US billionaire Todd Boehly has urged Chelsea fans to stay strong and admitted he has learned many lessons in his first year at the club.
Boehly spoke about his first 12 months at Stamford Bridge in a conversation with Milken Institute chairman Michael Milken on May 3. The American billionaire sympathised with the fans' frustration but was confident better times were ahead.
"The fans are demanding," Boehly said. "They want to win, and so do we. This is a long-term project and we are committed to it for the long term. We are very confident that we will solve the problems from next season. We are playing in the best league in the world . We are a team in the best city in the world and have a great position in this city."
Boehly in a conversation with Milken Institute chairman Michael Milken on May 3. Photo: Reuters
After taking over Chelsea, Boehly approved spending $668 million to bring in 16 players over two transfer windows, and $56 million in contract compensation to successively fire Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter. Currently, Chelsea is led by interim coach Frank Lampard. But things got worse, losing all six matches in all competitions. Chelsea dropped to 12th in the Premier League and even risked relegation.
"Winning is the best feeling," Boehly continued, referring to his success with the LA Dodgers. "You have to build a team and obviously the coach has to be the conductor of the team. So I think we learned a lot."
According to the British newspaper Sportmail , the "conductor" Boehly mentioned is Mauricio Pochettino. The Argentine coach is said to have reached a preliminary agreement to become the new Chelsea coach. However, Lampard will remain in the interim role until the end of the season, before handing over the hot seat to Pochettino in the summer.
Previously, Sky Sports revealed that Pochettino was the strongest candidate to take the "hot seat" at Stamford Bridge, after Julian Nagelsmann and Luis Enrique withdrew from negotiations. The Argentine coach has met with Chelsea representatives twice and made a strong impression on both occasions. He is also highly regarded for his experience in the Premier League, having previously managed Tottenham and Southampton.
However, famous player Emmanuel Petit believes that Chelsea's problem is not the head coach, but the fact that there are too many players. The former French player commented: "I am very surprised by the attitude of the Chelsea players. They do not react, have no pride, solidarity or team spirit. I think that even if we change 20 coaches, the situation will not change. Chelsea first need to solve some things in the dressing room."
Boehly spoke about his time managing Chelsea just days after the 1-3 defeat at Arsenal in the 34th round of the Premier League. In this match, Chelsea fans chanted their gratitude to their former boss Roman Abramovich. Meanwhile, interim coach Frank Lampard hinted at the wrong decisions under Boehly that caused the team to decline after 20 years of success under Abramovich.
The Athletic revealed that at least nine first-team players regret signing long-term contracts with Chelsea, and want to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer of 2023.
In the next match of round 35 of the Premier League tomorrow, May 6, Chelsea will visit Bournemouth - a team that also has 39 points but is right behind due to a lower goal difference.
Hong Duy
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