THOMAS HAWKS
United set their sights on Blues boss
CHELSEA will do a U-turn to keep on-loan midfielder Saul Niguez beyond the summer if Government sanctions allow them to. Niguez struggled after joining from Atletico Madrid at the start of the season and, despite finally settling and getting more game time in recent weeks, the Blues were not expecting to take up a clause in the loan deal which gave them first option to buy. However, H they will explore whether the initial agreement will permit mit them them to to sign sign the the Spaniard Spaniard for for the the pre-agreed pre-agreed fee fee of of £29.3million given they cannot make any new signings. The Blues are set to lose Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, who are all out of contract at the end of the season and cannot resign for Chelsea before any new owner comes in even if they want to. Christensen understood to have agreed to join Barcelona, Rudiger is a target for Newcastle, Manchester United and Real Madrid and Azpilicueta is
wanted by Barcelona.
THOMAS TUCHEL insists he remains committed to Chelsea – but his future is shrouded in mystery after the sanctions placed on owner Roman Abramovich.
And several big clubs –
Manchester United included – are now actively looking to see if they can exploit the turmoil at Stamford Bridge to land the Champions Leaguewinning manager in the summer.
The Blues have been plunged into chaos by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with Abramovich hit by government sanctions on Thursday over his alleged links to Vladimir Putin.
Drama
Rival outfits had already started circling even before that drama unfolded three days ago but, since then, they have been preparing to up the ante.
United are looking for a new manager in the summer and the fact interim boss Ralf Rangnick, who is set to move into an advisory role at Old Trafford, was a mentor of Tuchel makes a move for the German, if he is available, highly likely.
For his part, Tuchel is adamant he is as committed to Chelsea as ever and is concentrating his efforts on preparing his team for the rest of the season.
But the German also admitted that the future is now clouded in
uncertainty. Tuchel said: “I cannot predict the future. Right now my future is until Sunday, actually, and since Thursday, even more so.
“So let’s go day by day. There’s no other solution at the moment.”
Asked if he was ready for the challenge of managing a club quite different from the one he originally signed up for, Tuchel said: “Let’s see, let’s see.
“First of all, I like where I am, because I appreciate the value it has to be in a club with a mentality that fits so good to my mentality.
“I appreciate the amount and quality of support I’ve found in this club. There I feel very privileged and very lucky. I know how much I need this to be the best version of myself. It has big, big value.
“I never had in any contract that I can spend this amount of money, or that amount of money, that I need this player.
“I never did this in any club. “I trust myself also to adapt to a lot of situations. I trust my ability to influence teams. I’m happy to be part of that big team at Cobham and at Chelsea.
“I’m still very, very happy, and I hope it will not change.
Downing Street’s decision to freeze Abramovich’s assets has triggered an unprecedented crisis at Chelsea – and the world and European champions have only been allowed to continue playing after being granted a special licence by No.10. That licence was updated yesterday morning to allow the club to spend £900,000 on matchday costs after the figure was initially set at £500,000. But still the sanctions on Abramovich have effectively disabled Chelsea’s ability to do any business.
Club captain Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen are all out of contract at the end of the season and the club are unable to negotiate new deals.
But Abramovich has been granted permission to press ahead with plans to sell the club he purchased 19 years ago.
Loans
The bidding process and legal procedures regarding due diligence and the Premier League’s fit and proper persons test, mean it will be months before new owners are installed at Stamford Bridge.
Abramovich’s initial plan to hand control of the club to the Chelsea Foundation was rejected.
And he instructed American merchant bank Raine to find a buyer for Chelsea before Government sanctions were brought against him.
He valued the club at £3billion – although he was prepared to write off £1.5billion in loans.
It is understood Raine have been told that they can restart the bidding process after giving guarantees that the Russian billionaire will not benefit from the sale.
The Premier League stepped up the pressure on Abramovich on yesterday by disqualifying him as an owner and director.
Regulations state that he now has 28 days in which to sell his shares – although an extension is likely to be granted given the added complication of Government involvement.