Thursday was Chelsea’s 117th birthday, but it wasn’t a happy one for many around the club as Roman Abramovich had control of the Blues seized from him following sanctions.
The situation makes a sale much more difficult, and as things stand, the Premier League club can’t sign players and can’t offer new contracts. They can’t even sell any further tickets for Stamford Bridge, and merchandise sales were halted in dramatic style.
What this means, and what could change is still being assessed by those in charge at Chelsea, and apparently by the players too.
Friday’s edition of Mundo Deportivo reports César Azpilicueta is ‘unaware of the sanctions small-print’ and whether it means he’ll be able to walk out of the club for free this summer.
The defender’s contract expires at the end of June, and the club have the right to extend it, but Mundo say sources close to the Chelsea man have told them he doesn’t know if that clause is now worthless.
Barcelona have been keen on signing the player, and if they can get him as a free agent, with Chelsea having no power to stop the move, it’ll be a much easier transfer.
