Chelsea phenomenon alientating fans: Business chief

A leading expert in football finance believes Chelsea’s bank-busting route to success could have grave implications for the Premiership.

Roman Abramovich’s massive nine-figure spending spree has lifted his side to the top of the pile and sent shockwaves through the game’s established balance of power.

But signs of the start of a new era of Chelsea domination should provide cause for concern, according to Matthew Glendinning, editor of Football Business International.

Glendinning believes Chelsea’s success, built in an artificial financial environment in which normal business rules do not apply, could lead to a growing feeling of alienation within the game.

Glendinning said: “It seemed like a good thing that Chelsea would become a genuine challenge for Manchester United and Arsenal. But now it seems they have overtaken them so quickly that one fears for the seasons to come.

“Historically, nobody suggested Liverpool’s dominance was boring or based on some unfair accumulation of wealth. But I think people are more sceptical now and we are beginning to see a sense of slight alienation by fans from the Chelsea phenomenon.”

The Premier League have been bullish this season in the defence of their product in the face of growing criticism that it is uncompetitive.

But Glendinning fears the gap between the top clubs and the rest is only likely to grow to the point where the smaller sides have little or no chance of success.

“We’re past the era of a maverick club like Nottingham Forest coming up to challenge the big boys,” added Glendinning.

“One could not blame some fans for questioning why they are continuing to pay to watch a team whose only remote chance of success could come by squeezing into the UEFA Cup or an FA Cup run.

“The league is undoubtedly becoming more stretched out and with Chelsea now and for the foreseeable future beating all-comers, it does beg the question of why one is still drawn to watch some of the so-called competitive football.”