Chelsea's rivals believe the takeover could set them back by two years as a major force.
US brokers Raine are overseeing the sale with Premier League clubs looking on with great interest. There is concern among the smaller clubs about the £1.5billion debt owed to Roman Abramovich and whether the Russian oligarch’s willingness to write that off will give Chelsea an unfair advantage.
Bigger clubs appear to be less concerned about the debt and more worried about Abramovich’s motives and the whole sale process. There is also a feeling that Abramovich’s departure will take time to overcome and whoever comes in next will need time to adapt while budgets, transfer targets and spending may have to reel back in.
