Chelsea’s co‑owner Behdad Eghbali has opened up about the club’s current direction, emphasizing a shift toward acquiring "ready‑made" talent and reflecting on the unexpected departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca. In a candid interview at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles, Eghbali, who co‑founded Clearlake Capital – the primary investor behind BlueCo, the consortium that bought Chelsea and also owns Ligue 1 side Strasbourg – addressed a range of pressing issues, from the performance of manager Liam Rosenior to the broader transfer policy that underpins the club’s long‑term ambitions.
Chelsea currently find themselves in a precarious position in the Premier League table, sitting four points adrift of fifth‑placed Liverpool and facing the very real prospect of missing out on next season’s Champions League. The Blues have managed just one win in their last seven league outings and have suffered defeats in their three most recent matches.
This dip in form has coincided with the abrupt exit of Enzo Maresca on New Year’s Day, a change that Eghbali described as “not a change we wanted to make.” The timing of Maresca’s departure forced a reshuffle of systems and personnel at a critical juncture in the campaign, a disruption the co‑owner believes has had a negative impact on the squad’s momentum. "Our policy has been no in‑season head‑coach changes," Eghbali explained to the audience. "We certainly review and hold the manager, the broader management team and the sporting department accountable, but typically those reviews happen in the summer, not mid‑season." He stressed that the club’s leadership is committed to stability, noting that achieving a steady managerial environment is one of the areas where Chelsea has yet to get it right.
"Stability is the perspective we need," he said, adding that the club is still working to cement that stability on the coaching side. Eghbali also tackled the current state of the season, reminding fans that there are still six Premier League fixtures remaining, plus an FA Cup semi‑final looming on the horizon. "The story of this season isn’t written yet," he asserted. "When you get punched in the face, you have to fight back, stand up and keep going.
That will reveal the character of this squad." The co‑owner’s metaphor underscored his belief that resilience will be a key factor in determining whether Chelsea can turn the tide. When asked about Liam Rosenior’s prospects, Eghbali was unequivocal in his support. Having worked closely with Rosenior for more than 18 months, the co‑owner said the club had a clear understanding of what the manager brings to the table.
"We think he has every attribute to be successful here," Eghbali said. "He got off to a great start. We’ve had a tough stretch in the last five or six games, but I think we’re behind Liam.
Of course, it’s a results business, but we believe he can deliver long‑term success." This endorsement reflects the confidence that the ownership group has in Rosenior’s ability to navigate the current challenges and build a foundation for future achievements. The interview also delved into Chelsea’s youth‑centric transfer policy, which has been a hallmark of the club’s recent strategy.
Eghbali acknowledged that while the focus on developing elite, home‑grown talent remains important, the club now recognizes the need to supplement that pipeline with experienced, ready‑made players who can make an immediate impact. "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 explained. "We need to keep, sign, retain, compensate and extend some of the world’s best players.
Ultimately, you need eight, ten, twelve, even fifteen elite players to win sustainably year after year." Eghbali admitted that while Chelsea has made several correct decisions, there is room for improvement. "We’ve done a few things right, a lot of things right. 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 said.
This acknowledgement signals a willingness to adjust the recruitment approach, blending the club’s traditional emphasis on youth with a pragmatic infusion of seasoned professionals. Fan sentiment has been volatile, with some supporters planning to join Strasbourg fans in a protest against the owners before the upcoming home match against Manchester United. Eghbali responded by reiterating BlueCo’s commitment to refining its ownership strategy and delivering the major trophies that have defined Chelsea’s identity under former owner Roman Abramovich. "For the fans, we care.
We want the club to be successful. We’re focused on delivering that on‑pitch performance," he affirmed. He also reflected on the club’s recent performance trajectory, noting that six months ago the atmosphere was largely positive, but recent results have been mixed and, at times, disappointing.
"There’s a full reflection on what we can do better, what we can improve on. There is a plan. We reflect on the plan, we try to improve the plan and tweak it if it’s not working.
The message is we’re committed," Eghbali said. He emphasized that success cannot be measured without trophies: "Can this be successful without winning?
The answer is no. We have to win. It doesn’t mean you’ll win every game or avoid mistakes, but the ultimate objective for a club like Chelsea is to win trophies consistently again." Eghbali concluded on a hopeful note, pointing to the club’s triumphs last season as evidence that the blueprint can work.
"We were fortunate enough to do so last year. We’ve had an up‑and‑down year this year, but the objective hasn’t changed," he said. The co‑owner’s remarks paint a picture of a club in transition, seeking to balance stability, strategic recruitment, and immediate results in order to restore Chelsea to its former position among Europe’s elite.
Overall, Eghbali’s interview offers a transparent look at the challenges Chelsea faces and the strategic adjustments the ownership intends to make. By combining a renewed focus on experienced signings with the existing youth development framework, and by backing manager Liam Rosenior with patience and resources, the club hopes to navigate the remainder of the season, secure a Champions League spot, and lay the groundwork for sustained success in the years to come.