Chelsea

Between 50 and 100 Chelsea supporters gathered ahead of Saturdays Premier League clash at home to Brentford to demonstrate against the Ricketts familys bid ...

Sources said on Saturday evening that Rock Entertainment Group had agreed to invest a significant - though undisclosed - sum in the bid. The 80-year-old later apologised. Over the weekend, the owners of the NBA team Cleveland Cavaliers joined forces with the Ricketts bid. In a statement released on Sunday the family said: "Over the past fortnight, the Ricketts Family has met with several Chelsea supporter groups and carefully listened to all their feedback. Now the Ricketts family has reiterated its intention to bring "diversity and inclusion" to Chelsea - along with other promises including a stadium upgrade on their Stamford Bridge ground. The Ricketts family has made a list of promises to Chelsea fans should their takeover bid be successful, including a vow never to sign the Blues up to a European Super League.

The Chelsea boss and his wife are hoping for an amicable split, with Thomas Tuchel also having to cope with the high-profile takeover of the club as the ...

After the loss Tuchel said : "After so many wins and so many good results, I will now refuse to make a drama out of it. After the third goal, we had a disallowed goal, a pressing situation against the goalkeeper, and another big chance from Kai Havertz. We missed all three of them and there was a feeling that it wasn't our day. The news comes as Chelsea suffered their worst defeat of the season, a 4-1 defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Some supporters gathered outside Stamford Bridge ahead of the Blues' 4-1 defeat to Brentford to protest against the bid. Tom Ricketts recently released a ...

"I have to say, if I was the Ricketts family and I was getting that type of hostility on the way in... Thomas TuchelWife of Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel 'begins divorce proceedings' after 13 years of marriageThe Chelsea boss and his wife are hoping for an amicable split, with Thomas Tuchel also having to cope with the high-profile takeover of the club as the Blues bid to secure silverware this seasonWhy Antonio Rudiger got angry with Marcos Alonso as Chelsea are handed timely Real Madrid boostChelseaChelsea suffered a shock 4-1 home defeat to Brentford yesterday but the result may prove an important reality check for Thomas Tuchel and his players ahead of the Champions League clash against Real MadridTom Ricketts responds to Chelsea supporters amid Stamford Bridge ownership protestNext Chelsea OwnerSupporters have been protesting outside of Stamford Bridge against the Ricketts family's bid for the club and now there has been a response. "In this current light, with what's happened with the Super League, Big Picture, Derby, Bury, what's happened with all of these issues with Roman Abramovich and the links to Putin [something Abramovich has always denied], we have to start bringing back some sort of moral compass in determining who owns a football club." We look forward to more meetings - including with the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust - over the coming days and to making a public reiteration of our values and commitments." READ MORE: Chelsea sale: Who is Dan Gilbert? The £23.6bn businessman interested in helping fund purchase "We believe these are far-reaching and certainly include an absolute commitment on part of the Ricketts Family and the bid team to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club. Tom Ricketts recently released a statement to confirm his family's plans when it comes to Chelsea. "Over the past fortnight, our bid team has met with several supporter groups to explain our vision for Chelsea Football Club. In those meetings, and by letter to all groups, we have shared a set of specific commitments we will make to fans, if our bid is successful," the statement read.

The Ricketts Family are one of the four shortlisted bidders to buy Chelsea, and also own the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Roman Abramovich put the club up for ...

“As we enter the next phase of the process, we are sharing a list of specific commitments that give fans a pivotal role in protecting Chelsea’s heritage and building for future success. Joe has no role at the Cubs or in the bid to buy Chelsea. We will continue to discuss our ambitions for the club with fans and the wider football community in the coming days. “8. Continue the vital charitable work of the Chelsea Foundation, seeking to use the power of football and sport to motivate, educate and inspire.” There was a protest against their potential ownership ahead of Chelsea’s 4-1 loss to Brentford on Saturday. Roman Abramovich put the club up for sale after being sanctioned by the UK government last month.

