Petr Cech has admitted he ‘does not know’ whether Chelsea can keep players who are out of contract this summer. Sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich by the UK Government for his alleged ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin means the Blues are operating in a state of limbo.
Matchday revenue, merchandise sales and transfer activity are forbidden while the oligarch remains the club's owner. This has seen club finances plunge into turmoil, with shirt sponsors Three demanding that Chelsea remove their logo from the team’s kit immediately after pulling the plug on a £40m-a-year deal.
Rival top-flight clubs will be ready to pounce like vultures if Chelsea can not extend players’ contracts. High-profile stars Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta risk leaving for nothing if the Blues are unable to offer them new deals.
