ARSENE WENGER NAMES THE TWO KEY THINGS CHELSEA’S NEW OWNERS MUST GET RIGHT

Even without the funding of Roman Abramovich, Arsene Wenger believes Chelsea can remain competitive under new ownership, while he respects the impact the Russian had on the Premier League.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Abramovich said last week that he was actively looking for a buyer for the west London club he bought in 2003, prompting calls for the billionaire to be sanctioned.

The 55-year-old has put a price tag for Chelsea of roughly £3 billion, which Wenger believes is above the going rate and the former Arsenal manager, has some advice for the club’s incoming owners on how to replicate Abramovich’s success.

‘I would argue he was the first major investment [before] the Glazers came in, at a time when a millionaire was in his prime.’ You could put as much money in as you wanted because there was no Financial Fair Play,’ Wenger told beIN SPORTS.

‘You cannot match Abramovich’s spending power,’ Wenger continued when asked if Chelsea’s new owners will be able to match Abramovich’s spending power. You can’t put that money in now, privately, because it’s impossible. I believe it is limited to £200 million over three years. You could put a billion dollars in at the time.

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‘I always advised people who wanted to buy football clubs, instead of putting £100m in every year, put £500m in in the first year and buy the right players, then you have a team. He could do that and he did very well and today I think the club is managed very well and is at a top-level.’

On the key to maintaining success after Abramovich is gone, Wenger said: ‘It is still sustainable as a football club today because they are at a good level. But after that when you come in it is down to money and good decisions.