Chelsea’s co‑owner Behdad Eghbali, a founding partner of Clearlake Capital – the firm that leads the BlueCo consortium behind the Blues’ recent acquisition and also owns Ligue 1 side Strasbourg – opened up in a rare interview at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles. He addressed a host of pressing topics, from the club’s transfer strategy and the unexpected departure of former head coach Enzo Maresca to the current state of affairs under manager Liam Rosenior.
Eghbali’s comments paint a picture of a club at a crossroads, seeking stability, experience and a clear plan to return to the top of English football. Eghbali began by reiterating the ownership group’s long‑standing policy of avoiding mid‑season managerial changes. “Our policy has been no in‑season head‑coach changes,” he said, emphasizing that accountability for performance typically falls during the summer window rather than in the heat of a campaign. The sudden exit of Maresca on New Year’s Day, however, forced a deviation from that principle.
“It’s not a change we wanted to make,” Eghbali admitted, noting that the abrupt shift in coaching philosophy and personnel had a negative impact on the season’s rhythm. He warned that the club now has to “fight our way out” of the disruption caused by that decision. The Blues are currently perched four points behind Liverpool, who sit in fifth place, and face the real possibility of missing next season’s Champions League.
Their recent form has been erratic: only one win in the last seven league matches and three consecutive defeats. Rosenior, who took charge after Maresca’s departure, has struggled to galvanise the squad, but Eghbali remains cautiously optimistic. “We still have six Premier League games and an FA Cup semi‑final ahead,” he said. “The story of this season isn’t written yet.
When you get punched in the face you have to get back up and fight – that will show the character of this group.” Stability, especially on the managerial front, is a recurring theme in Eghbali’s remarks. He confessed that the club has yet to get the manager‑stability right and that this is an area they are actively working to improve. Yet he also expressed confidence in Rosenior’s abilities, drawing on the 18‑plus months the ownership team spent observing him closely.
“We know what we’re getting,” Eghbali said. “He has every attribute to succeed here.
He started well, and although the past five or six games have been tough, we believe we are behind Liam. It’s a results business, but we think he can deliver long‑term success.” When pressed about Chelsea’s transfer policy, Eghbali highlighted a youth‑centric approach that still needs to be balanced with experienced, ready‑made talent. “The view was to recruit and build elite players who can grow together and give the squad stability,” he explained.
“We’re still in the 40th‑50th minute of that process.” He underscored the need for a core of 8‑15 top‑class players to secure sustainable success year after year. While acknowledging that the club has made several correct moves, he stressed that adding more seasoned players at this stage of the project is essential to “take it to the next level and be consistent over time.” The interview also touched on fan sentiment. Some Chelsea supporters, angry over the owners’ handling of the club, are planning to join Strasbourg fans in a demonstration before the Saturday home match against Manchester United. Eghbali responded by affirming BlueCo’s commitment to improving its ownership strategy and delivering the “biggest trophies,” echoing the ambition that characterised the Abramovich era.
“We care about the fans and want the club to succeed 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 it isn’t working.
The message is we are committed.” He was unequivocal about the club’s ultimate goal: winning. “Can this be successful without winning? No,” he asserted. “We have to win trophies and do it consistently.” While acknowledging that not every game can be a victory and that mistakes are inevitable, he reminded listeners that the objective for a club of Chelsea’s stature is clear – to capture silverware regularly.
He referenced the previous season’s triumph as evidence that the club can achieve that level again, even though the current year has been “up and down.” In summary, Eghbali’s interview offers a candid snapshot of Chelsea’s present challenges and future direction. The ownership group is keen to restore managerial stability, supplement a young core with experienced signings, and re‑ignite a winning mentality that aligns with fan expectations.
With several crucial fixtures remaining, including a high‑profile clash against Manchester United and a potential FA Cup semi‑final, the next few weeks will be pivotal in determining whether the club can reverse its fortunes and secure a place among Europe’s elite once more.