CHELSEA could face financial ruin after having a number of their corporate accounts frozen by ‘risk-averse’ banks.
According to reports, Barclays are one of the banks to have suspended the Blues account.
In his press conference, boss Thomas Tuchel admitted that many players and staff were worried about their futures.
But there has been some good news for Chelsea fans as Nike are reportedly set to stand-by their kit deal with the club.
Meanwhile the Blues may be allowed to continue selling tickets to non-season ticket holders and away fans if they donate the profits from the sales to victims of the war in Ukraine.
Roman Abramovich has been BANNED from selling the club by the government amid sanctions on Russian oligarchs.
Shirt sponsor Three have also suspended their deal with the Blues, asking for their logo not to appear on shirts for the foreseeable future.
It comes as New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and a private Saudi consortium had joined the race to buy the club.
Billionaire Abramovich is said to have had over 300 parties express their interest in buying the Blues he values at £3billion.
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Rule of three
Chelsea have received three bids from American-led groups looking to buy the club amid sanctions imposed on owner Roman Abramovich.
Abramovich can still sell the Blues despite his assets being frozen as ‘an application for a licence to sell the club would be considered’ by the government.
The Russian would not see any of the cash – instead, he would have to hand over the whole process to the UK government, who then would determine where the money goes.
According to the Telegraph, Raine, the New York-based bank handling a potential sale, have received almost 150 enquiries but so far three have emerged as the most serious and all are from the US.
Todd Boehly, together with Hansjorg Wyss and another businessman, have made an official offer between £2billion and £2.5bn.
The other two parties are the Ricketts family, who own the Chicago Cubs, and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
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Solhekol addresses Chelsea account freeze
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol reported: “Chelsea’s bank accounts with Barclays have been temporarily suspended.
“We have been told that Barclays need time to assess the licence that Chelsea have been given that allows Chelsea to continue their football related activities.
“Chelsea are hopeful that the suspension put in place by Barclays will be lifted shortly.
“But the issue Barclays have got is the bank account is in the name of Chelsea. Chelsea are owned by Roman Abramovich.
“He is sanctioned by the UK Government. No one in the UK, including Barclays, is allowed to do business with Roman Abramovich.
“If they give Chelsea access to those accounts, how can they be sure that Chelsea will only spend that money on what the Government have said Chelesea are allowed to spend their money on.
“This is very, very serious for Chelsea. Even though we are being told they hope the suspension will be lifted shortly”
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‘Bank accounts frozen’
Chelsea’s bank accounts have reportedly been frozen to leave them in financial uncertainty following the sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich.
That is according to The Times, who state sources at the Premier League club, who were given a licence to still operate, have ‘warned the club’s corporate accounts, including credit cards, have been frozen’ as the banks are being ‘risk-averse’.
The source was quoted as saying: “The licence allows the club to continue with day-to-day activities but the banks don’t have the risk appetite for it.
“They’ve frozen some of the corporate credit cards. It’s put a lot more pressure on the club”
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Sale term reminder
Roman Abramovich has been given 81 days to sell Chelsea or risk the club folding, according to SunSport’s Martin Lipton.
Chelsea face a £106million financial black hole — with shirt sponsors Three suspending their £40m-a-year contract, and £66m of Premier League and UEFA prize money set to be withheld.
And the ‘licence’ that will allow the club to play on to the end of the season will NOT be renewed unless Abramovich, who valued the club at £3bn, agrees a sale and walks away without a penny.
The Blues have been told a deal must be agreed before the licence runs out on May 31 to guarantee the survival of the club
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On shirt notice
Three have suspended their £120million shirt sponsorship contract with Chelsea after the UK government’s crackdown on owner Roman Abramovich.
A statement read: “In light of the Government’s recently-announced sanctions, we have requested Chelsea Football Club temporarily suspend our sponsorship of the club including the removal our brand from the and around the stadium until further notice.
“We recognise that this decision will impact the many fans who follow their team passionately.
“However, we feel that given the circumstance, and the Government sanction that is in place, it is the right thing to do.
“As a mobile network, the best way we can support the people of Ukraine is to ensure refugees arriving in the UK from the conflict and customers currently in Ukraine can stay connected to the people who matter to them.
“Therefore, we are offering connectivity packages to all Ukrainians arriving in the UK, and those in the Ukraine”
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Chelsea official statement
Chelsea broke their silence yesterday with the below statement after owner Roman Abramovich was hit with sanctions by the UK government following Russia’s unjust invasion of Ukraine.
It read: “By virtue of his 100 per cent ownership of Chelsea FC plc and affiliated entities, Chelsea FC would normally be subject to the same sanctions regime as Mr Abramovich.
