Alonso content as Chelsea enter phase two of new era

Todd Boehly has sold his share and will also step down from his role as Chelsea chairman.

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso  

Xabi Alonso said “phase one” of Chelsea’s new era is complete after Behdad Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital took full ownership of the club.

American billionaire businessmen Todd Boehly and Mark Walter, two of the investors who partnered with Clearlake to buy the club from Roman Abramovich in a sale mandated by the UK government in May 2022, have agreed to sell the 12.8 per cent share they each held.

Boehly, who acted as co-sporting director alongside former manager Thomas Tuchel during the 2022 summer transfer window and who was the public face of the takeover, will also step down from his role as chairman.

“I think it’s an important day for the club,” said Alonso. “When there’s an important change in the structure of the club and the ownership.

“Thanks to the former owners for what they’ve done. I was not here but I know they played an important role. Now that Behdad is taking almost full control, it’s good.” 

Iranian-American billionaire Eghbali had become the more public-facing of the owners during recent seasons and played an active role in convincing Alonso to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer.

“I have a good relationship with Behdad,” said Alonso. “He was the one that came to Madrid to explain the project and to convince me. We are working well together.

“It’s phase one that we have completed. It’s good and now move on together.” 

Chelsea say there will be no changes to day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy at the club following the ownership change.

Meanwhile, Alonso declined to clear up the confusion that has emerged over Joao Pedro’s fitness after the striker was removed from the Brazil squad on Friday.

The Brazilian football federation issued a statement confirming that the 24-year-old will not join up with the national team during the international break, citing injury.

However, Alonso said that Pedro could still play for his team in Friday’s game away against Brentford.

“We have the last training session (Friday),” he said. “No one is ruled out for us for Friday. I prefer to be cautious. We will wait till tomorrow to make the decision on every player.” Asked whether he would confirm the nature of the player’s injury, Alonso replied “no,” but added it was “a possibility” that he could be involved at the Gtech Community Stadium.

The timing of Pedro’s removal from Carlo Ancelotti’s squad is especially surprising given this is the first national team squad selected since he was omitted from the World Cup selection.

“He has moved on from the summer and the World Cup,” said Alonso. “He’s shown his desire and determination to have a great season. He will be (in the squad) in the future for sure.

“We will see tomorrow if he is ready to play and we will take a decision.” 

Moises Caicedo, who has not started a game this season due to a calf injury, could return on Friday to help solve Alonso’s midfield issues.

“He’s getting closer and tomorrow we will take a final decision,” said Alonso.