Four billionaires and multi-millionaires who could buy Chelsea

Martin Macdonald

• 3 Mar 2022 13:46 GMT
• 4 min read

Chelsea will likely have a new owner soon after Roman Abramovich sensationally announced this week his intention to sell the club.

In a statement released on the official Chelsea website, the Russian said:

''I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC.

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"As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners."

Abramovich is under huge political pressure and has been threatened by the UK government due to his alleged connection to Russian president Vladimir Putin's regime.

New billionaire owners don't come around too often, but here are some names linked with buying Chelsea.

Hansjorg Wyss

Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss has admitted that he could be part of a consortium to buy him out.

“Abramovich is one of Putin's closest advisers and friends,” Wyss told Blick. “Like all other oligarchs, he is also in a panic. Abramovich is trying to sell all his villas in England. He also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly. I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.

“I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much. You know, Chelsea owe him £2 billion. But Chelsea have no money. Anyone who buys Chelsea must compensate Abramovich.

“As of today, we don't know the exact selling price. I can well imagine starting at Chelsea with partners. But I have to examine the general conditions first. But what I can already say is that I'm definitely not doing something like this alone. If I buy Chelsea, then with a consortium consisting of six to seven investors.”

Hansjorg Wyss is worth $5.8 billion, according to Forbes. He made his money with Synthes USA, which is a company that makes internal screws and plates for broken bones. He sold the company for $19.7bn in 2012.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Jim Ratcliffe started his professional career as a chemical engineer before moving into finance.

He would subsequently, in 1998, form chemicals company Ineos which, as of 2019, had total assets worth $31 billion.

Ratcliffe has previously been named the richest man in the United Kingdom, with a reported net worth of around £21 billion.

He currently owns French side Nice and Swiss side FC Lausanne-Sport.

He nearly bought Chelsea in 2019, but told BBC 5 Live:

"There was some early exchange but we were a significant way apart on valuations. The issue with Chelsea is its stadium. We are all getting older and it is a decade of your life to resolve that."

Conor McGregor

UFC star Conor McGregor wants to ''explore'' the possibility of buying Champions League holders Chelsea.

Former UFC featherweight and lightweight double-champion McGregor tweeted: ''I wish to explore this, Chelsea'' in response to an image of a WhatsApp message which read: ''Chelsea for sale, £3bn. Let's buy it.''

The Irishman, who is worth around £135million, has previously shown an interest in owning Manchester United - the club he supports: ''Hey guys, I’m thinking about buying Manchester United! What do you think?''

McGregor would not be able to buy the club himself, but it is possible he could be part of or lead a consortium.

Todd Boehly

American billionaire Todd Boehly twice attempted to buy Chelsea three years ago, only for his negotiations to be swiftly rejected by Abramovich.

He is the co-founder, chairman and chief executive of Eldridge Industries, a holding company known for previous investments in sport and media.

Boehly owns 20% of the Los Angeles Dodgers and is also a part owner of the Los Angeles Sparks, while in July of 2021 he purchased a 27% stake in the Los Angeles Lakers.

A sports fan, clearly, Boehly also owns betting company Draft Kings.

He has a net worth of $4.72 billion.