People seem not to understand that Abramovish didn't throw any money away on Chelsea. None. Abramovich's money was plundered from the Russian state/people, and done dependent on the largesse of the Russian President (Putin). Using that money to sportswash Russia's international reputation and standing was an investment in Russia, not in Chelsea, and was anything but throwing away cash. Look at it like this: see Chelsea as a giant TV Station with a global audience that Russia bought so it had a platform via which to advertise itself and polish its international reputation. All companies spend money on doing that. It's not a "throw away". And Russia used Chelsea very effectively indeed to achieve that end. They got far more impact and benefit from owning and investing in Chelsea than they'd have ever got from advertising in any other medium.

The proof of how effective the strategy was? Well, despite everything we now understand about Russian money, Chelsea supporters are still singing Abramovich's name. That tells you all you need to know about a). how easy it is to pull the wool over people's eyes, and b). why sports teams are so attractive to dubious foreign investors. No questions are asked. The plain truth is that the hearts of football supporters are for sale to the highest bidder, as long as he's bidding on their club.

I'd like to think you are right, however Newcastle can outbid any transfer fee and wages we could offer. They can also promise that he will not be the only marque signing as they have a project.

What really bothers me is that Newcastle come in for PV, I hope not. I can swallow him going to Arsenal or City because they are bigger clubs and he has the connection, but Newcastle!

I know footballers are professionals and Conor demonstrates that to us week in week out however he and his family are dyed in the wool Chelsea supporters and it must be his dream and his family’s for him to play in their first team. I think we only have a chance if he really can’t play for them….. and it’s anyones guess what will happen at Chelsea now.