Roman Abramovich’s era at Chelsea has come to an abrupt, shuddering end. Over the course of seven dramatic days, Russia have invaded Ukraine and pressure has grown on the UK government to impose harsh sanctions on oligarchs.
Businessman Abramovich, whose net worth is valued at $13.3 billion (£10bn) by Forbes announced he would be parting ways with the west London club just short of reaching 19 years at the helm, a shock decision which left the Blues reeling.
The search is now on for his successor, who may have to stump up £3bn (£2.3bn), Abramovich’s current price tag. Among those linked is Jim Ratcliffe, a season-ticket holder, although a spokesman says there is ‘no substance’ to the reports.
Roman Abramovich has put Chelsea up for sale, bringing an end to a trophy-laden era
Hansjorg Wyss and Todd Boehly are in talks over an official bid, meanwhile.
The former is valued at £4.36bn but has no sporting background, while £5bn-rated Boehly is a part-owner of the LA Dodgers. He made an offer for Chelsea in 2019.
Abramovich was able to snap up Chelsea for a reported £140million figure back in 2003, and guided the club to a period of sustained success.
Here, Sportsmail takes a look at the standout numbers from his era…
MONEY SPENT ON PLAYERS – £2.1BN
Chelsea have spent a huge £2.1bn on players brought in during Abramovich’s reign.
Time and time again, their soon-to-be former owner has delved deep into his chequebook with his relentless quest for trophies at the front of his mind.
Their record signing is Romelu Lukaku, who arrived back at the club for an eye-watering £98million from Inter Milan.
Kai Havertz cost them £89m from Bayer Leverkusen, meanwhile, making him their second highest acquisition to date.
Striker Romelu Lukaku re-joined the club for £98m, having decided to leave Inter Milan
Kai Havertz is Chelsea’s second most expensive player after his £89m arrival last September
And the spending didn’t stop there.
Kepa Arrizabalaga set them back £72m, while Alvaro Morata was recruited for around £70m before departing after his unsuccessful spell. Forward Christian Pulisic also arrived for a fee of £58m.
The theme throughout Abramovich’s spell has been heavy spending.
Very rarely has he hesitated over stumping up significant sums for players, and it is this willingness to strength his squad which has resulted in Chelsea becoming trophy heavyweights.
VALUE OF PLAYERS SOLD – £1.16BN
While the club have extravagantly splashed the cash over the years, they have also not been afraid to cut their losses.
Big players have been brought in and then sold just a matter of years seasons, allowing them to pocket sizeable sums in the process.
Eden Hazard departed for Real Madrid for £98m, while Morata joined Atletico Madrid for £58m. On both occasions, the money made from the sales has allowed them to reinvest on their team, fuelling Chelsea’s trophy carousel over the years.
Eden Hazard dazzled during his spell in London before heading to Real Madrid for £98m
Other notable departures are Diego Costa, who left for Atletico Madrid for £53m, and David Luiz, who was snapped up by Paris Saint-Germain.
Both were key players, but exited when Chelsea opened up to the idea of refreshing their ranks.
It is no surprise that Abramovich has been willing to enter the market at every available opportunity.
His quest for perfection has seen him rip up title-winning sides, and also make swinging changes in the dugout, as explained below.
NUMBER OF MANAGERS – 13
Abramovich has overseen 15 different managerial stints during his time at the very top at Stamford Bridge.
Two of these coaches were handed another shot at bringing about success, while the others found themselves parachuted in and then out.
This revolving door of tacticians is no shock in modern day football, with a host of elite clubs keen to secure success before planning for the long term.
Chelsea are no different, meaning that several world-class managers have been ruthlessly axed.
Claudio Ranieri was the first manager in Abramovich’s spell, but he was later sacked
Abramovich hired Jose Mourinho, who brought success to the club in his two separate tenures
Claudio Ranieri, Jose Mourinho, Avram Grant, Luiz Felipe Scolari and Guus Hiddink were all handed the reins before 2010, with the Special One helping propel the Blues into the big time.
However, the ever-demanding Abramovich eventually moved on.
After Hiddink came Carlo Ancelotti, Andre Villas-Boas, Roberto Di Matteo, Rafa Benitez, the return of Mourinho, Hiddink’s second spell, Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri and Frank Lampard.
Current incumbent Thomas Tuchel continues to impress.
PREMIER LEAGUE POINTS – 1,449
Chelsea have won five Premier League titles under Abramovich, and come close to topping the table on a number of other occasions.
As a result, they have amassed almost 1,500 points in the top-flight, a testament to their owner’s vast success.
These title successes came in 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10, 2014-15 and 2016-17.
Chelsea have amassed 1,449 points in the Premier League, and have won the title five times
Since Abramovich’s arrival, the club have accumulated more points than any other side, and the numbers behind this achievement are equally impressive.
Of the 709 games under his ownership, they have won 432, drawn 153 and lost 124.
They have also scored 1309 goals and conceded 621, resulting in a jaw-dropping goal difference of 688.
TROPHIES WON UNDER ABRAMOVICH – 21
Extraordinarily, Chelsea have won 19 major trophies – and 21 overall – since Abramovich bought the club, and they have even completed the full set under him.
That means that they have won every single available competition at least once.
As well as their haul of five Premier League trophies, they have also triumphed twice in the Champions League – with their successes coming in 2012 and 2021.
The FA Cup has been clinched five times, with their last taste of glory coming in 2018, and three Carabao Cup gongs also furnish their cabinet.
As well as triumphing at the top level in Europe, they have won the Europa League twice, in 2013 and 2019, and also lifted the Super Cup last year.
Last month saw them win the Club World Cup for the first time, meanwhile which saw them complete the full set of trophies.
They had previously lost in the final of the competition in their only previous appearance back in 2012.
Overall, a determined Chelsea won a total of 21 trophies in total in Abramovich’s stewardship
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk