Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is said to be 'furious' and concerned for his legacy after being 'blindsided' by the backlash at the club's willingness to take part in the axed European Super League.
The Blues and the rest of the Premier League's 'Big Six' all signed up to a breakaway competition with three teams from Spain and three from Italy but within 48 hours it collapsed amid backlash from fans, players, managers and pundits.
Chelsea were one of the first, along with Manchester City, teams to withdraw from the Super League before the other four English clubs followed suit.