Arnesen aims to save Abramovich millions

AP

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LONDON (AP) – Frank Arnesen is confident he can produce a crop of homegrown talent at Chelsea and save billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich millions in the transfer market.

The Blues’ director of youth development, who moved to Stamford Bridge from Tottenham before the season, said Chelsea would not rely solely on Abramovich’s fortune to win titles.

“When Abramovich came in he invested a lot of money to get Chelsea to the level they are now at,” Arnesen told reporters. “That was step one.

“But the next step was to invest in the structure so that they get players in here before they get so expensive. We will not go on spending the kind of money we have done so far on players. We will look at players and make sure the price is right.” Arnesen has a good track record of finding talented young players.

He was technical director at PSV Eindhoven for 10 years. Recruiting stars such as Arjen Robben, who is now at Chelsea, he helped the Dutch club win 12 domestic honors.

Since Abramovich bought out Ken Bates three seasons ago and paid off the club’s 80 million pound (US$140.8 million) debts, Chelsea has spent some 300 million pounds (US$528 million) on 20 new players.

The only homegrown talent to make an impact is England centerback John Terry. Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Glen Johnson were bought from West Ham.

Most of the arrivals have come since Jose Mourinho took over from Claudio Ranieri and led the club to its first league title in 50 years last season.

The arrival of Abramovich has meant that no player is out of Chelsea’s price range.

The club has spent a combined 70 million pounds (US$123.2 million) on just three players, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Shaun Wright–Phillips.

But the club has been criticized for effectively buying titles and Arnesen wants to start recruiting homegrown players straight from school.