Chelsea players are becoming increasingly concerned the club’s transfer ban is and will continue to cost them in regards to key players.
The Blues are unable to buy or sell players or negotiate new contracts with current stars until they have a new owner, following sanctions imposed on Roman Abramovich seven weeks ago by the UK Government in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Manager Thomas Tuchel has already claimed the sanctions left the club with their ‘hands tied’ with regards to Antonio Rudiger, who is leaving the club on a free transfer and has agreed a four-year deal with Real Madrid.
But a report in The Times claims the Stamford Bridge dressing room feels sanctions could continue to harm them both in terms of incomings and outgoings until the takeover process is complete.
Sportsmail understands West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice would like a return to Chelsea – who released the £150million Man United and Man City target as a 14-year-old – but that current instability at Stamford Bridge makes that unlikely.
Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni is another reported midfield target, but Real Madrid and Liverpool are reportedly already lining up offers which would appear to put the Blues behind in the race.
The Telegraph also reported earlier this week Blues scouts have been watching Villarreal and Spain defender Pau Torres, who has a release clause of around £55m and is also of interest to the two Manchester clubs.
In terms of outgoings, Rudiger’s fellow centre-back Andreas Christensen is expected to join Barcelona while club captain Cesar Azpilicueta could also leave once he has held discussions with the new owners.
Chelsea players are becoming increasingly concerned the club’s transfer ban is costing them key players
Sanctions on Roman Abramovich (L) has already prevented them from keeping Antonio Rudiger (R)
Declan Rice (R) is a target while some members fear Thomas Tuchel (L) may also leave
Midfielders N’Golo Kante and Jorginho are close to entering the final year of their contracts and the same outlet claims the Italy international is considering a summer return to Serie A.
With all the uncertainty around the players, the report adds members of Tuchel’s squad feel it could push the German manager himself towards the Stamford Bridge exit.
The former Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund boss described the Rudiger situation as ‘disappointing’ and is unable to seek replacements for his compatriot or Christensen until the takeover is completed.
‘It will be incredibly difficult because Toni is a big personality, a big leader and he takes fear away from other people,’ Tuchel added.
Villarreal star Pau Torres (left) and Monaco midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni (right) are also targets
Andreas Christensen (left) is expected to leave while Cesar Azpilicueta (right) could also go
‘We will miss him a lot. It will be challenging but, no matter how much I love Toni and how big a role he has played, there will be life at Chelsea without Toni Rudiger. We will find solutions.’
The takeover process however does appear to be making progress, with a preferred buyer expected to be selected this week.
Still in the running to replace Abramovich are a consortium led by Sir Martin Broughton, the former Liverpool chairman, and another headed by LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly.
The third group includes Steve Pagliuca, who co-owns the Boston Celtics, and Toronto Maple Leafs backer Larry Tanenbaum.
Midfielders N’Golo Kante (right) and Jorginho (left) are close to entering the final year of their contracts
Sir Martin Broughton is fronting the bid involving Serena Williams and Lewis Hamilton to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich
Boehly’s consortium, it is claimed, met the Chelsea board at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday, with the other two bidders due to make their final presentations on Wednesday.
Last week, the £2.5billion bid fronted by Broughton was revealed to have £10million contributions each from Sir Lewis Hamilton and Serena Williams.
The sporting greats appear unlikely investors in a Premier League club, but Williams already has a stake in Angel City FC, the LA-based franchise who play in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The pair are also good friends, with Williams having attended several grands prix as Hamilton’s guest and the F1 driver spending much of his spare time on the west coast of America.
Because of sanctions imposed on Abramovich, any deal would have to be agreed by the UK Government.
Steve Pagliuca (left) and NBA chairman Larry Tanenbaum (right) have committed to a lifetime ownership of Chelsea if they win the right to buy the club
LA Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly is involved in the other bid to buy the London club
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