CHELSEA’S new owner is set to be revealed, after the deadline passed for potential bidders to put their offers on Roman Abramovich’s table.
And three of the four consortiums who are in a bidding have placed offers of around £3 billion in cash and with no debt leveraged against the club.
The Ricketts-Griffin-Gilbert Group have pulled out, revealing they could not get on board with the “unusual dynamics around the sales process.”
Chicago Cubs owner Joe Ricketts was seen as a controversial figure nevertheless, and there were even protests about his links.
Stephen Pagliuca has announced NBA chairman Larry Tanenbaum as co-managing partner in his bid, with John Terry also part of the takeover attempt.
Also on his team are ex-Disney CEO Bob Iger & journalist Willow Bay, Facebook Co-Founder Eduardo Saverin & businesswoman Elaine Saverin; B Capital co-founder Raj Ganguly.
On the transfer front, Antonio Rudiger’s exit is seeming more imminent following the Blues’ disappointing Champions League exit.
Keep up to date with all of the latest updates from the takeover in our live blog…
Tuchel on Europe elimination
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel revealed the way in which his team went out of the Champions League in midweek “feels a bit bitter”.
Tuchel admitted: “We are all a bit in between. Confidence wise, I think it’s a huge boost but it’s a disappointment to go out of the Champions League at the quarter-final.
“Not in a big drama, but it’s still a disappointment because we feel we could’ve been one of the four teams in the semi-final.
“It was a fantastic performance at the Bernabeu and it stays like this. But it feels a bit bitter. Too many mistakes got punished by individual quality.
“We’ve got some training time now before our Sunday match and we will use it to sweat it out and be ready for Sunday”
Tuchel on Guehi and Livramento
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has stood by the club’s decision to sell Crystal Palace ace Marc Guehi and Southampton’s Tino Livramento last summer.
Tuchel revealed: “It’s a decision we took together and we are happy about these decisions
“You cannot go back and reflect, because at the point where we took the decision it was the right thing to do given the circumstances.
“For Tino Livramento, for example, we had a plan and we preferred a loan but he saw his future to go and the situation was then better to agree to a sale.
“For Marc it is a fantastic development and it’s very hard or maybe even impossible to say that if we kept him he would have been better, worse or the same because maybe he needed exactly that.
“Maybe he needed the change of environment, maybe he needed a different club, maybe he needed a bigger role and more minutes to develop his full potential”
Palace injury news
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira will already be without Conor Gallagher for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
Both Michael Olise and Tyrick Mitchell are facing a race to be fit in time to start.
The two players have been suffering from knocks, and have returned to training just days before the clash.
Vieira said: “We have Tyrick and Michael, who have had some training on the field individually yesterday and a little more today.
“Of course then we have to wait until tomorrow to see any reaction but they will only get involved in the game if they are 100 per cent fit”
Luk who’s back
Chelsea have received a major injury boost as Romelu Lukaku is back in training, according to SunSport’s Andy Dillon.
Lukaku has missed the last two games because of an Achilles injury as well as a dip in form.
But the striker joined the squad in a full session and could be fit for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Crystal Palace.
The Cup is the Blues’ last shot at a trophy this season and comes just five days after the club was left heartbroken by their dramatic exit from the Champions League quarter-finals
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Next Steven Gerrard?
Monaco star and Chelsea transfer target Aurelien Tchouameni has been compared to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard by the Ligue 1 side’s sporting director Paul Mitchell.
Mitchell told Tuttosport: “He is a complete midfielder, very fast and physically strong, he reminds me of Steven Gerrard.
“He is already a top player despite being only 22, but if we want to become a top club, then we should not sell him.
“We are an ambitious club. Everyone, from President [Dmytri] Rybolovlev to coach Niko Kovac is ambitious here.
“However, we’ll assess the situation at the end of the season. The player is under contract until 2024 and his transfer value is the one of a top player.
“Everything is expensive in Monte Carlo, let’s say that Tchouameni is as expensive as the Grand Casino”
Fran Kirby ruled out
Chelsea star Fran Kirby has been ruled out for the “foreseeable future” as she is suffering from fatigue.
The Blues’ manager Emma Hayes said: “I think, forget the athlete, just a human being, and she’s struggling and we have to get to the bottom of that. I don’t think Fran will be available for club and country until that happens.
“I’m not withholding, because I don’t have anything to tell you, because we haven’t got to the bottom of it and until we get to the bottom of it and until we understand some of the underlying reasons for that fatigue, I’d just be speculating. So we’re going through a process of elimination to try and determine why she’s struggling.
“We need to give the time to find the right support so that we can come up with a diagnosis and then with diagnosis, you can come up with strategies. So right now, I don’t have any answers. What I know is that she’s not available for club or country and she won’t be for the foreseeable future”
Tchou and go
Real Madrid are reportedly in pole position to sign Monaco star Aurelien Tchouameni, in what would be a huge transfer blow for Chelsea.
The Blues have been heavily linked with a summer move for Thouameni following his standout displays in Ligue 1 this season.
The West Londoners are claimed to have identified the midfielder as the long-term successor to N’Golo Kante.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have been keeping tabs on the 22-year-old for months, though they are aware they also face competition from Liverpool.
