Gary Neville praises Roman Abramovich’s ownership of Chelsea but admits Russian billionaire is ‘no angel’

Gary Neville says Roman Abramovich has been a ‘very good owner’ for Chelsea but insists the Russian billionaire is ‘no angel’ as he prepares to sell the club.

Abramovich confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that he had taken the ‘incredibly difficult’ decision to sell Chelsea.

The 55-year-old bought Chelsea in 2003, with the club establishing themselves as one of the biggest and most successful teams in the world under his ownership, winning five Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.

But Abramovich gave ‘stewardship and care’ of Chelsea to its foundation trustees following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and has now decided to sell.

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As one of the richest people in Russia, Abramovich – who is said to have close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin – could face economic sanctions as the war in eastern Europe continues.

Former Manchester United and England defender Neville says Abramovich is ‘no angel’ but has praised his ownership of Chelsea and insists ‘there are worse English owners’.

‘He’s been an important owner in Premier League history in the last 20 years,’ Neville told Sky Sports News. ‘I do believe he’s enhanced the competitiveness of the Premier League.

‘A model that, at the beginning, I found bizarre, coming from a very stable club at the time in Manchester United. Sacking managers quite regularly, managers who had seemed quite successful.

‘But what I would say over 20 years he’s proved to be a very successful owner of a football club, that’s actually created a distinctive model in and around the way they’ve approached things, particularly with their academy players. They’re now starting to produce academy players.

‘The