Latest news with #ToddBoehly
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Why Chelsea must back this up to avoid more doubts 'from the outside'
This season all came down to what Enzo Maresca and the players called two cup beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday to clinch Champions League football, then backed it up by beating Real Betis in the Conference League final, to earn their first piece of silverware under the Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital manager and the squad, which is the youngest in Premier League history, can now say they are winners, while the owners have proof the club is moving in the right two landmark achievements ease pressure and doubts that were coming "from the outside", as Maresca put it in a sweary rant on Italian had already been given a five-year contract and was safe regardless of the outcome of those two games, as Chelsea plan to review his position next he struggled to connect with supporters because of his ponderous style of play, while there are broader concerns about the rebuild of the club from the Roman Abramovich have been branded chaotic in the past for having four managers in three seasons. They finished 12th and then sixth under this US ownership, who gutted the backroom staff and then hired their own people. Of course, they also spent £1.7bn on the transfers of young players, albeit with significant sales to balance the books."From the outside", Chelsea looked unstable. But a critical mass of talent in the young squad averaging about 23.5 years of age is starting to click, aided by star players like Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo and Enzo players and staff all had their own parties after victory in the Conference League - Chelsea becoming the first club to win every European within a week, talk will be about how the Blues build on it and back this up. They have a Club World Cup to come from mid-June and then return to the Champions League next they do, they will look back on this title as the start of something. If they do not, anger will again bubble up to the surface and doubts will start to penetrate "from the outside" again.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Chelsea ‘ask £350,000-a-week Man Utd loanee Jadon Sancho to sign new contract before completing £25m transfer'
CHELSEA have asked Jadon Sancho to agree to a new contract before completing a £25million transfer, according to reports. The England international, 25, spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Stamford Bridge from Old Trafford. Chelsea have a £25m obligation to buy Sancho in the summer transfer window. However, they do have a £5m penalty clause to break out of the deal and escape the obligation. Now Sky Sports News are reporting that the Blues are in negotiations with the winger's representatives over his future. Chelsea most likely want Sancho to stay in West London. However, Sky claim they will only sign him if he agrees to fit into the wage structure at the club. Sancho earns a whopping £350,000 per week at United, where he has one year left on his current deal. But part of the Todd Boehly regime is signing players on relatively low wages. Star-man Cole Palmer is on £130,000 per week while the likes of Nicolas Jackson, Robert Sanchez, Noni Madueke, Malo Gusto and Romeo Lavia are all on £65,000 per week or less. THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY.. The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Irish Times
Chelsea close in on Liam Delap and keen to support Maresca with further signings
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of the Ipswich striker Liam Delap and are plotting further key additions as they seek to mould a winning dynasty and help Enzo Maresca's young side build on qualifying for the Champions League and their triumph in the Conference League. Maresca, who wants to use his team's 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final as a springboard for future success, enjoys the backing of the club's hierarchy after a successful first year in charge and will not face demands to win the Premier League next season. Chelsea's owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, feel they are on the right track after securing their first piece of silverware since their takeover in 2022. Their strategy of targeting the best young talent in the world is starting to bear fruit and there is no desire to put undue pressure on Maresca or his maturing squad. Chelsea, who have given their squad 10 days off before focus switches to participating in the expanded Club World Cup next month, will try to be clinical in the transfer market this summer. Signing at least one new forward is the priority and the west London club have a provisional agreement with Delap, who has also been targeted by Everton, Manchester United and Newcastle. READ MORE The 22-year-old favours a move to Chelsea after hearing their pitch and the next step will be to trigger his release clause, which has dropped to £30m (€36m) after Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League. Delap wants to play in Europe and he already knows Maresca from his time in Manchester City's academy. It is understood that one hurdle to clear is Ipswich's signalling a desire to take Marc Guiu on loan during their talks with Chelsea. The 19-year-old forward is yet to be