Chelsea fc

Ken Griffin flew to London to meet Tom Ricketts and Laura Ricketts on Tuesday over their bid to buy Chelsea, as the group held face-to-face discussions with club executives ahead of next Monday’s deadline for the club’s shortlisted bidders to make improved offers. It is unclear whether or not Griffin was present in the meeting Tom and Laura Ricketts held with Chelsea officials, but it has been confirmed to Telegraph Sport that the Citadel billionaire was in London with the pair on Tuesday. The Ricketts held talks with Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and directors Marina Granovskaia and Eugene Tenenbaum, and Griffin’s decision to travel to London to add his support is seen as significant. Up until now, Griffin has remained in the background of the bid that has been fronted by the Ricketts, but his trip to London demonstrated his commitment to the process and the group’s determination to try to win over their doubters. The expectation is Griffin will become the major shareholder if … [Read more...] about American billionaire Ken Griffin travels to London as Ricketts family hold Chelsea bid talks

In pride of place between the awards and vinyl from 45 years working with Madonna, Keith Richards and Rod Stewart hangs a picture that Barbara Charone treasures above all. "The greatest night of my life," says the public relations impresario, pointing from her desk towards a signed photograph of the Didier Drogba penalty that decided the 2012 Champions League final. Charone has invited Telegraph Sport to her St John's Wood office where she still brokers deals for music's biggest names to explain how she landed a surprise key role in the Todd Boehly-led Chelsea takeover bid . The A-list anecdotes come thick and fast, and help illustrate how her love affair with Chelsea is the real deal. She failed to get Madonna interested after handing her son Rocco a Chelsea shirt with his name on the back in the early 2000s, but "Rod's a proper football fan," she explains. She recalls one trip with him in April 1991 to Stockholm where the rocker was shooting a cover for Rolling Stone … [Read more...] about Barbara Charone interview: Music broker for Keith Richards and Rod Stewart with a key role in Chelsea takeover

Chelsea have been warned their future is on the line after Government ruled out sale delays amid fears Roman Abramovich is reneging on his promise to write off a £1.6billion debt . Ministers believe time is running out on the May 31 licence deadline and are understood to be flatly refusing the prospect of more negotiations allowing Abramovich to claw back funds. The sanctioned Russian billionaire had promised in a statement when he put the club up for sale at the start of March that he would write off the huge sums that the club still owes him. However, sources close to the Government process say Chelsea are now raising the prospect of a restructure on sale terms, which would appear to allow Abramovich to be repaid. Several Whitehall insiders told Telegraph Sport that it remains ministers' position that Chelsea will not get approval for the takeover if he receives a penny. Yet under an amended proposal mooted late last week, Chelsea’s parent company Fordstam Ltd would pay off … [Read more...] about Chelsea future in doubt amid fears over Roman Abramovich’s £1.6bn loan U-turn

Todd Boehly has signed the purchase agreement to buy Chelsea in a deal worth £4.25billion and will be advanced for Government approval after a week of intense talks. Chelsea confirmed the agreement in the early hours of Saturday morning after Telegraph Sport had exclusively revealed that Boehly had put pen to paper on his purchase at Stamford Bridge on Friday. A Chelsea statement said: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Wyss, to acquire the Club. “Of the total investment being made, £2.5bn will be applied to purchase the shares in the Club and such proceeds will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate 100 per cent to charitable causes as confirmed by Roman Abramovich. UK Government approval will be required for the proceeds to be transferred from the frozen UK bank account. “In addition, the proposed new owners will commit … [Read more...] about Chelsea confirm terms agreed for Todd Boehly to complete £4.25bn takeover

The Government accused Roman Abramovich of putting Chelsea at risk of "going under" by allegedly refusing a new sale structure which blocks any risk of proceeds being claimed by his children. With talks still deadlocked over the fate of his £1.6billion loan in the club, Whitehall sources ramped up pressure on the Russian by expressing "serious concern" that the Todd Boehly takeover could collapse. "There's quite serious concern in Government that the deal may fall apart and that Roman Abramovich is ultimately willing to let Chelsea go under," warned one senior Government source. Chelsea announced a sale agreement with the Boehly-led consortium more than a week ago, but executives remain at loggerheads with ministers with just a fortnight until the deadline for any deal. At the heart of the dispute is dismay in Whitehall at an apparent contradiction in claims around the ownership of Camberley International, the offshore firm which Abramovich used to funnel funds to Chelsea. … [Read more...] about Roman Abramovich could let Chelsea ‘go under’ in dispute over £1.6bn loan, Government believes

