Todd Boehly and Chelsea’s majority owner – Clearlake Capital – are reportedly assessing their ownership of the Premier League side just over two years since taking charge at Stamford Bridge.
As per Bloomberg, it’s claimed those close to the Chelsea hierarchy believe the two ownership parties – Boehly and Clearlake – are exploring a move to buy each other out.
The report suggests Clearlake co-founder Behdad Eghbali and Boehly’s relationship has deteriorated in recent months.
Clearlake own over 60 per cent of Chelsea, with Boehly, alongside US businessman Mark Walter and Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss making up the rest.
It comes after several factors have caused frustrations behind the scenes, with a power struggle said to have emerged.
Chelsea are once again missing out on Champions League revenue this season, having finished sixth in the Premier League last time around.
Additionally, despite splashing over £1billion on fresh talent since arriving at the club, Chelsea’s owners are also believed to be split on recruitment policy.
That involves both players coming in and out, with fans favourite and academy product Conor Gallagher controversially allowed to leave the club this summer to help balance the books amid PSR concerns.
Boehly had reduced his involvement with the decision-making at the club last year, but it doesn’t appear to have arrested any of the problems.
It is suggested that both Boehly and Clearlake are still committed to the Chelsea project and are working to make it a success.
For good reason too, considering a whopping £4.25billion was shelled out when they took over from Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich two years ago.
Abramovich had helped establish Chelsea as one of England and Europe’s top clubs during his close to two-decade reign – work that is slowly withering away under the Boehly-Clearlake premiership.
Upon taking charge in 2022, Boehly said in a statement: “We are honoured to become the new custodians of Chelsea Football Club. We’re all in – 100 per cent – every minute of every match.
“Our vision as owners is clear: We want to make the fans proud. Along with our commitment to developing the youth squad and acquiring the best talent, our plan of action is to invest in the club for the long-term and build on Chelsea’s remarkable history of success.”
Chelsea return to action after the international break with a trip to the Vitality Stadium to face Bournemouth.
The two-time European champions have won one, drawn one and lost one in the Premier League so far this season.
