Former defender and Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards has demanded more answers from Roman Abramovich, after the Chelsea owner’s statement on Saturday evening.
It comes amid uncertainty surrounding the Blues’ future, with Labour MPs Dame Margaret Hodge and Chris Bryant calling for Abramovich to be among the Russian businessmen to face sanctions amid the ongoing Russia and Ukraine conflict.
According to the Government, the sanctions are "aimed at encouraging Russia to cease actions destabilising Ukraine or undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine."
Abramovich has always denied any direct link to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
In a statement released on Saturday evening, Abramovich said: “During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities.
“I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values.
“That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.
“I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans.”
Exactly what that means for Chelsea is unknown, and now Micah Richards has had his say on the development.
Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “We need more than that don’t we? After the last couple of days and just say you’re handing it over to charity, I think it’s poor.
“There’s so many questions to be asked, to come out with a statement just like that.
“What does it even mean? It’s almost written in code, we don’t want to tell you what’s happening, here you go read this and pick the bones and figure out what it means.”
Speaking ahead of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday, Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel had his say on the issue.
Tuchel said in his pre-match press conference on Friday: “I am aware of all these scenarios [Regarding Roman Abramovich] and I am aware of all these discussions at the moment.
“I would love to take my right not to comment on this until there is a decision made. But we are aware of it and it’s distracting us, it’s worrying us.
“To a certain degree I can understand the opinions and the critical opinions towards the club, towards us who represent that club. I can understand that and we cannot fully free ourselves from it.
“Maybe people understand that me as a coach or the players, we don’t have the insight what is really going on.”
The Blues will look to add another trophy to their cabinet when they walk out onto the hallowed turf of Wembley on Sunday, with reports of a gesture in solidarity to Ukraine set to take place for the fixture.
It would see both sides follow the example of a number of clubs who did so in this weekend of fixtures, with Everton and Manchester City's taking centre stage.
It remains to be seen exactly how this will end, but at this current moment, those of a Chelsea persuasion are perhaps left with more questions than answers after the statement today.
