Normal Service Has Been Resumed In The English Premier League

If you ever thought that Chelsea really could be considered among the top English clubs - you are either a new soccer fan, or a Chelsea fan.

Millions would not buy you tradition or long lasting success. It certainly helps to a certain extent, but success and standing requires a consistent and proven track record over a lengthy period of time. Sure, Chelsea won 2 of the last 3 English Premier League titles - but do they have the management, team, and patience to repeat that many years after?

Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich wants instant success - and sure enough he got some. But the decline is likely to set in unless he gives up his fantasy football dalliances and lets his club management team handle the business and the coach the team affairs.

Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are the real prosperous and enduring English teams - no matter how much you might hate Manchester United, for instance, you have to admit they are a well-drilled business machine yet they leave the manager to take care of the team, and reap the onfield benefits. Arsenal has the same model, coupled with sound financial management. Liverpool still has a family feel to it, and despite burdened by their past success, are a club with strong traditions and know the football way.

Yesterday's result for Chelsea could just be an aberration till they find a decent coach. But they will never ever be a big club, despite Peter Kenyon's assertion to the contrary and efforts to build a global Blue Empire. Till they have a large loyal fanbase over generations and run the club as a true blue football club instead of a plaything and pure business investment.

So Chelsea fans, there is no crisis. It's just back to modus operandi - the past 3 years were just a dream, albeit a beautiful one.