IT MAY be a difficult name to chant, but if Roman Abramovich can divert just a fraction of his wealth into the running of Chelsea football club he may well become the fans’ new favourite.

Chelsea owner Ken Bates has hailed a new era for the Premiership club after he agreed to sell his majority shareholding to a millionaire Russian businessman.

CHELSEA owner Ken Bates last night cleared the way for a Russian businessman to buy the club for around £30million.