CHELSEA ODDS UNMOVED DESPITE FIFA TRANSFER BAN

With the shocking punishment handed down by FIFA having banned Chelsea football club from transfer activity until 2011, William Hill has left Chelsea's Premiership odds unchanged for the time being. Carlo Ancelotti's men and the staff at Stamford Bridge must be reeling from the decision, but I suspect that many non-Chelsea fans will consider it a just punishment after years of dodgy transfer dealings. Though the death threats against referees have suspiciously died down, Chelsea have obviously been breaching contracts left and right and attempting to unsettle players. You'll find Chelsea still listed as the favourites to win the English Premier League, but with the team unable to sign replacements when certain players head off to the African Cup of Nations in the new year, we could find a short-term injury crisis turn into a total disaster. This is just speculation, however. Chelsea currently carry a 6/5 price to win the Premiership, ahead of nearest competitors Manchester United who sit at 13/5 with popular UK bookmaker William Hill. Arsenal are listed at 11/2 while Liverpool look like they're in contention for fourth spot with their 7/1 odds. It hasn't been the best start for Rafa Benitez's men, but I figure they'll start grinding out results soon, or things could certainly go from bad to worse on Merseyside. Manchester City still have an outside shot at this with a 10/1 price tag and Tottenham Hotspur are flying high and commanding a 20/1 price. They won't win, but this could be a breakthrough year for Spuds. It will be interesting to see just how this transfer shapes the rest of the season. Should Chelsea suffer a long-term injury to a key player, they will be unable to purchase reinforcements and must rely on their youth system. Still, it could help the club start turning a profit. It is an interesting punishment after a summer of mad transfer activity.