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Peter Kenyon said yesterday that Chelsea’s summer transfer business will be concluded once Robinho completes his move from Real Madrid, a signing that the chief executive believes will show that the club are poised to reach a new level under the management of Luiz Felipe Scolari.
Chelsea’s previous big-name buys from Europe’s powerhouse clubs in the Roman Abramovich era have been in or about to enter their thirties, but the Brazil forward is only 24. He is expected to cost about £29 million once the protracted negotiations are finally over but Kenyon is confident that the deal will go through shortly. As well as enhancing the team, Chelsea’s ability to attract Robinho underlines their growing status.
“This is a different signing, that’s why it has taken so long,” Kenyon said, speaking to mark the release of the club’s second Corporate Social Responsibility report on their community activities. “I think he comes with real desire and wants to be recognised as one of the best players in the world. I know everyone does, but Robinho is different to what we have had.
“We are gaining respect every year and the rest of Europe sees us as a real club. A lot of that has been behind-the-scenes work, we’re very influential in European football. If you look at where we were five years ago to where we are, it has been a meteoric rise. It is about growing up and, ultimately, you win the Champions League and that cements your position.”
Kenyon said that the presence of Scolari, the former Brazil and Portugal coach, was key to attracting Robinho. “He’s absolutely committed to wanting to come,” he said. “He’s the right age and he’s come from Madrid so he understands what big-club football is all about.”
Scolari said: “He’s a very good player because of his unpredictable style. If you expect something, he can change in a second. He’s different.”
Purchasing Robinho and Deco, the Portugal midfield player who signed from Barcelona this summer, will mean the attainment of Chelsea’s targets. Kenyon said that when he discussed transfers with Scolari, “he came up with two names — one was Deco and one was Robinho. What we’re doing is supporting Scolari, how he wants to change and move the style a bit to take us to the next level.”
Avram Grant, Scolari’s predecessor, was criticised for lacking authority, but no one would level that accusation at the Brazilian. “He is doing a great job for us,” Kenyon said. “One of his big skills is that he’s forever dealt with big players. I don’t think big players faze him because, to him, everybody is a big player and he’s always worked with them.
“We’ve got 14 different nationalities at Chelsea, so there is a different dimension to it. He’s fitted in and it feels he’s been here for ever.”
The same could not be said of Andriy Shevchenko. The striker has rejoined Milan on a season-long loan, with the Italian club paying all his wages. Nine league goals in two seasons seems a poor return on his £30 million transfer fee. Kenyon maintains, however, that Chelsea received value for money from Shevchenko. “Yes, I do \,” he said. “You have to look at these things pragmatically, sometimes these things don’t work as well as you want them to. Remember, we got Deco for £8 million and that looks to be the buy of the season. You have to counter these things and we are happy with where we are.”
The arrival of Robinho would push Shaun Wright-Phillips even farther down the pecking order but yesterday his agent said that the winger does not want to join Manchester City or Everton.
Chelsea’s Corporate Social Responsibility report on community activities can be downloaded from chelseafc.com
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Chelsea fans, don't mind about Manchester's guys bla bla bla! Robinho is certainly one of best players we Brazilians have faced for the last 10 years. He's at the same level of Ronaldinho, Kaka, Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Romario and will amaze England with his techinic.
Ricardo Oikawa, Londron, United Kingdom
Ah usual tosh then, everyone complaining about the money Chelsea have spent. One suggestion to them, look up the money Chelsea have spent in the last 10-15 years and compare it to Man Utd....... they really aren't that far apart.
Still, bitterness and jealousy is enough to blind anyone to FACT
Matthew Crow, Maidstone, England
Why should the money mean Chelsea win everything? In gross amounts Chelsea have barely surpassed Real or United over a 10 year period. And bigger? defined how - revenue? web hits? sure the stadium isn't as big but by that standard, the biggest clubs in Europe include Dortmund and Hamilton Accies...
Peter Bench, London,
Connor,
Chelsea have spent £16M on Boswinga, £8M on Deco, £29M on Robinho. By my reckoning that's £53M.
Arsenal have spent roughly £18M, Liverpool about £30M, United £0M.
Tim, Notts,
Michael - Man Utd have consistently outspent everyone for the past 15 years, bar 2 or 3 summers. Why show such obvious jeaolousy for Chelsea when another club joins the rich jetset. Liverpool used to cherry pick the best players from the other clubs - did you used to complain about them too? Grow up
Alan Delaney, London,
Yes,yes Mr.Kenyon ,Chelsea really have the respect of all clubs and fans all over the world.And all in 5 years eh?And all at a cost of 750 million .
Why,if he spends another 750 milion or even a billion Chelsea will gain even more respect.
That's Kenyon for you,money equals respect. What a.....
chris dee, london,
in response to michael cassidy...
you say dream on you blues, but if you look at uefa rankings on the coefficeint system, chelsea are above all of those teams you just mentioned
=]
tom johnson, kent, uk
30 million for a very hit and miss player who is more suited to the style in spain. Im just wondering where he is going to play. Or does this mean joe cole is on his way? As for 'we are very influential in european football' easy when you have the funds to outspend every other team on the planet
Andy, Manchester,
Kenyon Quotes -
Chelsea will break even by 2010 - Ho Ho
Robinho recognised as one of the best players in the world - by who?
Deco, the buy of the season - after 2 games. They got him for £8m plus a 4 year contract at £100K a week which makes it about £17m. Won't last 2 seasons.
Nick Matthew, London,
But Chelsea do have a better class of fan. Less bitter. Less resentful.
bluto, Birmingham,
"Considering the money they are spending they should win everything."
If Chelsea get Robinho they will have spent about £34 million, around the same as Liverpool and if United get Berbatov he will cost at least £30m so I wouldn't say they are spending anymore then everyone else.
Connor Dunlop, Belfast, Ireland
Here we go again. World domination blah blah blah. Considering the money they are spending they should win everything. But they won't. And as for being bigger than United, Liverpool, Barcelona or Madrid, dream on you blues.
Michael Cassidy, Bicester, UK