Few Chelsea supporters had ever expected to read such message. Yet, one that seemed inescapable in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine six days before. Chelsea was being put up for sale by Roman Abramovich, who rebuilt the team and made it into a winning machine.
Part of the statement, which was released one year ago today, said, "I have always made choices with the club's best interest at heart. "In light of the current circumstances, I have decided to sell the club because I firmly think that doing so will benefit the team's supporters, employees, sponsors, and business partners.
"The sale of the club won't be expedited; instead, it will go according to the law. No, I won't 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." Abramovich later added. "It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea and its supporters will always be in my heart. Thank you, Roman."
Everything changed for Chelsea at that moment. Although much stayed the same. Thomas Tuchel and his players still had overcome Luton Town in the FA Cup– and then prepare to face Burnley in the Premier League. Club staff still had to continue as normal amid huge uncertainty.
Those who worked at Chelsea's Cobham training base were gathered the morning after Abramovich's statement was published. It was left to Petr Cech, in his role as technical and performance advisor, to offer some level of reassurance. Not that Tuchel believed that was overly possible.
"How could he [offer reassurance]? How could anybody? We cannot predict the future," the German said. "No, it was more about the bottom line: that we can allow ourselves to keep on going and do what we did in the last few days. To focus on sports. We are employees and we are still very privileged. That was more or less the message."
For supporters, there was an understandable concern as to what came next. Abramovich oversaw the most successful period in Chelsea's history. No trophy was left unclaimed.
"I honestly felt conflicted," reflects Daniel Childs. "Here was an individual who had undeniably transformed the club, and whose wealth had helped bring some of my happiest memories since childhood. But there was the obvious backdrop of an invasion of a sovereign country going on – and that then linked to the eventual sanctions."
The UK Government imposed sanctions on Abramovich eight days after he confirmed his intent to sell Chelsea – and coincidently on the 117th anniversary of the date the club was formed. Bidders had already started to jostle for position in the takeover process but Chelsea's very future felt in genuine doubt with the Russian's assets frozen.
0 Comments