It took just seven weeks for Chelsea to splash more than #110 on the finest players the world football scene had to offer. Practically overnight, the wage bill soared to #1.5 million a week. From Real Madrid to Arsenal, the football world sat up and took notice. This book reveals how Chelsea were within days of financial meltdown when the multi-billionaire Russian took charge. For the first time ever it discloses the rival bids, the involvement of David Mellor and the investigations of city watchdogs the FSA into potential insider share dealings. Most remarkable of all, the text reveals Chelsea's negotiations with Sven Goran Eriksson and Ferguson for the manager's position, as well as their discussions with even more of the leading lights of the footballing world such as Wayne Rooney, Stephen Gerrard and Michael Owen.