Chelsea’s co‑owner, Behdad Eghbali, recently opened up about the club’s current direction, its recent managerial turbulence and the blueprint for future player acquisitions. Speaking at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, Eghbali emphasized that the Blues intend to bring in "ready‑made" talent to boost the squad’s quality, while also addressing the unexpected departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca and the challenges faced by current manager Liam Rosenior.
Eghbali, who co‑founded Clearlake Capital – the primary investor behind BlueCo, the consortium that bought Chelsea and also owns Ligue 1 side Strasbourg – used the interview to touch on a wide range of topics that have been dominating the club’s headlines. He began by underscoring the importance of stability, especially when it comes to the managerial position.
"Our policy has been no in‑season head‑coach changes," he said. "We do hold the manager, the backroom staff and the sporting directors accountable, but those reviews usually happen in the summer, not in the middle of a campaign." The co‑owner acknowledged that Maresca’s sudden exit on New Year’s Day was not part of the plan. "It’s not a change we wanted to make," Eghbali explained.
"When you alter systems and personnel mid‑season it can have a negative impact, and we now have to fight our way out of that disruption." He noted that Chelsea are currently four points behind Liverpool in the race for a Champions League spot and have won only one of their last seven league fixtures, losing the most recent three. Despite the dip in form, Eghbali remained optimistic, pointing to the six remaining Premier League games and an upcoming FA Cup semi‑final as opportunities to rewrite the narrative of the season.
"When you get punched in the face you have to stand up and fight," he said, adding that the character of the squad will be tested in the weeks ahead. When asked about manager Liam Rosenior, Eghbali was unequivocal in his support. "We have worked with Liam daily for more than 18 months, so we know what we are getting," he said.
"He possesses every quality needed to succeed here. He started strongly, and although the last five or six matches have been tough, we believe we are behind him. Football is a results business, but we are confident he can deliver long‑term success for Chelsea." Eghbali also addressed the club’s youth‑centric transfer policy, which has been a hallmark of the BlueCo era. He admitted that while the ambition to develop elite, home‑grown talent remains, the team is still in the early stages of that process.
"We are still in the 40th, 50th minute of that journey," he said. "The goal is to recruit, retain and develop a core of eight to fifteen world‑class players who can win titles year after year. We have done many things right, but we also need to add more experienced, ready‑made players at this point to take the project to the next level and achieve consistency over time." The interview also touched on fan sentiment.
Some Chelsea supporters have announced plans to join Strasbourg fans in a demonstration against the owners ahead of the Saturday home fixture against Manchester United. Eghbali responded by reaffirming BlueCo’s commitment to improving its ownership strategy and delivering the biggest trophies, echoing the standards set during Roman Abramovich’s tenure. "For the fans we care. We want the club to be successful and we are focused on delivering that on‑pitch performance," he said.
He reflected on the roller‑coaster nature of the season, noting that six months ago the mood was upbeat, but recent results have been mixed and disappointing. "We are constantly reviewing what we can do better and tweaking our plan where it isn’t working," he added. "The message is clear: we are committed. Can we be successful without winning?
No. The objective for a club of Chelsea’s stature is to win trophies consistently. We were fortunate to achieve that last year, and although this season has had its ups and downs, the goal remains unchanged." In summary, Eghbali’s remarks paint a picture of a club that is aware of its current shortcomings but remains determined to correct them. The focus on adding experienced, ready‑made players, the backing of Liam Rosenior, and a renewed emphasis on stability and accountability form the pillars of Chelsea’s short‑term strategy.
As the Blues approach the final stretch of the Premier League campaign and a crucial FA Cup semi‑final, the next few weeks will be decisive in determining whether the club can regain momentum, secure a Champions League place and lay the groundwork for sustained success in the seasons to come.