Tuchel reflects on Chelsea's season ahead of final game Sign up HERE for the latest MUFC breaking news and transfer updates SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info As Chelsea sign off from the Premier League as the best of the rest in third place, transfer chief Marina Granovskaia knows the real work starts now in preparing for a busy summer window. The Canadian-Russian director is set to stay in her role for the time being once Todd Boehly’s takeover goes through due to her strong relationship with Thomas Tuchel and Petr Cech. Related articles Tuchel needs Lampard treatment when the Boehly era begins at Chelsea Lampard eying Chelsea raid for 'the next Terry' after Everton survival Granovskaia has … [Read more...] about Chelsea chief Marina Granovskaia’s four tasks to complete after Premier League conclusion

Former Chelsea and Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is well known for his razor sharp eviscerations, whether it is to his own players in the dressing room, on the touchline, or in the press conferences. But while an endless list of his best ever responses would likely fill a whole book, his very best takedown could be the time he threatened to play 50-year-old ‘Mick the Kitman’ ahead of Ricardo Carvalho during his first spell at Chelsea. John Terry’s rock solid partnership with the Portuguese defender inspired the Blues to back-to-back Premier League titles in Mourinho’s first reign at the club. However, Mourinho’s propensity for drama, and at times comedy, can best be encapsulated by his “brilliant” verbal assassination of Carvalho. And ex-Chelsea ace Jose Cole offered a priceless behind the scenes view of Mourinho’s ruthless dressing down of the former Real Madrid and Porto defender. “Jose was the best at putting a player down in a brilliant way,” Cole said … [Read more...] about Jose Mourinho threatened to play Chelsea kitman ahead of Ricardo Carvalho

New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly may have shown off his extortionate wealth by buying Chelsea for more than £4billion, but he still isn't quite as rich as some of his Premier League counterparts. Boehly has missed out on the list of the 50 richest owners in sport, according to research by OBLG. The American investor and businessman agreed a £4.25bn takeover deal which is expected to get finalised in the next few days. Out of the £4bn, £1.75bn will be used for further investment into the club. Despite the deal surpassing a whooping £4bn and Boehly possessing an impressive wealth of around £3.5bn, he has narrowly missed out of top 50, ranking 53 on the global scale. Meanwhile, only three other Premier League club owners have made the cut in the top 10 of the most popular sports including the NFL, NBA, NHL and MLB. Boehly's wealth is almost £14bn less than the Manchester City owner and richest in the Premier League, Sheikh Mansour, who ranks seventh. Meanwhile Arsenal owners Ann … [Read more...] about New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s net worth dwarfed by top 50 richest owners in sport

It has been 17 years since the 'Special One' delivered in his debut season with Chelsea. Jose Mourinho guided the Blues to their first top-flight title in 50 years, breaking the duopoly of Arsenal and Manchester United in the process. In the end, it proved a canter for Chelsea who lost just once to finish 12 points clear of the Gunners. It was the first of three Chelsea titles for Mourinho, and one that cemented several first-team stars as club legends. The Blues have five Premier League titles in now, with Carlo Ancelotti and Antonio Conte adding to the trophy cabinet in 2009 and 2016 respectively. 17 years on, here is a look at what Chelsea's title winners are up to now... Wayne Bridge The Southampton academy graduate is now a regular contributor on a range of Premier League and England topics for Betting Expert. Bridge married former Saturdays singer Frankie Sandford in 2014, and the couple have two children together. Petr Cech After more than a decade … [Read more...] about What Chelsea’s first 2005 title winners are doing now – from pundits to business owners

Chelsea completed a never-before-achieved feat in the first-half of their Premier League clash with Watford. The Blues snatched the lead in the 11th minute of their final league match of the season at Stamford Bridge. Kai Havertz opened the scoring with his ninth goal of the campaign, tapping in a low-cross from Kenedy. But Thomas Tuchel ’s side were also able to set a remarkable new record. By seeing their lead out until half-time, Chelsea became the first ever Premier League club in history to go the entire season without being behind at the break. The sensational achievement came despite an otherwise unremarkable season where the club finished third in the table. And Chelsea’s stars and coaching staff could at least take pride in setting a record as a result of their maintained consistency and solidity. The Blues went on to concede in the 87th minute after a Dan Gosling goal, but wantaway midfielder Ross Barkley scored the winner in stoppage time. Do you think … [Read more...] about Chelsea complete hugely impressive never-done-before Premier League feat on final day