Chelsea discover Kai Havertz's greatest trick as Thomas Tuchel asks difficult ownership question

Mikel Arteta Pleased With Form Shown By Thomas Partey

Mikel Arteta On Alexandre Lacazette Form & Potential Contract Talks

Tottenham Player Ratings vs Manchester United

Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle | Match In Pictures

Thomas Tuchel makes Chelsea Premier League title race admission amid Reece James' return

Chelsea vs Newcastle: Match Preview

Roman Abramovich: His tenure at Chelsea in numbers

Arsenal V Leicester City Match Preview

From the moment Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government on Thursday morning as part of its response to Russia's horrific invasion of Ukraine, things at the club changed in a big way.

Under a special licence granted by the government – The Russia Regulations – Chelsea have just about been able to continue their usual day-to-day operations at first-team level across their men's and women's sides. But beyond that, the implications have been felt.

The club's megastore, both online and at the stadium, is closed. As is the hotel at Stamford Bridge. There was no programme sold for yesterday's win over Newcastle United either. Meanwhile, Chelsea can't buy or sell players nor offer new contracts to members of staff, including those in Thomas Tuchel's squad.

And that means, as things stand, Chelsea are powerless to stop Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger from departing on free transfers in the summer when their current deals expire.

Azpilicueta has been heavily courted by Barcelona while Christensen has reportedly agreed upon a move to the Camp Nou. There was hope, though, that Chelsea would be able to keep Rudiger prior to Abramovich being sanctioned.

The 29-year-old has blossomed into one of European football's finest centre-backs since the appointment of