Money can't buy you love

I could say a lot tonight, regarding Liverpool's success against Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

However, I will limit myself to one observation (albeit a protracted one).

If the rumours I've read are correct, Roman Abramovich is unhappy with the style in which Chelsea are playing.

Mourinho has been conditioned, as a manager, to seek victory; Abramovich, as an extremely rich man, has come to expect satisfaction. The realisation is that, in football, victory is not always satisfaction.

What it comes down to is: Roman has spent a lot of money and he wants beautiful football. He doesn't just want victory, he wants dominance in the truest sense football can offer; aesthetic. And when the supply of money is seemingly endless, this expectation is not unreasonable - it is, however, very difficult to acheive.

Simply, Jose is struggling to give Roman what he wants because they have different standards of success.

In the long run, I think Roman is the more astute of the two - Chelsea, with all their obscene funds, will never get any non-partisan respect until they play attractive, expansive, even reckless football. Only this style, the football of the dilletante, rings true to their current foundations - unending wealth, constant choice and relentless potential for improvement.

Until Chelsea (and their manager) appreciate this, no-one outside Stamford Bridge will ever learn to love them. That is where the likes of Manchester, Arsenal and Liverpool will continue to hold the upper hand - there is love for them in abundance throughout both their supporters and the neutrals. Chelsea, as result of their financial pre-eminance will continue to garner animosity until they fulfil the promise of their huge wealth.

In case you hadn't realised, I'm drunk (hence the pomposity). JP and Jamie, I promised you a football rant tonight - here it is...