Sports
Roman Abramovich’s Life is Now Different After Selling Chelsea
Summary
- Roman Abramovich was a key catalyst in turning Chelsea into one of England’s top teams after his 2003 purchase.
- The Russian was forced to sell the club in 2022 and has been living in exile since.
- Rumours of Abramovich buying another football club have persisted but appear to be unfounded.
Fortunes at Chelsea have not been quite as fruitful as they were in years gone by since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital came to power in 2022. The consortium purchased the west London club for a record fee of around £4.25 billion, and it feels as though they have spent the same amount on players since, as has been evident in their erratic transfer policies and rumoured split.
While Chelsea enjoyed success in the 2024/25 season as they won the Europa Conference League trophy and the Club World Cup, the ownership change has prompted three of the most chaotic and disappointing seasons that Stamford Bridge has seen in recent times. The Blues finished 12th in the Premier League during the 2022-23 season, while they finished 10th in the 2025-26 campaign.
They finished sixth in the 2023-24 season, but this was still far below expectations and something that would not have been tolerated by the previous administration.
Roman Abramovich was a cutthroat owner, willing to make quick decisions regarding a manager’s future – a trait that ultimately paid off as he was able to lead Chelsea to their longest period of sustained success in their history. However, he was forced to sell due to sanctions imposed on Russian oligarchs with ties to Vladimir Putin following the country’s invasion of Ukraine. In the years since his 2022 exit, it’s fair to say that life has changed considerably for Abramovich.
What Roman Abramovich is Doing Now
The billionaire is believed to be living in exile in Turkey
According to a report from The Telegraph in January 2025, travel sanctions imposed by the European Union have forced Abramovich to live in exile, with Turkey now serving as his home base. The 59-year-old was known for his love of travelling, frequently visiting the Caribbean during the winter months and other renowned luxury European cities. However, the former Chelsea owner has had to curtail this lifestyle, meaning his collection of super yachts has largely gone unused over the past three years.
Among them, his prized £500 million yacht, The Eclipse, now sits in the Turkish port city of Marmaris, where it has been rendered effectively obsolete due to the fact that its owner rarely spends any time on it these days.
As for the man himself, it was reported in 2023 that he was splitting his time between Sochi, Istanbul, and Tel Aviv, though he now seems to have settled in Turkey’s largest city as his main residence. Nevertheless, he continues to display his wealth where possible.
With a net worth estimated at around £6.89 billion, according to financial experts Forbes, Abramovich is often seen living a life of luxury, generously rewarding those who assist him. One such individual is chef Omer Ataysin, who regularly provides the Russian oligarch with meals. Spicy kebabs and lamb tenderloin are believed to be among his favourite dishes.
Return appears unlikely, as UK government threaten to sue him
While the father of seven appears to be living a quiet life away from the limelight and continues to be potentially acting as a go-between in peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, football fans continue to wonder whether the former Chelsea owner could make a return to the sport with another club.
There were some suggestions that Abramovich’s decision to settle in Istanbul was a deliberate move, with speculation that he was interested in buying a football team from the city, with Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas all based in the region. This was quickly dismissed, with a spokesperson calling the claim entirely false.
As for his relationship with Chelsea, the 59-year-old had expressed a desire to return to Stamford Bridge to say goodbye to the fans in person, but travel restrictions have prevented this from happening. It now seems increasingly unlikely that such a visit will take place in the future.
Abramovich was also criticised for not following through on promises to make a substantial charity donation with the funds he received from the sale of the club. However, a report from the Daily Mail claims that this is due to the funds being frozen in a London bank, which the Russian currently cannot access.
In June 2025, BBC News revealed that the UK government have threatened to sue Abramovich to make sure the money from the sale of Chelsea goes to Ukraine. The Russian previously stated that he wants the money to go to “all victims of the war in Ukraine”, but the UK government want to ensure the funds are used directly for Ukrainian humanitarian aid.
“While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required,” Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy said in a joint statement.
