Having been a trusted assistant to Roman Abramovich for over a decade, Granovskaia then served as a director at Stamford Bridge under the previous ownership.

Marina Granovskaia departed Chelsea last summer after facilitating Todd Boehly’s takeover Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Todd Boehly bought Chelsea for £4.25bn last year Credit: Rex

She was swiftly moved on by Boehly, departing in June with the American instead taking control of their summer business.

Chelsea’s accounts at the end of the financial year have revealed that Granovskaia was paid £35m for “services relating to the sale”.

Former chairman Bruce Buck, who served in the role for 18 years under Abramovich, was paid a portion of a remaining £14m.

Chelsea’s accounts also confirm that they spent a staggering £368m on new players and staff last summer.

Despite getting rid of 16 players, the Blues recouped just £22m in sales.

The West Londoners’ lavish spending saw them record an operating loss of £235m for the 2021-22 season.

This sees their overall losses reach £1billion – the first Premier League side to ever reach this eye-watering figure.

Chelsea’s £323m January transfer splurge on the likes of Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez, among others, will appear in their next financial accounts.

Bruce Buck served as Chelsea chairman for 18 years Credit: PA

Their large spending hasn’t translated to success on the pitch this season.

The Blues sit in 11th place in the Premier League, having sacked both Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter this season.

They appointed Frank Lampard as caretaker manager until the end of the season earlier this week.

But the Stamford Bridge favourite couldn’t immediately turn around their fortunes, overseeing a 1-0 defeat at Wolves yesterday.

Chelsea went out of both domestic cups early, but are still in the Champions League after Potter managed to see off Borussia Dortmund.

Ahead of Wednesday night’s quarter-final first leg against Real Madrid, Lampard expects his side to be competitive.

He said at Molineux yesterday: “If you are worried don’t come. The players shouldn’t be.

“I’m not saying the squad doesn’t have that aggression, it’s just bringing it together. Wednesday will be a completely different game.

“I’m very happy to be back. We have a huge game waiting for us on Wednesday where everything changes.”

Frank Lampard returned as Chelsea caretaker boss this week Credit: Alamy