As yesterday i was scolded once again that my posts are too long, by two independent observers no less, i will confine my thoughts regarding this week's Chelsea news to a few concise observations and a quote.

José Mourinho is gone. Can't say it's a shock, and i can't say there aren't elements of his strategy that i will mind saying goodbye to. But on the whole this is a catastrophic development for the Blues. Why?

• Mourinho had the respect of the players. Not the management, mind you, but team leaders John Terry and Frank Lampard were in his corner. Are they going to buy into the next coach? Because it's absolutely essential for the team's success that they do.
• Speaking of the next coach, he's undoubtedly going to be some sort of Roman Abramovich yes-man. Remember, this is the guy who wanted to buy way-past-his-prime Roberto Carlos to make his kid happy. He may have a marketing vision, but he clearly has no idea how to construct a winning team.
• And thinking of the team, how will they pick up the pieces in the middle of the season? Our goals of winning a Premiership/Champions League double look pretty freakin' unrealistic now. Not that they were a lock before Mourinho's departure, but still.
• And on a personal note, i loved that José wore his emotions on his sleeve on the sideline. That kind of enthusiasm was infectious. I will definitely miss seeing Mourinho run the sidelines pumping his fist after an inspirational goal.

Some others said it mere days after Abramovich bought Chelsea, but call me a slow-learner: perhaps the business-ification of the Blues wasn't such a great thing.

little babies, let's go!
women and children, let's go!
old folks, let's go!
don't know where we're going!