MY ACCOUNT
British billionaire Nick Candy remains interested in buying Chelsea and has pledged to install a fans’ representative on the board if he completes a deal for the club.
Candy said he was “actively exploring” a deal after Roman Abramovich announced his intention to sell the club, before reaffirming his interest in purchasing the Blues after the Russian was hit by sanctions from the UK government in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea are now operating under a special sporting licence, barring them from negotiating new contracts or transfers and preventing them from making ticket or merchandise sales, although reports have suggested that the government may yet permit a swift sale of the club.
Despite the uncertainty engulfing the European champions, property magnate Candy announced via a statement that he remained interested in buying the club and would look to involve a fans’ representative in the running of the Stamford Bridge club if he is successful.
“We welcome the news that the sale of the club will be conducted quickly,” a spokesperson for the 49-year-old said.
“This is a reassuring development for fans after a week of great uncertainty.
“Mr Candy cares hugely about the future of the club and believes that the fans and the community are central to its continued success.
“Should his bid be successful, Mr Candy would advocate for a fan representative to join the board so supporters become part of the decision-making process.
“If the club requires money to operate in the short term, Mr Candy would be happy to help ensure it has the necessary financial resources, subject to government approval.”
Meanwhile, Candy’s representatives also confirmed that the lifelong Blues fan was to attend their Premier League match against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Other bidders to have made their interest in the Stamford Bridge club known include a Swiss-American consortium led by billionaires Hansjorg Wyss and Todd Boehly. The sale of the club is being handled by the US-based Raine Group, which set a deadline of March 15 for prospective bidders, though further bids are still expected to be made.
On the pitch, Chelsea have coped well with the turmoil surrounding the club, defeating Norwich City 3-1 in their last Premier League outing ahead of their home clash with the Magpies.
Meanwhile, former Blues striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who scored 69 Premier League goals for the London club, says he is concerned about what the sanctions could mean for Chelsea’s season, but hoped to see an ambitious new owner arrive shortly.
“It is a big concern [the prospect of Chelsea not being able to finish the season],” the Dutchman told Sky Sports ahead of the Newcastle game.
“I don’t think this is very good for the Premier League. I don’t think it will get to that.
“When players hear that, it will be a concern as well. You want to finish the season properly and then you can assess.
“I do think Chelsea will be okay and will be bought by a new owner and it’s an owner with the same vision that it has now.”