“However, the UK Government has issued a general licence that permits Chelsea FC to continue certain activities.
“We will fulfil our men’s and women’s team fixtures today against Norwich and West Ham, respectively, and intend to engage in discussions with the UK Government regarding the scope of the licence.
“This will include seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the Club to operate as normal as possible.
“We will also be seeking guidance from the UK Government on the impact of these measures on the Chelsea Foundation and its important work in our communities.
“The Club will update further when it is appropriate to do so”
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Juventus open talks with Rudiger
Juventus have opened negotiations with Antonio Rudiger over a free transfer.
Calciomercato claims the Italians are eager to land Chelsea’s star defender when his contract expires this summer.
Rudiger is believed to have firm offers from three top clubs so far.
And Juventus are also keen on signing Blues teammate Christian Pulisic.
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Prem XI of free agents
Numerous Premier League stars are out of contract this summer.
And together, they make a pretty impressive starting XI.
Would this team be able to win the title?
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Rangnick urges caution over Chelsea
Ralf Rangnick has warned about a pile-on against Roman Abramovich.
The Man Utd boss said: “I don’t have enough inside info to speak about what’s happening at Chelsea. If you look at the bigger picture it’s just a human tragedy and I very, very much hope in the next days and weeks they can find a peaceful solution.
“Anyone in this room or wherever, could anybody foresee what was happening there in the last three or four weeks. Nobody could expect that to happen.
“We should be very careful to blame somebody for that, Roman Abramovich has been the owner at Chelsea, but also at Arsenal and Everton there were ownership shares by Russian oligarchs.
“Right now, in England and Germany and other European counties, it does not affect us directly yet. But I would be surprised if the war went on if it doesn’t affect us.”
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Tuchel backs new shirt logo
Thomas Tuchel will be happy if the club displays a peace message on the front of their shirts.
Mobile phone company Three has suspended its shirt sponsorship with the club and has asked for its logo to be removed.
He said: “We can always wear a message for peace. It can never be the wrong message.
“When it’s a big storm you dig in, you hold together, you stay strong and go through it. But a message for peace can never be wrong.”
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Breaking – ‘mass clear-out’ at Chelsea
Premier League rivals are on red alert, with experts predicting Chelsea will be forced into selling top stars to stay afloat.
The Blues are facing a financial blackhole, which could allow the likes of Man Utd and Arsenal to plunder their squad.
Footy financial expert Rob Wilson told Sky Sports: “I think that’s the real threat for the football club.
“If we park the potential administration if they can’t pay those players over the short term, I think over the summer we’re going to see a number of players having to, probably, be sold.
“Chelsea lost over £400million over the last five years, notwithstanding Covid.
“So the fundamentals of the club are not particularly great and those players may well move on.”
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Tuchel odds to United slashed
Bookies have slashed the odds on Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel becoming Man United’s next manager.
But ex-Spurs gaffer Mauricio Pochettino is favourite, with the Argentine expected to be axed by PSG.
- Mauricio Pochettino – 6/4
- Erik ten Hag – 11/4
- Thomas Tuchel – 7/2
- Antonio Conte – 10/1
- Ralf Rangnick – 16/1
- Diego Simeone – 20/1
- Simone Inzaghi – 20/1
*Odds according to Betfair
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Tuchel remains focused on job
Thomas Tuchel admits all he can do is to try and help Chelsea keep winning amid uncertainty over the club’s future.
He said: “Always, the best way is to carry on winning. Also, for us, it’s maybe in the moment a bit more difficult because of the noise.
“But we can still enjoy what we are doing and we must still follow the responsibility to give everything, and what we demand of ourselves.
“This is what we do and I’m happy we can still produce results and performances. We will be on it again to be ready for Sunday.”
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Tuchel admits Chelsea players ‘scared’
Thomas Tuchel claims Chelsea players and staff are “frightened” and “scared” over the crisis which has gripped the club.
The German said: “Some players will feel uncertainty. Some maybe will be a bit frightened. Some will be concerned. It’s normal. And not only the players.
“We have a lot of people on the staff, in the club who are maybe also worried and scared and uncertain.
“That’s why it’s very important that we keep the trust and the belief in the training centre, in all of us.
“We rely on ourselves and in the end allow ourselves to be the guys who take care of the sport. We did not cause the situation. We cannot solve the situation.”
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Nike ‘ready to ditch Chelsea’
Nike are considering walking away from their 15-year kit deal with Chelsea in a split that could cost the Blues £540MILLION.
According to the Mail, the two parties agreed a 15-year, £900m deal back in 2016.
But after recent events Nike are claimed to be ‘considering walking away’.
