Chelsea news: Expert urges takeover intervention after official statement which ‘speaks volumes’
Kevin Phillips has called for any potential Chelsea takeover from the Ricketts family to be blocked.
The former Sunderland striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the views of disgruntled Blues fans must be respected.
The Ricketts family, who also own the Chicago Cubs baseball franchise, are among the final four bidders vying to purchase Chelsea from current owner Roman Abramovich.
The bid has been opposed by fans after patriarch Joe Ricketts used Islamophobic language in a series of leaked emails between 2009 and 2013.
A protest against the takeover took place before the Blues’ 4-1 loss against Brentford on 2 April.
A survey conducted by the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (2 April) revealed that 77% of fans polled do not support the Ricketts’ bid.
Phillips claimed that figure “speaks volumes” about the unpopularity of the proposed buyout.
“I think we’re at a point now where the fans must be listened to,” he told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs.
“If there’s a clear suggestion that a bulk of the supporters are not happy, then they shouldn’t be allowed to take charge.
“Why would you want to be in a situation where your back is up against the wall straight away because people aren’t behind you?
“It’s difficult because whoever you put in charge will have opposition. But the sheer majority of people who are against this particular bid speaks volumes about its unpopularity.”
On the pitch, Chelsea remain in good shape to secure a third-place finish in the Premier League.
Thomas Tuchel’s side travel to Spain next week to try and overturn a 3-1 deficit against Real Madrid after Wednesday’s first-leg defeat.
In other news, elite club “confident” of signing Chelsea star as offer readied.