February 19th 2005

Newcastle-online teamed up with Rob Hobson, the Editor of a Chelsea Ezine CFCnet.co.uk to get his views on Ambramovic, Chelsea, NUFC, our upcoming FA Cup tie and other things. This is his response.

Q: Ranieri, harshly treated or it had to be done?

There's two questions here, and I could talk for a long time about both of them. On the one hand, if the question is "was Ranieri the right man to lead this Chelsea team to whatever success we can find?" than the answer is an emphatic No. Not because he was a poor manager, but because of the way Mourinho has taken the League by the scruff of its neck, turned Wenger and Fergie's arguments into a yawn-inducing sideshow, and put us in the enviable position of being 9 points clear with 11 games to go. We didn't realise what we were missing (a hungry, uncompromising manager) until we got one.

The other question is, was Ranieri harshly treated? Of course he was. Clandestine meetings with Sven-Goran Eriksson? Open speculation about Mourinho immediately preceding our Champions' League semi-final? He was treated badly, he carried himself well, and I wish him luck. Looks like his season at Valencia has had its ups and downs, though.

Q: What has Mourinho changed about Chelsea - what has he given you that Ranieri couldn't?

I've probably just answered this one. If Ranieri, or Eriksson, were managing this club, we'd still be in thrall to the underachieving and overrated. Players like Veron and Crespo, who must be good because we've spent 30mill on the pair. Mourinho has absolutely no patience with that sort of attitude. Crespo turned up for pre-season a day late and was loaned out. Mutu stepped out of line publicly, after apparently failing to curb his predilections for the high life, and was sacked. Mourinho wants to win, and has a way of persuading his players that, under him, they can and will win.

Q: Do you fear losing Mourinho to a Real Madrid or a Juventus or even England?

Of course. He's already been quoted as saying that he would only leave for a "top Italian side" or the Portuguese job. I understand that. But, in the short term, can you think of a better club in the world to realise your ambitions as a manager than Chelsea? Great budget, great squad, great prospects.

Q: With Roman's millions, what impact do you think this will have on Chelsea's youth set-up/Academy -negative or positive?

Money has been invested in the youth set-up, although whether that will translate to players coming through to play for the first team is a different matter. Certainly in the short-term I don't see it happening. The manager wants two internationals competing for every place in the starting 11. Longer-term, that's got to be the goal. Investment of the level we've seen is just not sustainable over a 10-year period, no matter what bile people spit when they talk about Roman's "bottomless" pockets.

Q: Do you fear for the long term future of your club?

No, but I do think about it.

Q: Does the source of Roman's wealth concern you?

This could take a very long time for me to answer, as I have conflicting views as a Chelsea fan and an economic libertarian. But I do get a little sick of people hectoring at me on the subject of morality, especially when it comes to football. There's a lot of hypocrisy and bullshit involved in this game, and there always has been. Personally, I'm of the opinion that no ones makes billions without having got there in a reasonably colourful way. Ever wondered why McManus and Magnier are called "the Coolmore Mafia"?

Q: If Chelsea do go on to win the League and enjoy success in other competitions many fans and certain sections of the media will point to the vast amount of money spent on squad assembling as tantamount to buying success, does this bother you? What would you say to those that hold that view?

I'd say grow up.

Q: Has Roman set a trend for other club's to follow - will we see more clubs being bought out by multi-millionaires or billionaires?

Have you not been reading the newspapers? Glazer knocking on United's door. The Thai prime minister sniffing around Liverpool last summer. Even, on a much smaller scale, Ken Bates buying Leeds.

Q: It's been a whirlwind 10 years for Chelsea very much like Newcastle United, how much credit must go to Ken Bates and what part did the late Mathew Harding play in the transformation?

Well, the story of the last 10 years has really been Ken's. Leveraging, loaning, buying managers and players and making sure that we still had a ground to play in. As everyone's well aware, Ken had us days from doing a Leeds, but he had ensured a strong squad and several consecutive top-6 finishes.

Q: Ruud Gullit enjoyed success as manager of Chelsea yet failed miserably at Newcastle, did that surprise you or was he never that good anyway?

Better players at Chelsea, maybe? (That should get your readers spitting fire). Ruud, I believe, was a very tough man to get on with. I don't know why things went well at Chelsea and not at Newcastle - partly because I'm not as familiar with the team he took over up there. At Chelsea, many of his players were big characters - Vialli, Poyet, Petrescu - so the managerial / leadership responsibilities were shared around. Maybe that was something to do with it.

Q: What was your reaction when the 5th Round FA Cup draw was made?

Another chance to stuff you lot.

Q: What type of game are you expecting and who do you think will be the key men for both sides?

I guess you're all counting your lucky stars that Robben, who's terrorised your defenders twice already this season, won't be playing. I expect you to do what you did in the CC game - try to shut our passing game down and pressure us into making mistakes. It was a high-energy tactic then and by the time we got to extra-time, you were all knackered, so you're welcome to give it another go. Key men: my favourite player at Newcastle is Jenas, although I think Shearer still manages to have a say in many games despite being older than my gran. For Chelsea, Lampard and Duff. Terry's suspended, so you never know.

Q: What one player (if any) would you have for Chelsea, from Newcastle United?

Not one.

Q: As an outsider looking in, what do you make of Craig Bellamy's antics?

Idiot. You're a player. Play where you're told to play and count yourself lucky you're not on the dole, you thankless little sod.

Q: A local reporter for our local newspaper (the Chronicle) recently revealed that Graeme Souness was on the short list to replace Ranieri, what do you make of that? The reporter BTW is well known for his little white lies - I personally laughed my head off.

Replace Ranieri at Chelsea or Valencia?

Seriously, I doubt Souness would appeal much to the owner or the fans. If we want a "disciplinarian", I think Capello would be more likely.

Q: Will Chelsea be in the hat for the 6th Round draw?

Well, we've scored 6 against you for no return so far this season. I can't see us doing anything other than winning. To be honest, I'd rather lose it than go to a replay though. The fixtures are mounting up.

Q: What next for Chelsea?

Premiership and Champions' League double, assuming we can beat Barcelona. And I think we have some sort of game against Liverpool this month, although I can't quite remember what for. It's probably more important for them than it is for us.

Q: Steve Clarke, future Chelsea manager?

Ask him and I'm sure you'll get a typically dour and scornful response. It would be great for the future, certainly, but I'm enjoying the Mourinho years at the moment.