January transfer window to bring in http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/David-Luiz-c10542. Even with the costly signings the Blues seem to be doing fine financially.
Which is why Gourlay was confident the Blues could do without relocating, he continued, "We are in pretty good shape financially, even with the January purchases of Torres and Luiz. The board remains confident we are heading in the right direction."
Ancelotti’s striker dilemma
As the Blues prepare to welcome Manchester City to Stamford Bridge on Sunday, Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti will be wondering if he’s made the right choice by picking Fernando Torres ahead of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Didier-Drogba-c11044. Drogba has been with Chelsea for over seven years
and has proven himself time and time again while Torres has featured in five matches so far and has failed to find the back of the net.
The 32-year-old Ivorian started the second leg of the Champions League clash against FC Copenhagen alongside http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nicolas-Anelka-c27786, but the pair failed to score. Even though Torres was brought on in the second half, the Italian manager claimed he wanted to rest
certain players and rotate the squad. Since he did not start with Torres, the Spaniard will start against Manchester City in the upcoming fixture.
The same goes for http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Michael-Essien-c25294 who were both benched against FC Copenhagen. The rotation policy which is aimed at improving the squad’s performance by creating competition might cost the Blues the season. Even though healthy competition
is always good, having a different striker in every game might be the reason the Blues have not been able to score big recently.
The time for experimentation is gone, with the season close to an end and with tough fixtures coming up ahead. Ancelotti would be better off sticking with Didier Drogba, who is well adjusted in the squad instead of Torres who will definitely take some time
adjusting. Chelsea have a tough April, taking on Stoke City, Manchester United in the Champions League and Wigan among other teams.
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