Abramovich’s Chelsea sale statement: his words under the microscope

“I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC. As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.”

Abramovich ushered in an unprecedented era of Chelsea success and changed the face of English football after buying the club in 2003. But after 19 years everything has come to an astonishingly speedy halt. There will be raised eyebrows at the notion that Abramovich has always taken decisions in the best interests of Chelsea. If that is the case why did he hastily announce an ill-conceived plan to transfer the stewardship and care of the Chelsea to trustees of the club’s charitable foundation less than 24 hours before the men’s team faced Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final last weekend? And why did confirmation that Abramovich wants to sell the club come 69 minutes before Chelsea faced Luton in the FA Cup on Wednesday night?

Less than a month ago Abramovich was on the pitch at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi, celebrating with the head coach, Thomas Tuchel, after seeing Chelsea become club world champions for the first time. Now he has bowed to political pressure to call time on his ownership of Chelsea. Abramovich says that he loves the club, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has made it all but impossible for him to stay in English football.

Then again if the Russian oligarch is sanctioned by the UK government it is highly unlikely that he would be able to sell Chelsea. He would not be able to fund