What a difference two weeks makes. Prior to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Chelsea were among a select few super-clubs who had effectively been insulated from the impact of the pandemic by their owner’s fabulous wealth and looked set to dominate domestic and European football in the years ahead.
This morning, with the UK Government sanctioning Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, the club has been plunged into a state of wild instability and uncertainty. Their nightmare scenario has become a reality.
The measures prevent Abramovich from profiting from the sale of the club and effectively leave Chelsea in a state of limbo, able to function day-to-day as a pale imitation of their former selves but unable to plan for the future.
The full ramifications for the club are unknown but overnight they have gone from enjoying unlimited wealth to existing on a shoestring budget, with huge concerns over income and their ability to keep operating in full.
Even their ability to fulfil Champions League away fixtures has been cast into doubt by today’s measures, with a £20,000 cap on expenditure for every match.
Down the line, administration and a points penalty or other financial sanctions are possible outcomes which await the club, depending on how the situation pans out, while it remains to be seen if Abramovich’s previous exit strategy will still be possible.
Chelsea have left head coach Thomas Tuchel to face the questions as the situation has unravelled over the past fortnight but if there was ever a time for Abramovich’s confidants Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia to front up, it is now.
In Tuchel, Chelsea still have an elite coach as well as perhaps the strongest squad in the Premier League, so they are unlikely to collapse on the pitch in the immediate term.
But the uncertainty over Abramovich’s ownership has already seeped into the dressing room and today’s announcement will ramp up the unease tenfold.
Tuchel and almost every player will suddenly be contemplating their futures and likely plotting an escape route. Top coaches and players can rarely be expected to stick around in an environment of rampant instability.
With the club barred from handing out any new contracts, the futures of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, among others, already seem sealed and the defenders will now surely leave as free agents at the end of the season. Other stars could follow them out.
At tonight’s match at Norwich, travelling supporters may use the opportunity to express their public support for Abramovich again, despite the Government this morning saying the oligarch has close links to Vladimir Putin and has been complicit “in destabilising Ukraine and undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence” of the besieged country.
For the rest of the season, Chelsea’s new circumstances are likely to be obvious in everything they do.
As much as all the silverware and signings, this is now Abramovich’s legacy: likely a hasty and undignified exit, leaving behind the world and European champions playing in front of a half-full and uneasy Stamford Bridge, which is desperately in need of renovation.
