Vanhalen 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Claudio Ranieri has launched a stinging attack on Chelsea's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, saying the Russian "knows nothing about football". Ranieri was quoted by Spanish newspaper Marca as saying he will be sacked even if he wins the Champions League. "If he understood what my team did last season by qualifying for the Champions League without any money, he'd value me more," he said. "I'm convinced that even if I win the Champions League I will be sacked." Ranieri went on to accuse Abramovich of expecting instant success when he took over the club in July and spent over £110m on new players. "It was difficult signing so many players, to get them to gel on the pitch," said Ranieri. "Abramovich doesn't realise. He thinks 'I'm going to buy this player and that player and then I'm going to win'." That victory sparked suggestions that Abramovich might change his mind and keep faith with Ranieri. However, the Italian is still convinced he will be leaving Stamford Bridge in the summer. "I know I have Abramovich's sword embedded in me," he said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mik 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Is there more than 10 people who actually know what the hell this is all about? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Is there more than 10 people who actually know what the hell this is all about? About 10, look how big the Division one thread is getting. Also, i'm glad Ranieri has broken his silence, he's got to be the most supported manager from other clubs. I hope he wins the Champions League, gets the trophy, puts it on Peter Kenyon's desk and says 'That'll be all, i'll be managing Tottenham now' I'd laugh at THAT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest webmasterofwrestlegame Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Raneri has the Chelsea supporters and players behind him. Being vocal at this point only serves to help his stance at the end of the season when Kenyon and Abramovich evaluate things. Of course, the best irony would be Raneri being sacked, fans turning on Kenyon and Abramovich, Abramovich leaving, Raneri back in and Chelsea in a load of debt. Which is exactly where they were just before Abramovich came in! Hey barondeath2 - I support the Saints as well! Born there and lived in Hedge End. Phillips and Beattie for England steam gets going - especially if Heskey continues to avoid scoring goals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 I'll argue the Heskey case in the other thead, if someone mentions it, i have a reason why he SHOULD be in the team. No, honestly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest webmasterofwrestlegame Report post Posted April 20, 2004 My argument is that for all he could do for the England team, he doesn't score goals. Beattie does the above AND scores goals. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Isn't Abramovich the guy who wanted to by an NHL team and stock it full of Russian players only? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jpclemmons Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Is there more than 10 people who actually know what the hell this is all about? I'm one of the 10 peeps who knows this topic . If you wanna know who Abramovich is. Think Mark Cuban, , with a lot more money. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anorak 0 Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Is there more than 10 people who actually know what the hell this is all about? I reckon there is, you can go back to your rounders now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jpclemmons Report post Posted April 20, 2004 Is there more than 10 people who actually know what the hell this is all about? I reckon there is, you can go back to your rounders now. You probally confused all but one American poster with that remark Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hogan Made Wrestling 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2004 Isn't Abramovich the guy who wanted to by an NHL team and stock it full of Russian players only? That's something the Canadian media invented, Abramovich has never made any sort of statement to that effect. Abramovich is supposedly interested in buying an NHL team though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vanhalen 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2004 I'll argue the Heskey case in the other thead, if someone mentions it, i have a reason why he SHOULD be in the team. No, honestly. I would love to see you argue this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anorak 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2004 So would i. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2004 Oh for fu.. I have put down my ice cream to argue this. The reason that i'd pick Heskey along side Owen EVERY time (ahead of say Owen and Rooney) is because they know each other on the pitch. If Heskey didn't play for Liverpool, i'd not play him ever. Owen can play off him though, he can't play off Rooney or anyone else, they are too similar players. That's why if Owen is injured, i'd start with Rooney and Heskey. And while we're on the topic of goalscoring, how can you expect Heskey to get goal after goal when Eriksson plays him EVERYWHERE? You don't ask Owen Hargreaves to score when he plays on the left side of midfield, so why ask that of Heskey? Please, as a Derby fan, there's not a lot of players i dislike more than Heskey, but as an England fan, i want the best chance of success, and Phillips, Rooney, Smith, whoever, just wont fit up front with Owen. They all will fit with Heskey however. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest webmasterofwrestlegame Report post Posted April 21, 2004 What about Beattie? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2004 What about Beattie? I couldn't have said it better myself. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest jpclemmons Report post Posted April 21, 2004 What about Beattie? No one likes Alan Smith on this board? I think he'd make a good fit for England behind Owen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest webmasterofwrestlegame Report post Posted April 21, 2004 Ask Houllier right now who he'd rather have...Heskey or Beattie. I'm 100% sure it would be Beattie. Hell, he couldn't even flog Heskey to Middlesbrough in January. And Middlesbrough spend money on bad strikers like it is going out of fashion. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deancoles 0 Report post Posted April 21, 2004 Houllier tried getting rid of him last Summer but Lyon wanted a loan deal and refused to pay 11 million for him.The only time I thought he was ok was in the 00/01 season where he tried his hardest and got into the England starting lineup, then he stopped trying because he thought he'd reached the top. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TheFranchise 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2004 Ask Houllier right now who he'd rather have...Heskey or Beattie. I'm 100% sure it would be Beattie. Hell, he couldn't even flog Heskey to Middlesbrough in January. And Middlesbrough spend money on bad strikers like it is going out of fashion. That a shot at Christie? Oh, and JP, i'm a big fan of Smith, behind (when he was there) Robbie Keane i thought he was the best striker at leeds, better than Viduka and Fowler and others. It would benefit him to go to Newcastle strangely, could he replace Shearer? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anorak 0 Report post Posted April 22, 2004 What about Beattie? No one likes Alan Smith on this board? I think he'd make a good fit for England behind Owen. I'd have Smith in my England squad every time, he's skilful, versatile and has that character of grit and dertimination. He was a loose cannon when he first came through but he's matured excellently, one of the reasons (there's several) i'd like Leeds to go down would be to see Smith move somewhere else. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DCMaximo 0 Report post Posted April 23, 2004 I'd personally pick Jermain Defoe before Alan Smith. It may just be because I'm a Tottenham fan (in fact, that's definitely why), but Defoe has been on fire in the Premiership since joining us. I'd certainly pick him as an understudy to Owen before Darius Vassell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
