Todd Boehly hasn’t been the most popular man with Chelsea fans, who haven’t been shy about expressing their frustration with the American businessman. Chelsea’s 4-0 thrashing of Southampton didn’t have a banner of discontent around the Embassy Suites Hotel on the avenues of Westchester. That was reserved for lack of silverware and investment controversies. However, how does Boehly feel about it? Unbothered.
Boehly coolly dismissed the backlash when speaking to the Financial Times’ Business of Football summit, shrugging and adding: ‘It’s par for the course.’ It means, amongst other things, that if you own a football club, you do not expect universal praise.
Boehly’s Big Plan: Patience or Problem?
Boehly has insisted that Chelsea is on the right path to becoming similar to Manchester United or Barcelona. He claims it is the right trend. It is not much time to change a club in three years. And yes, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but in Chelsea’s case, Stamford Bridge is falling down quicker than ever.
Chelsea are currently in fifth place but knocking on the door to the Champions League. Still, is this progress or simply financial chaos after nearly a billion pounds is spent?
The Striker Hunt: A Supermarket Dilemma?
The one issue for Chelsea has been finding a reliable striker. Boehly also admitted the issue, likening it to grocery shopping.
“You shouldn’t go to the grocery store, and you don’t come in and you get a striker with amazing skill set.’
Hey Todd, if you weren’t spending millions in the midfield and dropping some money in the forward line, Chelsea wouldn’t be finally wandering and mixing it up like a lost shopper down the discount aisle.
Fan Frustration: Is Boehly Missing the Point?
While Boehly advocates for patient and Chelsea fans have asked about his leadership. Vivid Seats, a U.S. site that sells overpriced tickets, has raised eyebrows because of the investment. Meanwhile, Chelsea’s identity under Boehly is still up in the air on the pitch.
‘Trust the process’ is not exactly music to a club that is accustomed to instant success.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
