CHELSEA owner Roman Abramovich has reportedly been a victim of a'suspected poisoning' following peace talks in Ukraine earlier this month.
It's been said that the Russian oligarch and at least two other peace negotiators suffered symptoms such as peeling skin and tearing eyes.
However, the Blues owner was pictured with Turkish officials in Istanbul today as he attended further peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ben Chilwell has been criticised by animal welfare groups after being caught on video having a tug of war with a tiger.
And the four parties battling it out for the ownership of Chelsea will learn which of them has the backing of Raine Group next month.
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- Sam Dymond
Final four to meet club bosses
The four remaining bidders for Chelsea will travel to London to meet with club officials for face-to-face talks.
The Evening Standard report that the shortlisted quartet will sit down with chairman Bruce Buck, director Marina Granovskaia, chief executive Guy Lawrence and, perhaps, even manager Thomas Tuchel to outline their plans for the future.
Raine Group, the merchant bank overseeing the sale, recently announced that the four parties had until April 11 to submit their revised bids for the London outfit.
Raine have also indicated that they will present their preferred bid to the UK government and the Premier League on April 18 with the intention of processing a sale before the end of this season.
- Sam Dymond
Poisoned Roman snapped in Instanbul
Roman Abramovich has been pictured for the first time since it emerged he was supposedly poisoned in Ukraine.
The sanctioned billionaire Chelsea owner was seen bleary eyed in Istanbul ahead of the next round of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
The two countries are locked in discussions, which are being hosted by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The outgoing Chelsea owner has been trying to broker a deal to end the war but it emerged on Monday that he was 'poisoned' while in Kyiv talking to Ukrainian officials.
Abramovich is said to have gone blind for several hours as skin peeled off his hands and face.
Credit: EAST2WEST - Sam Dymond
Blues helped by Hammer blow
Chelsea will renew their efforts to sign Jules Kounde this summer, and could prove successful thanks to a helping hand from one of their rivals.
The Blues attempted to bring the centre-back to Stamford Bridge last summer, but their bids were knocked back by Sevilla.
However, after West Ham stunned the Spanish side by eliminating them from the Europa League, the defender looks destined to depart.
Spanish publication Sport (via The Daily Star) report that the LaLiga club are 'doomed to sell' Kounde after their European exit.
Of course, a deal at Chelsea's end is dependent on the smooth takeover of the club, and their prospective new owners giving it the green light to proceed.
- Sam Dymond
Dortmund fancy nice little Werner
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly preparing to bring Timo Werner back to Germany after a disappointing two-year spell at Stamford Bridge.
The striker has struggled to make an impact in the Premier League since joining the Blues for £47million in 2020, scoring just seven times in 49 appearances.
Following another goal for his country on international duty, Werner admitted that 'things aren’t going the way [he’d] like at Chelsea', and that he feels much more 'comfortable' playing for Germany.
According to 90min, Bundesliga giant Dortmund have told officials at Stamford Bridge to keep them updated on Werner's availability as he remains one of the top targets.
- Giacomo Pisa
Good morning Chelsea fans
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri is laying the track to make a move for Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmieri this summer, according to reports in Italy.
The Italy defender, 27, is on loan at French giants Lyon and has been linked with a move away from the Blues.
A Citta Celeste report says former Chelsea boss Sarri has already ‘called him’ about the possibility of a move to Serie A.
Chelsea’s embattled and outgoing owner Roman Abramovich suffered suspected poisoning along with Ukraine peace negotiators earlier this month, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Russian oligarch and two officials are said to have developed symptoms including red eyes, painful tearing and peeling skin while acting as peacemakers at a meeting in Kyiv. They have recovered now.
Abramovich is selling the Blues as a result of pressure put on him by the UK government in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
And there has been an update on the sale, as the four parties battling to buy the club discovered they will learn which of them has the backing of Raine Group next month.
The bank overseeing the sale has told bidders it intends to present their preferred bid to the government and the Premier League during the week of April 18.
The suitors were told over the weekend they have until April 11 to refine their final offers.
