"The Chelsea players, management and Abramovic are all multi-millionaires."
Yes, but abramovic is a shady russian mafioso (not that most multimillionaires are not mafiosi of some type) and is not throwing millions out of the window just for the sake of his vanity, vanity surely has a lot to do with his investment in chelsea, but i am more than certain he not only wants his money back at some point, but he's aiming at a long term profit too.
"Why would they risk everything for a few extra million (which they aren't particularly desparate for) in a dodgy deal with bookies."
I don't think they d risk much really. Such shit rarely hits the proverbial fan, because even if the involved parties (uefa, bookmakers, other teams) become aware of such "dodgy deal" it's not to their interests to have it become public as it would eventually do more harm than good, tarnishing their collective reputation and that of the sport. Actually, the only real loser in a possible chelsea set up would be the vast square betting public, who considered chelsea a "banker".
"How many people would you expect to be involved in such an "agreement". I can't see Ranieri giving a team talk saying "right we need to be 2-0 down by half-time today". It would only take one person to speak out and they would all be in the dock."
It only takes a few players really, goalkeeper, a defender, and a couple of midfielders say. The man paying their multimillion salaries, takes each one aside for a few moments after training, and goes "you dont have to be 100% tonight, blah blah". Even footballers can figure this simple equation out, i want to get my millions, the boss suggested i dont try too hard tonight, hence why should i. (Try replaying one of besiktas goal, where desaille (i think) "slips", and the goallie tries to stop the besiktas attacker coming out of his area more like waving a cab or something). As far as speaking out goes, why would anyone risk losing his millions? Why would anyone risk messing with the russian mafia? It's not like their in on some hideous crime and they ll be bogged by guilt and re*****, just another fix sports event, happens all the time.
"The basic fact is Chelsea have signed a great deal of individual stars who are still learning how to play together as a team. It doesn't help that Ranieri chops and changes so much also. Personally I am surprised that this was their first defeat."
Ι am not surprised either, and chelsea is indeed not functioning as a team, but i wouldnt be surprised either if a fix was in.
Of course such things one can not know for a fact, but i reckon most probably than not it did happen, mafioso roman has both the incentives and the means for such a thing...