convinced. However, sources say Delap is Chelsea's to lose. It remains to be seen if the Stamford Bridge club restrict themselves to signing one forward. Bringing in two would raise questions over the future of Nicolas Jackson, who scored his side's second goal against Betis. Chelsea are monitoring Hugo Ekitike but feel Eintracht Frankfurt's £84m (€100m) valuation is too steep. There is also admiration for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, who is on Arsenal's radar, but he is much more expensive than Delap. Chelsea have held talks with their partner club, Strasbourg, over a pre-agreement for the Dutch striker Emanuel Emegha to join in 2026. Chelsea's budget has been boosted by their qualification for the Champions League for the first time under Boehly and Clearlake, the private equity fund run by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E Feliciano. There is recognition that Maresca's system thrives on width. Chelsea are seeking to add a right-footed left-winger to their squad. There are indications they will opt against taking up their £25m (€30m) option to turn Jadon Sancho's loan from Manchester United into a permanent deal. Chelsea's Jadon Sancho celebrates with the trophy after the Conference League final. Photograph: John MacDougall/Getty Chelsea will have to pay a £5m penalty clause if Sancho, who came off the bench to score against Betis, is sent back to Old Trafford. Maresca likes the former Borussia Dortmund winger but must consider whether the 25-year-old has been consistent enough. Chelsea have tracked Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and are monitoring developments around Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. It is felt that Williams, who is wanted by Arsenal and Real Madrid, could be too expensive. Madrid could move for the winger if they sell Rodrygo, who has interest from City. There is a possibility of Chelsea bolstering their defence. Ajax's Jorrel Hato, who can operate as a left-back or in the middle, is on their shortlist. A consideration for Maresca is Wesley Fofana's unreliable fitness record, while there is a possibility of Chelsea raising funds by selling Benoît Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Axel Disasi. It is unclear if they will sign a new goalkeeper or keep faith with Robert Sánchez and Filip Jörgensen. Chelsea have the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League and have already concluded deals for several promising stars to join. The Portuguese Dário Essugo (20), will add cover in midfield. The Brazilian Willian Estêvão and Ecuador's Kendry Páez, two of the best attacking talents in South America, are moving to England this summer. Estêvão and Páez will need time to adapt. A deal has been agreed for the Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda (17), to join Chelsea in 2026. Andrey Santos, a 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder, is returning from a productive loan at Strasbourg. The influx of young talent explains why Chelsea are not getting carried away after finishing this season in fourth. They will be patient with Maresca, who has battled to convince supporters of his worth since replacing Mauricio Pochettino last summer. The aim for next season is to go far in the Champions League, challenge for the domestic cups and push on in the league. The sense is that Chelsea are two years away from being ready to win the title. – Guardian
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Business
- The Guardian
Chelsea close in on £30m Delap and keen to support Maresca with further signings
Chelsea are closing in on the signing of the Ipswich striker Liam Delap and are plotting further key additions as they seek to mould a winning dynasty and help Enzo Maresca's young side build on qualifying for the Champions League and their triumph in the Conference League. Maresca, who wants to use his team's 4-1 victory over Real Betis in the Conference League final as a springboard for future success, enjoys the backing of the club's hierarchy after a successful first year in charge and will not face demands to win the Premier League next season. Chelsea's owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, feel they are on the right track after securing their first piece of silverware since their takeover in 2022. Their strategy of targeting the best young talent in the world is starting to bear fruit and there is no desire to put undue pressure on Maresca or his maturing squad. Chelsea, who have given their squad 10 days off before focus switches to participating in the expanded Club World Cup next month, will try to be clinical in the transfer market this summer. Signing at least one new forward is the priority and the west London club have a provisional agreement with Delap, who has also been targeted by Everton, Manchester United and Newcastle. The 22-year-old favours a move to Chelsea after hearing their pitch and the next step will be to trigger his release clause, which has dropped to £30m after Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League. Delap wants to play in Europe and he already knows Maresca from his time in Manchester City's academy. It is understood that one hurdle to clear is Ipswich's signalling a desire to take Marc Guiu on loan during their talks with Chelsea. The 19-year-old forward is yet to be