I always felt that Chelsea had potential, but at times the club seemed a long way from realising it. I remember playing in a top-flight game at Stamford Bridge against Southampton in 1992 – there were 6,800 people there. Now the ground is full most weeks.

The Harlington training ground, next to Heathrow airport, was barren and the only people who watched us were a man called Jimmy The Wig, who gave Kerry Dixon betting tips; a woman called Helen, who had a crush on Andy Townsend; and another woman who refused to speak to me because Tony Dorigo had just joined Leeds United and she could not accept the idea of a different Tony at Chelsea. We changed in two rooms because we could not all fit in one and spent a lot of the time throwing biscuits at each other through the dividing door.

Even as the club progressed during the 1990s, they were still at Harlington and it wasn’t until after Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003 that they moved the training ground to Cobham. It is second to none – the perfect setting, wonderful pitches, a serious security operation to keep out the punters. In comparison, our facilities were nonLeague.

Still, Chelsea were a glamour club long before Abramovich arrived because of the superb West London location. To that, the Russian has added the glitz from his own life and brought in famous players. Word of mouth spreads among the world’s top stars – here is a successful club in a great part of London and you will not have a problem agreeing personal terms.

Is it sustainable? Why not? I do not see Abramovich walking away and if he does, another wealthy benefactor will replace him. It is an irresistible package – Chelsea are not only glamorous but successful. The reality is living up to the image.

Takeover led to cups overflowing

Chelsea won only eight trophies in the 98 years that preceded the arrival of Roman Abramovich at Stamford Bridge and have picked up five since the Russian took over.

Pre Abramovich

League title 1955 FA Cup 1970, 1997, 2000 League Cup 1965, 1998 Cup Winners’ Cup 1971, 1998 Excludes minor trophies

Post Abramovich

League title 2005, 2006 FA Cup 2007 League Cup 2005, 2007