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:

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.

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

via Reuters

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

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Brett Davis

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.”

Arsenal have completed the signing of Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle United in a deal worth £75million, adding further strength and depth to Mikel Arteta’s midfield ranks.

The Brazilian becomes one of the north London club’s most significant additions of the summer, joining a squad already brimming with Premier League and Champions League quality following last season’s title triumph.

Guimaraes leaves St James’ Park as club captain, having established himself as one of the division’s most complete midfielders since arriving from Lyon back in 2022. His switch to the Emirates now sets up an intriguing dynamic alongside Declan Rice, given their history on the pitch.

Bruno Guimaraes Reveals Declan Rice Text Message

REUTERS/Hannah Mckay

Speaking in his first interview since completing the move, Guimaraes revealed he had already received a message from his new teammate. Rice, who has previously clashed with Guimaraes during fixtures between Arsenal and Newcastle, wasted no time in extending an olive branch ahead of his arrival.

See what Guimaraes had to say in his interview below:

The pair have been involved in feisty exchanges in previous meetings between the two sides, frequently squaring up to each other, though Guimaraes’ arrival now means those battles will be a thing of the past, at least when it comes to facing off against one another.

How Arsenal’s Midfield Could Look with Guimaraes

Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith

The Brazilian gives Arteta an embarrassment of riches in central midfield, with Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard and Mikel Merino all already vying for regular minutes. The Brazilian’s versatility, able to operate as a No. 6 or a more advanced No. 8, gives Arteta license to rotate and adapt depending on the opponent, and in his own word is among the best in Europe.

It also raises the ceiling of what Arsenal’s midfield three could look like on their best days, with Rice potentially freed up to push further forward alongside Odegaard, while Guimaraes anchors things from a deeper role.

Competition for places will be fierce, but that’s exactly the kind of strength in depth Arteta has been building towards, as they enter a new Premier League season as champions for the first time since 2004.