Roman Abramovich’s help with coronavirus crisis was key to securing Chelsea stars’ pay cut
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH’S efforts to fight coronavirus have been the key to securing a pay deal with his Chelsea players.
The owner’s generosity in helping the NHS will now pay off by saving the Russian £10million on his mega wage bill.
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Billionaire Abramovich, 53, threw open the doors of his 72-room hotel at Stamford Bridge for health staff to use free of charge.
He also used the 42,000-capacity ground’s vast kitchens to prepare meals for key workers.
It was those public-spirited acts which convinced the Blues’ multi-millionaire players to agree to a ten per cent wage cut.
The deal, which kicks in from next month, will shave around £10m off the club’s annual wage bill which stood at £285m.
Players voted unanimously to take the hit, with no incentives to claw it back via Champions League qualification bonuses.
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A source told SunSport: “Seeing Roman act the way he did convinced the players that Chelsea have the best motives in fighting the virus.
“His generosity trickled down through the club and paid off with good relations with the players.”
Boss Frank Lampard will also take a 25 per cent pay cut to help the club.
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