Chelsea's uncertain future could lead to mass player exodus - Rio Ferdinand

Rio Ferdinand
(Image credit: PA)

The turmoil surrounding Chelsea following sanctions against club owner Roman Abramovich could lead to a mass player exodus, according to former England defender Rio Ferdinand.   

Abramovich had his assets frozen, including Chelsea, by the UK Government this week, stalling a sale of the club.

The Premier League outfit was given a licence to continue operations, but they can’t sell tickets or merchandise, offer new contracts or sign new players, among other restrictions. 

Three first-team players – Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen – are out of contract at the end of the season and will therefore have no choice but to leave Stamford Bridge under the current restrictions.

“If you take it back to the players, that uncertainty leads to anxiety, fear, and not knowing is always the worst-case scenario,” Ferdinand told BT Sport.

"There will be players sitting there who are coming out of contracts going ‘there’s no way I’m staying'.

“That could be a driver for a mass exodus of players who are saying: 'we are potentially losing our best players, we could’ve re-signed but now they’ve gone I can’t commit to this, I want three or five years or certainty rather than looking at this thinking what if this goes to litigation over the next few years where do we sit with it all'.

“There are so many questions and moving parts it makes it difficult to really want to commit to a situation like that.”

Subscribe to FourFourTwo today and save over a third on shop price

Restock your kit bag with the best deals for footballers on Amazon right now

ALSO READ

RANKED! Who are the best players in the world in every position?

QUIZ Can you name the 50 players with the most goals in 2021?

GUIDE Best football gifts: Present ideas for football fans

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio. 

Read more
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 30: Levi Colwill, Ben Chilwell and Noni Madueke of Chelsea interact during a pitch inspection prior to the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Newcastle United and Chelsea at St James' Park on October 30, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images)
Chelsea star demands exit to reunite with former manager: report
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim is still fighting through problems at Old Trafford
Damning Manchester United sale update released, with one player set to sign contract: report
Todd Boehly File Photo
Chelsea facing major £25m summer transfer headache: report
Chelsea's French defender #02 Axel Disasi (2R) celebrates scoring the team's third goal with Chelsea's French striker #18 Christopher Nkunku during the UEFA Europa Conference League, League Stage football match between Chelsea and FC Noah at Stamford Bridge in London on November 7, 2024.
Chelsea to offload NINE players - to fund move for former star: report
Enzo Maresca could be preparing to say goodbye to one forward this month
Chelsea top scorer wants exit to European giants: report
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has another transfer headache heading his way
Manchester United report: £89m spend confirmed for summer transfer window
Latest in
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is expected to sanction plenty of sales this summer
When does the summer transfer window open?
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Latest in News
Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta could both do with improving their respective attacks this summer
Arsenal to make bold move for Liverpool star with uncertain Anfield future: report
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 21: Phil Foden of England reacts during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifier between England and Albania at Wembley Stadium on March 21, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
'When I see Phil Foden play, he just seems like a shy lad - that holds him back a little bit. He has been tried in every position, but he just hasn’t performed': Ex-England star makes bold claim about Manchester City man
Arsenal's William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes embrace each other in celebration at full-time of the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on 25 January, 2025
Arsenal face losing Gabriel AND William Saliba, as new fears arise: report
Kevin De Bruyne of Man City in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Ipswich Town FC at Etihad Stadium on August 24, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Kevin De Bruyne touted for shock move to South American giants: report
LEVERKUSEN, GERMANY - MAY 18: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of AS Roma, celebrates after the UEFA Europa League semi-final second leg match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and AS Roma at BayArena on May 18, 2023 in Leverkusen, Germany. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho planning Premier League raid for superstar: report
Jack Grealish
Manchester City report: Jack Grealish poised for European switch, with price revealed