Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Blanc Taunts Tropyless Chelsea

Chelsea reached their first-ever Champions League final last year after downing perennial stumbling blocks Liverpool to set up an all-English showdown with Manchester United.

The Blues fell at the final hurdle, however, John Terry's slip-up in the penalty shoot-out allowing the Red Devils to claim their third European Cup.

Avram Grant was sacked as a result of that defeat, but Blanc insisted his job would be considerably easier if he had the backing of a billionaire owner like Roman Abramovich.

"It's easier when you've got the millions of pounds that Chelsea have behind them," the former France defender said in The Guardian.

"Even I might be able to put together a team that could win the European Cup with that money behind me." 

Luiz Felipe Scolari, the new manager at Stamford Bridge, has dismissed rumours that his job will be in jeopardy if he fails to lead Chelsea to a maiden Champions League triumph this season.

Blues chief executive Peter Kenyon has hinted otherwise, however, insisting that they must claim Europe's top trophy if they are to establish themselves as a true powerhouse of world football.

And Blanc said: "They'll need to win it to be considered a major force. And that's their main aim, isn't it?

"But, in spite of the money, they've still not managed to win the Champions League, which just shows how difficult it is to win this competition."

source: Cecil Braun

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