As we deep dive into the state of the unknown, Chelsea fans will have to face some harsh realities. Roman Abramovich has officially been sanctioned, and whilst many of us saw this coming, the fans, players, and staff will be the ones feeling the full effects.
The possibility of missing out of the top four in the Premier League is much more real outcome than we could have imagined. Chelsea could be back in the Europa League by the end of the season. But that's not all, a drop in profit and ticket revenue will mean drastic changes for many involved.
Welcome to the new era.
Match Day experience
To my fellow match day goers, boy do I have news for you. Chelsea will no longer be able to sell individual match day tickets. .
The atmosphere will not be that of what we witnessed earlier in the year when Chelsea had their emphatic comeback against Liverpool. It will have a somber rumble of gratitude for the minute number of supporters privileged enough to attend.
The need to keep the momentum going comes from the fans. Even though Chelsea pulled through in times where COVID-19 prohibited the attendance of fans, it will just not be the same. The desire to pull through for those watching at home will be capped with rival fans pulling them down along the way.
The mentality of the players will play a massive part if Chelsea are to hold on to their top-four spot. Otherwise, we may be forced to endure the Europa League once again.
Contracts, wages and negotiations crisis
Just. an assumption here but, could certain big earners experience a wage cut going forward? For the club to fund certain signings to live up to their 'big club energy', sacrifices will need to be made.
Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner remain Chelsea's highest earners. Two players that fans have had the most to complain about in recent months. I'm sure it wouldn't ring major alarm bells if they have their wages axed. But what about Antonio Rudiger's wage demands?
Chelsea will need to secure Antonio Rudiger's future by the end of the season. With the sanctions in place, his future is almost certain to be away from Chelsea. The Blues may not be able to afford the demands from the German, even if they could give out new contracts. They are currently unable to renew deals, but by the time this entire problem figures itself out, it could be too late.
Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta also join Rudiger in contract uncertainty as the trio's contracts all end this summer. No new contract, no pay rise... Chelsea's defensive future is looking pretty bleak right now.
Falling in top-four race
With the Blues still having to face their fellow top four contenders, Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, and Manchester United, they will be needing all the support that they can get. Matchday goers will be limited but that's not all.
Here's where things become extremely sticky. If Chelsea does not find a way out and find their way into administration, they could face a possible points deduction of nine points. That's right. The fight for the top four just got real. If you thought that we were not in it before, we are well and truly in the mix now.
We sit five points ahead of Arsenal in 4th and seven points ahead of Manchester United in 5th. Chelsea could be hit with a nine point deduction if they go into administration. If things stay like this, we could almost certainly find ourselves out of a Champions League spot as the fallout from the Abramovich sanctions continue to unravel.
Yikes.
There's no denying that the sanctions were warranted. There's also no defending Roman Abramovich in this time. Chelsea as a football club needs to be proactive and take action as quickly as possible. If this means for Abramovich to sell the club without receiving any monetary benefits from the sale, then so be it.
Every single player and staff will have to make sacrifices for the club. The biggest sacrifice of all will be for Roman Abramovich to let it go for free for a new owner to salvage whatever is left after the damage.
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