Transfer market ‘dead’ as Chelsea in league of their own

THE transfer market is “dead” because no Barclays Premiership club truly believes it is capable of overhauling Chelsea, according to leading football business analyst Professor Tom Cannon.

This summer Jose Mourinho has already spent £8million on left-back Asier del Horno, £21million on England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and the Chelsea boss is still haggling with Lyon over Michael Essien's proposed £30million move.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has complained that every club has to wait for Chelsea to act before they can enter the transfer market and bid for a player.