Vitesse Arnhem coach Leonid Slutsky says today's footballers across Europe should be grateful to Roman Abramovich.
Slutsky, who is close to the Russian billionaire, argues football's wage explosion would not have happened without Abramovich buying Chelsea.
He stated: "Abramovich is a revolutionary in world football.
"All the young players of our time should say thanks to Roman Abramovich, who, by joining football, raised the salary level several times.
"Now you will not surprise anyone with huge salaries, but Abramovich started everything."
Abramovich has owned Chelsea since the summer of 2003.
