Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
Photo by Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images
The end of Todd Boehly’s era as one of the owners of Chelsea has seen his original promise to supporters fail to be delivered on.
Boehly has sold his shares in the club to Behdad Eghbali and Clearlake Capital, after a rift between the two parties spelled the beginning of the end for their co-ownership of the Blues.
The American has been fortunate to walk away with around £1bn for his part in the club, with more money than that being wasted on transfers which have not worked out for Chelsea.
Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg
Photo by Shaun Brooks – CameraSport via Getty Images
Todd Boehly betrayed Chelsea fans
Moving on just four years after taking over means Boehly will not be present to carry out the ‘long-term vision’ for the club which he spoke about in an early interview with the club website.
He said: “As custodians of Chelsea FC, we now begin executing our long-term vision and plan for the club, creating an outstanding experience for its passionate, loyal fans and continuing to challenge for top honours in line with Chelsea FC’s decorated history.
“Working together, side-by-side, we are firmly committed to winning, both on and off the pitch. For us, that effort has begun.”
Chelsea supporters were always going to take some winning over following the tenure of Roman Abramovich coming to an end. Those years were full of trophies and some of the best players in the world playing for their club.
A graphic reading 'CONFIRMED: Todd Boehly sells his Chelsea stake to Clearlake Capital'. Image shows Todd Boehly at Stamford Bridge.
Credit: Photo by Vince Mignott/MB Media/Getty Images
This is where I have a problem. I think on the face of it we've had 3 owners. Boehly and the minority shareholders. Clearlake controlling the money, Egbahli wanting control. All after one thing. A piece of valuable land in SW6, that just like Roman they have no control over
I’m not suggesting he wasn’t a below-average owner by the way. All I’m saying is you can find many examples of owners who didn’t care about their clubs and didn’t put any money in. I believe Boehly wanted to succeed; he just failed.
However, money frequently being wasted on young players who were never going to play for them, managerial appointments which confuse even the most loyal of supporters and a friction off the pitch which has overshadowed what goes on during games has ground on fans.
Many would ideally love for the entire ownership to disappear completely, and the prospect of Eghbali having full control does not fill many with joy.
However, they have made promises that there will be no major changes to the running of the club. They are well aware that supporter feeling around them is not currently strong.