Roman empire left Blues a club with spirit but no soul

Sometimes, you’d think that Roman Abramovich bought Coventry that time and not Chelsea.

In trying to rationalise or even defend the irrational and indefensible sacking of Roberto Di Matteo, various former pros and commentators have claimed that only for Abramovich, Chelsea would have had nothing like the success they’ve had these past eight years.

Paul Elliott felt Di Matteo’s dismissal and that of five other coaches these past five years has been “justified” because results and performances hadn’t “been to the level of a club of this magnitude” and “Abramovich has always been good for Chelsea”.