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Is Roman’s General going to last?

It appears that the Roman empire is no longer expanding, possibly indicating that their General has reached the limits of his capabilities.

Roman Abramovich was absent during his team’s recent match, which intensified the belief that things are not going well, further frustrating many of his staff.

While it may go unsaid, a lingering sentiment within Chelsea exists that a man who once resolved issues with his wealth now only produces complications, making impulsive decisions and leaving others to manage the consequences. Although Abramovich’s erratic and detached management style is not solely to blame for Chelsea’s difficulties, with injuries being the primary culprit, it has certainly worsened the situation.

The Russian’s understandable wish to reduce expenses has led to an unbalanced and inadequately prepared squad, while his removal of Ray “Butch” Wilkins and the choice of his replacement have negatively affected morale and weakened the manager’s position. Chelsea’s tendency for self-sabotage far surpasses the harm caused by their rivals.

Carlo Ancelotti has thus far managed to brush off the impact on his reputation brought about by the knowledge that his superior pays little attention to his views, but the time has come for him to take a stand. The manager set the stage last weekend by confiding in friends about his dissatisfaction and even hinting at a possible resignation.

This morning, Ancelotti’s body language reflected his discomfort. For most of the 90 minutes, he stood frowning on the sidelines, and when he did sit down, it was next to Paul Clement, rather than his new assistant, Michael Emenalo, who accompanied the manager during the match at Birmingham City last Saturday.

The team’s fans mirrored this subdued atmosphere, remaining unenthusiastic even amidst a second-half comeback, failing to rally behind Ancelotti despite his popularity. Similar to the board, they might view his resignation threat as an empty bluff. They have experienced this before, having seen campaigns to save Claudio Ranieri and Jose Mourinho falter, perhaps finally understanding the essential principle of Abramovich’s rule…contract, expires, league, cup, resistance is futile.

For now, Ancelotti will hold on, although the reality of an impending reckoning is undeniable, even if it is delayed until the conclusion of the season. His contract is set to expire in 2012, so if an extension cannot be negotiated in the summer, he may depart.

After guiding Chelsea to the first league and cup double in the club’s history last season, Ancelotti had expressed his desire to remain with the team for a decade, but it would now be surprising if he remains in place for another 10 months.

The evident growing pains among the club’s younger members would do little to encourage his commitment, even if his trust in the hierarchy had not been fractured. When he leaves, he will be lamented, yet another casualty of Abramovich’s frustrating interference.

Buford Balony says: I’m eagerly anticipating the day the Russian decides to part ways with Chelsea; then they will inevitably return to their rightful place at the bottom of the table, and all the fair-weather fans will need to find another team to “support.”

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