Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville has suggested that Chelsea are set to have a bright future even after Roman Abramovich eventually sells the club.
The Russian billionaire indicated his desire to cash-in on the west London club ahead of the Blues’ FA Cup win against Luton Town.
Having already ceded the care and stewardship of the club, he confirmed that Chelsea were set to be put up for sale in an official statement to the club’s website.
It remains to be seen who the next owner of the current European champions will be at this point with the likes of Hansjorg Wyss and Todd Boehly initially emerging as potential candidates as Abramovich’s successor.
However, Red Devils’ icon Neville has suggested that Chelsea will be able to cope in the post-Abramovich era, despite the Russian having played a key role in the club’s success over the past two decades.
Speaking to Sky Sports News, he said: “They’ll have a lot of affinity, Chelsea fans, for Roman Abramovich and rightly so.
“I think I’ve got most of them on my timeline over the past couple of days since I gave him a hard time over his charities, trustees comment before the [Carabao Cup] final.
“The reality is Chelsea will be okay and obviously he’s got the money. Irrespective over whether you like the idea of Russian money coming into English football or not, Roman Abramovich has been a very good owner for Chelsea Football Club and there are worse owners that are English.”
This is a statement that is shared by current owner Abramovich.
In a 2021 interview with Forbes Magazine, he suggested that the infrastructure he has established at Stamford Bridge since his 2003 takeover with allow the Blues to enjoy a bright future well after he has sold the club.
The Russian said: “Chelsea has a very rich history, and I feel extremely fortunate to play a part in that.
“The club was here before me, and will be here after me, but my job is to ensure we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future.”