All of the latest Chelsea news and views all in one place including coverage of the standout transfer rumours and developments surrounding the Blues' ...

All focus now switches to a potential response against Real Madrid midweek in the Champions League, and we are expected to see a lot of build-up ready for that big clash of European giants. Antonio Rudiger's wonder strike early in the second half was not enough as the Bees flipped the game on its head 10 minutes later. The Blues' return to Premier League action turned into a nightmare as Brentford hit four past their west London rivals.

The Ricketts family have issued an open letter to Chelsea supporters, listing out eight promises they will keep to if their bid to buy the club is ...

Joe Ricketts, who would not be involved at the club or in the bid, called Muslims “my enemy” in an email from 2019. “As we enter the next phase of the process, we are sharing a list of specific commitments that give fans a pivotal role in protecting Chelsea’s heritage and building for future success. A Chelsea Supporters’ Trust statement recently declared they “neither supports nor has confidence in the Ricketts family’s bid for the club,” following backlash over more than one member of the family’s political and social views.

Chelsea fans protested against the Ricketts bid before Brentford game; in 2019, leaked emails showed family patriarch Joe Ricketts used Islamophobic ...

"Yesterday we conducted a snap survey of our membership. We asked our membership whether, based on information in the public domain as of April 1, they had confidence that the Ricketts family would run an inclusive and successful club, and we asked whether they supported the Ricketts family's bid. "This is reflective of wider concerns articulated by large, vocal sections of Chelsea's supporter base. "We also committed to surveying our members as to their confidence and support in the Ricketts family's bid for Chelsea FC. "The CST Board is guided by our membership, and thus we do not currently believe it is in the best interests of our members for the Ricketts family's bid to succeed. The 80-year-old later apologised.

All of the latest Chelsea news and views all in one place including coverage of the standout transfer rumours and developments surrounding the Blues' ...

We're expecting to hear plenty of pre-match build-up throughout the day, that you can find in our dedicated live blog below. Keep the blog locked throughout the day so that you don't miss a single update from Stamford Bridge. The Blues return to Premier League action this afternoon as they welcome Brentford to Stamford Bridge. With all of the attention currently on the off-field matters in west London, it will be good for supporters to see their team back in action in the Premier League.

The Chelsea Supporters' Trust says its membership neither supports nor has confidence in the Ricketts family's bid to buy the Blues.

Tom Ricketts confirmed meetings with Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, and pledged to sit down with more fans in an attempt to prove his family’s suitability to take over at the club. We look forward to more meetings – including with the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust – over the coming days and to making a public reiteration of our values and commitments.” “We also committed to surveying our members as to their confidence and support in the Ricketts family’s bid for Chelsea FC. Similarly, 77% of members who responded do not support the Ricketts family’s bid for Chelsea FC and three per cent of respondents are in support. “Last week, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust stated that the Ricketts family must urgently and publicly address supporter concerns – especially with regard to inclusivity, given both past and recent statements by members of the family,” read the CST statement. Chelsea fans also organised a protest against the Ricketts’ candidacy before Saturday’s Premier League match against Brentford at Stamford Bridge. Joe Ricketts, the family patriarch, who has no role at the Cubs or in the bid to buy Chelsea, described Muslims as “my enemy” in leaked emails from 2019.

Chelsea FC 0-0 Brentford LIVE! Premier League match stream, latest score and goal updates today. VIEW COMMENTS.

Brentford, meanwhile, have put a small bit of breathing space between themselves and the relegation fight but Thomas Frank will know his side are not safe yet. On the pitch, however, Thomas Tuchel’s men have been in excellent form and while they appear to have little to play for in the league beyond confirming a third-place finish, the German will be keen to see his side rebuild momentum after the international break, ahead of a huge Champions League clash with Real Madrid, and with an FA Cup semi-final to come further down the line, too. There is all manner of uncertainty surrounding the club following the sanctioning of owner Roman Abramovich and several prospective new owners are still vying to take the Blues forward.

