Men does talk real tats on here at times you know. NO EPL team has EVER spent money like Chelsea. They have spent more money in the last 3 years than Utd, Assnal and most of the other teams combined.
No one can dispute that Utd and other teams have spent quality money on players but there are two major differences:
1. The foundation of Utd's wealth and success was homegrown, all the way from Busby babes to the Becks/neville, scholes, giggs generation. Cantona, and later Yorke ad Cole were icing on the top of the youths whom Alan Hansen said couldn't win shit.
Utd's wealth was accumulated over a long period of time where the team created a connection with fans, and the club's success, along with it becoming a PLC, made it one of the richest in the world. The current players at Utd are later additions to the squad that came long after the team was wealthy and was forced to pay more than market value for players that they wanted (ala Essien last year). However even in their heyday as big spenders, their was still a limit to what Fergie was allowed to spend. And other big European club also acted a a check against Utd during this time as well because of the competition for players.
Chelsea on the other hand is trying to circumvent history and trying to buy a tradition in the process, and they are finding that no matter how hard they try, they are still not beloved as a Utd, Pool, Madrid or Barca. Also they can spend $$$ in a league of their own with no real or imagined limits. What other club do you know that can sustain losses of $140 million pounds?
There is no other team that can outbid them or even come close. That said, I certainly don't begrude them their money because at the end of the day, its still 11 v 11 on the field, and anything can happen. But I hate hearing the comparision between Utd and Chelsea because there are no real similarities other than they both have had to pay beyond market value for players they wanted. Utd's early success created its wealth... Chelsea's wealth created its success.
Ballack or no Ballack... this coming season will prove to be very difficult for them.