Post by Euphoria on Jun 6, 2005 23:46:23 GMT
Another day another poaching allegation - Chelsea's first title in 50 years is in danger of being drowned under the weight of headlines condemning the club's heavy-handed recruitment policy.
Just days after being fined at the tapping-up inquiry involving Arsenal's Ashley Cole, Chelsea achieved rare unity in north London by sparking similar fury at the Gunners' arch-rivals Tottenham.
This time it was the approach to Spurs' sporting director Frank Arnesen, arguably the most crucial strategist at White Hart Lane.
Chelsea are being accused of an illegal approach after copying Arnesen in on a letter to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy asking for permission to speak to the Dane.
Tottenham's anger is understandable - Arnesen is effectively in charge of football matters, masterminding transfer policy and shaping the club's structure for the future alongside coach Martin Jol.
Arnesen's departure would be a crushing blow, which is exactly why Chelsea have identified him as the man to work with manager Jose Mourinho and take them one step further than the Premiership title.
It is damaging for Spurs because under the guidance of Arnesen and Jol, they are a club with direction once again.
Now it is in danger of being disrupted - but is the latest outburst of hatred towards Chelsea truly justified?
Or is it simply the product of jealousy?
Chelsea insist they have played it by the book but their track record means they are now guilty until proven innocent.
But it would surely be an act of mind-numbing stupidity to risk another Premier League inquiry knowing they were still on the carpet for the Cole affair.
It is a novel approach to copy in your intended target on a letter requesting his services but the harsh fact is that it has worked.
Arnesen will not work for Spurs again.
He is on his way to Chelsea - Spurs should now simply seek the maximum compensation and move on.
Whether you like it or not, this is now the way football works.
Chelsea were badly out of order with Arsenal and Cole - but arguably their biggest crime was either the arrogance and stupidity that meant they were caught.
Tapping up has been a common currency in football for years - it was not some dirty deal invented by Chelsea Football Club.
Forget any notion that if you move beyond Stamford Bridge football suddenly becomes squeak-clean and all sweetness and light.
It may not be a case of "they all do it", but very few clubs could seriously count themselves immune from the allegation.
The key is not to be captured in the act. Few are and so are consequently never held up to criticism.
Chelsea are big game at the moment, with the outspoken Mourinho at the helm and with a fierce ambition fuelled by Roman Abramovich's millions.
They are the biggest and the richest. And seemingly unstoppable.They are an easy target and their foolishness has allowed too many shots to land.
But make no mistake, any other club in the country would trade places - and take all the blows Chelsea are currently taking - in exchange for the hold they currently have on the domestic game.
This may seem brutal but it is a brutal truth.
The irony is that Arnesen's appointment may actually be designed to ease the accident-prone Peter Kenyon out of the frame when it comes to doing the big transfer deals or recruiting players.
Kenyon's track record suggests he is either a very unlucky man - or feels he can get away with anything.
Let's study the evidence.
He is at home one evening and who's this at the door?
Why it's England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, under contractual lock and key to the Football Association but willing to have a chat about a new job at Stamford Bridge.
He pops out for a meal and look who's at the next table.
It's Rio Ferdinand, currently in the process of dragging a new deal out of Manchester United.
This publicity is not what a club of Chelsea's standing needs. And why Arnesen has been head-hunted.
Arnesen will do the football deals and leave the unquestionably-able Kenyon to do what he does best - market the brand.
The Dane, who is admittedly now wide open to charges of treachery and disloyalty from Spurs, has a safe-hands reputation that will help Chelsea clean up their act, while securing the services of one of the most respected figures in world football.
Chelsea have not covered themselves in glory - but it is hypocritical to turn all the fire over tapping up on to one club
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4613647.stm
Just days after being fined at the tapping-up inquiry involving Arsenal's Ashley Cole, Chelsea achieved rare unity in north London by sparking similar fury at the Gunners' arch-rivals Tottenham.
This time it was the approach to Spurs' sporting director Frank Arnesen, arguably the most crucial strategist at White Hart Lane.
Chelsea are being accused of an illegal approach after copying Arnesen in on a letter to Spurs chairman Daniel Levy asking for permission to speak to the Dane.
Tottenham's anger is understandable - Arnesen is effectively in charge of football matters, masterminding transfer policy and shaping the club's structure for the future alongside coach Martin Jol.
Arnesen's departure would be a crushing blow, which is exactly why Chelsea have identified him as the man to work with manager Jose Mourinho and take them one step further than the Premiership title.
It is damaging for Spurs because under the guidance of Arnesen and Jol, they are a club with direction once again.
Now it is in danger of being disrupted - but is the latest outburst of hatred towards Chelsea truly justified?
Or is it simply the product of jealousy?
Chelsea insist they have played it by the book but their track record means they are now guilty until proven innocent.
But it would surely be an act of mind-numbing stupidity to risk another Premier League inquiry knowing they were still on the carpet for the Cole affair.
It is a novel approach to copy in your intended target on a letter requesting his services but the harsh fact is that it has worked.
Arnesen will not work for Spurs again.
He is on his way to Chelsea - Spurs should now simply seek the maximum compensation and move on.
Whether you like it or not, this is now the way football works.
Chelsea were badly out of order with Arsenal and Cole - but arguably their biggest crime was either the arrogance and stupidity that meant they were caught.
Tapping up has been a common currency in football for years - it was not some dirty deal invented by Chelsea Football Club.
Forget any notion that if you move beyond Stamford Bridge football suddenly becomes squeak-clean and all sweetness and light.
It may not be a case of "they all do it", but very few clubs could seriously count themselves immune from the allegation.
The key is not to be captured in the act. Few are and so are consequently never held up to criticism.
Chelsea are big game at the moment, with the outspoken Mourinho at the helm and with a fierce ambition fuelled by Roman Abramovich's millions.
They are the biggest and the richest. And seemingly unstoppable.They are an easy target and their foolishness has allowed too many shots to land.
But make no mistake, any other club in the country would trade places - and take all the blows Chelsea are currently taking - in exchange for the hold they currently have on the domestic game.
This may seem brutal but it is a brutal truth.
The irony is that Arnesen's appointment may actually be designed to ease the accident-prone Peter Kenyon out of the frame when it comes to doing the big transfer deals or recruiting players.
Kenyon's track record suggests he is either a very unlucky man - or feels he can get away with anything.
Let's study the evidence.
He is at home one evening and who's this at the door?
Why it's England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson, under contractual lock and key to the Football Association but willing to have a chat about a new job at Stamford Bridge.
He pops out for a meal and look who's at the next table.
It's Rio Ferdinand, currently in the process of dragging a new deal out of Manchester United.
This publicity is not what a club of Chelsea's standing needs. And why Arnesen has been head-hunted.
Arnesen will do the football deals and leave the unquestionably-able Kenyon to do what he does best - market the brand.
The Dane, who is admittedly now wide open to charges of treachery and disloyalty from Spurs, has a safe-hands reputation that will help Chelsea clean up their act, while securing the services of one of the most respected figures in world football.
Chelsea have not covered themselves in glory - but it is hypocritical to turn all the fire over tapping up on to one club
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/4613647.stm