The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) said on Saturday that 77% of its members do not support the Ricketts family's bid for the Premier League club.

It made similar comments in a statement on March 23. "It is essential that the new owners of Chelsea FC have the confidence of the supporter base and demonstrate an understanding of the values that we stand for," CST said in a statement. The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) said on Saturday that 77% of its members do not support the Ricketts family's bid for the Premier League club, in the wake of a fan backlash over previous racist remarks by members of the family.

Supporters have been protesting outside of Stamford Bridge against the Ricketts family's bid for the club and now there has been a response.

The CST does not currently believe it is in the best interests of our members for the Ricketts bid to succeed." However, fans have taken exception to that, with the Chelsea Supporters' Trust indicating that there is almost little to no support among the fanbase having produced a survey. Having clearly seen the protests, Tom Ricketts released a statement in response.

Brentford stunned neighbours Chelsea with an incredible 4-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, despite falling behind in the second half.

Chelsea capitulated at home to Brentford as goals from Janelt, Eriksen and Wissa saw the Bees thrash the European champions.

Moments later, he found himself through on goal and while his first touch got past Raya, it ended on the wrong side of the post. Hakim Ziyech had come closest, forcing David Raya into a fingertip save and at the other end, Ivan Toney heading over after winning an aerial battle with Rudiger. Brentford netted four times in a remarkable second half after falling behind to a 35-yard strike from Antonio Rudiger, whose speculative efforts have become a running joke among Chelsea fans.

Christian Eriksen scores his first Brentford goal as they come from behind to beat Chelsea 4-1 at Stamford Bridge.

The margin of the scoreline did not flatter them. Last updated on .From the section Premier League Last updated on .From the section Premier League

Blues fans organised a protest against the Ricketts family's attempt to purchase the club at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

“Yesterday we conducted a snap survey of our membership. Tom Ricketts has declared an “absolute commitment” to diversity and inclusion in his family’s bid to buy Chelsea. Tom Ricketts confirmed meetings with Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, and pledged to sit down with more fans in a bid to prove his family’s suitability to take over at the west London club. The Chicago Cubs co-chairman has responded directly to supporter unrest over the Ricketts family’s attempt to purchase the club. Tom Ricketts has declared an “absolute commitment” to diversity and inclusion in his family’s bid to buy Chelsea. The Chicago Cubs co-chairman has responded directly to supporter unrest over the Ricketts family’s attempt to purchase the club.

There are four changes from our last outing before the international break as Chelsea's Premier League campaign resumes with a west London derby this ...

The Ricketts family raised the stakes in their controversial bid to buy Chelsea from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich on Sunday when they produced a list ...

We will match the current commitment to Chelsea FC Women and increase the number of women’s matches played at Stamford Bridge. We will create an advisory committee with diverse representation to ensure our decisions are informed by: a former men’s and women’s first team player, members of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust and Chelsea Pitch Owners, and influential community leaders. Now they have laid out their vision for Chelsea’s future should they win the race to buy the west London club after discussions with several supporters groups in the last fortnight.

The Ricketts family have outlined a list of promises should they buy Chelsea, including rejecting participation in a European Super League.

The Ricketts family said the CST would have a seat on an advisory committee. Steve Nicol singles out Chelsea's inability to convert chances as their biggest problem against Brentford. (1:27) Steve Nicol singles out Chelsea's inability to convert chances as their biggest problem against Brentford. (1:27)

Antonio Rudiger's opener against Brentford continued Chelsea's excellent record with long-range efforts this season, netting our 12th goal of the campaign ...

