Chelsea recovery after takeover predicted to take two years by rivals

Chelsea's rivals believe the takeover could set them back by two years as a major force.

US brokers Raine are overseeing the sale with Premier League clubs looking on with great interest. There is concern among the smaller clubs about the £1.5billion debt owed to Roman Abramovich and whether the Russian oligarch’s willingness to write that off will give Chelsea an unfair advantage.

Bigger clubs appear to be less concerned about the debt and more worried about Abramovich’s motives and the whole sale process. There is also a feeling that Abramovich’s departure will take time to overcome and whoever comes in next will need time to adapt while budgets, transfer targets and spending may have to reel back in.

There is plenty of wealthy owners in the frame, huge financial backing but they may also face a battle to keep director Marina Granovskaia who has become a huge respected figure even among other Prem clubs. Granovskaia has overseen some incredible deals and helped recruit Thomas Tuchel who appears to be in for the long haul at Stamford Bridge.

But having scaled the heights in the Premier League and won the Champions League even during a time when Abramovich has been more conservative with his spending, the next owner will do well to match those levels. There is also scepticism as to whether a joint ownership model - with the majority of the bidders joining forces in a consortium or with investment backers - could be as streamlined and easy as a single figure in charge like Abramovich.

World Cup organisers have revealed detailed plans for accommodation and the Fan ID programme.

The moored cruise ships will host thousands of supporters and the prices start at £135-a-night and go up to £260 with the upmarket World Europa