Chelsea are never out of the news these days. It is all a far cry from the days when Roman Abramovich effectively ran the club as a family business and he was the only sheriff in town. Since Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea by the UK government just over two years ago, a group of US-based investors have been running the club. Sponsored link Discover the Best Cat Footwear with Yahoo Discover the Best Cat Footwear with Yahoo Yahoo! Search To begin with, Todd Boehly, who owns 13 per cent of Chelsea, appeared to be in charge even though US private equity firm Clearlake Capital were the majority owners with a 61.5 per cent stake. Chelsea transfer news and rumours Stream the Premier League with NOW Get Sky Sports on WhatsApp | Download the Sky Sports App With Boehly as an inexperienced interim sporting director, Chelsea went on a spending spree in the summer of 2022 buying players such as Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. They also replaced Thomas Tuchel with Graham Potter as head coach. COBHAM, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 08: Co Owner Behdad Eghbali, Head Coach Graham Potter and Co Owner and Chairman of Chelsea Todd Boehly of Chelsea at Chelsea Training Ground on September 8, 2022 in Cobham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images) Image: Graham Potter's appointment did not work out for Chelsea A dizzying number of transfers and a head coach later, Behdad Eghbali, who co-founded Clearlake with Jose Feliciano, seems to be very much in charge now. Sponsored Links Recommended byWhat is Outbrain Find the Best Grinding Machines in Dar Es Salaam Find the Best Grinding Machines in Dar Es Salaam Get the latest models and brands of grinding machines. (grinding machines) Best Protein Sequencing & DNA Analysis Best Protein Sequencing & DNA Analysis Get accurate and reliable DNA sequencing services, including Illumina and disease-specific sequencing. 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'Howe & Mitchell put Newcastle friction behind them' Arteta facing huge test as depleted Arsenal run fixture gauntlet Smith: Arsenal still have quality without Rice and Odegaard 'Best in the world' Newey joins Aston Martin on £30m-a-year deal EFL news: Premier League winner Moses joins Luton Stockport assistant's Real Madrid move falls through Odegaard a doubt for NLD as Arsenal midfield injury worries grow Papers: Antony wants Man Utd loan exit Man Utd transfers: 'Eze being monitored ahead of next summer' Watch Latest News With Boehly effectively sidelined, Chelsea's main owners - Eghbali and Boehly - want to buy each other out. A marriage of convenience, which had been quickly arranged to buy Chelsea, now appears to be on the rocks. Also See: Transfer Centre LIVE! Papers - latest headlines Stream Sky Sports with NOW Get Sky Sports Have Eghbali and Boehly fallen out? Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly Image: Eghbali and Boehly are said to have a cordial working relationship Eghbali and Boehly were never best friends but it does definitely appear as if their relationship is less close than it was when they first arrived at Stamford Bridge. They are both very successful, strong-headed businessmen and it is natural that they will both have their own ideas about how the club should be run. In private conversations up until last year they put on a united front, but it is now clear that Boehly has reservations about the club's new recruitment strategy and the failure to make significant progress on redeveloping Stamford Bridge. Having said that, all major decisions at Chelsea have to be signed off by Eghbali, Feliciano and Boehly so Boehly is still closely involved in the overall strategy. Relations between Eghbali and Boehly can best be described as professional and cordial at the moment. Boehly visited the Clearlake box at Stamford Bridge before the opening game of the season against Manchester City three weeks ago. Does Eghbali want to stay or go? ShareThis is a modal window. Unsupported location The video you are trying to watch cannot be viewed from your current country or location Chelsea - who have had a mixed start to the season - draw at home to Crystal Palace last time out. Watch free highlights here Eghbali and Clearlake are not going anywhere. They are not interested in selling any shares and they have not held any talks about selling any shares. At the moment, Clearlake appear to be totally committed to Chelsea and Eghbali has been leading from the front. He has been at all three Premier League games this season and he was closely involved with the recruitment strategy during the transfer window. It is fair to say Clearlake would recognise that mistakes have been made over the past two years and results and performances need to improve. They would argue that they have made many of the changes which needed to be made and Chelsea are now back on the right path to challenge for trophies again. A new commercial team has been hired, there is a new sporting structure, a new head coach and new players. There is a feeling now that everyone should be focusing on delivering on and off the pitch. Stability is key. There is no appetite for a power struggle behind the scenes. Will Boehly sell his shares and walk away? Chelsea have spent over £1.2billion under Todd Boehly Image: Boehly has a 13 per cent stake in Chelsea Boehly is committed to Chelsea but he is not in control. He has his own ideas about how a football club should be run but he can never be the ultimate decision-maker at Chelsea when someone else owns 61.5 per cent of the club. Eghbali and Clearlake would be interested in buying Boehly's shares if he wants to walk away. It is difficult to see how Boehly is going to come out on top when Eghbali does not want to sell. Why can't they all just get along? Todd Boehly (left) and Behdad Eghbali This is modern football, not a romantic comedy. Foreign investors are buying clubs to make money not because they want to make friends. If Eghbali and Boehly really have fallen out, it wouldn't be the first - or last time - two very rich men have disagreed about how a business should be run. Of course, Chelsea is more than a business and that is just one of the reasons why the stakes are so high. Will it ever be quiet at Chelsea again? No. When has it ever been quiet at Chelsea? It may not have been quite so noisy in the past but it has never been quiet. Chelsea are one of the biggest clubs in the world now and the media spotlight is not going to leave any time soon. BournemouthChelsea Bournemouth Chelsea Saturday 14th September 7:45pm Kick off 8:00pm Sky Sports Premier League HD Get Sky Sports Get a NOW Sports Membership However bad things may seem though, communications and PR professionals will tell you that one of the upsides of working in club football is that there is always another game just around the corner. Fans want to talk about what is happening on the pitch not what is going on in the boardroom. Nothing else matters as long as the team is winning. Chelsea's next game is away at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Chelsea Football Club has become a constant buzz in the media, captivating fans and pundits alike. Gone are the days when Roman Abramovich called all the shots, running Chelsea like a family business with him as the sole authority. Since his forced departure over two years ago, the landscape of Stamford Bridge has shifted dramatically. A new era has begun under US-based investors who have taken on this historic club. With ownership dynamics changing fast and decisions being made behind closed doors, every week brings fresh drama to one of football’s most storied franchises. What does this mean for Chelsea's future? Let's delve into how these transitions are shaping up both on and off the pitch.
