The Soccer Weblog

Despite Jose Mourinho's recent claim that Chelsea are done spending, and despite their impressive start to the season (they're top by the way) The Daily Mail are reporting that Roman Abramovich is about to launch a mad-money-move for the one and only Ronaldinho.

This may sound like great news for Chelsea fans, but Ronaldinho would actually be a terrible signing. It would be another transfer in the Shevchenko and Ballack mold, with Abramovich basically going above Mourinho's head. The manager will then be expected to accommodate yet another star name into a team he's already built to his satisfaction for this season. There's also Ronaldinho's style of play to consider. He's not exactly lazy, but he's definitely not suited to the Mourinho style of play that's been so successful in the Premiership, where wingers and midfielders have to work very very very hard. Lampard has to run up and down like a madman, as does Essien, while wingers like Damien Duff and now Florent Malouda fit in so well because they're prepared to run backwards as well as forward. This tactic gives Chelsea an attacking 4-3-3 that becomes a solid 4-5-1 when necessary, and it's the method Chelsea have used to steam roller opponents for the past few seasons.

This one big signing, if it happens, could ruin all of that.

• Video: Highlights Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea
• Would You Want to Manage Chelsea?
• Sunday Feature: Chelsea as Sparta Prague, or is it Real Madrid?
• The 5 Reasons Mourinho is no Longer Chelsea Boss
• How Ronaldinho Saved Barcelona
• Goal Of The Week: Ronaldinho
• New Chelsea Signing Could Be Denied Work Permit
• Ronaldinho Rijkaard Rift?
• Video: The New Ronaldinho (As Coveted By Chelsea, Barcelona)