Chelsea beg Government to lift transfer and contract ban over fears of defensive crisis
with FIVE players leaving
CHELSEA have submitted a number of requests to the Government to lift some of the sanctions
placed on the club this week.
Owner Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen on Thursday, preventing the Blues from conducting
business activity.
One of Chelsea's biggest concerns with the sanctions is the fact it bans them from conducting
transfer-related activity - including the renewal of players' contracts.
Chelsea were given a special license to continue playing but the club want changes made to
it, according to The Telegraph.
A key amendment is to allow contracts to be renewed with the likes of Antonio Rudiger,
Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen entering the final few months of their deals.
The Blues fear losing the defensive trio with Manchester United eyeing Ruidger and Barcelona
interested in both Azpilicueta and Christensen.
The transfer ban also means Chelsea would be unable to make Saul's loan permanent if
they wish, while Charly Musonda will also have to be let go when his contract expires
at the end of the season.
And Chelsea's requests do not stop there with the club reportedly aiming to make changes
to the license which would allow them to operate as normal.
They want the ban on selling tickets lifted to cover costs in what is a loss-making business
- the restrictions on merchandise sales will also have a negative impact.
However, a Whitehall source has dismissed such appeals, and was quoted as saying: "They’ve
got to live in the real world.
People are getting bombed and losing their lives in another country.”
But the government did at least allow Chelsea to raise their matchday spending from £500,000
to £900,000 to ensure the club would not lose millions by fulfilling fixtures.
Chelsea will also have access to prize money and TV money which can be put towards paying
the wage bill, believed to be in the region of £28million a month.
Away travel costs are still capped at £20,000 although this figure can be raised for Champions
League fixtures on the continent should Thomas Tuchel's side get past Lille.
Chelsea's contract worry could be solved if Abramovich sells the club before the summer.
And there is no shortage of interest with reports on Saturday revealing property investor
Jonathan Goldstein has joined a consortium consisting of Todd Boehley and Hansjorg Wyss.
A Saudi Arabian group is also interested while Turkish businessman Muhsin Bayrak has revealed
he is in talks about a potential takeover.