The Abramovich era at Chelsea could come to an end as soon as this week
Roman Abramovich will reportedly receive offers for Chelsea this week after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine plunged his ownership of the club into uncertainty.
According to Matt Law in the Telegraph, as many as three interested parties are monitoring the situation at Stamford Bridge in the belief that, for the first time, Abramovich will be open to a sale. The report goes as far as suggesting offers are being prepared and could be made before the close of the week.
Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003, transforming the club into one of the most competitive in English football and winning the European Cup twice – most recently at the end of last season.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week, he released a statement which confirmed he would be relinquishing the stewardship and care of the club to trustees of its charitable foundation. Although, in reality, this changed very little, some saw it as a way of protecting himself amid calls for his assets to be frozen or seized.
Numerous sanctions have been placed on Russia and some of its wealthiest individuals by the EU and other Western powers in response to events in Ukraine. Abramovich’s past links to Vladimir Putin have seen calls for the British government to impose measures against him.
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel faced several questions on the uncertainty shrouding the club during a press conference on Tuesday.
“I have to say that’s a bit too much for me to answer,” he responded when asked about Abramovich. “I’m not aware of any details, and I’m not aware of the whole situation.
“We all agree there are situations much, much more important than football, this will never change. And situations like war are of course so much more important.
“But the role of Mr. Abramovich is not on me to comment, because I simply don’t know enough about it.”
Pressed on the issue, the German eventually snapped, demanding reporters stopped asking him about the issue.
“Listen, listen, listen you have to stop, I’m not a politician,” he said.
“You have to stop, honestly, I can only repeat it and I feel bad to repeat it because I’ve never experienced war.
“So even to talk about it I feel bad because I’m very privileged – I sit here in peace. I do the best I can but you have to stop asking me these questions because I have no answers for you.”
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