Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has claimed that Roman Abramovich remains deeply upset about being forced to sell the club in 2022.
The Russian billionaire, who owned Chelsea for 19 years, was compelled to part with the club following UK government sanctions linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich’s tenure at Chelsea was marked by unprecedented success, with the club securing 21 major trophies, including five Premier League titles and two UEFA Champions League crowns.
However, the sanctions led to the freezing of his assets and the subsequent sale of the club to a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital for £4.25 billion.
The former Nigeria international shared insights from those close to Abramovich.
“It’s just unfortunate what happened; he lost the football club. I still speak to people close to him and it still pains him. He’s still angry about what happened.”
Mikel emphasized Abramovich’s deep connection to Chelsea, stating, “He’s not happy that he lost his ‘baby’ because Chelsea Football Club was his football club. He really cared about the football club, not just the players but the fans.”
These revelations are part of the upcoming book “Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC” by Nick Purewal, which delves into the complexities and controversies surrounding the club’s sale during a tumultuous period in European football.