In our 59 games in all competitions during the whole of last term we managed a total of 97 goals, whereas Rudiger’s strike meant we had surpassed that figure with our 98th goal in our 50th game, with two months of the campaign still to play.Perhaps it was inevitable another long-range goal would arrive in this fixture, given that Brentford had already conceded from outside the box 10 times this season, the most of any Premier League team, and have now gone 13 away league games without keeping a clean sheet, a run dating back to September.In addition to Alonso, Chalobah and Rudiger, it is Callum Hudson-Odoi, Mateo Kovacic, Mason Mount and Saul Niguez who have all scored once each from outside the box this season, while both N’Golo Kante’s goals in 2021/22 were from range and Hakim Ziyech leads the way with three.Sadly for Toni on Saturday afternoon, his spectacular was overshadowed by what turned into a 4-1 defeat. It is quite a turn-around in the Blues’ fortunes from that distance, considering that in the whole of last season we only managed to score five times from outside the penalty area, less than half of the tally of 12 we have so far in 2021/22.We have been particularly potent from range in the Premier League, with Rudiger’s strike against Brentford the ninth of this season’s 12 to come in that competition, more than any other top-flight side.The German's goal is certainly one that will live long in the memory, smashing a drive in off the inside of the left-hand post from 38.4 yards out. It also continued a trend which started right at the beginning of the Premier League campaign, when we beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at Stamford Bridge on the opening day.On that occasion, a Marcos Alonso free-kick opened the scoring and our account for the season, and there was more to come as Trevoh Chalobah’s low drive from outside the box completed the victory and gave the defender even more reason to celebrate on his top-flight debut and first senior match at the Bridge.Rudiger became the ninth different Chelsea player to score from outside the box in 2021/22. It was the first time he had done so in a Blues shirt, despite threatening with plenty of dangerous long-range efforts ever since he joined the club in 2017, but the closest he had previously come was when rattling the crossbar against Liverpool earlier this year.It is not just from long-range we have been more effective in front of goal this season, though.

Chelsea suffered a first home league defeat since September as an eventful second half at Stamford Bridge saw visitors Brentford score four times to secure ...

