Manxst

Think they were reluctant to previously unless they had irreputable proof of the relationship between him and Putin. Without that, they were rumours of being sued etc. I’m guessing investigations have turned up a direct link.

Nope- he directly pumps in around £100m each year (I found the figure before but can’t now- it’s expressly given in their own accounts) to keep them going.

The company that owns Chelsea (not an ‘offshore shell company’) is directly owned by him. There’s no third party that can sign it all off- he’s the owner.

How will they let him sell, when that’s exactly the thing they’re trying to prevent- money going to Putin and his associates. That’s exactly what the sanction means.

But if the club folds, they literally won’t be anything because of him.

Away fans (that haven’t already purchased a ticket) would not be allowed under the freezing order according to a lawyer speaking on Sky. And the only way the club could be sold would be under an administrator.

Wonder if the fans will still be singing his name when they play next (or when the club folds…)

And the Foundation subsequently released a statement (I think?) that said they would consider it- it wasn’t a done deal by any means.

Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned. Major problems now as if it wasn’t already, for his sale of Chelsea, as well as ongoing costs and concerns of the club that he directly pays.

Like who? VDB?

Valbuena agrees. ??

Signed for Inter hasn’t he?

who? Salisu? He didn’t play in their last game vs Villa. Seems he’ll play tomorrow against us though: Hassenhutl: "No fresh injuries. Yes, [Nathan] Tella was back in session. But not available for the game. Sali, we'll have a look if he manages to play tomorrow [against Newcastle]. "Yes, in the end, the rest after the game [against Aston Villa] is fit, is okay."

Said he’d have to make a late call. However, he’s been training for the last few days, so looks pretty certain to be starting.

Genuinely can’t see the attraction at the price quoted, although I appreciate Reuben is a Chelsea fan. It doesn’t make much business sense though?

Not so crazily unrealistic, given their debts. Hence why they have to sell players each year, as with Lukaku.

Gah. 2-1 up now.

Decent goal by Gibbs-White against Boro.

Equaliser. Bew.

Although I’m aware the machine won’t send the charge if it detects a heart beat, so the ‘patient’ SHOULD be ok. Bit of a risk though, just for getting a game disrupted.

That was a name bandied about a few weeks ago, but who knows? I guess they will have several candidates to interview etc.

You’re supposed to, yes! But would you trust a random steward who’d had 2 minutes training and wants a medal? ?

They are as it stands. They could drop to 10th after the next round of games.

So long as the ‘stooge’ wouldn’t mind potentially being zapped by up to 1000 volts to the heart…

Shelvey occupies the DM role in the same way as Pirlo did. (And yes, I can’t fucking believe I’ve mentioned them both in the same sentence). They don’t break up play or tackle, but use their range of passing to instigate attacks from deep lying areas. Of course Bruno can do this too, but he seemingly has far more to his game- namely ball carrying, movement, and energy- all of which Shelvey lacks. A ‘specialist’ DM in the midfield in the Kamara mould would transform the current midfield no end- sitting deep, breaking up attacks and laying the ball off, and allowing Bruno a starting position, allowing him to roam and use his positional play, ball carrying and passing, and making us play even more on the ‘front foot’ as Howe seemingly prefers. Seems a no brainer to get someone in like that, and hence drop Shelvey moving forward.