Bates is in a dream situation at the moment- he is club chairman, making most of the decisions on how to spend another man's money. Well, it's a situation that plenty of women find themselves in, but very few men!

And after crticism from both David Gold (Birmingham Chairman) and Sir Alex Ferguson (Man Yoo manager), Bates has hit out!

He said "We haven't actually spent that much. So far we have spent £34million on four players, which is only £4m more than Manchester United spent on Rio Ferdinand last summer. Money alone does not buy you success. There are a few clubs who have bankrupted themselves trying to buy success.

"We have brought in four players but we have let seven or eight players go, so we are a little thin in some areas. We had to rebuild our midfield because (Enrique) de Lucas went back to Spain and we released Jody Morris. Last year Claudio Ranieri didn't spend a penny, took us from sixth to fourth and in the process blooded five youngsters.

"He gave John Terry a chance, and he is now a member of the England squad. He gave Carlton Cole his chance and he is now one of the fastest strikers in the country.

"Carlo Cudicini is one of the best goalkeepers in the Premiership, bought for £160,000. Ranieri has a proven track record both at Chelsea and previously in Europe of being a shrewd judge of players."

Bates is right, Claudio's a quality manager. I think the fact that Abramovich has bought 4 players under 24, all either English based or experienced in English football, suggests that he has plenty of respect for Mr Ranieri's opinions. And that can only be a good thing for Chelsea FC...