Chelsea players begin exploring escape routes as Premier League rivals circle

Thomas Tuchel reacts to strange day at Chelsea

Lewis Hamilton refuses to let controversial end to 2021 season ‘define’ his career

Ralf Rangnick discusses coaches moral obligations when taking jobs

FIFA 22: Team of the Year reveal

Inside Protektorat's Gold Cup preparations

Nicky Henderson's stables ahead of Cheltenham 2022

Mikel Arteta on Alexandre Lacazette's form and future

Rangnick explains Ronaldo absence for Man Utd in derby defeat

Tennis grand slams: Who is the greatest of all time?

Mikel Arteta reviews Arsenal's performance against Watford

Robbie Savage plays hilarious practical joke on Rio Ferdinand

Chelsea players are reportedly exploring their exit routes after the club's owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government.

The oligarch's UK assets were frozen for allegedly having ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who ordered his troops to invade neighbouring Ukraine last month.

Abramovich has always denied having links to Putin's regime.

Chelsea are now operating under a special license - severely limiting their revenue streams - and shirt sponsors Three have suspended their partnership.

Barclays have also suspended the club's bank account and there's a possibility the Blues could face financial armageddon between now and the summer.

According to The Telegraph, players are exploring potential escape routes and have instructed their agents to discuss their options with top-notch lawyers.

Chelsea are thought to be spending £28million each month on salaries and their cash reserves are only £17m - based on the company's last set of accounts.

It's believed players would have to go unpaid for two months to have "clear just cause" to terminate their contacts, giving a 15-day notice period.

T