Newcastle face a far more daunting task than the one Chelsea and Man City did when they were taken over in 2003 and 2008 respectively. When Roman Abramovich - the Russian oligarch whose assets have been frozen by the UK Government - arrived at Stamford Bridge almost two decades ago, his mission was clear: spend big and smash the duopoly of Man Utd and Arsenal.
Man City’s mission was more difficult five years later. The big three had become ‘the big four’, with Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool yielding an omnipotent grip over the Champions League spots. It took Sheikh Mansour three years to bankroll the blue half of Manchester into Europe’s elite competition but, when he did, the Premier League trophy followed just one year.
Now, the Magpies are up against ‘the big six’ of English football, with Spurs - despite winning half as many league titles as Newcastle - thrust into the mix on the back of the European Super League scandal. Since the Saudi-backed takeover was passed in October, a debate has sparked about which team Newcastle are most likely to displace on their quest for glory.
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Most have backed Spurs or Arsenal, due to their recent failures to get into the top four, while some think Man Utd will be the fall guys for Newcastle’s success. The two untouchables were seen as Chelsea and Man City - due to the enormous wealth of their owners - however, the power balance has shifted again.
Sanctions imposed by Boris Johnson mean Chelsea can no longer earn revenue, with matchday tickets, replica shirts and merchandise all forbidden while Abramovich faces scrutiny for his alleged ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Crucially, the Blues can not sell nor sign players - including the ones already on their books who are out of contract this summer. Chelsea are currently plunged in a state of limbo and the only way is down.
Newcastle were fishing in the same pond as Chelsea in January. Reports linked both clubs with moves for Boubacar Kamara, Hugo Ekitke, Ousmanne Dembele and Niklas Sule. Even if the embargo is only in place for this summer, the removal of one of Europe’s elite spending powers from the market makes life easier for the new regime on Tyneside.
Shirt sponsor Three are already reviewing their £40million-a-year relationship with Chelsea. If the telecommunications giant pulls the plug on the Blues, a gaping void will emerge in their finances. Such a drastic impact could force FFP points deductions further down the line and, dare I say it… relegation.
This Chelsea saga has only just begun and the picture will look a lot clearer in the coming weeks and months. However, it is ironic that the man who changed the landscape of English football forever twenty years ago - for his benefit - is set to do the same again, as part of his demise.
Unless an oil-rich state comes to the rescue, football fans are about to witness the decline of England’s most successful club this century - making Newcastle’s path to the top that little bit easier.
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