‘Wyss doesn’t have much respect for Abramovich.’
Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss is looking to buy Chelsea despite not having a footballing background, according to reports.
Chelsea’s current owner Roman Abramovich has put the club up for the sale after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Abramovich reportedly wants £3billion for the London team, which he bought in 2003.
Wyss is said to be among the frontrunners to take over Chelsea, and he is expected to submit a joint bid with LA Dodgers owner Todd Boehly.
Hansjorg Wyss’ bid to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich.
However, they are reportedly not prepared to pay Ambramovich’s current asking price, and the Swiss billionaire is said to have an extra motive for wanting to purchase the European and world champions.
Nicola Imfeld, an economics journalist for Blick who broke the news of the Wyss’ interest in buying the club, has provided additional details on why the billionaire is eager to take over at Chelsea.
According to Imfeld, Wyss does not have a ‘footballing background’, but instead his motivation is reportedly more personal.
The 86-year-old is said to want to buy Chelsea because of a ‘lack of respect’ for Abramovich due to his alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Imfeld spoke of Wyss’ lack of interest in football and said that Chelsea’s potential new owner will not splash the cash in the same manner as Abramovich.
⚽️ #Chelsea (1/4): Some background on Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss for my British friends. He certainly likes sports but has not had a great affinity for football. The fact that he could now be involved in a takeover of Chelsea comes as something of a surprise.
— Nicola Imfeld (@nicola_imfeld) March 3, 2022
He stated how the Swiss-native is influenced by western ideology and if Wyss’ had his way, Switzerland would dispose of their neutrality and devote themselves to the ‘political west.’
“Some background on Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss for my British friends. He certainly likes sports but has not had a great affinity for football,” he wrote.
⚽️ (2/4): On the other hand, Mr. Wyss is a true westerner by heart. If it would be on him, neutral Switzerland would position itself even more clear in the political West. I think that plays a real role here. Wyss is driven by ideology. He sees Russian oligarch #Abramovich …
— Nicola Imfeld (@nicola_imfeld) March 3, 2022
“The fact that he could now be involved in a takeover of Chelsea comes as something of a surprise.
“On the other hand, Mr. Wyss is a true westerner by heart.
“If it would be on him, neutral Switzerland would position itself even more clear in the political West. I think that plays a real role here. Wyss is driven by ideology.”
Wyss’ motivation to buy Chelsea.
The Swiss-native is said to be keen to buy Chelsea from the Russian as he doesn’t ‘respect’ Abramovich.
The 86-year-old has a net worth of $5.1b compared to Abramovich’s $12.4b. Imfeld has said that Wyss would not fund Chelsea to the same extent as Abramovich has over the last 19 years.
“He sees Russian oligarch Abramovich with apparent contacts to Putin, who is currently waging a war in Ukraine.
⚽️ (3/4): … with apparent contacts to Putin, who is currently waging a war in Ukraine. Having the chance now to rid Chelsea of such a person, for whom Wyss doesn't have much respect, drives him. What does this mean for Chelsea?
— Nicola Imfeld (@nicola_imfeld) March 3, 2022
⚽️ (4/4): Wyss is in this aspect a typical Swiss. Cautious, humble, acting with prudence. He won’t see Chelsea as his toy & open his wallet. It’s certainly not in the identity of Wyss to „buy“ the Champions League. Keep in mind though that it‘s not him alone bidding for Chelsea.
— Nicola Imfeld (@nicola_imfeld) March 3, 2022
“Having the chance now to rid Chelsea of such a person, for whom Wyss doesn’t have much respect, drives him.
“He won’t see Chelsea as his toy and open his wallet. It’s certainly not in the identity of Wyss to ‘buy’ the Champions League.”