Chelsea Football Club's ownership has undergone significant transformations over the years. Established in 1905, it was initially run by a group of local businessmen. The club experienced modest success until the late 1990s.
The pivotal moment came in 2003 when Roman Abramovich purchased Chelsea for £140 million. His arrival marked the start of an unprecedented era, characterized by lavish spending on players and managers alike. Under his stewardship, Chelsea clinched multiple Premier League titles and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2012.
In early 2022, Abramovich’s reign ended amid geopolitical tensions, leading to a forced sale. This transition introduced US-based investors into the mix. Clearlake Capital emerged as majority owners while Todd Boehly took a significant minority stake. The shift from Abramovich’s singular control to a consortium model brought new dynamics and challenges to Stamford Bridge’s management approach.
The transition to US-based investors marked a significant turning point for Chelsea. This shift brought fresh perspectives and ambitious goals, reshaping the club's operations.
Under new ownership, there was an aggressive push for player acquisitions. The summer of 2022 saw a flurry of high-profile signings, transforming the squad into one with immense potential yet unproven chemistry.
However, this approach came with its challenges. Rapid changes led to instability in coaching staff and tactics. Graham Potter's appointment highlighted the risk associated with such swift decisions.
Fans watched closely as these investors navigated the complexities of English football culture. Their strategies sparked debates among supporters regarding long-term vision versus immediate results.
Despite differences in management style from previous regimes, there's no doubt that these changes have positioned Chelsea uniquely within the global football landscape. The club is now part of a larger conversation about investment trends and financial sustainability in sports.
Chelsea's ownership structure is now a blend of ambition and strategy. At the forefront are Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali, two figures driving the club into a new era.
Boehly, with his 13% stake, initially took on a more visible role as sporting director. His enthusiasm for high-profile signings marked a significant shift in Chelsea’s transfer policy. However, this inexperience has sometimes raised eyebrows among fans.
Eghbali leads Clearlake Capital, which holds the majority stake at 61.5%. He appears to have taken charge of day-to-day operations and strategic planning. With experience in private equity, Eghbali focuses on long-term stability amidst ongoing transitions.
Together they embody contrasting styles—Boehly’s bold vision versus Eghbali’s calculated approach. Their dynamic shapes not only recruitment strategies but also an evolving identity for Chelsea as it navigates modern football challenges.
Recent reports hint at growing tensions between Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly. Though they initially presented a united front, differences in vision for Chelsea's future are surfacing.
Eghbali, as part of the Clearlake Capital group, has significant influence over club decisions. His approach contrasts with Boehly’s more flamboyant style. The rift may stem from contrasting philosophies on recruitment strategies and long-term planning.
Boehly’s experience in sports management is limited compared to Eghbali’s seasoned background. This dynamic could create friction as both seek to assert their visions amid high expectations from fans.
While public interactions remain cordial, behind the scenes, uncertainties linger about how these differing perspectives will shape the club's direction moving forward. The stakes are high for both men; navigating this relationship is crucial for Chelsea’s success amidst ongoing scrutiny.
The future of Chelsea's ownership is shrouded in uncertainty. With Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali at the helm, differing visions for the club could lead to a pivotal turning point.
Should tensions worsen, one possibility is that Boehly might decide to sell his shares. This would allow Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital team full control over operations, potentially leading to more streamlined decision-making.
Alternatively, they may find common ground and collaborate on revitalizing the club's strategy. Focusing on long-term stability could enhance performance both on and off the pitch.
A successful partnership could even attract further investment from other parties intrigued by Chelsea’s global brand.
As always with football clubs of this stature, changes can happen rapidly—both good and bad. The stakes remain high as fans watch closely for signs of progress or further discord behind closed doors.
The constant media spotlight on Chelsea shows no signs of dimming. As one of the biggest clubs in world football, every move made by its owners and players is scrutinized. The drama surrounding Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali adds another layer to an already complex narrative.
Fans remain invested in how these power dynamics play out. While ownership tensions can create concern, they also generate headlines that keep supporters engaged. Chelsea's storied history means there will always be stories worth telling—both on and off the pitch.
As the season progresses, eyes will remain glued to Stamford Bridge. Will the club overcome internal struggles? Can it return to trophy contention? One thing is certain: with so much at stake, Chelsea will continue to be a focal point for both fans and analysts alike, ensuring that discussions WITH THE FUTURE