Roman Abramovich’s era at Chelsea may have ended in 2022, but the emotional wounds from that forced sale remain raw for the club’s most successful owner — so says Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel.

Speaking in connection with the soon-to-be-released book “Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC”, Mikel Obi revealed that Abramovich still feels deeply pained by the way he had to let go of the club he loved so much.

“It’s just unfortunate what happened: he lost the football club,” Mikel said. “I still speak to people close to him and it still pains him. He’s still angry about what happened.”

Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea in 2022 after the UK government sanctioned him due to alleged ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin, amidst the Russia-Ukraine war. His assets were frozen, and after a dramatic 95-day saga, the club was sold to the Todd Boehly-led American consortium for £2.5 billion.

“He’s not happy that he lost his ‘baby’ because Chelsea Football Club was his football club. He really cared about the football club, not just the players but the fans,” Mikel continued.

And who can blame him? During Abramovich’s reign from 2003 to 2022, Chelsea were transformed into a European powerhouse, winning 21 major trophies, including five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Champions League trophies, and two Europa League titles.

The upcoming book promises to delve deeper into the behind-the-scenes drama that unfolded during the 95 days of uncertainty leading to the sale — an emotional rollercoaster not just for the fans, but also for Abramovich, who watched from afar as the club he built was taken out of his hands.

For Chelsea fans, Mikel’s revelations serve as a reminder that despite his silence since the sale, Abramovich’s love for the club has not faded. He was never just a figure in the background — he was deeply invested, emotionally and financially.

His legacy lives on in the trophy cabinets at Stamford Bridge and in the memories of fans who witnessed an era unlike any other in Chelsea’s history.

Stay tuned as “Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC” promises to give more insight into this extraordinary chapter of the Blues’ history.