Chelsea news LIVE: Todd Boehly leads race to buy Blues as Roman Abramovich CONFIRMS sale plans amid Ukraine invasion

Fonseca reveals escape from Ukraine

Former Roma boss Paulo Fonseca has given details of his traumatic escape from Ukraine.

The 48-year-old, who previously managed in the war-torn country with Shakhtar Donetsk, revealed that he spent a day-and-a-half in an underground bunker with his wife – a native of Ukraine – before a 30-hour drive to flee danger.

Speaking to Sky Sports News by video link , he said: “I started to think the situation was only going to get worse so we contacted the Portuguese embassy and they said ‘tomorrow, we’ll have a car and you can go.’ It was dangerous, we travelled all day and night without stopping.

“The journey was 30 hours. I saw many times the troops of Ukraine pass on the road, we stopped and listened to the alarms, and there was a lot of traffic.

“We spent a lot of time going five kilometres-per-hour. During the trip, we were in danger even driving in the night, and I heard the planes passing, but I didn’t see shooting or fighting. We travelled with another family, a couple with a six-month-old baby. In the end we arrived on the border and felt safe, which was the most important thing.

“This reality has shown me we have things much more important than football. I love my profession, I love football, but the life of the people is much more important.”

Fonseca was close to taking over as Tottenham manager last summer.

Sold Chelsea ‘will be okay’

Chelsea supporters shouldn’t worry about the impending sale of their club, according to Gary Neville.

Speaking to Sky Sports News this morning, the former Manchester United defender suggested that the Londoners will continue to prosper during life after Roman Abramovich.

Neville also admitted that the Russian oligarch has had a positive effect during his time at Stamford Bridge:

“Chelsea fans have a lot of affinity for Roman Abramovich and rightly so – I think I’ve had most of them on my timeline since I gave him a hard time over his charity trustee comments on Sunday.

“The reality of it is Chelsea will be okay.

“Irrespective of whether you like the idea of Russian money coming into English football or not, Roman Abramovich has been a very good owner for Chelsea Football Club. There are worse owners that are English.”

Gunners plotting move for Spence

Arsenal are among a number of top European clubs tracking Middlesbrough right-back Djed Spence.

The 21-year-old has been enjoying a brilliant season on loan at Nottingham Forest, helping the Championship side shoot up the table under Steve Cooper’s management while also reaching the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Spence’s rampaging performances from defence have captured the attention of those at the Emirates, but Sky Sports suggest that they face competition from north London rivals Tottenham as well as Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

The Gunners had looked well-stocked at right-back, but concerns have emerged over the fitness of summer signing Takehiro Tomiyasu following a spate of injuries.

Carlo could be United boss

Real Madrid’s Carlo Ancelotti has emerged as the surprise candidate being considered for the Manchester United manager’s position, according to a report in The Times .

The Italian has joined an exclusive shortlist after Old Trafford chiefs discovered his role at the Bernabeu was under threat following an underwhelming first leg defeat at Paris Saint-Germain in the Last 16 of the Champions League.

While Ancelotti is not among the frontrunners for the job, he will be seriously considered if United fail to land either of Mauricio Pochettino or Erik ten Hag.

The 62-year-old has previously managed in the Premier League with Chelsea and Everton.

Good morning, football fans

Thomas Tuchel says Roman Abramovich is making the 'right decision' to sell Chelsea.

But the Blues boss insists the Russian's exit will NOT affect his squad.

Tuchel told BBC One: “Maybe I heard it a little earlier than you but still very close to kick-off, we heard the rumours throughout the day, saw on TV, when we have team meetings and eat together everybody talks about it.

“It is big news, let’s wait and see for the best and see what the day brings. I think every decision he takes is the right decision, it is his choice, his club, it is not on me to comment.

“In the very short term for us as a team, staff and players, hopefully not too much, maybe even it will change nothing, but the situation is now out there and a big situation so I can understand lots of reports.

“We try to cancel the noise and stay focused, which is not always easy, but we showed today we were able to do it.

“We are not living on an island, the players have internet – some are more concerned, to play on the same day a match where focus is absolutely key is not so easy and makes it a bigger performance.”

Meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has emerged as a potential short-term option for Manchester United, according to reports.

