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Roman Abramovich has already sent one seismic shock thundering through English football.

When he bought Chelsea back in 2003, it signalled the end of the old order - and ushered in a new era.

The news which broke last night will have the same deep and long-lasting effect, but not in a good way.

Back then, it was greeted with dismay by Chelsea’s rivals.

You could almost hear the angst in the voice of Arsenal vice-chairman David Dein when he said: “Roman Abramovich has parked his tanks on our front lawn - and he’s firing £50 notes at us.”

And the silent Siberian did, too.

Abramovich was determined to land with a bang - and boy, did he.

It didn’t take him long to hire Jose Mourinho. The best up-and-coming manager in the business. Brash, arrogant - and, yes, special. The new model Chelsea was created in his image.

The Blues elbowed their way to the top - smashing to pieces the cosy cabal that Manchester United and Arsenal had created for themselves - a party which Liverpool were incapable of gate-crashing.

The girth of the Russian’s wallet ensured that the best were enticed to the Kings Road.

It took time - nine years, in fact - but the policy of recruiting and remunerating the best was bound to pay dividends.

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