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Frank Lampard ‘hopes he made Roman Abramovich happy’ as owner sees first match in 15 months as Chelsea down Krasnodar


FRANK LAMPARD hopes he made Roman Abramovich happy with Chelsea’s win over Krasnodar.

The Blues owner attended his first live Chelsea match in nearly 15 months on Wednesday night.

Roman Abramovich rocked up to see Chelsea win in the Champions League – his first live match in nearly 15 monthsCredit: BT Sport

The billionaire was one of 11,000 people to see Chelsea beat Krasnodar 4-0Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The Russian billionaire had not seen the Blues in the flesh since a friendly against Red Bull Salzburg in July 2019.

But after spending nearly £250MILLION on new talent this summer, the Chelsea owner was one of the 11,000 people inside the Krasnodar Stadium to watch the Blues win 4-0.

After the match, Lampard said: “I was aware that he was at the game obviously, which always makes us happy.



“I always feel the support of the owner at the club, whether he’s here at games or not.

“To have him here is a nice bonus for myself, for the squad, and we’re very respectful of him of course.

“I didn’t manage to see him because before the game I was in the dressing room.

“A couple of my staff members spoke to him. By the time I came out for the warm-up, he wasn’t around.

“I’m very pleased we put on what we thought was a good performance – four goals and a clean sheet in his home country – so I hope it made him happy.”

Mr Abramovich, whose current net worth is estimated at £9.8billion, has not visited Stamford Bridge in nearly three years over issues with his Visa.

But the 54-year-old was spotted inside of the 34,074-capacity stadium in Russia ahead of kick-off.

He was able to get a close up look at his new signings for the first time – as well as get his first live look at manager Frank Lampard.

And he will have been impressed by new boy Hakim Ziyech, bought for £36million from Ajax, who started for the first time after injury and scored in an impressive performance.

New boy Timo Werner – a £53million signing – scored from the penalty spot, while summer additions Kai Havertz (£70m) and Ben Chilwell (£50m) also started.

Goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, a £22million signing from Rennes, retained his place in goal after his impressive display against Manchester United and kept a third successive clean sheet.

Mendy played ahead of £71m world record keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who didn’t make the bench.

The Russian billionaire was spotted in the Krasondar Stadium ahead of kick-offCredit: BT Sport

New boy Hakim Ziyech impressed on his first start for the Blues, scoring late onCredit: Reuters

But despite Chelsea splashing the cash, Abramovich reportedly saw his net worth fall by £2.4bn as a result of the coronavirus crisis this summer.

The Chelsea owner has not set foot in the UK since May 2018 when the British government failed to renew his Visa after increased tension between London and Moscow.

In wake of that decision, and with Abramovich now living in Israel, the £1billion redevelopment of Stamford Bridge was put on hold.

The project, which would see the stadium demolished and rebuilt into a 60,000-seat venue, is said to still have a small chance of going ahead despite planning permission expiring in March.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich refused to do transfer deals with Tottenham as Carlton Cole reveals how he blocked move


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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