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CHELSEA FC: THE ROMAN ABRAMOVICH INTERVIEW

/noticias.info/ Roman Abramovich has given his first interview for three years. Speaking in Moscow, many aspects of his life were discussed. Naturally, the subject of Chelsea Football Club was raised.

Here is what Mr. Abramovich said about the club he owns:

On how enduring his enthusiasm for Chelsea will be.
'People who know me said I will win one or two Premierships and will not be interested after that.

'The reality is that we've won two Premierships but I'm more excited about this particular season than last year or the year before. I am a fan of special nature.

'I'm getting excited before every single game. The trophy at the end is less important than the process itself.'

On Chelsea's long term policy.
'Our strategy is to bring up our own players through the academy, which we have invested a lot in, and we hope that will give results.

'We will be spending less in the transfer market in future years.'

On Chelsea's reported unpopularity.
'Everyone likes the situation where the leader loses. We don't have financial problems - that's probably also a factor.

'But you need to give credit: the number of Chelsea fans has increased substantially. There are two groups: ones who love the team and those who don't like it.'

On his influence on team matters.
'I'm not involved in team selection. I cannot say I'm completely not involved in buying players, but my role would be significantly lower than that of the manager's.

'You cannot compare them. To give an example, this would be an impossible situation when a manager does not want a player to be bought and I try to impose ideas. It would not work.'

'That applies to any player, Shevchenko included.'

On his relationship with Jose Mourinho.
'We are not social friends, but we have a pretty warm relationship.'

'Generally speaking, I treat him with great respect and not only because of his football achievements.'

On the suggestion his ambition is for Chelsea to play in a European 'Super League'.
'I don't see the risk of that. Money plays an important role in football but it is not the dominating factor.

'Everything that happens now - the Premiership, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the Carling Cup - I am interested in and just happy about.

'I don't have an opinion about Chelsea playing in a Super League. My feeling would be that you lose something of the beauty of the Premiership by joining something not defined at the moment.

'When Chelsea play a Carling Cup game in a small city and it could result in a draw - the excitement, the spirit, the atmosphere - that's the real beauty of football in England.'

On being a football fan.
'Something that really disappoints me is when Chelsea lose. I cannot stand it.

'Winning the first Premiership was a moment of happiness and I could talk about that for ages. This is a joy very different for Chelsea fans who'd been waiting for this victory for 50 years.

'I was very happy for myself, not only because Chelsea won the Premiership, but because the victory made so many other Chelsea fans happy. Being an observer to that made me happy.'

Mr Abramovich's comments came during a broader interview in which he reflected on his tenure as governor of Chukotka, the Artic region in Russia's Far East.

Since becoming governor six years ago, Mr Abramovich has spent and attracted hundreds of millions of pounds in investment to rebuild infrastructure and housing and improve education and healthcare in what was previously Russia's most desolate region. notas_de_prensa_archivo