US billionaire makes Chelsea promise if Ricketts consortium bid is successful

American billionaire Ken Griffin has promised to help build "the most competitive team" possible if the Ricketts family consortium is successful in its bid to buy Chelsea.

Griffin, one of the richest men in the United States with, according to Forbes magazine, a fortune in excess of £20billion, was in London with Tom and Laura Ricketts last week as the siblings stepped up their bid to take control of the Blues. He will add his considerable financial muscle as majority shareholder to a group which also includes the billionaire owner of NBA side Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert.

Although the Ricketts family, who own the Major League Baseball outfit Chicago Cubs, will be in charge of the day-to-day running of Chelsea should they get their hands on the club.

The consortium, which tried to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich in 2018, has incredible financial clout — its aggregate capital is in excess of £50bn — and is presenting an all-equity, debt-free bid. Griffin said: "I am thrilled to come together with my long-time friends and partners, the Ricketts Family and Dan Gilbert, who have built legendary championship teams.

"All of us love to compete and, even more, we love to win. Our group will work closely together to put the most competitive team on the pitch every year. If selected, we will validate the trust placed in us to continue Chelsea's winning tradition while delivering a terrific game day experience for the fans."

Gilbert added: "We are excited to join the Ricketts Family and Ken Griffin for their bid to acquire Chelsea, one of the most admired football clubs and professional sports teams in the world. We have great respect and deep admiration for the long and winning tradition of Chelsea and their millions of fans across the world.

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"Rock Entertainment Group will approach the bid for Chelsea with the same philosophy as we operate our other professional sports teams: an open mind and a listening ear to the fanbase, ample investment and an unwavering commitment to both winning on the pitch and serving the community."

Josh Harris and David Blitzer would have to sell their shares in Crystal Palace if their bid to take over at Chelsea beats the Ricketts-Griffin-Gilbert consortium. While a consortium fronted by English property magnate Nick Candy is in the running and others involving Sir Martin Broughton and Lord Sebastian Coe, and LA Dodgers owners Todd Boehly and Mark Walter. The new deadline for improved offers to become the new owner of Chelsea is Thursday, April 14.