Chelsea nightmare is now a reality as club are forced to exist on a shoestring budget

What a difference two weeks makes. Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Chelsea were among a select few super-clubs who had effectively been insulated from the impact of the pandemic by their owner’s fabulous wealth and looked set to dominate domestic and European football in the years ahead.

This morning, with the UK Government sanctioning Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, the club has been plunged into a state of wild instability and uncertainty. Their nightmare scenario has become a reality.

The measures prevent Abramovich from profiting from the sale of the club and effectively leave Chelsea in a state of limbo, able to function day-to-day as a pale imitation of their former selves but unable to plan for the future.

The full ramifications for the club are unknown but overnight they have gone from enjoying unlimited wealth to existing on a shoestring budget, with huge concerns over income and their ability to keep operating in full.

Even their ability to fulfil Champions League away fixtures has been cast into doubt by today’s measures, with a £20,000 cap on expenditure for every match.

Down the line, administration and a points penalty or other financial sanctions are possible outcomes which await the club, depending on how the situation pans out, while it remains to be seen if Abramovich’s previous exit strategy will still be possible.

Chelsea have left head coach Thomas Tuchel to face the questions as the situation has unravelled over the past fortnight but if there was ever a time for Abramovich’s confidants Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia to front up, it is now.

In Tuchel, Chelsea still have an elite coach as well as perhaps the strongest squad in the Premier League, so they are unlikely to collapse on the