Chelsea club legend Frank Lampard has thanked Roman Abramovich for the 'support' he offered him during his time as a Blues player and manager amid rumours that the Russian owner could be selling the club.
After 19 years and 21 trophies, titles in which the Englishmen helped the Russian billionaire attain as a player, the Abramovich era has come to an end with what he has had to say on Wednesday night in the midst of the Russia-Ukraine drama.
His statement read: 'I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC. As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.
'The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club. Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.
'Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club.
'I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart.
'Thank you,
'Roman.'
Abramovich denies any direct links to Russian president Vladimir Putin, but insists the decision to step back from decision-making was made to protect the club's reputation due to an increased focus on the 55-year-old after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.
It is expected that Abramovich is looking to spark a number of bids, as per the Independent, to ensure that the most interested party has the right intentions when purchasing a club that has done so well since the Russian's takeover in 2003.
Wyss told Blick: "[Abramovich] wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly. I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.
"I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much. You know, Chelsea owe him £2billion [it is £1.5billion]. But Chelsea has no money. That means: those who buy Chelsea should compensate Abramovich.
"As of today, we don't know the exact selling price. I can well imagine starting at Chelsea with partners. But I have to examine the general conditions first. But what I can already say: I'm definitely not doing something like this alone. If I buy Chelsea, then with a consortium consisting of six to seven investors."
It is understood that around eight parties are currently in the running to take on the responsibility of leading the club through their next chapter, and one person who knew the Russian well was Lampard.
The 43-year-old had racked up 11 trophies at Chelsea as a player before moving abroad and eventually retiring after a short stint at Man City. Despite his best efforts, he couldn't win a title as a manager with an FA Cup final the closest he came in 2020 where Mikel Arteta's Arsenal were the victors.
So, it's somewhat surprising to see Lampard bat away the inevitable Abramovich question in his latest Everton press conference with a short response ahead of his side's clash against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup.
"I'm not at Chelsea anymore, I had an amazing time at Chelsea," He initially said in his pre-match press conference via the Liverpool Echo.
He then went on after being probed more to thank Roman and his board for the 'support' offered to him over his time as both a player and manager at the club,
He said: "If you say you take as you find I can only be very thankful that I was in a period at the club which Roman Abramovich came into and changed the face of it and on the football level was very successful.
"I had absolute support in my time as a player and as a manager whatever people think from the outside. I’ve got no comment on them now, I’m Everton manager and I don’t have enough knowledge to give anything more than that."
