Abramovic’s Chelsea success bitter-sweet in Russia

THE success of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich after lavishing a fortune on Chelsea has earned him many friends in west London but resentment at home.

The shy oil and metals tycoon, who sports designer stubble and a boyish grin, bought Chelsea in 2003 and spent over €200 million on players as the club went onto capture their first championship in 50 years.

"People are proud that a person from this country has created such a good team, a really pleasant team to watch," said Nikolai Roganov, deputy head of the soccer department at Sovietsky Sport newspaper.