people love to knock billionaire owners but, Abramovich funded Ranieri, was wrong to let him go but continued to let managers ***** cash. It was only after Mourinho proved to all and sundry that he would ***** cash on anything that moved that he started to pull the purse strings in. Frankly I'm not sure he's done anything particularly wrong to date, its not particularly his fault that Scolari turned out to be crap, Hiddink wouldn't have joined at the beginning of last season either, neither would Ancelotti. Neither were ANY chelsea fans happy with Avram Grant when he was appointed temporarily, neither did really anyone think Scolari wouldn't be up to it, neither really did Scolari do terribly tbh. Two of his most prominant players, who both played HUGE roles in the final games of the season/champs league, were injured till Scolari left, also not his fault that Malouda was in need of a new contract so came alive as people started talking about shipping him off at the end of the season.
Likewise, despite a rumour that City tried to buy every single player in the world, they've been sensible, bought very well, have massively improved the squad and from day one said Hughes would be given time and they don't expect to be winning the league in their first few years. Only pundits have been saying the billionaire wouldn't be happy. From what i've seen, they've behaved well, gone after the right people and the only big bid failed was for Kaka, and if you ask me, especially as it seems almost completely clear he was off. They chickened out at the last second as Milan fans were protesting his leaving in the thousands, I think Kaka also had it in the back of his mind that almost leaving would give the fans a bit of time to get used to the idea for when he leaves this summer.
Hughes will get another year at least, the weakest parts of the squad were clear, left/right back, defensive midfield, striker. Hamann, Ball and Vassell haven't been seen nor heard of since the Jan transfer window quite rightly, they replaced them with very good players and they got who was available. They moved Zabaleta out of the way but lack of alternate options and injuries meant he was in midfield, Barry's arrival should see Zabaleta bench ridden, if not shipped out.
They are very very clearly replacing all the weak spots as and when they can, doing a good job and putting together a pretty damn good team.
Also yes, it certainly appears like Adams is back on the sauce, or worse, his claims this week are somewhat, ridiculous. Very much hope he's ok, Arsenal and ENgland legend for so long, really hope losing his job at Pompie hasn't led him to slip big time.
