After Chelsea suffered yet another disappointing result, club owner Todd Boehly delivered a team talk on the team’s position and state of the London club. In the speech inside the Chelsea changing room, he described the club’s position as “embarrassing.” Boehly, as well as fellow co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Hansjorg Wyss, reportedly spoke to the team after interim manager Frank Lampard gave his post-game team talk.
According to The Telegraph, Boehly and the other owners were abundantly clear in their opinions. The current position in the table is unacceptable. The club resides in the bottom half of the table. Consequently, it is approaching its worst finish in league play since 10th in 2015/16 and 11th in 1995/96. Furthermore, according to The Guardian, one individual player was singled out for his performances. While unnamed, reports are this player arrived on a large fee within Todd Boehly’s era at the club.
Kepa Arrizabalaga, though, did say it was nothing new.
However, Boehly was not entirely negative. The Telegraph also claimed the American owner told the players that the Champions League is a chance to find some redemption this season. With the return leg of the Champions League against Real Madrid just three days after the loss, it is the last chance to salvage something positive from this campaign. However, that will require a major turnaround, as Chelsea trails Real Madrid after the first leg, 2-0.
Chelsea spent over $350 million on transfers this season alone. Since Boehly’s arrival at the club, Chelsea spent over $600 million in transfers. The rewards for that investment were a third-place finish last season, when Boehly did not have much impact, and 11th in the table this season. In fact, Chelsea is closer to 18th-place Nottingham Forest than it is to Newcastle in fourth.
Todd Boehly team talk raises questions on Chelsea involvement
Boehly may have seemed distant from the team in the past. Yet, this interaction with the team is at least an acknowledgement that things are not going to plan. However, one insider did call the ordeal with Boehly in the dressing room weird. Before the game, Boehly received complaints from Chelsea supporters above his box at Stamford Bridge during the defeat against Brighton.
That comes on the back of six games without a win, including three losses in a row. Todd Boehly’s tenure saw the massive overhaul in the squad, and now two manager sackings. It has only been 11 months since he took over at the London club.
PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images
200+ Channels With Sports & News
- Starting price: $33/mo. for fubo Latino Package
- Watch Premier League, Liga MX & Copa Libertadores
The New Home of MLS
- Price: $14.99/mo. for MLS Season Pass
- Watch every MLS game including playoffs & Leagues Cup
Many Sports & ESPN Originals
- Price: $10.99/mo. (or get ESPN+, Hulu & Disney+ for $14.99/mo.)
- Features Bundesliga, LaLiga, NWSL, & USL
2,000+ soccer games per year
- Price: $7.99/mo
- Features Champions League, Serie A, Europa League & EFL
175 Premier League Games & PL TV
- Starting price: $7.99/mo. for Peacock Premium
- Watch 175 exclusive EPL games per season