This would cost the Blues a staggering £540m.
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How Chelsea could soon look
Chelsea could be set for a new starting XI next season after being hit with a transfer ban.
The Blues are also unable to hand deals to current stars, with several set to depart as free agents.
Is this how Chelsea will line up next term with a couple of youngsters back from loans?
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A reminder of Chelsea’s statement
“By virtue of his 100 per cent ownership of Chelsea FC plc and affiliated entities, Chelsea FC would normally be subject to the same sanctions regime as Mr Abramovich.
“However, the UK Government has issued a general licence that permits Chelsea FC to continue certain activities.
“We will fulfil our men’s and women’s team fixtures today against Norwich and West Ham, respectively, and intend to engage in discussions with the UK Government regarding the scope of the licence.
“This will include seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the Club to operate as normal as possible.
“We will also be seeking guidance from the UK Government on the impact of these measures on the Chelsea Foundation and its important work in our communities.
“The Club will update further when it is appropriate to do so.”
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Candy still hopeful of takeover
Nick Candy is still keen on buying Chelsea from Roman Abramovich despite the Russian being hit by sanctions.
The British billionaire has a £2.5billion proposal ready, including a £1.5bn plan for redeveloping Stamford Bridge.
Candy told the Mail: “We are examining the details of the announcement and we are still interested in making a bid.
“Clearly this is a time of great uncertainty for all Chelsea fans.
“In our view no one is the owner of a football club – you are the custodian of it for the fans and the community.”
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Conte defends time at Chelsea
Antonio Conte has defended his decision to work for Roman Abramovich.
The Spurs boss said: “We are talking about four or five years ago.
“At the time, and now, we’re talking about a fantastic club in Chelsea. With an owner who made this club big.
“Don’t forget that in the period he was the owner, Chelsea won everything.
“I think also we have seen other Russia owners in other teams. Not only in football but in many sports.”
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Juventus offer Pulisic escape route
Juventus are reportedly ready to bid for Christian Pulisic this summer.
Calciomercato claims Max Allegri is a huge fan of the American winger.
And Juve reckons they can get Pulisic on the cheap as they look to take advantage of Chelsea’s perilous position.
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Roman ‘supplied steel for tanks’
Roman Abramovich has been accused of supplying steel for Russian tanks as biting new sanctions were brought against the embattled Chelsea boss.
Documents published this morning by the British government accuse the Chelsea boss of having a “close relationship” with Putin.
And it also accuses him of being involved in ‘destabilising’ Ukraine through his stake in steel manufacturers and mining company Evraz PLC.
The documents allege the firm may have provided steel to the Russian military which would have been used in the production of tanks.
Abramovich’s spokesman has previously denied Evraz steel was used for the Russian military, saying it was meant for ‘rail and construction’.
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Chelsea fans keeping the faith
Chelsea Supporters’ Trust board member Dan Silver has no worries his beloved Chelsea will stop putting a team out.
Silver, 48, a season-ticket holder, said: “We have to accept the Roman era is gone. The club will change hands eventually, we might be a different Chelsea.
“Whether or not we keep out-of-contract players like Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger or Andreas Christensen is one thing.
“With reduced crowds, then it even comes down to whether stewards get paid on matchdays. I feel sorry for guys like that, but their situation is nothing compared to what people are enduring in Ukraine.
“I hope to still be coming to games in 15 years. I don’t think for one minute that Chelsea will cease to exist.”
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Breaking – Chelsea ‘struggling for cash’
Chelsea will today beg the Government to ease sanctions on them amid fears the club could go bust in just SEVENTEEN DAYS.
The Mail claims the club’s current cash reserves will burn out in just over a fortnight due to the sanctions imposed on them.
March 26 is currently the date the Blues are set to run out of dosh – which has prompted Chelsea chiefs to beg the Government to allow them to sell the club in a desperate bid to avoid going out of business.
Chelsea’s currently pay out a whopping £28million a month on wages for their star players, but recent accounts have shown the west Londoners currently only have £16m in the bank.
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Tuchel off to Man Utd?
Thomas Tuchel’s future at Chelsea is in doubt following UK sanctions against Roman Abramovich.
But with the German a Champions League winner after just six months with the Blues, he will have plenty of suitors should he leave Stamford Bridge.
Indeed, no less than FIVE clubs could be in for Tuchel this summer.
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Piers wants Tuchel at Arsenal
Gunners fan Piers Morgan has implored his side to sack Mikel Arteta.
And he instead wants Arsenal to break the bank for Chelsea’s Thomas Tuchel.
Morgan tweeted: “Arsenal should break the bank for Thomas Tuchel. We won’t, but we should.”