Chelsea’s co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, a founding partner of Clearlake Capital and a key figure behind the BlueCo consortium that acquired the London club, recently opened up about a range of pressing issues at Stamford Bridge. Speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, Eghbali outlined the club’s strategic direction, addressed the recent departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca, and offered his perspective on the current managerial situation under Liam Rosenior. He also touched on the team’s transfer policy, the importance of stability, and the owners’ commitment to delivering trophies for a fan base that expects nothing less. **Stability Over Mid‑Season Changes** Eghbali made it clear that BlueCo’s philosophy is to avoid any major changes to the coaching staff during the season.
"Our policy has been no in‑season head‑coach changes," he said, emphasizing that accountability for performance lies with the manager, the broader coaching team, and the sporting directors, but that any review or replacement should typically happen in the summer window, not mid‑campaign. This stance reflects a desire to give Rosenior a genuine chance to embed his ideas without the constant threat of being sacked after a few poor results. **The Unplanned Exit of Enzo Maresca** The sudden exit of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day was described by Eghbali as "not a change we wanted to make." He acknowledged that the abrupt shift disrupted the club’s rhythm, forcing a change in systems and personnel at a delicate point in the season.
"It had a negative impact," he admitted, noting that the club now has to work harder to regain the momentum that was lost when the coaching structure was altered without a clear plan. **Current League Position and Upcoming Fixtures** Chelsea currently sit four points behind fifth‑placed Liverpool, putting them on the brink of missing out on next season’s Champions League. Their recent form has been uneven: just one win in the last seven Premier League games and three consecutive defeats. Despite these setbacks, Eghbali reminded fans that there are still six league matches left, plus a crucial FA Cup semi‑final, meaning the season’s narrative is far from finished.
"When you get punched in the face, you have to fight back," he said, urging the squad to demonstrate resilience and character in the remaining fixtures. **Backing Liam Rosenior** Eghbali praised Rosenior’s attributes and the familiarity the owners have with his work ethic. "We had the opportunity to work with him daily for more than 18 months, so we knew what we were getting," he explained. He believes Rosenior possesses all the qualities needed for long‑term success at Chelsea, even if the recent run of results has been disappointing.
"We think he has every attribute to be successful here. He got off to a great start.
We've had a tough past five, six matches, but I think we're behind Liam. Of course, it’s a results business, but we think he can be successful long term," Eghbali added. **Youth‑Centric Transfer Policy and the Need for Ready‑Made Players** The co‑owner also addressed the club’s transfer strategy, which has focused heavily on developing young talent. While he reaffirmed the importance of nurturing elite, home‑grown players, he admitted that the squad now needs a greater influx of experienced, ready‑made talent to complement the youth pipeline.
"The view was to recruit and build elite players that can, frankly, be together and have that stability in the squad. We’re still in the 40th, 50th minute of that process," he said, indicating that the project is still in its early stages.
Eghbali outlined a concrete target: the club should aim to have eight to fifteen world‑class players who can deliver consistent success year after year. He believes Chelsea has made several correct decisions so far but must improve in a few key areas, particularly by adding seasoned professionals who can hit the ground running.
"We have to add more ready‑made players at this part of the project, to take it to the next level, to be consistent over time," he asserted. **Fan Relations and Ownership Commitment** Amid growing frustration among supporters, some Chelsea fans are planning to join Strasbourg fans in a demonstration before the Saturday home game against Manchester United.
Eghbali responded by emphasizing BlueCo’s dedication to the club’s heritage and its ambition to win major trophies, echoing the high standards set during Roman Abramovich’s tenure. "For the fans, we care.
We want the club to be successful. We're focused on delivering that on‑pitch performance," he said. He acknowledged the mixed results of the past six months, noting a period of optimism followed by a downturn in form. However, he stressed that the club remains committed to refining its plan, tweaking tactics, and learning from mistakes.
"Can this be successful without winning? The answer is no. We’ve got to win.
It doesn’t mean you’ll win every game, but the objective for a club like Chelsea is to win trophies consistently," he concluded. **Looking Ahead** Eghbali’s comments paint a picture of a club at a crossroads: a desire for stability, a need for experienced signings, and an unwavering focus on delivering silverware.
While the immediate challenges are clear—improving league position, navigating the FA Cup semi‑final, and restoring confidence among the fan base—the longer‑term vision remains anchored in building a squad capable of sustained success. The next few weeks will be critical in determining whether Rosenior can steer the team back on course and whether the promised influx of ready‑made talent will materialise before the transfer window closes. Overall, the co‑owner’s message is one of patience tempered with urgency: give the manager time, reinforce the squad with proven players, and keep the ultimate goal of winning trophies at the forefront of every decision.
The season is not over, and according to Eghbali, the story of Chelsea’s campaign is still being written.