convinced. However, sources say Delap is Chelsea's to lose. It remains to be seen if the Stamford Bridge club restrict themselves to signing one forward. Bringing in two would raise questions over the future of Nicolas Jackson, who scored his side's second goal against Betis. Chelsea are monitoring Hugo Ekitike but feel Eintracht Frankfurt's £84m valuation is too steep. There is also admiration for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, who is on Arsenal's radar, but he is much more expensive than Delap. Chelsea have held talks with their partner club, Strasbourg, over a pre-agreement for the Dutch striker Emanuel Emegha to join in 2026. Chelsea's budget has been boosted by their qualification for the Champions League for the first time under Boehly and Clearlake, the private equity fund run by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E Feliciano. There is recognition that Maresca's system thrives on width. Chelsea are seeking to add a right-footed left-winger to their squad. There are indications they will opt against taking up their £25m option to turn Jadon Sancho's loan from Manchester United into a permanent deal. Chelsea will have to pay a £5m penalty clause if Sancho, who came off the bench to score against Betis, is sent back to Old Trafford. Maresca likes the former Borussia Dortmund winger but must consider whether the 25-year-old has been consistent enough. Chelsea have tracked Dortmund's Jamie Bynoe-Gittens and are monitoring developments around Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams. It is felt that Williams, who is wanted by Arsenal and Real Madrid, could be too expensive. Madrid could move for the winger if they sell Rodrygo, who has interest from City. Sign up to Football Daily Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football after newsletter promotion There is a possibility of Chelsea bolstering their defence. Ajax's Jorrel Hato, who can operate as a left-back or in the middle, is on their shortlist. A consideration for Maresca is Wesley Fofana's unreliable fitness record, while there is a possibility of Chelsea raising funds by selling Benoît Badiashile, Trevoh Chalobah and Axel Disasi. It is unclear if they will sign a new goalkeeper or keep faith with Robert Sánchez and Filip Jörgensen. Chelsea have the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League and have already concluded deals for several promising stars to join. The Portuguese Dário Essugo, 20, will add cover in midfield. The Brazilian Willian Estêvão and Ecuador's Kendry Páez, two of the best attacking talents in South America, are moving to England this summer. Estêvão and Páez will need time to adapt. A deal has been agreed for the Sporting Lisbon winger Geovany Quenda, 17, to join Chelsea in 2026. Andrey Santos, a 20-year-old Brazilian midfielder, is returning from a productive loan at Strasbourg. The influx of young talent explains why Chelsea are not getting carried away after finishing this season in fourth. They will be patient with Maresca, who has battled to convince supporters of his worth since replacing Mauricio Pochettino last summer. The aim for next season is to go far in the Champions League, challenge for the domestic cups and push on in the league. The sense is that Chelsea are two years away from being ready to win the title.
Japan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Japan Times
Chelsea hopes Conference League triumph can serve as launching pad
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca hopes that winning the UEFA Conference League can act as a starting point to a new era of success for the Blues. Maresca's men roared back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to thrash Real Betis 4-1 on Wednesday to collect their first trophy since an American consortium bought the club from former owner Roman Abramovich in 2022. The victory in Wroclaw rounded off a fine first season in charge for Maresca, who also helped Chelsea secure a return to the Champions League next season by finishing fourth in the Premier League. Chelsea captain Reece James conceded anything other than winning Europe's third-tier competition would have been perceived as a failure given the English giants' financial advantage. In the three years since the consortium, fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity group Clearlake Capital, took over at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea has splashed out over £1 billion ($1.4 billion) on transfer fees on promising young talent. "The club invest lots of money in the last three or four years, so they are also waiting for results," Maresca said. "Hopefully this can be a starting point and from tonight, from this season, (we are) building something important." James came off the bench to help inspire a second-half comeback as goals from Enzo Fernandez, Nicolas Jackson, Jadon Sancho and Moises Caicedo broke Betis' hearts. "Coming into this competition, it was something we had to win," James said. "Next season we go again in the Champions League." Victory also meant Chelsea became the first club to win all four major UEFA competitions after the Champions League, Europa League and disbanded Cup Winners' Cup. "To be the only team in history (to win all four), it is a great feeling," said Cole Palmer, who helped turn the game with two assists for Chelsea's first two goals.