And Christian Pulisic says his 'worm' goal celebration – after he scored for the USA in their 5-1 win over Panama – was for a young fan with cancer.
The Chelsea winger revealed it was dedicated to 15-year-old Mason Ogle, who has osteosarcoma and was the USA’s matchday ambassador for the game.
Pulisic said: "I met someone really special yesterday. His name was Mason and his one request was that if I scored he wanted to see a worm celebration. That’s what that was for."
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Cole 'nervous' on England duty
England boss Gareth Southgate says retired England hero Joe Cole was 'nervous' when asked to present shirts to Three Lions debutants.
Former West Ham and Chelsea midfielder Cole, 40, was asked to help make it a special occasion for new players in Southgate's national squad.
Speaking as part of the promotion for McDonald’s free Fun Football sessions, Southgate said: “I think the nice part before the Covid restrictions was bringing some of the former players back in to present their shirts to the lads making their debuts.
"I've never seen Joe Cole look so nervous. He was more nervous giving somebody else their shirt for their debut than when he was playing himself!"
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Guehi approached by Ivory Coast
Chelsea youth team product Marc Guehi might get the chance to switch his allegiance from England to Ivory Coast.
The Crystal Palace defender, 21, made his Three Lions debut in Saturday's 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland.
But he was born in the west African country and – in the build up to England versus Ivory Coast at Wembley on Tuesday – the Ivorians' boss Patrice Beaumelle revealed: "The choice has to come from the heart.
"He will make his own decision. He did well in his first cap for England.
“Maybe we will try for the orange jersey of Ivory Coast – you never know."
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Chelsea quartet travel to America
Four Chelsea players not in action for their countries during the international break have travelled to America together, it has been has reported.
Hakim Ziyech, who recently declined a call-up for Morocco, Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku, un-capped Englishman Trevoh Chalobah, and Spain’s Kepa Arrizabalaga enjoyed the break in each other’s company.
The Chelsea Chronicle’s article says they have ‘decided to spend some time watching an NBA game between the Miami Heat and Brooklyn Nets at FTX Arena in Florida.’
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Sarri's Lazio tracking Emerson
Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri is laying the track to make a move for Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmieri this summer, according to reports in Italy.
The Italy defender, 27, is on loan at French giants Lyon and has been linked with a move away from the Blues.
A Citta Celeste report says former Chelsea boss Sarri has already 'called him' about the possibility of a move to Serie A.
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Terry watches England training
Chelsea legend John Terry watched England's current crop in training for tomorrow's friendly with Ivory Coast.
The retired England skipper, 41, was present to see the Three Lions squad warming up at Tottenham Hotspur’s Enfield HQ.
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Abramovich – from orphan to billionaire
The BBC have done a nice feature on how Roman Abramovich went from being a three-year-old orphan to one of the world's richest men.
Chelsea's outgoing Russian owner has seen his club win every trophy available to them since taking over in 2003.
But, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and due to his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Abramovich's days in English football look numbered.
The Beeb's article says: "This fall from grace for a man who has dominated British football but sharply divided sports fans in the process will be cheered by some.
"But he has overcome huge challenges before, notably in his early life."
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Blues bidders to learn fate
The four parties battling to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich will discover which has the backing of Raine Group during the week of April 18.
The bank overseeing the sale has told bidders it intends to present their preferred bid to the government and the Premier League.
Sky News understands a letter has been sent to those on the shortlist, indicating the government will also be asked to issue a licence enabling a quick sale that could be completed by the end of the season.
The suitors were told over the weekend that they had until April 11 to refine their final offers.
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Abramovich 'suffers suspected poisoning'
Chelsea's embattled and outgoing owner Roman Abramovich sufferedsuspected poisoning along with Ukraine peace negotiators earlier this month, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Russian oligarch and two officials are said to have developed symptoms including red eyes, painful tearing and peeling skin while in the role of peacemakers at a meeting in Kyiv. They have now recovered.
Abramovich is currently selling the Blues as a result of pressure put on him by the UK government in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
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