However, this one was special, a sweet shot that whistled through the air and left Raya grasping in vain as it flew past him and into the back of the net via the inside of the post.Rudiger’s celebrations reflected the sense of surprise in the stadium as he sprinted to the touchline and embraced Tuchel, though our joy proved shortlived as the Bees hit back with a double sting of their own.Bryan Mbeumo almost levelled instantly but could only scuff a shot into the ground and then the grateful gloves of Mendy. However, that went down as an unheeded warning and Mendy was soon beaten by Janelt, who finished a slick move with a tidy left-footed finish rifled into the top corner.All of a sudden, the game was wide open and Havertz soon teed up a chance for Werner, whose low drive was blocked well by Kristoffer Ajer. Down the other end went Brentford and continued the mad resumption by making it 2-1 as Eriksen fired high into the roof of the net from close range, with Mbeumo once again acting as provider.It was the first time we had conceded two in the league since Liverpool’s draw at the Bridge in early January but Thomas Frank’s plucky visitors somehow found a way to extend their lead seven minutes later. He then almost punished a slow clearance from Raya with some quick closing down, the ball rebounding dangerously but dropping just wide.Perhaps his best opportunity came soon after from a chance fashioned by Loftus-Cheek and Kovacic, the latter sliding a neat pass into the German’s path, though a flicked finish trickled agonisingly wide of the far post and with that seemingly went Chelsea’s chances of instigating an unlikely comeback.Brentford added a gloss to the scoreline to secure their biggest-ever win against the Blues when substitute Wissa netted just two minutes after coming on, capitalising on a moment of confusion as both Thiago Silva and Rudiger attempted to clear the same ball. Kante soon provided some invention and incision, clipping a neat pass forward to find Mount’s run, though the dropping ball made it a difficult chance for our number 19 and his volley was comfortable for Raya to claim.At least the man between the posts for Brentford was being put to sterner work as the half progressed, a week on from making his debut for the Spanish national team, although a customary strike from distance by Rudiger provided little concern before his best save of the half came to thwart Ziyech.Mount was pestering and plotting again, foiled in trying to find Werner but more successful in teeing up the Moroccan on his potent left foot. Vitaly Janelt got two of those either side of Christian Eriksen’s smart close-range finish and the damage was compounded moments before the end when substitute Yoan Wissa made it 4-1 by capitalising on mistakes in the Blues box.The result leaves Thomas Tuchel’s side eight points clear of fifth place in the Premier League but brings our 17-game unbeaten home run to a crushing end.Tuchel made four changes from our previous outing prior to the international break, a 2-0 FA Cup win at Middlesbrough. Marcos Alonso, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz and N’Golo Kante were the returning quartet, with the latter making his 250th appearance for the Blues.The German duo were joined in attack by Ziyech, while Mason Mount and Ruben Loftus-Cheek continued in midfield alongside Kante. Meanwhile, Alonso replaced Malang Sarr in an otherwise unchanged defence.For Brentford, there were two changes as Eriksen and Mads Roerslev came in, while top scorer Toney continued up top following seven goals in his past six Premier League matches.This was a first Stamford Bridge league meeting between the two west London sides in 75 years and the Bees started like a team desperate to make up for lost time in the capital sunshine.Eriksen had a sighter within the opening moments of kick-off from a free-kick but couldn’t get the ball to dip quickly enough, though it was a sign of the visitors beginning on the front foot.Striker Toney has been prolific in recent weeks since his return from injury and the man currently seventh in the league’s scoring charts had three decent opportunities in the first 10 minutes.The first of those was gifted following a misplaced Edouard Mendy pass out from the back, the forward attempting to chip our African champion but not quite mastering the execution. Mount proved to be the chief protagonist, collecting a pass from just outside the box but curling an attempt high and wide.Nevertheless, it was a moment that proved a spark for the hosts and Loftus-Cheek was next to have a try after half an hour, driving forward in his typical fashion from halfway into the Brentford half. Chelsea suffered a first home league defeat since September as an eventful second half at Stamford Bridge saw visitors Brentford score four times to secure a long-awaited win in SW6. The Bees’ last victory at the Bridge came six months before the start of the Second World War and so this provided a significant shot in the arm for their hopes of retaining Premier League status, while for the Blues it proved our heaviest loss since a 5-2 home reverse to West Brom almost a year ago to the day.The first period was tentative and quiet, even if Brentford did have the best of the play and threatened occasionally through Ivan Toney. Edouard Mendy pulled off one impressive save down low to his right, while David Raya in the opposite goal had to be similarly alert when pushing over a Hakim Ziyech effort late in the half.Yet it was after the break that this game burst into life, initiated by the most unlikeliest of long-range goals scored by Antonio Rudiger, the German’s strike whistling past Raya and in off the post.That was followed by a similarly incomprehensible turnaround as Brentford scored three in the next 13 minutes.

Perspective Chelsea owner Tom Ricketts has again promised to put 'diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club' should the takeover bid fronted by his ...

‘I don’t know if it’s a good idea or a bad idea. ‘We believe these are far-reaching and certainly include an absolute commitment on the part of the Ricketts Family and the bid team to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club. Perspective Chelsea owner Tom Ricketts has again promised to put ‘diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club’ should the takeover bid fronted by his family be successful.

The Chelsea manager, Thomas Tuchel, insisted there was no need to overreact after side's 4-1 loss to Brentford and claimed his players weren't distracted by ...

“Why should we be distracted and think about Real Madrid when we are one goal ahead? “Every team has 11 players but sometimes you need key players to lift the rest by both playing well and their personality. “After so many wins and so many good results, I will now refuse to make a drama out of it,” he said. A reminder to keep on going and it would come with more fluidity. There are some reasons which we can put on us and we will digest it. Brentford made a lot of the 10 minutes we gave them.

Chelsea 1-4 Brentford: The Bees shocked the Blues to claim the spoils in the west London derby.

