Frank Arnesen's fiercest critics argue he should have left Chelsea a long time ago. They scrutinise his role as sporting director at Stamford Bridge and consider it a surprise he has not gone already.
But the former Denmark international remains with the Premier League champions - and his value to the club will become apparent in the coming season in the wake of the decision to release Joe Cole and Michael Ballack at the end of their contracts.
Carlo Ancelotti is not expected to make radical changes to his squad, with the Chelsea manager planning to promote some of the youth players Arnesen has scouted and nurtured. Judgement day is looming for Arnesen's ability to locate young talent.
Jeffrey Bruma is one of his recruits, so is Gael Kakuta, the controversial signing from Lens who led to Chelsea being suspended from registering players, only for the ban to be lifted.
It has been a long wait for Arnesen's players to establish themselves at Chelsea. He played a key role in signing Mikel John Obi and Salomon Kalou but they were on the radar of most scouts in Europe. Mikel almost ended up playing for Manchester United, while Kalou played with Feyenoord.
Arnesen was expected to find youngsters for Chelsea managers to place in the first team, to try to match the production line at West Ham where they found Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Cole and Frank Lampard in one generation.
On one hand, the future looks bright because Arnesen's youngsters won the FA Youth Cup by defeating Aston Villa, with Marko Mitrovic and captain Conor Clifford getting the crucial goals in the second leg. Sam Hutchinson has also shown promise in his three appearances last season for the first team.
But there was also the news of Turkish side Fenerbahce signing Miroslav Stoch, another player who failed to make an impact after being brought to the club under Arnesen's watch.
The 20-year-old made five appearances in four years and Chelsea fans never saw the best of the Slovakia international. They will be hoping for more from the likes of Fabio Borini and Kakuta next season, as Ancelotti may not have any other options.
But the former Denmark international remains with the Premier League champions - and his value to the club will become apparent in the coming season in the wake of the decision to release Joe Cole and Michael Ballack at the end of their contracts.
Carlo Ancelotti is not expected to make radical changes to his squad, with the Chelsea manager planning to promote some of the youth players Arnesen has scouted and nurtured. Judgement day is looming for Arnesen's ability to locate young talent.
Jeffrey Bruma is one of his recruits, so is Gael Kakuta, the controversial signing from Lens who led to Chelsea being suspended from registering players, only for the ban to be lifted.
It has been a long wait for Arnesen's players to establish themselves at Chelsea. He played a key role in signing Mikel John Obi and Salomon Kalou but they were on the radar of most scouts in Europe. Mikel almost ended up playing for Manchester United, while Kalou played with Feyenoord.
Arnesen was expected to find youngsters for Chelsea managers to place in the first team, to try to match the production line at West Ham where they found Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick, Cole and Frank Lampard in one generation.
On one hand, the future looks bright because Arnesen's youngsters won the FA Youth Cup by defeating Aston Villa, with Marko Mitrovic and captain Conor Clifford getting the crucial goals in the second leg. Sam Hutchinson has also shown promise in his three appearances last season for the first team.
But there was also the news of Turkish side Fenerbahce signing Miroslav Stoch, another player who failed to make an impact after being brought to the club under Arnesen's watch.
The 20-year-old made five appearances in four years and Chelsea fans never saw the best of the Slovakia international. They will be hoping for more from the likes of Fabio Borini and Kakuta next season, as Ancelotti may not have any other options.
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