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While Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea empire crumbles around him, Newcastle’s Saudi revolution is just beginning

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WHEN one Empire crumbles, a new rising power is usually on hand to muscle in and replace them.

So as sanctions imposed on Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich turn ‘Chelski’ to dust, up in the North East ‘Geordie Arabia’ are on the march.

Chelsea are in crisis after the sanctions imposed on owner Roman AbramovichCredit: Reuters
Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is head of PIF, who own an 80 per cent stake in NewcastleCredit: AP

Newcastle’s Saudi revolution is now in full swing after a £305million takeover which saw the Public Investment Fund – whose chairman is Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman – buy 80 per cent of the club.

Bin Salman is worth £13billion and his family are believed to have a net worth of £1.3TRILLION.

Now Toon travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday as the Premier League’s most in-form side.

Eddie Howe’s Mags have remarkably won seven of their last eight, putting any fears of becoming the richest club in Championship well behind them.

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CHELSEA

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With safety all but secured now, the top 10 all of a sudden looks achievable.

But as incredible as Newcastle’s run has been, they are yet to bloody the nose of one of the big boys and send out a real statement of intent across world football.

And with Chelsea in complete disarray off the pitch, this weekend provides the perfect opportunity to stick the boot in and send the message out loud and clear that the times are changing.

Under Thomas Tuchel’s calm leadership, the Blues still look good for a top-four spot and could yet even regain their Champions League crown.

Beyond that, uncertainty reigns on the King’s Road. Will they be able to buy anyone in the summer? Who is going to replace Abramovich? Will they pump in as much money as the oligarch? Will Tuchel still be there next season?

In stark contrast, Tyneside is awash with clarity. January’s £94million splurge was only the beginning, with the ruthlessly ambitious Saudi paymasters in a hurry to make Newcastle the world’s best. 

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Any changing of the guard won’t happen overnight and if the post-Abramovich era at Chelsea is bankrolled to a similar tune as under the Russian – worth £10.3bn – all is not lost.

But if Newcastle continue on their sharp upwards trajectory, the days of this clash being third versus fourteenth are coming to an abrupt end.

The Toon Army will travel to Stamford Bridge en masse – as potentially the last set of away fans to do so for a while – and will no doubt revel in the Chelsea supporters’ misery.

New songs have sprung up in recent weeks about playing in Europe and winning the title.

Such suggestions were mocked only a few weeks ago when the Magpies were languishing in the bottom three.

But if they win on Sunday, any lingering ridicule is sure to be replaced by genuine fear of just what Newcastle could become.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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