I did touch on that in a previous post. Lose to Sunderland, and we could return from the World Club Cup in 7th or 8th position in the PL.
That would be uncharted territory for Abramovich, failure to stop the rot and we would suddenly become a mid-table team. Attracting quality players would become more difficult, and the young stars we have will begin questioning their decision to join us.
We also don't know how Roman will react. He's used to solving everything with money. If we fail to qualify for the CL next season, and look to be going nowhere, is he the type to stick around, dig-in and rebuild ?
The term "meltdown" may be a bit drastic, but we are certainly heading for a very vital period in the history of the club.

The 'small picture' is depressing enough.

The "Young stars" should look at themselves, if they'd played better weed have qualified. were still 1/4 ON for top 4.

Does anyone here know what the financial impact of exiting the Champions League will be compared to last years amazing run?

Does a £20million difference sound about right?

Lovely touch by Drogs last night. .

He held a dinner for his Chelsea CL winning team mates and the backroom staff last night and presented them all with a CL commemorative ring which he had specially made for them all. Not something I would wear........but a lovely gesture to keep.

http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/N2...sCYAMyCil.jpeg

Boy we miss him, JT and Lamps...all that shite spouted by media and non chelsea fans about how we should ship all the old guard out....now suddenly the media are saying we are missing our experience spine...you really couldn't make it up.

Would I take a 28 year old Drogba back who absolutely loves this club? You bet I would.

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/...53_634x430.jpg

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/613162/thu...OGBA-570.jpg?4

http://www4.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/F..._O1hkP5z6l.jpg

Just shows how much money these footballer have

I was happy for the Drog to go as thought it was the perfect ending but in hindsight what a mistake it was.

Somone should review the buying policy of the club.
We have left ourselves woefully short up front and lack power in the middle of the park.
Far too much focus in trying to be the next "Barcelona" !!

It was the perfect ending for him. He is still a player (on his day), but he is going to go downhill. What a better way to end your career by winning the champions league for the club you love. With the very last kick of the game!

On the flipside witness giggs and neville at united. I remember neville as a washed up right back and giggs as a liability.

Lets not make drogba like Henry at arsenal, coming back for cameos and paydays as he is still better than the dross they have.

only because of the fans backlash to a more than capable manager

be angry sure,but why let it ruin your whole season?

It was a good idea, and if we were in spain it would work. Unf we are in the prem, and we have to play knoblers and hoofers like stoke and liverpool. You just have to get the balance right.

Who'd have thought having Luiz in midfield would make us better?

Because unfortunately..or actually fortunately I think...football comes from the heart and not from the head....and employing someone who has openly criticised the team and the fans was never going to be a good decision.

Whilst I would not boo him, I do think it's detrimental to the team...I would never judge another Chelsea fan for choosing to do that.

And he knew all of this before taking the job, Chelsea fans know he doesn't give a stuff about Chelsea FC but the paypacket and a job back in the Prem was too much of a lure for him...so no sympathy in that direction either. He accused us of being passionless? Well, we're not.

It happens all the time in football, spurs with AVB, Villa with McLeish, Liverpool with Hodgson.

he was the manager of a different team,he took a swipe,it happens

obviously what rafa said hurt alot of chelsea fans and i understand that but its also proving him right kind of right,anfield can carry liverpool sometimes,stamford bridge just seems like its only willing to cause more harm

Did any of those 3 managers insulted the clubs they were joining?

I get that it happens but passionate football fans don't forget and I do know it's detrimental, I do, but I also understand it. Coupled with Robbie getting the boot, he gave us the CL, the holy grail, it was going to be difficult for anyone coming in, let alone someone with the history we have with Benitez.

Whilst a completely different scenario I know, I would like to see Liverpool fans not giving Fergie some grief to begin with if he went there, even if you knew it was for the best of the team him becoming your Manager. And I would expect nothing less from them.

fair enough,i get what you mean

maybe a C1C and CWC success may have the fans in better mood sometime soon

I was talking about what "might" happen, if things don't improve. On paper, we should make the top four..hell, we should be challenging for the title !
But I won't be laying out any money at 1-4 for us qualifying after recent events at the club. An interim manager who is detested by the majority of fans, a misfiring striker who apparently has to be selected to justify his absurd transfer fee, and a woeful lack of leadership on the pitch. I don't think it's too much of a stretch to say that things could become very tricky in a month or so.

Sounds promising. Yh, I'm not fond of the head to head rule either. If it was down to GD it would have made Shakhtar v Juventus a better spectacle. But as Shakhtar already knew they were through regardless of the result, they didn't fight for the win.

Awww Didier, such a genuinely nice guy. Just when I think I can't love the guy anymore....The rings looks so cool - I want one.

The rings resemble the NBA rings that the winners get, they do look very nice indeed I must say.

They reputedly cost £800,000..better than a pair of socks for Christmas.

Well it depends on if the socks are made out of solid gold or not.

Cech (c); Ivan, Cahill, D Luiz, Cole; Ram, Rom; Moses, Mata, Hazard; Torres. Subs: Turn, Fer, Azpili, Bert, Lamps, Oscar, Marin

Never agreed with getting rid of Drogba and that viewpoint has been borne out by what's happening to us this season.

I mean the guy scored crucial goals at the highest club level competition on the planet, and people think he's past it?

I wouldn't have expected him to play 50 games this season but it was fairly obvious he would have made an impact.

Wow. Torres demanding the penalty...and then scoring it

4 goals in 2 games, cant begrudge him that. Hardly top class opposition but its good to see that his confidence is back. Still think his pace/acceleration is gone, ravaged by injuries. Not sure if he will ever get that back.