August 18th 2024.
Todd Boehly, the owner and chairman of Chelsea, couldn't bear to watch his team struggle any longer. The Blues had just suffered a 2-0 loss to Manchester City in their first game of the season, and it was a disappointing start under new manager Enzo Maresca.
Throughout the match, there were audible groans from the home fans and chants for Conor Gallagher, showing their frustration with the team's performance. And they weren't the only ones unhappy with what they saw. Boehly, whose BlueCo. group took over the Premier League giants two years ago, was seen leaving his seat and heading back to the hospitality area after City scored their second goal in the 84th minute.
To make matters worse, that goal was scored by Mateo Kovacic, a player who Boehly had sold last summer despite his consistent performances for Chelsea. It was a bad look for the American owner, whose leadership of the club has been heavily criticized, especially in regards to their questionable transfer strategy.
In just two years, Chelsea has spent a staggering £1.2 billion on 44 players, yet their on-field results have declined significantly. Even Maresca himself has acknowledged that the squad is too bloated, with too many players in training hindering the team's quality and his ability to implement his tactics. This was a complaint also shared by previous managers Mauricio Pochettino and Graham Potter.
During a discussion about Raheem Sterling's controversial statement before the match, Jamie Redknapp expressed his dismay at Chelsea's transfer strategy. "He [Maresca] has got to go back into training tomorrow and he's going to see so many unhappy faces," said the former Liverpool player on Sky Sports. "You've got 20 players that can't even get in the 11 v 11. How can that be right? The best teams in the Premier League over the last five years work with a squad of 24 or 25 players. Why do they think they can reinvent football and do things differently? They're making the manager's job virtually impossible with the group of players they have."
It's clear that there are underlying issues at Chelsea, and the frustration is palpable not just among the fans, but also within the club itself. It remains to be seen how Boehly and the rest of the leadership will address these concerns and turn things around for the struggling team. In the meantime, Chelsea fans can only hope for better results on the pitch and a more cohesive and effective team.
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