It was his third goal in four games after starring for Denmark during the international break and there can be no doubts whatsoever over his enduring quality. It was wild, exquisite and aggressive in true Rudiger fashion and he ran to celebrate with Tuchel on the touchline. Mason Mount showed more instinct, fizzing a curling shot from the edge of the box wide of the post but in truth Chelsea’s start matched the muted atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. Only when Hakim Ziyech’s whipped shot was tipped over the bar by David Raya shortly before half-time was there a real jolt of life to an otherwise anaemic performance. It was a stunning upset that cannot solely be attributed to the ongoing saga away from the pitch, but there was no mistaking the unprecedented circumstances that shrouded this match. Chelsea’s players themselves have been somewhat immune to the chaos, having won their last six league games in succession to shore up third place, but there was no avoiding that uncertainty here. But on this chastening afternoon for Thomas Tuchel’s side, it became impossible to shield the players in the eye of the storm.

Rock Entertainment Group, which is headed by Dan Gilbert, one of America's richest people, is joining the Ricketts family-led bid to buy Chelsea Football ...

Prior to being sanctioned, Mr Abramovich had said he intended to write off a £1.5bn loan to the club and hand the net proceeds from the sale to a new charity that he would set up to benefit the victims of the war in Ukraine. A rapid sale is seen as essential if Chelsea is to avert the uncertainty that would trigger the break-up of one of the top flight's most valuable playing squads. Raine Group, the adviser handling the sale, is aiming to present a preferred bid to the government the following week, paving the way for a sale to take place before the end of the month. A person close to them said they had also signed The Giving Pledge in 2012, promising that at least half of their combined wealth would be donated to philanthropic causes at the end of their lives. "It is now up to us to redouble our efforts and clearly lay out a vision for our stewardship of the club with diversity and inclusion at its heart." Mr Gilbert is also an investor in the fast-growing e-sports arena, with a big stake in 100 Thieves, which has a significant presence in e-sports in Europe.

Blues fans organised a protest against the Ricketts family's attempt to purchase the club at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

“Yesterday we conducted a snap survey of our membership. We asked our membership whether, based on information in the public domain as of April 1, they had confidence that the Ricketts family would run an inclusive and successful club, and we asked whether they supported the Ricketts family’s bid. “We also committed to surveying our members as to their confidence and support in the Ricketts family’s bid for Chelsea FC. “The CST Board is guided by our membership, and thus we do not currently believe it is in the best interests of our members for the Ricketts family’s bid to succeed. Tom Ricketts confirmed meetings with Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, and pledged to sit down with more fans in a bid to prove his family’s suitability to take over at the west London club. Tom Ricketts has declared an “absolute commitment” to diversity and inclusion in his family’s bid to buy Chelsea.

Chelsea News: The Blues' return from the international break followed a similar trend to what usually happens after time away from the pitch.

ChelseaEvery word Thomas Tuchel said on Chelsea vs Brentford, Rudiger, Mendy, Real Madrid and moreChelsea produced one of their poorest performances of the season and suffered a shock 4-1 home defeat at Stamford Bridge against BrentfordTom Ricketts responds to Chelsea supporters amid Stamford Bridge ownership protestNext Chelsea OwnerSupporters have been protesting outside of Stamford Bridge against the Ricketts family's bid for the club and now there has been a response. So it's a mixture of everything "They will certainly be hoping that obviously, in different circumstances this time around, they can repeat that feat again as Tuchel will demand this loss be moved on from in a swift manner, and a big clash against a Galactico of the game presents the perfect opportunity to repeat history. We selected the team because we felt it was the best team against Brentford." It may feel like a terrible day to be a Chelsea fan with how Tom Ricketts refused to back down in spite of fresh protests pre-match, and in conjunction with the result itself, the next week for the club is massive to try and keep the supporters' morale high during this time of uncertainty. After Chelsea got obliterated at the hands of West Brom last term, they made sure it was a one-off as they went on to eventually win the Champions League courtesy of that special night in Porto last May. "It seems like it. After the third goal, we had a disallowed goal, a pressing situation against the goalkeeper, and another big chance from Kai Havertz. We missed all three of them and there was a feeling that it wasn't our day. A Vitally Janelt double coupled with a special goal from Christian Eriksen. A late scrappy strike from substitute Yoane Wissa compounded what a terrible day on and off the pitch for the current European and World Champions. They now have the chance to bounce back against Real Madrid midweek in the Champions League. "We were working hard for the first goal, and we know how hard it is against Brentford. They defend high and man-mark or defend deep in a block around the box.

