10 Incredible Premier League "What Ifs"
2. Abramovich didn't buy Chelsea
Roman Abramovich's £140 million purchase of Chelsea Football Club in 2003 set a precedent in the Premier League like no other financial transaction has since. Something of a surprise move, Chelsea were a club notorious for being 'nearly men' and huge investment in the squad and coaching staff converted an average side into league champions.
Had Abramovich set his sights elsewhere and never invested in the club, the course of Premier League history would have been changed to almost exactly the same magnitude, albeit it in a very different manner.
For starters, the stars who made moves to Stamford Bridge may never have moved at all - one who definitely would have joined the Premier League was Michael Ballack but his destination would have been Old Trafford to replace Roy Keane but the same cannot be said of Didier Drogba; it's probable he would have made waves in Spain instead as a Galactico.
Jose Mourinho was a key player in Chelsea's successes but the Special One would have found work elsewhere, possibly all around Europe before directly replacing Sir Alex Ferguson or even Arsene Wenger. As for Chelsea management, with lower ambitions at the club, Claudio Ranieri would have retained his position and you can say for certain that he would never have led Leicester City to the title with such a cushty role in the capital.
Mediocrity for life at Chelsea is almost assured had Roman Abramovich's takeover never come to pass.