But according to AS, Real are determined to secure the France international’s signature.
They claim Tchouameni is getting ‘closer and closer’ to linking up with Los Blancos with talks between the two parties advancing in recent weeks
Vieira on Gallagher
Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira believes Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher’s absence from the FA Cup semi-final will cost him.
Vieira said: “I don’t know if it’s a bad rule but what makes me think it’s not the best rule is that the only one who will lose is Conor.”
Before adding: “Playing this kind of game with this importance, that’s the experience that players are missing and I’m disappointed for him because he’s played all of the games so far.
“If someone deserves to be part of the semi-final it’s him because of his performances.
“The decision for Chelsea to send him on loan is for him to play these kind of games and we have the opportunity to play an important game, a game that would give him more confidence and belief.
“Since he’s been with us he’s been fantastic and for him not to have a chance to get involved in that game, it’s frustrating for his development”
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Tuchel on Gallagher
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel has revealed he apologised to Crystal Palace loanee Conor Gallagher over the midfielder being ruled out of this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final.
Tuchel said: “I had the chance to speak to Conor and I could also see his frustration.
“We met some weeks ago, I think after the international break by coincidence in a restaurant and had a chat and the subject came up and I apologised because I know how competitive he is and I like him a lot.
“I know his character very well and it was a pleasure to have him here in pre-season. That’s the way it is.
“We play to win the game and the rules were clear when we made the loan and I can totally understand [Patrick] Vieira and also the disappointment of Conor.
“But these were the rules when we did the loan and we don’t want to suffer from our rules”
Chelsea vs Crystal Palace preview
Chelsea are set to face Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley this Sunday.
Ben Chilwell is out for the long haul after picking up a season-ending knee injury back in November.
Callum Hudson-Odoi is also out for this one through an Achilles injury, with manager Thomas Tuchel saying he has a few more weeks on the treatment table.
Romelu Lukaku missed the Champions League match at Real Madrid with an Achilles problem of his own, but may harbour hopes of playing some part this weekend.
Palace aces Will Hughes, Michael Olise and Tyrick Mitchell are all doubts for manager Patrick Vieira, while Nathan Ferguson is out.
The same goes for Chelsea loanee Conor Gallagher, who can’t play against his parent club
Ricketts exit reminder
The Ricketts family have released a statement confirming they will NOT be submitting a final bid for Chelsea.
A statement read: “The Ricketts-Griffin-Gilbert Group has decided, after careful consideration, not to submit a final bid for Chelsea F.C.
“In the process of finalising their proposal, it became increasingly clear that certain issues could not be addressed given the unusual dynamics around the sales process.
“We have great admiration for Chelsea and its fans, and we wish the new owners well”
Joh Terry reminder
Chelsea legend John Terry will play a key role in Steve Pagliuca’s bid to become the next owner, writes SunSport’s ANDREW DILLON.
Pagliuca won Terry’s backing just 24 hours before final offers were submitted yesterday.
And the Boston Celtics chief will now tap into the former captain’s expertise to help win the race to take over from Roman Abramovich.
A preferred bidder could be announced by the middle of next week and a deal completed by the end of the month.
Terry is part of the True Blues group which has now aligned itself to Pagliuca’s proposal to buy the £3billion-rated club
Credit: GETTY IMAGES Three offers in for Chelsea
American bidders Steve Pagliuca and Todd Boehly, plus the Brit consortium of Lord Seb Coe and Martin Broughton, have all lodged their final offers to buy Chelsea.
Yesterday was the deadline for final bids to be submitted, and the Evening Standard claim all three parties did so without any problems.
The consortium led by the controversial Ricketts family pulled out of the running today after disagreements regarding the structure of the deal between those backing the bid.
US merchant bank Raine Group are now set to review the offers.
Swansea keeping tabs on Ampadu
Championship side Swansea are reportedly tracking Chelsea youngster Ethan Ampadu.
The versatile defender is currently on loan at Venezia in Serie A.
And Football League World report the Swans could make a move for the Welshman in the upcoming transfer window.
Boss Russell Martin is said to have identified 22-year-old Ampadu as a perfect fit for his long-term plans at the club.
You’re Alv-ing a laugh?
Former Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata has reportedly turned down a move to Arsenal because he is still haunted by his Stamford Bridge nightmare.
According to La Sampa via Tutto Juve, Morata is unwilling to return to London following his nightmare spell at Chelsea.
Morata joined the Blues in 2017 from Los Blancos, but was shipped off to Atletico on an initial loan deal in January 2019.
It has been reported that the player doesn’t have good memories of living in the English capital and has given a potential switch to the Emirates a ‘sharp no’.
Olise and Mitchell possibly injured
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira will already be without Conor Gallagher for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea.
And both Michael Olise and Tyrick Mitchell are facing a race to be fit in time to start.
Both players have been suffering from knocks, and have returned to training just days before the clash.
Vieira said: “We have Tyrick and Michael, who have had some training on the field individually yesterday and a little more today.
“Of course then we have to wait until tomorrow to see any reaction but they will only get involved in the game if they are 100 per cent fit.”