“It was always about Chelsea”
Adding to the idea that he is unlikely to invest in a new football club any time soon, it has emerged that – as of early 2025 – Abramovich has completely stopped attending games in person. A close friend of Abramovich told The Sun (via Goa)l:
“Roman still likes football. But he doesn’t go to games anymore. It was always about Chelsea.”
As alluded to before, upon his Stamford Bridge exit, the Russian said: “I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person.” For the time being, a return to west London seems unlikely.
His popularity in England, among rival clubs at the very least, won’t be helped by the charges made against Chelsea for 74 breaches of the FA’s Agent Regulation rules between 2009 and 2022. The bulk of these relate to a period from 2010/11 to 2015/16 under Abramovich. The charges predominantly relate to agent payments not being correctly reported on the books, including for the signings of Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto’o and Willian – all players who were signed by Abramovich.
In July 2026, Chelsea were handed a six-point deduction and a two-window transfer ban, which were both to be suspended until 30 June 2027. They were also given a £10 million fine.
With pre-season now well and truly underway, new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso will be quickly learning which players he can trust in his debut season. He’s already shown his intention to add a little more discipline and experience in the dressing room, signing the likes of Danny Welbeck and Jordan Henderson.
The former was signed from Brighton and Hove Albion to add depth to the striker role as well as offer something as an older head in the dressing room. The English forward scored 13 Premier League goals last season – the best of his career – so could contribute plenty on the pitch.
Alonso has quickly got the player involved too, as he started and played 45 minutes in the friendly loss to Juventus, and then started once more just three days later against AC Milan. Fans have now shared their thoughts on how he’s done so far.
Welbeck Given Early Chance To Impress By Alonso
Welbeck – who is said to be making £60k-p/w at Stamford Bridge – played alongside Joao Pedro in an almost traditional 4-4-2 striker partnership against Juventus but didn’t have the biggest impact. He managed just one shot in the 1-0 defeat, before coming off at half-time for Nicolas Jackson.
Against AC Milan, he was trusted to start once again, although this time he had Cole Palmer and Pedro to support him in attack. Chelsea would win the game 3-0 thanks to Pedro’s brace and Moises Caicedo also scoring, but Welbeck’s display left a bit to be desired.
Once again, the Englishman struggled to make a huge impact, taking just one shot, having only 16 touches, and losing the ball six times before he was subbed off for Geovany Quenda in the 59th minute.
Chelsea Fans Not Convinced By Welbeck
Having now watched the 35-year-old on two occasions, Chelsea fans have seen enough to offer some sort of early verdict on the player. Worryingly for Welbeck, it doesn’t appear as though he has won over his new set of supporters.
After his underwhelming efforts vs AC Milan, one fan bluntly stated:
‘I hope Alonso has no plans of starting Danny Welbeck in important matches.’
Another added: “Danny Welbeck, I don’t think you can make it here.” While a third wrote:
“Welbeck stinks. Can’t create separation, can’t hold up the ball at all. Using him as a senior voice in the dressing room is one thing, actually playing him is another.”
Carrying on the theme, someone else said: “Danny Welbeck has not really impressed me tbh.” Another said: “Danny Welbeck shouldn’t be starting matches for us, the game is faster than him.”
A final fan summed up the mood, stating: “If you think Danny Welbeck is enough, I’m sorry.”
Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua‘s long-awaited heavyweight clash is reportedly set to take place in the United States — and it could even land on a weekday.
The all-British super fight is in the final stages of agreement, following both Fury’s sluggish victory over Mariusz Wach in Thailand and Joshua’s nervy victory over Kristian Prenga in July, with the former having to survive multiple first round knockdowns before securing a second-round knockout win.
Those fights were the final obstacles to overcome for the fighters and the two are now set to face each other but, according to Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix, the fight is ‘almost certain’ to be staged in the US.
Madison Square Garden is set to be the frontrunner and Netflix is said to be the driving force behind the event, which could yet fall on a surprising night.
Fury vs Joshua Venue and Date
The usual British broadcast norms look set to be torn up entirely; rather than the traditional Saturday-night slot, streaming giants Netflix are looking to target Friday, November 20 as the touted likely date. In late July, reports had claimed that the fight would be held at a time suitable for American fans.
