[YankBastard]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...pe/6667439.stm

British trio linked to bigger G14

Chelsea are reportedly interested in joining a new enlarged G14, with Celtic and Rangers also "towards the top of the pile" of new applicants.

[jmartin1966]

Chelsea were denied admission last year. Hopefully they are denied again.

[Ian Daglers]

Originally Posted by jmartin1966

Chelsea were denied admission last year. Hopefully they are denied again.

Meh. I always cringe when Liverpool, Arsenal and especially United act all holier-than-thou about money with Chelsea. When it's regarding that greedy rich clubs' association of theirs, it's absolutely farcical.

[Revelian]

Originally Posted by Ian Daglers

Meh. I always cringe when Liverpool, Arsenal and especially United act all holier-than-thou about money with Chelsea. When it's regarding that greedy rich clubs' association of theirs, it's absolutely farcical.

Yeah, they're all a bunch of bastards, really aren't they?

They're only in it for the money, the greedy sh!ts.

They don't seem to realise that they can ruin football with their money-making scheme.

Pricks.

Revelian

[punkman]

Originally Posted by Revelian

Yeah, they're all a bunch of bastards, really aren't they?

They're only in it for the money, the greedy sh!ts.

They don't seem to realise that they can ruin football with their money-making scheme.

Pricks.

Revelian

Every man who are rich will try their best to become richer, it is very hard to resist your "passion" to become greedy. And i believe if you can, you are a good person

[GriffinGunner]

Originally Posted by Ian Daglers

Meh. I always cringe when Liverpool, Arsenal and especially United act all holier-than-thou about money with Chelsea. When it's regarding that greedy rich clubs' association of theirs, it's absolutely farcical.

I'm no fan of the G14 but let's keep some things in perspective:

- The G14 will only expand if it benefits them, and given the political machinations behind their bouts with UEFA and FIFA, adding more clubs from the larger leagues won't exactly alter their status or abilities. There is no fame or money just in membership, so if anyone wants in then they're simply buying into the hype created by the existing members.

- Chelsea's wealth stems from RA, not so much the club. Yes, they're establishing a new brand but they're still miles away from financial independence, let alone sustainability for this level. And last I checked other clubs have insanely wealthy owners, they just don't sink it into the clubs the way RA has done with Chelsea. (Guess you need that 3rd Billion or so before feeling safe enough to not care where it goes. )

- Given the above, I can't see the G14 simply adding a club because they're "wealthy." The clubs that form the group also claim some semblence of history and contribution to the game. If money were the only indicator than some investor could back Grasshoppers or Bohemians and demand entry!

[sinner78]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:G-14.jpg

chelsea should be in that group looking at the calibre of some of the other members.
Bayer leverkusen? marseille??

[Ian Daglers]

Originally Posted by GriffinGunner

I'm no fan of the G14 but let's keep some things in perspective:

- The G14 will only expand if it benefits them, and given the political machinations behind their bouts with UEFA and FIFA, adding more clubs from the larger leagues won't exactly alter their status or abilities. There is no fame or money just in membership, so if anyone wants in then they're simply buying into the hype created by the existing members.

Oh, I agree. But that's exactly what makes me wince when the likes of Arsenal and Man United talk about being "uncomfortable" having Chelsea in their little sewing circle. The G14 was created to cement the advantages held by the biggest, richest established clubs in 2000, and they resent Abramovich & Chelsea for muscling their way into the big-time anyway.

Originally Posted by GriffinGunner

- Chelsea's wealth stems from RA, not so much the club. Yes, they're establishing a new brand but they're still miles away from financial independence, let alone sustainability for this level. And last I checked other clubs have insanely wealthy owners, they just don't sink it into the clubs the way RA has done with Chelsea. (Guess you need that 3rd Billion or so before feeling safe enough to not care where it goes. )

I don't think this is really true anymore. The only thing stopping Chelsea from being profitable at this point (I think) is the massive amount they spend on transfers every year. With the quality of their current squad, they could easily rein in their spending in that department as of now. They have much higher tv and sponsorship income than the non-big 4 clubs, and the 2nd highest gate receipts in Europe after Man Utd (maybe 3rd after Arsenal now).

Originally Posted by GriffinGunner

- Given the above, I can't see the G14 simply adding a club because they're "wealthy." The clubs that form the group also claim some semblence of history and contribution to the game. If money were the only indicator than some investor could back Grasshoppers or Bohemians and demand entry!

I agree that this is the image G14 would like to project, but look who they have included already. There's Leverkusen, who were only added because they had a good CL run and the G14 would look foolish if their member clubs weren't totally dominating that competition. Also PSG, who have only existed since 1970. Not so much tradition there, but there sure is the potential to become a really rich club, having one of the biggest cities in Europe all to themselves.

But anyway, all I was trying to say is that it's just really hypocritical for Man Utd, Inter, Barca et al to object to Chelsea on any sort of "moral" grounds. The G14 club has a cynical mission of protecting the interests of the world's richest football teams, and it's ironic that they're now in the position of trying to fend off a rival who's even richer than them.

[punkman]

Both Leverkusen and Marseille are big teams in the past, that's why they are in the G14.

[Ian Daglers]

Originally Posted by punkman

Both Leverkusen and Marseille are big teams in the past, that's why they are in the G14.

Marseille, sure. But all Leverkusen had when they joined the G14 was a few recent successful seasons, not any kind of winning tradition. In fact, before 1980, they had only ever played in the lower divisions, and they still have never won a single league title. Nor are they a well-supported team. Their ground only holds 22500, which is tiny by German standards.