Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich is reportedly listening to offers for the sale of the London-based football team. The Russian Oligarch took control of the team in 2003 and transformed the side into a European giant.
The 55-year-old links to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the United Kingdom government’s ploy to freeze all the assets held by the high-net Russians in the country have prompted him to take the call.
Upon Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich had given the stewardship and control of the club to the club trustees. However, the charitable organization have gone on to seek legal advice and do not believe that they are fit to run a football club.
The club could land in deep trouble if the United Kingdom government elects to freeze Abramovich’s assets. The decision would mean that the club owner would no longer be able to inject funds or sell the club, rendering Chelsea hapless.
Abramovich actively trying to sell all of his assets in England
The Russian billionaire had bought Chelsea for 140 million pounds in 2003. Under his regime, the club have won the Champions League twice and the Premier League five times. According to sources, Abramovich is hastily selling all of his properties in the UK and has even contacted Swiss billionaire Hansjoerg Wyss among others regarding the sale of the club. Wyss told Swiss newspaper Blick:
“Abramovich is currently trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly now. I, along with three other people, received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich,”
“Abramovich is asking for far too much at the moment. You know: Chelsea owes him £2bn. But Chelsea has no money. Meaning: those who buy Chelsea should compensate Abramovich.”
Club manager Thomas Tuchel had retorted to a jounalist during a press conference that he would not be entertaining any questions related to Abramovich or the club’s sale. The German manager said:
“Listen, listen, listen, you have to stop. I am not a politician. You have to stop, honestly. I can only repeat it. And I even feel bad to repeat it because I never experienced war. So even to talk about it I feel bad because I am very privileged. I sit here in peace and I do the best I can, but you have to stop asking me these questions. I have no answers for you.”
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