A move to Friday is a commercial decision, ensuring that Netflix avoids a direct clash with the US college football schedule, which typically dominates Saturdays in the American autumn. It isn’t the first time they’ve done this, as last year’s super fight involving Terence Crawford and Canelo Álvarez was staged in the Friday slot. Crucially, the final start time could end up being 4am UK time.
Speaking after his win over Wach, Fury admitted he was in the dark about the destination, reeling off a list of possibilities from Las Vegas to Ireland. “I’ll regroup, and hopefully the next big fight is signed next week, and we head wherever we’re going to head. Who the f*** knows,” he said.
“Is it gonna be in Vegas? Is it gonna be in New York? Is it gonna be in Ireland? Is it gonna be in London? Who knows, Belfast maybe? It might even be here in Pattaya, Thailand!”
Hearn Insists the Fight Is Contracted for the UK
Further complicating the picture is Joshua’s promoter Eddie Hearn, who has maintained that a signed agreement ensures the fight has to take place on home soil.
Hearn said a legally binding contract was put in place months ago, with a clause specifically inserted at Joshua’s insistence that the bout must happen in the UK. As he put it, the deal means it currently cannot be staged anywhere else. “It’s done. We signed a legally binding contract about three months ago,” Hearn said.
“There’s a reason that we put contracts together. There’s a reason AJ employs lawyers, there’s a reason that me and him sit down and have endless conversations to make sure every move is correct. “We insisted that this fight was in the UK. I know AJ will sometimes want to be a peace-keeper, but the reality is he said to me ‘I want the fight in the UK.'”
Hearn has, however, conceded that the certainty wavered once American offers arrived. With a far greater revenue being achievable at the iconic MSG, coupled with both fighters’ current career stages, the tension has built around this crucial final decision.
Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign England World Cup star Djed Spence this summer as they look to add a new full-back. Michael Carrick has a particular need on the left side of defence, wanting more competition for Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu, while youngster Sergio León is also an option there.
The Red Devils have signed two midfielders so far this summer, with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans snapped up, and there will likely be a third midfielder signing by the end of the summer window. Carrick could also move for an attacker, as well as a full-back, but United are going to need to speed things up, with less than four weeks remaining in the summer window. And it now looks as though primary target Lewis Hall is off the table.
Man Utd offered opportunity to sign Djed Spence
According to GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, United have been offered the chance to sign Tottenham full-back Djed Spence, who is coming off an impressive World Cup with England.
“They might sign a right-sided full-back who can play on the other side,” Jacobs told The United Stand. “Djed Spence is a name on the player side who has been offered around. He’s been offered to Liverpool, been offered to Manchester United. I’m not aware yet whether the clubs are interested in that deal, but Spence wants to go somewhere he can play week-in, week-out, whether that’s on the right or the left.
“He is assessing his options even though Roberto De Zerbi would like to keep him as a squad player.” – Ben Jacobs on Djed Spence
“So his future, more broadly, might be one to watch. I don’t think Manchester United are saying they want Djed Spence, but he is being offered around Premier League clubs because with Pedro Porro on one side and Destiny Udogie on the other, and after a very positive World Cup, Spence can’t guarantee he will be playing next week. And that’s why he is assessing his options even though Roberto De Zerbi would like to keep him as a squad player.”
Who can play left-back for Man Utd currently?
- Luke Shaw
- Patrick Dorgu
- Sergio León
- Harry Amass
Spence can more than do a job at left-back
One concern United may have is that they need a left-back more than a right-back, with Spence being right-footed, but interestingly, Alan Shearer believes Spence is actually better on what should be his weaker side.
“I thought he was outstanding,” Shearer told Betfair at the World Cup. “When he came on against Norway, he was brilliant, which then got his place again in the semi-final and deserved his spot. When he was called upon, I thought he was excellent.
“He’s a much better left-back, I think, which is really strange. Someone who’s right footed, he’s a much better left-back than he is right-back.”
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