Chelsea navigates through troubled waters.
With the arrival of the Ukrainian conflict, Roman Abramovich was forced to delegate the management of the club.
And while this decision has created a lot of turmoil inside the club, the Russian oligarch is now thinking of selling the club he bought in 2003.
To discover
Premier League fixtures and results
Premier League standings
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: should AS Monaco and its Russian president Rybolovlev be worried?
That's according to The
Telegraph
, which is the first sales rumors in more than 18 years.
The newspaper argues that Putin's relative is afraid of economic sanctions.
Britain could indeed freeze his accounts, freeze his assets and seize his property in response to the Russian invasion.
The first takeover offers expected this week
Buyout offers are expected to arrive this week.
Americans are expected to be the number one candidates.
Problem: the club has a debt of 1.8 billion to its owner, which will have to be covered by the new owner in the event of a takeover.
Roman Abramovich was recently called upon by Ukrainians to act as a peace broker.
The billionaire accepted, just after delegating the management of Chelsea to Marina Granovskaïa and Petr Cech.
"
For almost 20 years that I have owned Chelsea FC, I have always considered myself the goalkeeper of the club,
" he explained in a statement from the club.
My job is to make sure we are performing as well as possible and to build for the future.
All while playing a positive role for our communities.
I have always taken these decisions with the interest of the Club at heart.
That is why I entrust the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC to the Trustees.
They are currently in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, the players, the staff and the supporters.”
Tuchel is not disturbed
This decision to withdraw did not please internally.
Two of the six directors of the club had threatened to resign, believing that it was not an optimal organization.
A situation that would not bother Thomas Tuchel in his management.
“
It does not change anything for me on a daily basis.
I am in close contact with Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech,
explained the former Parisian
.
I lead the first team, bring my contribution, and just give the best of myself so that we win
”.
Under Roman Abramovich, Chelsea have become an important Premier League club.
The London club went from middling to a member of the 'Big 4' with the oligarch.
Since 2003, his track record is immense.
He won 5 championships, 5 FA Cups, 3 League Cups, 2 Community Shield, 2 Club World Cup, 2 Europa League and especially 2 Champions League.