And according to ESPN, should United fail to land Ferguson's first choice managerial target Mauricio Pochettino, Ancelotti has been recommended by the Scotsman as a short-term option.

The Italian, 62, is currently in charge of LaLiga table toppers Real and could have a fifth league title under his belt come the summer.

And a manager with a title-winning pedigree is just what Man Utd are looking for.

FA Cup results

So here are tonight’s FA Cup results in full:

• Luton Town 2-3 Chelsea
• Southampton 3-1 West Ham
• Liverpool 2-1 Norwich City

So the teams in the hat for the quarter-finals so far are: Manchester City, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough, Chelsea, Southampton and Liverpool.

These are the ties still to be played:

• Everton vs Boreham Wood (Thursday, March 3)
• Nottingham Forest vs Huddersfield Town (Monday, March 9)

McTominay back in training

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay has been absent from selection for the last two games due to illness.

But the Red Devils confirmed he returned to training on Tuesday and is set to be in contention for the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The Scot could be a major boost to Ralf Rangnick's squad ahead of a trip to the champions at the weekend.

Guardiola gives Manchester derby update

Pep Guardiola has given an injury update ahead of his side’s clash with Manchester United on Sunday.

Speaking after the game against Peterborough, he said: “Nathan Ake finished bad in the action when he got the yellow card [in the first half] and Ruben Dias was not feeling good in this leg.

“That’s why, for caution and to be alert, we made the substitutions.

“It was not planned but Aymeric [Laporte] and John [Stones] were excellent second half.

“I would say it was a medical decision.”

World Cup compromise?

EMBATTLED Fifa boss Gianni Infantino has been offered a get-out clause over his plans for a World Cup every two years, writes SunSport’s Martin Lipton .

Infantino wants Fifa's 211 member nations to vote on the idea later this month. But Canadian Victor Montagliani, head of the concacaf region and an increasing global power-broker, has proposed an alternative face-saving plan.

Montagliani told the FT Business of Football Summit: "I support the principle of having more between the World Cups.

"Maybe the answer is not a two-year World Cup because emotionally that is difficult for a lot of people who have grown up with it coming every four years.

"So the idea is problematic and it might cause damage to the current system. But maybe a new Confederations Cup or a global Nations League would add to that system.

"There has to be movement globally and Europe, at the top of the pyramid, haa a duty to ensure the rest of the pyramid is healthy."

Liverpool 2-1 Norwich

Liverpool edge past Norwich in the end thanks to two goals from Takumi Minamino.

The Reds keep their hopes of a quadruple alive as they move into the FA Cup quarter-finals.

Shearer slams Chelsea owner Abramovich

Alan Shearer revealed his frustration as Roman Abramovich failed to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine while announcing he will sell Chelsea.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup clash against Luton Town, Shearer told the BBC: "It's a huge moment for Chelsea Football Club.

"Abramovich has brought massive success over his 20 years but it is not simple selling a football club, it can take months of years.

"But more importantly there is still no condemnation from Roman or the club about what is happening in Ukraine."

Southampton 3-1 West Ham

Armand Broja made sure of success in stoppage time as Saints booked their place in the quarter-finals.

The Hammers will now have to focus on the Europa League if they are to clinch silverware this season.

Usmanov sees yacht seized by German authorities

Alisher Usmanov’s 512-foot yacht has been seized by German authorities.

The man who is close business associate of Everton's majority shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, has seen his ties with the Toffees cut as the club distance themselves from Russian companies.

And German authorities have now seized his yacht in the northern city of Hamburg.

Hasbulla rival Rozik meets Ronaldo

Abdu Rozik’s dream of meeting Cristiano Ronaldo became a reality as he met the Manchester United squad.

Rozik, a singer from Tajikistan, is the fierce rival of Russian blogger and TikTok star Hasbulla, who has a close relationship with UFC superstar Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Rozik and Hasbulla made the headlines at UFC 267 following a brief brawl at cageside.

But when he’s not trying to get a piece of Hasbulla, Rozik does a lot of travelling.

And this time he found himself in Manchester, where he met his idol Ronaldo.

He said on Instagram: “Let’s go champ @cristiano dreamt my whole life to meet you bro.”

