April Week 1 - Countdown

[El Gordo]

Aha! The Jack Walker gambit.

Just a few quick points:

1) Even if Walker was an Abramovitch (and he wasn't), I don't think that's a strong argument.

A: "I don't like what Dictator X is doing in Country Y. His actions will bring instability to the region and cause a lot of suffering. He should be stopped."

B: "I wouldn't bother. Pol Pot did the same. Hitler. Stalin. The regions will recover eventually."

2) As mentioned, Walker was no Abramovitch. Yes he was a wealthy man, worth £300m, but compared to the Russian crook's £12 billion (?), it's nowt. He spent less than £30 million on players in the road to Blackburn's title victory. We all remember being shocked when Shearer went there, but he cost £3 million. Contrast that with the £280 million spent by Abramovitch in little over 12 months. Even with inflation, it doesn't compare.

The danger with Abramovitch is that he has the capability of corrupting the entire game, while Walker didn't. His Chief Executive has already mused that it is part of Chelsea's "marketing strategy" (not playing strategy, note) to buy up England players. A point can easily be visualised when Chelsea essentially own the England team, and therefore the means to call the shots. Withdraw players, demand massive fees for their services, take a large cut of sponsorship deals and so on. It's rotten, and driven by the worst of motives.

3) But much more important is this point: Walker was born in Blackburn and was a lifelong Blackburn fan.