Chelsea have been plunged into a state of limbo after oligarch owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government. New embargoes placed on the 55-year-old include asset freezes and travel restrictions due to his alleged association with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he “will be ruthless in pursuing those who enable the killing of civilians, destruction of hospitals and illegal occupation of sovereign allies,” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 and his billions transformed the club into one of European football’s powerhouses - winning two Champions Leagues and five Premier League titles during an era of dominance.
However, these sanctions now pose severe implications on the London club. While Chelsea will continue to play fixtures and pay wages, only season ticket holders can attend games as no matchday revenue can be earned. Replica shirts and merchandise are also scrapped and the sale of the club is now barred. Crucially, the Blues will be forbidden from signing players or extending the contract of existing ones - opening the door for Newcastle to seize an opportunity.
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Three key Chelsea players’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the season and will no doubt have a string of suitors ready to offer them an escape route. Newcastle - now backed by billions of their own - could be a possible destination as the new Saudi-backed regime looks to bolster the squad in the summer.
ChronicleLive profiles the three likely departees that the Magpies could lure to St James’ Park.
Antonio Rudiger
By far the pick of the bunch, Rudiger has been a mainstay in the Blues backline for years and losing him would be considered a huge blow. A first-choice defender for club and country, the German international was already linked with a move to Newcastle before sanctions were placed on Abramovich.
Eddie Howe was asked about Rudiger ahead of the Magpies’ trip to Southampton, but the Toon boss remained coy by refusing to discuss possible transfer targets. Snatching the 29-year-old from Chelsea would be a statement of intent from the new owners.
Andreas Christensen
Christensen is valued at £31.5million by transfermarkt.com but Chelsea will likely now lose the defender for nothing at the end of the season. The Dane overcame a difficult start to life at Stamford Bridge and is now regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
His highlight with the Blues came last season, when he came off the bench for the injured Thiago Silva in the Champions League final and put in a colossal display to help get Chelsea over the line. Replacing Christensen - if they are ever allowed to do so - would cost Chelsea a fortune.
César Azpilicueta
A hammer blow for the Blues fans would be losing their club captain due to the actions of their billionaire owner. Azpilicueta has done it all for Chelsea over the past decade, winning numerous trophies and cementing himself as an all-time great at the Bridge.
The 32-year-old would add vast experience to a Newcastle squad that are looking to become winners in the coming years. Is he a long-term option? No… but few active players know the Premier League better than Azpilicueta does right now.
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