Former England striker Michael Owen has warned Chelsea that a top-four finish is not guaranteed after their shock Premier League defeat to Brentford.

‘They made the most of it in those 10 minutes. We did not defend like it is needed to in the Premier League and got punished.’ ‘But we stopped defending.

Before Brentford came to Stamford Bridge, only Manchester City had left victorious during the 2021/22 Premier League season, and they had conceded ten times ...

Toney had a shot deflected wide and then met the resulting corner with a header that was blocked. Wissa reacted first and drilled a shot across Mendy and in to the far corner to make sure there was no way back for Chelsea. Janelt lifted the ball over Mendy and in to the net. Brentford had come from behind to shock Chelsea with two goals in five minutes, but that wasn’t the end of it. The next pass, from Nørgaard, found Mbeumo on the edge of the penalty area and he slipped it to his left. Raya came to meet an inswinging corner under pressure from Kai Havertz. The ball looped up and Marcos Alonso had a header deflect on to the roof of the net. He stepped out of the inside left channel and his shot from 30 yards swerved in, so it cannoned the post and nestled in the back of the net. Mendy saved from Toney at the near post and was on the end of another great move soon after. Chelsea tried to play out but a poor pass from goalkeeper Édouard Mendy gave Toney possession on the right side of the penalty area. The Bees had the first effort when Eriksen curled a free kick over from 25 yards and Brentford created chances both in open play and from set pieces. Eriksen saw a lot of the ball in the centre of midfield and linked effectively with Janelt and Christian Nørgaard in the middle of the pitch. The Bees fell behind to a long range strike from Antonio Rüdiger that may end up being forgotten but was the best of the afternoon.

Rock Entertainment Group, which is headed by Dan Gilbert, one of Americas richest people, is joining the Ricketts family-led bid to buy Chelsea Football ...

It said: "Over the past fortnight, our bid team has met with several supporter groups to explain our vision for Chelsea Football Club. In those meetings, and by letter to all groups, we have shared a set of specific commitments we will make to fans, if our bid is successful. The Ricketts family pledged to put "diversity and inclusion" at the heart of Chelsea as fans protested their bid to buy the club outside Stamford Bridge on Saturday. A rapid sale is seen as essential if Chelsea is to avert the uncertainty that would trigger the break-up of one of the top flight's most valuable playing squads. Prior to being sanctioned, Mr Abramovich had said he intended to write off a £1.5 billion loan to the club and hand the net proceeds from the sale to a new charity that he would set up to benefit the victims of the war in Ukraine Raine Group, the adviser handling the sale, is aiming to present a preferred bid to the government the following week, paving the way for a sale to take place before the end of the month. The Ricketts-led bid for Chelsea has faced challenges in the last fortnight because of a backlash over historical comments made by a family member who is not involved in the offer.

All your latest Blues headlines on Sunday with the latest on the Ricketts family ownership, Christian Pulisic's World Cup thoughts, and.

Romelu LukakuWhat Romelu Lukaku did at full-time as 'horrible' Timo Werner Chelsea mistake highlightedChelsea News: The club-record signing had to be summoned from the bench to replace an underwhelming Timo Werner, who struggled once again in a blue jerseyTom Ricketts responds to Chelsea supporters amid Stamford Bridge ownership protestNext Chelsea OwnerSupporters have been protesting outside of Stamford Bridge against the Ricketts family's bid for the club and now there has been a response. The CST does not currently believe it is in the best interests of our members for the Ricketts bid to succeed. The Chelsea Supporter's Trust posted a snap poll to gauge their member's reaction to the idea that the Ricketts family could potentially be Chelsea owners. The Brazilian was more composed in the middle of a three, but the visitors were ahead at that stage of the contest. The movement of the Brentford front two, Toney and Bryan Mbeumo, was problematic for the Brazilian, and the Bees were able to drag him out of position when part of a centre-back duo. Following a litany of highly problematic reports presenting quotes and images from the Ricketts family which have left fans with little choice but to actively protest.

