Gourlay: Blues won't enter bidding wars

10 May 2010 13:45
Chelsea chief executive Ron Gourlay insists the club will not enter bidding wars with any of their rivals to purchase players in the summer.[LNB] Carlo Ancelotti's side wrapped up the Premier League title on Sunday following their 8-0 thrashing of Wigan and the Blues can take a historic Double should they beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup on Saturday.[LNB]But the Chelsea squad has faced accusations of ageing throughout the campaign, with questions raised over the team's ability to combat tiredness and offer alternative dimensions to their play.[LNB]It has led to suggestions the Stamford Bridge outfit will enter the transfer market in the summer to brighten up the playing ranks and add younger talent to the side.[LNB]Gourlay dismissed such talk - but admitted his team would not pay over the odds in chasing new targets against some of their heavily resourced rivals.[LNB]When asked whether he would enter bidding wars to recruit players, Gourlay told Sky Sports News: "No - we wouldn't get involved a bidding war. If there's any player that's become available and we feel they can strengthen our team then it will be on the terms of Chelsea Football Club.[LNB]"We've got to be respectful to the rest of the players in the pool and as we mentioned we have some great players coming through from the academy, so the future's bright."[LNB]He went on: "But I keep hearing about our ageing squad - we have 28 players in our first team squad and our age average is 27 - so I hope people are not telling us we're too old at 27. I think we're in a good position."[LNB]Despite his warning, Gourlay insisted resources would be available to Ancelotti should he chose to bring in new faces.[LNB]But after enjoying years of lavish spending under former boss Jose Mourinho, the 46-year-old said the club must operate in a "self-sufficient" manner in its transfer dealings.[LNB]That means it will be hard for Ancelotti to source big-money signatures, with Gourlay explaining some of the existing team may have to make way for new purchases.[LNB]He added: "If the right player is available that Carlo wants to bring into his squad and if it fits with everything else then we'll bring him in.[LNB]"The money will be there but we'll stick to our goal of being self-sufficient and that's very, very important. [LNB]"From a business point of view it would be nice to finance any new signings coming in from players that may be going out or selling players.[LNB]"But at the end of the day we've got to keep our goal of being self-sufficient but if we have to go into the market place then if it's the right player to strengthen the team, then the answer to your question is 'yes'."

Source: Team_Talk