50 Years Over 100 Years - Ivanovic, Anelka, Berbatov and Bridge

Last January no players were bought at all and during the summer player dealings left us 10M in credit The injury situation last season almost certainly cost us the league title but after a continuance of bad luck with crocked players this season it now looks as if Abramovich has decided to finally rectify the situation.

This season alone the injury list to key players has been alarmingly long; Lampard (2 spells out), Terry (3 spells out), Drogba (2 spells out), Carvalho, Cech (2 spells out), Cuducini, Malouda, Makelele, Ballack… and then we have the ANC about to start and will be missing Essien, Mikel and Kalou.

Despite the crocks crisis we have admirably kept within touching distance of Man Utd and Arsenal but many feel that the ANC absences will finally sink any title aspirations of a ship sailing well but creaking under the strain.

The touted names are encouraging to say the least; Ivanovic is a strong, fast, talented although perhaps bolshy, aggressive defender who is the target of clubs on the continent as well as Man Utd; Anelka, fast and silky and a guaranteed goal scorer in his prime with plenty of CL and PL experience also favoured by Man Utd; Berbatov, and unbelievably talented forward possessing outrageous skill although seen as a bit moody and lazy, a big game Charlie by some. The Bulgarian striker was also subject of a bid from Man Utd last summer.

The speculation isn’t just about incoming though – last night appeared perhaps surprising reports that Liverpool want to sign Bridge.

Benitez was miffed that Ferguson managed to scupper his bid for Heinze and has apparently decided that Riise has become too 1 dimensional (he always played well against us though!).

Ivanovic, 23, according to some has already signed and the reported fee ranges from 4M to 8.9M.

The Serbian plays as a centre or a right back (not a left-back as claimed by some) and this signing could make sense as a Carvalho back-up. He is also available for selection for the CL.

The signing of the 6´ 3” Serbian defender could explain reports that Chelsea are willing to offload Bridge who is almost too good to warrant a position as back-up, however, it strikes me as unusual to sell a quality player to domestic rivals and would also mean utilising a current defender as make-shift left-back back-up in the event of injury or suspension to Ashley Cole.

Anelka, 28, has been almost seen as a done deal for some time now although his recent comments seem to be keeping all 3 options of Chelsea, Man City or staying at Bolton open.

The ex-Arsenal and Real Madrid forward (among others clubs!) also makes sense as a compliment or replacement for Drogba and is not tied in the CL, CC or FA Cup competitions.

Reports range from 10M to 20M – the latter being a ludicrous fee and contradictory to the supposed 10M get-out clause in Anelka´s current contract with Bolton.

'The chairmen are discussing it,' said Anelka. 'I really hope it happens and especially that I'm eligible to play in the Champions League. But until the contract is signed and I'm presented to the Press in my new shirt, nothing is done.

'I want to go to a bigger club and that's what Manchester City have become under a manager such as Eriksson, who I was ready to join in 1999 at Lazio.

Megson said: 'I saw the article in L'Equipe. In terms of Chelsea making contact, I'm not aware of that or any other club. It's something and nothing.'

I would love to see Berbatov at Chelsea – if we are supposed to be making a transition to flair football the Bulgarian would be a must in my opinion. He would set the Bridge alight and my feeling is that if he went to Old Trafford he would become the next Cantona for them and we would rue the day. The Bulgarian is also eligible for CL football.

Admittedly, Berbatov, 26, is the most unlikely of new signings for January. I’m sure Spurs will pull out all the stops to keep their prized possession at White Hart Lane until the summer although maybe Ramos has his eye on a few players he wants and would welcome the cash? His fee would almost certainly be around the 25M mark.

Villa midfielder and friend of Berbatov, Petrov has outlined the ambition of Berbatov:

“Dimitar is a very ambitious guy. I know he will get what he wants as he is a world-class player.”

“I hope he fulfils his ambitions. He has been a very dangerous striker in this league for two years. I am not surprised the big teams are looking at him.”

Grant has been asked if he wanted BOTH Anelka and Berbatov and understandably, his reply neither confirmed nor denied this.

If both did come to Chelsea that would leave us in an overload striker situation – Drogba, Shevchenko, Pizarro, Kalou, Anelka and Berbatov (not to mention Sahar) so we would presumably offload at least 1 of the current strikers and perhaps look at 4-4-2 more often in the future.

I feel it unlikely that ALL the above could happen but the signs look good in terms of once again having a squad of similar (or even better) strength than before.

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