Chelsea are already beginning to feel the impact of the sanctions hitting the club after two of their Big Six rivals reportedly swooped for two of the Blues’ academy targets.
The Premier League side are being forced to play under a special licence from the UK government after Roman Abramovich saw his assets frozen amid his alleged ties with Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich was one of seven oligarchs hit with sanctions on Thursday as the government steps up its response to Russian president Putin’s invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
The sanctions will impact Chelsea in a wide-ranging number of ways, with the Blues unable to agree to transfers, sell tickets for matches or sell merchandise from online or in the club shop.
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The government insisted that the limits on business were due to a desire to ensure Abramovich is unable to profit and thus get around the sanctions imposed on him.
“Given the significant impact that sanctions would have on Chelsea and the potential knock on effects of this, the Government has published a licence which authorises a number of football-related activities to continue,” a government statement read.
“This includes permissions for the club to continue playing matches and other football related activity which will in turn protect the Premier League, the wider football pyramid, loyal fans and other clubs.
“This licence will only allow certain explicitly named actions to ensure the designated individual is not able to circumvent UK sanctions.
“The licence will be kept under constant review and we will work closely with the football authorities.”
Two of the sanctions are a ban on Chelsea making new signings or offering contracts, something they are already beginning to feel the effects of.
According to the Daily Mail, the Blues’ rivals have ‘wasted no time’ in realising the impact of those bans.
And as a result, their fellow Big Six clubs are now moving to ‘take advantage’ of Chelsea’s new situation.
It is stated that at least two young players who were set to sign for the Blues’ academy have now been ‘approached’ by other leading Premier League teams.
Those two youngsters will likely only be the first in a line of targets who Chelsea will now lose out on, with no sign of the situation easing.
Blues boss Thomas Tuchel is though trying to push on with the day-to-day running of the club and refused to admit he was worried by the news.
“I'm not sure I am concerned, but I am aware of it. It changes almost every day,” the German said.
“I am still happy to be here and still happy to be manager of a strong team. I know there is a lot of noise around.
“It is quite a big change from yesterday to today but we can't influence it, we didn't cause the situation.
“In the moment, it seems that business, let's say football-wise, is more or less protected, but let's see.
“I feel privileged to have the chance to be involved in games, coaching and football that I love.”
