By Phil McNulty Chief football writer

Roman Abramovich has launched a spectacular financial assault to transform Chelsea into cheque book champions.

Chelsea agree Duff fee

The �17m fee agreed with Blackburn Rovers for Damien Duff is a drop in the ocean when it comes to Abramovich's estimated �2bn fortune.

Dalglish had the cheque - but also the acumen

And it is an ironic twist in the tale that the club that demonstrated great resistance to Chelsea's new-found financial muscle was Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn's 1995 Premiership triumph is regarded as the perfect model of a club that set out to buy the title and succeeded.

In contrast to Abramovich, however, Blackburn benefactor Jack Walker was a passionate Ewood Park fan who turned a lifelong dream into reality.

Abramovich is a hard-headed businessman who is putting extra pleasure into his lavish lifestyle by backing Chelsea.

BLACKBURN'S BUYS �2m Tim Flowers �2.75m David Batty �3.3m Alan Shearer �5m Chris Sutton

It is a policy that may provide quick - although in Chelsea's case hardly cheap - thrills but may not provide lasting success.

Blackburn's success was built on Kenny Dalglish's management, Alan Shearer's goals and Walker's money.

When those precious commodities disappeared so did Blackburn - straight out of the Premiership and back into the First Division.

It took the appointment of Graeme Souness to return Blackburn to the top flight - and he is aware of the pitfalls of Chelsea's plans.

He said: "It has been proved in the past money does not guarantee success - spending does not mean you win trophies.

"And Chelsea will find it difficult because clubs will really be trying against them. In a situation like that other clubs like to bring you down.

"It is one thing having money, but another thing entirely guaranteeing success."

CHEQUE BOOK CHELSEA �6m Glen Johnson �6.9m Geremi �7m Wayne Bridge �17m Damien Duff

Dalglish at least built towards success at Blackburn, despite spending �27.5m on 27 players by the time he broke the British record for the second time to buy �5m Chris Sutton in the summer of 1994.

He was appointed manager in October 1991 and moved steadily, albeit expensively, towards his chosen target.

It was his wise spending on �3.3m Shearer, �2.75m David Batty and �2m goalkeeper Tim Flowers that established title foundations.

But Dalglish stepped down as manager almost immediately and the glory years were over.

The Walker chequebook remained, but its magical qualities disappeared as Ray Harford, Roy Hodgson and Brian Kidd proved you could not buy success with money alone.

So while Chelsea want to assemble the Premiership's dream team, it will take more than Roman's deep pockets to win silverware.

Manchester United and Arsenal could also be accused of "buying" the title, but the manner of their spending has been spread out over several seasons.

Their investment was more in the style of a dripping tap rather than Chelsea's method of turning the hoses on the problem.

But Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger - and indeed Dalglish at Blackburn - proved managerial acumen is needed as well as a hefty cheque book to win the title.

It is the start of a glorious new era for Chelsea, but the wisdom of Abramovich's policy is so far unproven.