Chelsea's first XI of the Abramovich era - Where are they now?

It was confirmed last week that Roman Abramovich is actively looking to end his near 19-year ownership of Chelsea Football Club.

Under the stewardship of 55-year-old, the Blues have enjoyed the most successful spell in their history. Since Abramovich purchased the club for £140 million in July 2003, Chelsea have won the Premier League on five occasions, as well as the Champions League twice.

When Abramovich first arrived in west London, however, Chelsea had yet to qualify outright for that coming season’s edition of Europe’s top club competition.

As a result, in their new owner’s first game at the helm, Chelsea faced a trip to the Slovakian town of Zilna to take on local side MSK in the first-leg of a Champions League qualification tie.

Keen to ensure safe passage through to the competition proper, then Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri fielded a strong starting line-up, featuring no less than five new signings recruited in the weeks prior by billionaire Abramovich.

In light of recent developments, we’ve decided to take a look at what each player who started that historic game for Chelsea is up to today.

GK: Carlo Cudicini

Chelsea’s first-choice shot-stopper at the time of Abramovich’s takeover, Cudicini would lose that role to Petr Cech within 12 months.

The Italian did remain at Stamford Bridge in a back-up capacity until 2009, when he moved across London to join Tottenham.

After three years at Spurs, he ventured across the Atlantic for a spell with LA Galaxy, where he ultimately hung up his gloves in 2014.

Post-retirement, Cudicini is one of a number of former Blues’ players who have returned to the club in a coaching role.

Having previously served as a club ambassador and a first-team coach under Antonio Conte, Cudicini