CHELSEA HAVE suffered their reality check. Roman Abramovich could have been forgiven for awaking dizzy and disorientated yesterday just hours after the Premier League's original multi-billionaire benefactor had been financially trumped for the first time since storming Stamford Bridge.
His new manager's principal transfer target had been lost at the last. When the league resumes next week, Robinho will be lining up alongside Shaun Wright-Phillips for Manchester City. The visitors had anticipated confronting the one they gave away; now they must contend with the one that got away as well.
There was a sense of deflation around the league leaders yesterday, with the anticlimax inevitably tinged with embarrassment. Rarely has this club acknowledged the anticipated arrival of a rival club's player as publicly as in the case of the Brazilian.
Peter Kenyon spoke freely of his confidence Robinho would be Chelsea's during the club's pre-season tour of Asia. Even as Real Madrid's attitude to the sale oscillated so tediously, the chief executive was still suggesting the playmaker would provide "an added dimension" to the team as the cut-off loomed.
Even at the dawn of transfer deadline day, the very idea that City would soon boast the clout to compete was unthinkable. Chelsea were in a league of their own. Abramovich can throw money at anything and, had he matched Real's asking price of €40 million, they would have signed a player who had already stated his priority to be a move to Stamford Bridge.
This pursuit also smacked of complacency. Relations between the clubs had been strained by Kenyon's public courting of a player who had two years to run on his contract at the Bernabeu. Real did not appreciate being the victims of the kind of tactics they have employed so often themselves. The oversight by an external online kit merchandiser that briefly saw Robinho replica shirts advertised on the club's official website was embarrassing.
More damaging was the sight of the Chelsea chief executive leaving De Maria restaurant, a favourite haunt of the Spanish paparazzi, with Robinho's agent Wagner Ribeiro, which enraged the Real president, Ramon Calderon. Thereafter, he was always inclined to do business with other suitors. City answered his call. By the time the decisive bid was lodged at around 6pm on Monday night, Chelsea - remarkably - were effectively out of the running.
Abramovich is not used to being gazumped. His club have been happy to flex their muscles to secure players identified by Manchester United over the last five years - Arjen Robben, Michael Essien, Mikel John Obi. But, from nowhere, he suddenly has a rival with pockets deeper than his own.
It was Chelsea who ended up bloodied and bruised, with Kenyon no doubt left to recall memories of how Barcelona had outmanoeuvred him to sign Ronaldinho five years ago while he was still employed at Old Trafford.
The Chelsea chief executive and owner were apparently united in their defiant refusal to increase their offer for Robinho, and there is no suggestion that Kenyon's position is under threat despite losing out on Scolari's target.
Indeed, Chelsea may well choose to offer a reminder of their own clout in the midwinter window. Kaka remains within their sights. Now, though, they know they will not be alone in attempting to wrest the forward from Milan. The days of Chelsea being unique have gone.
Guardian Service
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