Chelsea owner Todd Boehly says stars will “fold into a team”

Noah Strang
By: Noah Strang
04/04/2024
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Todd Boehly explains poor form in recent interview

In an interview with Forbes, Boehly talked at length about his ownership of Chelsea FC, specifically talking about the criticism.  

News Insights

  • Todd Boehly purchased Chelsea in May 2022.
  • Chelsea have spent nearly $2 billion AUD on players since 2022.
  • Chelsea are in 11th and fans have vocally criticized Boehly.
  • Boehly says Chelsea need more time to become a team

Todd Boehly and his investment firm Clearlake Capital purchased Chelsea FC for $4.7 billion AUD in May 2022. Since then, they have spent nearly $2 billion AUD on players. Despite this massive investment, the Blues don’t have much to show for all the money they spent.  
 
Chelsea missed out on European football last season and are on track to finish in the bottom half this year. Fans have shown their outrage about this situation recently. Todd Boehly decided to address the situation head-on in an interview with Forbes.  

Boehly says the players needs time

Forbes, a leading US financial magazine and website, published an in-depth interview with Boehly about his role running a private equity firm worth over $70 billion and about the sports teams Boehly manages with Clearlake Capital.  
 
Boehly is the main owner of Major League Baseball powerhouses the Los Angeles Dodgers and, of course, Chelsea FC.  
 
Near the end of the interview, Boehly was specifically asked about owning Chelsea and the fan outrage against him and the club’s other owners since they purchased the Blues in 2022.   
We just need to let the process develop and give them the time to go from being unbelievable individual players with great skills to fold into a team,” Boehly said, referring to some of the club’s lacklustre signings since May 2022. 
 
“The good news is people care so much. And the bad news is people care so much. That leads to times when they’re frustrated with the team and the owners. I get that, but we just have to continue to stay the course,” he also said.  

Forbes, a leading US financial magazine and website, published an in-depth interview with Boehly about his role running a private equity firm worth over $70 billion and about the sports teams Boehly manages with Clearlake Capital.  
 
Boehly is the main owner of Major League Baseball powerhouses the Los Angeles Dodgers and, of course, Chelsea FC.  
 
Near the end of the interview, Boehly was specifically asked about owning Chelsea and the fan outrage against him and the club’s other owners since they purchased the Blues in 2022.  
 
“We just need to let the process develop and give them the time to go from being unbelievable individual players with great skills to fold into a team,” Boehly said, referring to some of the club’s lacklustre signings since May 2022. 
 
“The good news is people care so much. And the bad news is people care so much. That leads to times when they’re frustrated with the team and the owners. I get that, but we just have to continue to stay the course,” he also said.  

Fan outrage at Stamford Bridge

One of the reasons Boehly likely felt compelled to speak about Chelsea right now is because of the overwhelming negative feelings at the club right now about his ownership.  
 
Star signings Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, Marc Cucurella, and numerous others have flopped so far. Chants and banners celebrating Roman Abramovich are ever-present at Stamford Bridge. The English media have also been very critical of the American billionaire.  
 
The Chelsea Supporters Trust sent out a letter in the end of March, accusing owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali of turning Chelsea into “a laughing stock both on and off the pitch,” and saying that, “the feeling amongst Chelsea supporters in our opinion is at its lowest since the early 1980s.” 
 
Given how Chelsea have been since 2022, it’s hard to disagree with the fans.  

Another season to forget for Chelsea

Chelsea finished 12th last season, their first season with Boehly in charge. It looks like they are on a similar track this season.  
 
The Blues are in 11th heading into EPL Matchweek 31. The best soccer betting sites give them no chance of qualifying for European football through the league. This year has been nothing short of a disaster.  
 
Blues boss Mauricio Pochettino and his men have a chance to salvage this season in the FA Cup, but we don’t like their chances.  

Chelsea are scheduled to play Manchester City at Wembley on April 20. The betting sites have Man City as huge favourites for this match. Chelsea’s last win against Man City was in the 2021 Champions League final.