Chelsea co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, a founding partner of Clearlake Capital and a key figure behind the BlueCo consortium that acquired the London club, has opened up about the direction the team is taking as the season reaches a critical juncture. Speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, Eghbali stressed that the club will now focus on bringing in "ready‑made" players who can make an immediate impact, while also defending the decision to keep head coach Liam Rosenior at the helm despite a turbulent spell that has seen the team slip out of the Champions League places. Eghbali, who also sits on the board of Ligue 1 side Strasbourg, used the interview to address a series of pressing issues: the unexpected departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca, the club's precarious position in the Premier League table, and the broader philosophy guiding Chelsea's transfer strategy.
He made it clear that the exit of Maresca on New Year's Day was not part of the club's original plan. "It's not a change we wanted to make," he said, noting that the sudden shift in coaching staff disrupted the season's rhythm and forced the squad to adapt to new systems mid‑campaign.
Chelsea currently sit four points behind fifth‑placed Liverpool, leaving them in danger of missing out on next season's Champions League. Their recent form has been uneven: only one win in the last seven league matches and three consecutive defeats have put pressure on Rosenior, who took over after Maresca's exit. Despite the setbacks, Eghbali remained optimistic, drawing a parallel between the team's current challenges and a boxer taking a punch.
"When you get punched in the face, you have to fight back, you have to stand up and fight," he said, emphasizing that the squad's character will be tested in the remaining six Premier League fixtures and an upcoming FA Cup semi‑final. Stability, according to Eghbali, is the cornerstone of Chelsea's long‑term vision. He highlighted that the club's policy has always been to avoid in‑season managerial changes, preferring to evaluate performance during the summer window. "We review the manager, the management team, and the sporting staff, but typically in the off‑season, not during the campaign," he explained.
This approach, he added, is intended to give Rosenior the time and support needed to embed his ideas and build a cohesive unit. When asked about Rosenior's suitability, Eghbali was unequivocal. Having worked closely with the coach for more than 18 months, he believes the manager possesses all the attributes required for success at a club of Chelsea's stature. "He got off to a great start, and although the past five or six matches have been tough, we think we are behind Liam," Eghbali said, acknowledging that football is ultimately a results‑driven business but stressing his confidence in Rosenior's long‑term potential.
Eghbali also elaborated on Chelsea's youth‑centric recruitment model, which aims to develop elite talent capable of delivering sustained success. He admitted the project is still in its early stages, describing it as being "in the 40th, 50th minute of that process." The goal, he said, is to assemble a core of eight to fifteen world‑class players who can win trophies year after year. To accelerate this ambition, the club intends to supplement its home‑grown stars with experienced, ready‑made signings who can add depth and quality immediately. The co‑owner acknowledged that while the club has made several correct decisions, there remain areas for improvement.
"We have to be better on a few things, 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 stated, indicating a willingness to adapt the transfer strategy as the season unfolds. Fans have expressed frustration, with some planning to join Strasbourg supporters in a protest against the owners before Chelsea's home match against Manchester United.
Eghbali responded by reaffirming BlueCo's commitment to the club's heritage and its ambition to win major trophies, echoing the standards set during Roman Abramovich's tenure. "We care about the fans and we want the club to be successful on the pitch," he said. "Six months ago everyone was super‑happy. Results have been mixed, disappointing more recently.
We are reflecting on what we can do better, tweaking the plan where needed, and we remain fully committed." He concluded with a blunt assessment of the club's objectives: success cannot be measured without silverware. "The answer is no, we cannot be successful without winning. We have to win trophies consistently," Eghbali asserted, noting that while occasional setbacks are inevitable, the overarching aim for a club of Chelsea's magnitude is to return to the top of English and European football. In summary, Behdad Eghbali painted a picture of a club that acknowledges its recent shortcomings but remains steadfast in its long‑term blueprint: maintain managerial stability, blend youth development with strategic signings of proven talent, and pursue a culture of winning that satisfies both supporters and the broader football community.