The Rise and Fall Of The Roman Empire

Over five years ago, a Russian billionaire made a wrong turn in a helicopter and subsequently changed the face of football as we knew it.

That Russian's name was Roman Abramovich.

He came to England with the view of buying a football team. He saw the money-making potential of owning a Premiership football team, and when he arrived in London he spotted White Hart Lane and chose to have a look round.

He liked what he saw, and had almost made his mind up to buy Tottenham Hotspur, so he hopped back in his helicopter with the intent to buy the North London club.

However, his pilot made a wrong turn and, flying over West London, he spotted Stamford Bridge. This stadium was even bigger and better than Tottenham's, so naturally Abramovich had to take a look.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Once he made his presence felt, English football was changed forever. No-one could compete with the spending power of Chelsea. To do that they would need an investment of their own.

Football could never go back to the way it was. The transition from it being a game to a business was underway.

In his first season at Stamford Bridge, Abramovich's Chelsea finished second in the league, only beaten by "the Invincibles" of Arsenal, and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Not good enough. Abramovich sacked Claudio Ranieri, and brought in the man who had won the Champions League that same season with Porto, Jose Mourinho.

"The Special One" instantly endeared himself to the fans, and bought a team capable of winning any and every trophy. He won the Premier League in his first season, as well as the League Cup, and again reaching the Champions League semi-final.

This was better, but still not good enough.

Mourinho guided "Chelski" to another League crown the following season. However, there was, again, a lack of success in Europe.

The next season saw Manchester United finally catch up with Chelsea in the League. They just pipped them to the post, and Chelsea's League Cup and FA Cup success were very little consolation for Abramovich.

Before long Mourinho, the most successful manager in the clubs history, had gone. Two League titles, two League Cups and an FA Cup in three years still wasn't deemed good enough.

In came Israeli Avram Grant. Grant was an utter contrast to Mourinho, he was dull, uncharismatic, and boring. Yet, despite the constant torrent of negative press he received, he did fantastically well.

He pushed Manchester United all the way in the closest title race in Premier League history, and got to the Champions League final—where only an untimely slip from Chelsea talisman John Terry foiled his attempt to achieve what none of his predecessors could.

Grant went and soon "Big" Phil Scolari came in. By now, Abramovich had spent over £600 million on Chelsea. He had also recorded a gigantic loss. But he was still one of the richest men in the world.

He would still be able to buy any player he wanted, because money talks, and he has more money than anyone, right?

Wrong!

After five years in England, Abramovich was actually out-bid for a player yesterday. There are new boys in town now. The Abu Dhabi group plan to dwarf Abramovich's figures.

While I loved this at first, I now realise the implications this has. It is now a "Big Five", not a "Big Four"—Chelsea, Manchester United, and soon Manchester City will be the top three.

Which leaves Arsenal and Liverpool fighting it out for the final Champions League spot.

Abu Dhabi have said they are planning a £135 million bid for Cristiano Ronaldo, as well as bids for Thierry Henry, David Villa, Cesc Fabregas and, more worryingly for me, Fernando Torres.

Now that is a fearsome attacking line-up.

So Chelsea's reign as the richest in England is over. Chelsea's reign as one of the top two will most probably soon be over, and Roman Abramovich's spell of unrivalled spending is well and truly over.

Get ready, because we may be about to see the fall of Roman's Empire.