Chelsea news: Saudi Media Group ‘out of race’ but crafty plan may revive ownership hopes | Football | Sport

One of Chelsea’s prospective buyers, Saudi Media Group, have reportedly failed to make the final cut as the Blues narrow down a field of interested parties. The west London side is set to change hands after Roman Abramovich, who bought the club in 2003, was slapped with UK government sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. 

Chelsea have been scrambling behind the scenes since Abramovich was sanctioned earlier this month, a move which ultimately left the club cut off from their owner’s money. Ticket sales and player contracts were both put on hold as a result of the government action. 

Several high-profile bidders went public with their interest in purchasing the club, including Saudi Media Group. A report from GOAL indicates that their proposal has not been progressed to the final stage as the club continue to work through last week’s final bids. 

Their quest to take over at Stamford Bridge may not end there, however. The report goes on to state that Saudi Media Group would be open to teaming up with one of the preferred bidders and forming a new consortium. 

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Despite behind-the-scenes chaos, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel has done an admirable job at keeping his players’ minds focused on the job at hand. At this late stage of the season, Chelsea are still in the FA Cup and Champions League, while they seem to have a top-four spot sewn up and narrowly lost to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final. 

Since the news broke of Abramovich’s sanctions, they have won four consecutive matches. Last time out, they comfortably beat Middlesbrough 2-0 at the Riverside Stadium to book their spot in the FA Cup semi finals.