Boehly’s consortium leading Chelsea race

According to The Independent’s Miguel Delaney, Todd Boehly’s consortium are currently leading the race to buy Chelsea.

He is the co-founder of Eldridge Industries and the CEO of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.

Luton 2-3 Chelsea

It’s all over at Kenilworth Road as Chelsea edge past Luton Town to progress through to the quarter-finals once more.

Goals from Saul Niguez, Timo Werner and Romelu Lukaku ultimately see them progress.

Scotland and Wales brace for World Cup play-off delay

Scotland and Wales are set to have to wait an extra three MONTHS to discover their World Cup fates, writes SunSport’s Martin Lipton .

The Scots are due to host Ukraine at Hampden in their play-off semi on March 24 with the winners travelling to Wales or Austria five days later.

But with Ukrainian club football on hold as a result of the Russian military invasion Fifa is now likely to rule it would be unfair to ask Oleksandr Petrokov's team to play a vital match with such scant preparation.

And with the final two "intercontinental" slots in the 32-team World Cup field not scheduled to be decided until June and the April 1 draw expected to see the unseeded teams split into geographical pot, the Scots and Welsh are not braced for an unplanned delay.

FA of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney confirmed: "We have spoken to Fifa and Uefa about the play-offs.

“Scotland are giving Ukraine all the support they can. Will the games go ahead? As it stands they are going ahead. That could change. We are trying to deal with the situation hour by hour and day by day.”

Liverpool 2-0 Norwich

Takumi Minamino has another for Liverpool! His two goals have given Jurgen Klopp’s men a comfortable lead over Norwich at Anfield.

They are sauntering towards the quarter-finals.

Luton 2-3 Chelsea

Chelsea lead for the first time on the night against the Championship outfit.

Romelu Lukaku gets his name on the scoresheet as Chelsea take a 3-2 lead over Luton with 11 minutes remaining.

Southampton 2-1 West Ham

A James Ward-Prowse penalty has regained Southampton the lead over West Ham at St Mary’s.

Southampton 1-1 West Ham and Liverpool 1-0 Norwich

Another couple of goals in the FA Cup to tell you about.

Michail Antonio has equalised for West Ham against Saints at St Mary’s.

And Takumi Minamino has given Liverpool a 27th minute lead against Norwich at Anfield.

Wan-Bissaka for sale in summer

Manchester United will sell Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the summer, according to reports.

TEAMtalk understand that Ralf Rangnick is set to offload the full-back when he moves upstairs at the end of the season.

The ex-Crystal Palace man has been playing second fiddle to Diogo Dalot since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in November.

Luton 2-2 Chelsea

Chelsea are level again at Kenilworth Road.

Timo Werner has found the Blues’ second equaliser of the evening in the 68th minute.

Game on again.

Abramovich sets Friday deadline

Roman Abramovich has set a deadline of FRIDAY for potential bids after announcing his decision to sell Chelsea.

And the Russian wants a world record £3billion for the club.

Abramovich has engaged financiers at US bank Raine Group – with offices in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and London – to try to broker a deal within DAYS.

One potential purchaser, Switzerland's richest man Hansjorg Wyss claimed he has ALREADY been approached by Abramovich.

SunSport understands at least two other consortia are also pondering a bid, with speculation that Britain's richest man and Chelsea fan Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos empire might be prepared to put in an offer.

Raine have asked for “indicative offers” to be in by Friday.

Neville warns of ESL comeback

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has warned that the European Super League ‘will make a COMEBACK.’

Speaking at the Financial Times Football Business Summit, Neville said: “It will make a comeback I don’t believe the hierarchy and elite in football that exists are going to go away.

“They want more money, they want to create more wealth for themselves and they don’t have a great interest in the wider game beyond their own clubs.

“Tracey Crouch, the Conservative MP, has done a fantastic fan led review that was part of the Tory manifesto at the last election, it is a great report and it now needs to move through legislation in parliament and if it does then I will finally believe the ESL is dead.

“Until that point I don’t believe the ESL is dead, I believe it will come back rehashed, reworked and maybe with a cherry on it this time.

“But the reality of it is I still don’t think it will be accepted because the fans don’t want it.”