TokyoBlue

I would like us to continue with bringing in the academy players. We've kept the best of them, but have also we let some slip through our fingers (Abraham and Rice as two obvious examples).

I wouldn't mind a couple of stars incorporated into there somewhere as well

This will have rival fans spitting their dummy's out! Once you clear away the various opinion pieces and general jealousy, Chelsea football club has been pushing the boundaries on all fronts. As well as the men's team winning every available trophy at this level, the Women's team has dominated domestically (and runners up in the 2021 Women's Champions League) and the academy teams have won domestic and UEFA's Youth League twice. Only Barcelona is up at this level as a club. Add on to that the community work, especially the way the club reacted to COVID with the use of the hotel for NHS staff. Also no attempt to abuse the furlough scheme (like Liverpool), and no laying off of staff (like Arsenal). We also pay a living wage which is higher than the minimum wage. This award is no fluke. Don't forget we also won the Ballon d'Or "Club of the Year" at the end of 2021.

Apparently this means it's a done deal. As I'm not an expert, I can only hope it's true.

Sky say agreements between governments have been achieved and "All major stumbling blocks have been overcome". https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12620164/chelsea-takeover-todd-boehlys-4-25bn-bid-approved-by-government-as-roman-abramovich-era-set-to-end

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/25/chelsea-sale-completed-after-roman-abramovich-agrees-to-government-terms?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

IT'S DONE!

Government's egos is my worry on this. What also worries me is some government politicians have connections to football clubs in their countries, and so this could go in all sorts of directions (especially with the amount of money involved). I remember for example calls for some of the money from the lucrative Premier League contracts to be shared "fairly" across Europe. It was dismissed at the time, but scenarios like this potentially hand some power to those that support this kind of thinking. Remember, a lot of clubs are struggling financially, especially since the lockdown period. Hopefully they can separate the sale with the eventual distribution of the funds and avoid "over-reach" from greedy parties.

Apparently we'll know in 48h hours....

Make sure it's clear. Every penny that gets taken is being robbed from the charity. What a mess....

Seems like other governments want to get their noses in the trough.

Please let them announce it at today's game!

Being in one the trendiest and wealthiest parts of London is both a blessing and a curse. The plans they came up with about 5 years ago made it look possible, but it was going to be very expensive. Due to our location etc making the cost to build so high (and probably slow), I'm not sure how profitable it really is.

Not really into the idea of moving. However have to admit that talk a few years back of Battersea Power Station being made into a stadium sounded incredible, so who knows? Would have to be something exceptional like that to even be considered.

Not just The Times reporting the deal is in place, also The Independent: https://news.yahoo.com/roman-abramovich-uk-government-reach-070546850.html

Seems as though we're nearly there. But then again, it's been like that several times already before so believe it when it's finished.

Good to see that they’ve got the orange football ready for a December World Cup, in case snows, IN QATAR!

Exactly. Get everyone in a room, lock the door and let them out when it's agreed.

Just like the refs then.

I know how he feels. My first game was in Chelsea v Oldham Athletic in the old 2nd division in 1982, which finished 2-2. Pretty sure we were 2-0 up at one point as well.

Dare I say it, Kerr's 2nd goal has shades of Drogba's goals against Liverpool and Everton!

Did it take this long for Roman to buy the club from Ken Bates? Seemed a lot quicker from what I remember.

If only! Seems we're doomed to this kind of endless drama.

So, where are we with all this? Today is the day it get's signed, or something pops up last minute?

I'm wondering if the late call on the debt was brought in precisely to strengthen the bid by Radcliffe. Who knows what has been discussed behind closed doors? Maybe Roman won't see a penny of that money now, or even in the next few years. Way further down the line however? Anyway, the plot thickens. And we're stuck in the middle of it all.