Ken Griffin “vocal” in Chelsea exit
According to reports, US billionaire Ken Griffin was “vocal” in his desire to pull out of the running to buy Chelsea.
Griffin had teamed up with the Ricketts family and fellow billionaire and Dan Gilbert in the hope of buying the club.
But the Ricketts family announced earlier they intended not to lodge a final bid to take over the Blues.
And CBS claim it was Griffin who made his intentions clear and wanted to pull out of the running.
SunSport understands the three parties failed to reach an agreement on the structure of any potential deal, which led to its collapse.
Butland fires Chelsea Zaha warning
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland has warned Chelsea “not many people” can stop Eagles talisman Wilfried Zaha when he’s firing on all cylinders.
Butland said: “Absolutely, he will be up for it, like we all will be. He is going to leave it all out there, which we all are.
“When Wilf does that, there are not many people in the world who can play like him or can stop him.
“I’m sure we will see the Wilf that we are seeing at the minute on Sunday. Wilf, along with the other incredible talents that we have got in the squad at the minute – we are a force to be reckoned with. It is not us playing Chelsea, they have got to play us as well.
“It will be a good occasion, and I am sure we are all going to bring it.”
Vieira dismisses Chelsea fatigue claims
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has insisted Chelsea will not feel a knock-on effect from their extra-time clash against Real Madrid when the two sides face off in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final.
The Frenchman said: “You don’t feel the tiredness when you play a semi-final of the FA Cup.
“Those Chelsea players will be ready for it and we have to be ready for the fight and look at how we want to approach the game, our game plan and perform on the day. We can’t count on Chelsea to be tired.
“Football-wise and the game they had I think was really good. They played well. It was a big game and they performed well. They can be unlucky and they were unlucky not to go to the semi-final.
“The physical aspect will not have an impact on Chelsea’s performance. We have to look at ourselves, at what we want to do to give ourselves the best chance.”
Man Utd ‘offer Rudiger contract’
Manchester United have reportedly offered Antonio Rudiger a contract ahead of a potential summer move.
The centre-back’s current Chelsea deal expires at the end of the season.
And sanctions at Stamford Bridge mean he is currently unable to pen a renewal.
Spanish outlet Sport claim United have tabled an offer to the 28-year-old, with the club keen to add defensive steel in the upcoming transfer window.
Sarri ‘desperate for Jorginho reunion’
Maurizio Sarri is reportedly eager to reunite with Jorginho at Lazio.
A number of Serie A clubs have been linked with the 30-year-old, who is out of contract at Chelsea next summer.
90min report Lazio are the latest to show their interest, with Jorginho unlikely to be offered a new deal at Stamford Bridge.
Jorginho played under Sarri at Napoli, before the Italian brought him with him to Chelsea in 2018.
And the Blues could opt to cash in on the midfielder this summer, sanctions permitting, instead of losing him for free in 12 months time.
Tuchel wants “clarity” on takeover
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel was quizzed by reporters in a press conference as to whether he had any updates regarding the takeover of the club.
The German denied any knowledge of the latest news in the process, hours before The Ricketts family pulled out of the running to buy the club.
Tuchel called for “clarity” on the matter, with the Blues manager hoping for a resolution in the near future.
When asked if he had heard anything, Tuchel said: “No, to be very honest, no.
“It’s still a process and I heard that talks are still ongoing with the government and I’m still not involved which I’m glad about I have to say as we have a lot to focus on here and that’s where our focus goes to.
“We hope things will be sorted out as soon as possible to have clarity but I can understand that it’s not that easy.”
Who’s left in Chelsea owner race?
The withdrawal of the Ricketts family from the race to buy Chelsea means there are just three contenders left in the running.
They are Americans Steve Pagliuca and Todd Boehly – both up against the combined Brit bid from Lord Seb Coe and Martin Broughton.
But it has been revealed Chelsea icon John Terry will play a key role in Pagliuca’s bid to become the club’s next owner.
And the Boston Celtics basketball boss will now tap into the legendary defender’s expertise to help win the four-way race to take over from Abramovich.
Terry is part of the True Blues group which has now aligned itself to Pagliuca’s proposal to buy the £3billion-rated club.
Ricketts exit not protest related
The decision for the Ricketts family to withdraw their bid to buy Chelsea is understood to not be related to fan-protests against them taking control of the club.
Chicago Cubs owners Tom and Laura Ricketts had partnered with US billionaires Ken Griffin and Dan Gilbert to form a consortium to buy the club.
But the reason for them pulling out of the running is thought to be due to the three parties failing to reach an agreement on the structure of any potential deal.
Ricketts family OUT of running
The Ricketts family backed group who had been exploring the option of buying Chelsea have released a statement confirming they will NOT be submitting a final bid for the club.
A statement read: “The Ricketts-Griffin-Gilbert Group has decided, after careful consideration, not to submit a final bid for Chelsea F.C.
“In the process of finalising their proposal, it became increasingly clear that certain issues could not be addressed given the unusual dynamics around the sales process.
“We have great admiration for Chelsea and its fans, and we wish the new owners well.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