Chelsea suffered a shock 4-1 defeat to Brentford at Stamford Bridge, as Michael Owen raised the question if Arsenal can catch their London rivals.

From a psychological standpoint, it might just do this young and ever-progressing Arsenal side the world of good. Or they win most of the games and secure Champions League football and even possibly that third spot. “All of a sudden, you look at the league table and you think ‘wow’. Are Arsenal going to catch them?”

Chelsea put in a disappointing display against Brentford and will hope to bounce back quickly against Real Madrid where Tom Ricketts will hope there is less ...

The prospect of not finishing in the top four is not a worry yet, given the distance to the teams below the Gunners, but the connect between Brentford's fans, players and coaching staff at the final whistle offered a moment of pause. Throughout a tumultuous time for the club, the Blues have managed to show some outstanding form with Thomas Tuchel leading Chelsea to 12 wins in 13 matches ahead of the clash with the Bees. Home-made signs were present as the players walked out at Stamford Bridge, but the fervour of protest was quiet as the match got under way. We believe these are far-reaching and certainly include an absolute commitment on part of the Ricketts Family and the bid team to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of the club. He said: "Over the past fortnight, our bid team has met with several supporter groups to explain our vision for Chelsea Football Club. In those meetings, and by letter to all groups, we have shared a set of specific commitments we will make to fans, if our bid is successful. Their message: "The CST does not currently believe it is in the best interests of our members for the Ricketts bid to succeed". Then at 12pm at Stamford Gate a protest was underway. Supporters' displeasure is not always a sign that a takeover will not progress, the Glazers are testament to that at Manchester United, but given the competition for the Blues, the Ricketts may be feeling a tad uneasy.

Dozens of Chelsea fans protested outside Stamford Bridge against the Ricketts' proposed takeover. Chelsea fans protest outside the ground against the ...

“You have to face the consequences. From the many right-minded fans in attendance, many of whom have held their reservations about the origins of Abramovich’s vast wealth long before he was sanctioned by the UK Government, the message was loud and clear. At least Chelsea fans have done their part. This was nowhere near the show of strength Chelsea fans put together in objection to the European Super League, in fact it was closer to 100 fans. The majority who attended a protest outside Stamford Bridge before the 4-1 defeat to Brentford were well-meaning supporters wanting to make a statement about the future of their club. There are no guarantees that the Ricketts will even buy Chelsea, and we likely won’t know more until the 11 April deadline.

Rock Entertainment Group, headed by Dan Gilbert, is joining the Ricketts family-led bid to buy Chelsea Football Club.

"Our members have given a clear message in this regard: 72 per cent of those who responded do not currently have confidence that the Ricketts family would run an inclusive and successful club, with five per cent of respondents believing they would. At present, it is clear that our membership neither supports nor has confidence in the Ricketts family’s bid for the club." The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) released a statement in the week, saying: "Last week, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust stated that the Ricketts family must urgently and publicly address supporter concerns — especially with regard to inclusivity, given both past and recent statements by members of the family.

The 60-year-old numbers among America's wealthiest men, and adds yet more financial muscle to the Chicago Cubs-owning Ricketts family's bid to buy Chelsea.

Cubs co-chair Laura Ricketts has a prominent role on the Chelsea bid and is the first openly gay sports franchise owner in the USA, as well as a champion and campaigner for the LGBTQ+ community. The 60-year-old numbers among America’s wealthiest men, and adds yet more financial muscle to the Chicago Cubs-owning Ricketts family’s bid to buy Chelsea. The Ricketts family’s bid to buy Chelsea is backed by Cleveland Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, the PA news agency understands.