Nothing is the same at Chelsea anymore. The sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich have hit the club hard, which also has to adjust to the loss of some top performers. The sporting future is in danger.
In terms of sport, things are going almost exceptionally well for Chelsea FC: won the Club World Cup, reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, won the first leg of the first knockout round in the Champions League, five wins in a row in the Premier League. Only the bitter defeat after a penalty shoot-out against Liverpool in the League Cup final would leave a blemish on the past few weeks – were it not for Russia’s war against Ukraine and the associated sanctions against “Blues” owner Roman Abramovich.
The reigning Champions League winner is on the brink of collapse as a result of the British government’s measures against the oligarch close to Putin. But how bad is it really about the “blues”? t-online approaches the most urgent questions.
Can Chelsea finish the current season?
The question cannot be answered clearly. Former world-class goalkeeper-turned sporting director Petr Čech said on Sky Sports in England at the weekend: “It’s not in our hands. We’re thinking from day to day.”
And further: “It’s a difficult situation. We have many questions but not many answers. We are determined to focus on the things that we can control, which means working with the people, supporting each other, to come to training and focus on the games, the teams have the support to do that.”
Petr Čech: The Czech goalkeeper legend works as a sporting director at Chelsea FC. (Source: PA Images/imago images)
Chelsea are only allowed to continue playing at all thanks to a special license from the British government. The conditions include that travel expenses to an away game must not exceed £20,000 (approx. EUR 24,000). The maximum cost of hosting a home game has been raised from £500,000 to £900,000 (about €1.1m) at the club’s request. Chelsea are no longer allowed to sell match tickets and fan articles. Several advertising partners, including the shirt sponsor, the British mobile phone company Three, suspended their engagement.
According to the English newspaper “Daily Mail”, the club is concerned about a deduction of nine points as a result of bankruptcy. That would probably be equivalent to not qualifying for the Champions League.
What does Thomas Tuchel do?
Tuchel (contract until 2024) has ruled out an immediate resignation. “There is absolutely no doubt that I will stay until the end of the season,” said the coach. “We have to wait and see from day to day because everything can change.”
What about new players and expiring contracts?
The Champions League winner is not allowed to make player transfers for the time being. Extensions of expiring contracts may not be made. This includes regular players such as Germany international Antonio Rüdiger, defender Andreas Christensen and captain César Azpilicueta. Everything is unclear. It is questionable how long the players will wait for Chelsea – or make the jump to another club.
Can Roman Abramovich still sell the club?
The Russian oligarch himself had already announced the sale of Chelsea FC (sales value estimated at around two to three billion euros). Due to the sanctions, however, the procedure was initially suspended. Because: Abramovich is not allowed to earn anything at the club.
The government now wants to allow the club to be sold and is in talks with the US bank Raine, which Chelsea had commissioned to handle the transaction. According to the online portal “The Athletic”, the club could change hands within the next four to six weeks. How the government intends to ensure that Abramovich earns nothing from this transaction in accordance with its conditions remains open – like so much else.