Ok, The Conspiricy Thread.

[redrus]

MOVE ALONG, NOTHING TO SEE HERE

See that broom? See that carpet? You know what to do...

A randomly plucked article from the archive of squarefootball, from January 2005.

Premiership: Keep an eye on MSI for future Chelsea deals

David Hulott

"The suspicion is that MSI is being used as a front to buy players in order to keep them out of the hands of Chelsea’s big-money rivals"

It might seem a little unlikely that the transfer of a player between an Argentinean and a Brazilian club could have any significant impact on the Premiership, but the recent deal that took Carlos Tevez from Boca Juniors to Corinthians for a fee of close to £12 million (a Brazilian record) is one that bears closer examination.

The suspicion is that MSI is being used as a front to buy players in order to keep them out of the hands of Chelsea’s big-money rivals. This also enables them to farm players out to the likes of Corinthians, where the London club can monitor their progress, safe in the knowledge that they have first shout on their futures if and when they see fit to take them to Stamford Bridge. In doing so, Chelsea are taking the concept of feeder clubs to a whole new level.

For the full piece, see: http://www.squarefootball.net/article/article.asp?aid=1571

Now, I admit, I along with any other fan in the country would love to have seen 1, never mind both of these players at my club. How did they end up there....?

If they don't end up at Chelsea next year............, well, I'll be suprised....

Good luck West Ham, its gonna be great for them.

redrus

[Big Blue]

MOVE ALONG, NOTHING TO SEE HERE

See that broom? See that carpet? You know what to do...

A randomly plucked article from the archive of squarefootball, from January 2005.

Premiership: Keep an eye on MSI for future Chelsea deals

David Hulott

"The suspicion is that MSI is being used as a front to buy players in order to keep them out of the hands of Chelsea’s big-money rivals"

It might seem a little unlikely that the transfer of a player between an Argentinean and a Brazilian club could have any significant impact on the Premiership, but the recent deal that took Carlos Tevez from Boca Juniors to Corinthians for a fee of close to £12 million (a Brazilian record) is one that bears closer examination.

The suspicion is that MSI is being used as a front to buy players in order to keep them out of the hands of Chelsea’s big-money rivals. This also enables them to farm players out to the likes of Corinthians, where the London club can monitor their progress, safe in the knowledge that they have first shout on their futures if and when they see fit to take them to Stamford Bridge. In doing so, Chelsea are taking the concept of feeder clubs to a whole new level.

For the full piece, see: http://www.squarefootball.net/article/article.asp?aid=1571

Now, I admit, I along with any other fan in the country would love to have seen 1, never mind both of these players at my club. How did they end up there....?

If they don't end up at Chelsea next year............, well, I'll be suprised....

Good luck West Ham, its gonna be great for them.

redrus

It certainly does seem very cloak and dagger, as a huge Chelsea fan myself I have a feeling of world domination is just around the corner, win the European cup this season and we will almost be there.

[redrus]

I can't see it, soz I just can't.

You won't even win the Premiership....

redrus

[Jockstar]

You won't even win the Premiership.

I think you may be right red!

[Big Blue]

I can't see it, soz I just can't.

You won't even win the Premiership....

redrus

Come on, we have the best team in the league, even in Europe. All we need is a few more games to bond as a team even more so than previous season and the title will be in the bag by March.

[Spit the Dog]

We will see this season when Chelsea play West Ham. IIf all of a sudden the 2 Argentines pick up mysterious injuries when they have been scheduled to meet, then I'm sure questions will be asked.

Edited September 2, 2006 by Spit the Dog

[Big Blue]

We will see this season when Chelsea play West Ham. IIf all of a sudden the 2 Argentines pick up mysterious injuries when they have been scheduled to meet, then I'm sure questions will be asked.

Might be coincednce but I know what your saying, still I believe we can not be over taken this season.....bring it on!!!

[redrus]

Clubs said to be unhappy with Tevez and Mascherano terms and conditions.

The Indie:

What seemed like the transfer coup of the decade took on a more prosaic appearance yesterday as it was revealed that Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano were hawked around several clubs before being offloaded to West Ham United at the 11th hour because they were the only club to agree to a raft of unusual conditions.

Media Sports Investment, the company that owns the players and has control over their destinies, initially wanted to sell both in the wake of the World Cup for a substantial profit on the $35m combined (then around £20m) they paid for the pair in 2004. Then, both players moved from Argentina to Corinthians in Brazil, a club controlled by MSI.

But this summer several big European clubs, including Manchester United, baulked at the price for one or both of the players. David Gill, the United chief executive, confirmed that yesterday. Arsenal, Chelsea, Seville and Roma were also reportedly among those not interested.

Instead MSI was left desperately seeking a club that would act as a "surrogate mother" for the players, on several conditions, including a contractual obligation to play them in every match, and a contractual obligation to let them be sold for profits - for MSI to pocket - at a time of MSI's choosing. Portsmouth were unwilling to take the players under such conditions, and neither were Manchester United willing to take Mascherano as part of such a deal. Gill said United were never interested in Tevez.

So while West Ham acquired two of Argentina's World Cup stars, both aged 22, on transfer deadline day, the way they will deploy them is being dictated by forces outside the club. On the plus side, West Ham reportedly paid nothing for the pair in fees, and will need to pay only half their wages, of £1.5m per year for Tevez and £1m for Mascherano.

In a bizarre twist to the saga, the man behind their move to West Ham, Kia Joorabchian, claimed in an interview with the News of the World that West Ham can become bigger than Chelsea "in the very near future". West Ham have confirmed exploratory talks about a takeover are under way with an unknown bidder with anonymous backers, believed to be Joorabchian. Joorabchian said: "When you see two players like that joining West Ham then there is no doubt in my mind the club can become massive."

The Super Soaraway Sun:

Russian billionaire Badri Patarkatsishvili revealed last night he fancies investing in West Ham.

The Georgian, who made his fortune working for exiled Boris Berezovsky, has revealed he and Berezovsky had invested in Brazilians Corinthians and were now thinking of doing so with the Hammers.

He said: "I have a couple of football investments with friends that I am reluctant to mention. I think money has a wonderful habit of flowing where it feels comfortable."

Corinthians is supposedly owned by MSI, the company ready to take over at Upton Park for £100million.

HHhhhhmmmm, the plot doesn't thicken, just kind o smells, nay, stinks.

redrus