Will the loyalty of Chelsea players be tested?

I haven’t commented on Chelsea’s transfer ban and the main reason is that I don’t feel sufficiently well informed to do so. My initial feelings were that the ban seemed ridiculously harsh. But then I also felt that if Chelsea were guilty of any sort of dodgy dealing to entice a young man to break his contract and join them, then the ban is probably right.

Appeal

Of course, the ban could still be overturned as Chelsea have lodged an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Interestingly the decision regarding that appeal should arrive in December. The reason that is interesting is because it will be through in time for the January transfer window.

Former Chelsea star and now at Bayern Munich Arjen Robben, has told the Daily Mirror in England that he would not be shocked if the transfer embargo led to a mass exodus of players from the club,

“It would not shock me if players left. Players like John Terry and Frank Lampard love the love the club and they will probably stay. But I think players who have no long-term relationship with the club may leave. The top clubs in Europe will be looking at Chelsea players now, and if they want to leave there is not a lot the club can do to stop them. For one of Europe’s super powers not to be able to sign a player for two years would be a disaster.”

Robben went on to say that he felt FIFA were right only, obviously, if Chelsea are actually guilty,

“I don’t know if they are guilty but if they are I agree with Fifa. Big clubs think they are above the rules. In football there are a lot of people trying to take advantage of you when you are a young boy and it is important the authorities do all they can to help protect them.”

Do we think Robben could be right. Will some of the star names look around at what is a fine but ageing side and decide that as no new players can come in to strengthen the squad for sixteen months they would be better off elsewhere?

Tight knit

On the whole I think that the Chelsea team seem like a fairly tight knit bunch. Even Anelka actually looks happy for the first time in his life! The current side, under Ancelotti, will feel that they have a great chance of winning the Premier League and as good a chance as ever of winning the Champions League this season. Why would they throw that away?

Having said that, with a weak pound, a 50% tax rate on the players and a ban from buying anyone else, a decent sized chequebook waved at quality players from the likes of La Liga and Serie A would surely have a certain enticing quality about it.

Tempted

As Arjen Robben has said, the Frank Lampard’s and John Terry’s of this world would probably stay through thick and thin, but the overseas star names like Drogba, Anelka, Essien, Ballack, Bosingwa, etc, could they be tempted?

Then of course there is the loyalty that Ashley Cole is so renowned for. I’m sure it wouldn’t take much to persuade him to give Cheryl a life on the Med!

Worrying

These are worrying times for Chelsea at a time when on the field they look as good or better than ever. I don’t think there will be a mass exodus of players from Stamford Bridge if their appeal fails, but it could be a testing period for them in January.