Signings, sackings and success: How Roman Abramovich transformed Chelsea

Roman Abramovich was in Abu Dhabi last month to watch his beloved Chelsea lift the Club World Cup for the first time, celebrating yet more silverware during his trophy-laden two decades in charge. In the space of a few weeks, the Russian billionaire has been cornered into putting the London club up for sale and slapped with sanctions by the UK government throwing the Blues into turmoil.

Speculation has been rife since Russia's invasion of Ukraine over whether the 55-year-old would be included in the targeted action against oligarchs perceived to be close to the Kremlin. Britain's announcement that Abramovich -- described by the government as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle -- had been sanctioned, came on the day the European and world club champions celebrated their 117th birthday.

Chelsea can continue playing despite the restrictions on its owner but Abramovich's plans to offload the club have been scuppered. A new licence would have to be granted by the government for Chelsea to be passed into new ownership and no proceeds would go to Abramovich.

The Chelsea of 2022 are a different beast from the under-achieving club he bought in 2003 for just £140 million ($187 million) at a time when Manchester United and Arsenal ruled the roost in the Premier League. The club were transformed from also-rans teetering on the brink of a financial crisis into one of the richest in the world thanks to the deep pockets of the Russian, who routinely bankrolled blockbuster transfers.

He has been rewarded with a staggering 19 major trophies in his 19-year reign -- changing the face of English and European football. "For the first time in our 117 years of existence, we can claim to be the world champions and not only