Roman Abramovich considered FC Nantes takeover during Chelsea era

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich once explored the possibility of purchasing Ligue 1 side FC Nantes to serve as a feeder club for the Premier League giants. According to a report by Get French Football News, former Blues goalkeeping coach Christophe Lollichon revealed that Abramovich summoned him to his Cobham office to discuss the French outfit’s structure and footballing identity.

Abramovich was seeking an established club with a distinct playing style, even offering to send private jets to bring in key personnel to evaluate the project.​ However, the proposal was ultimately shelved two months later when the Russian businessman concluded that Nantes was “too big” for the secondary role Chelsea envisioned.

The revelation comes as Nantes, currently competing in Ligue 2, edges closer to ending Waldemar Kita’s 19-year ownership through a pending sale to an international consortium led by former agent Paulo Tavares.