Todd Boehly has pointed out that Chelsea have been through drastic change over the past few years after fans protested against the ownership of the club. Supporters took to the streets before the Blues’ 4-0 win over Southampton this week.
There is anger over the direction of the club under owners Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who make up the consortium BlueCo. Over £1billion has been spent on new signings in the two-and-a-half years since their purchase of the club but there has been little success to go with it.
Enzo Maresca‘s side initially challenged Liverpool for the Premier League title but fell away. With three months remaining of the season, they are now struggling to claw their way back into the top four.
Some dismal form has seen Chelsea lose three of their last five top-flight matches, and they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Brighton.
Asked about supporter discontent, Boehly said at the FT Business of Football event: “It’s par for the course. The reality is the sooner you learn you’re not going to keep all the people happy all the time, freedom shows up from that.
“December was peak but eight weeks out things are a little different. If you look at the foundations being built, new management team, new academy leadership, sporting director leadership and player mindset.
“All that’s there and now it is about cultivating the development of the team. You are always going to try to get better.”
Chelsea‘s big win over Southampton was a welcome respite following a tough start to 2025. They are fifth in the Premier League but are only a point behind Manchester City and two behind third-placed Nottingham Forest.
Maresca was well aware of the protests taking place before the game. The Italian, who was appointed as head coach by BlueCo last summer, urged the fans to trust the club.
“The only thing I can say is that in this moment the fans have to trust,” he said. “We’re in the right process and the right direction. Since we started we’ve been top four most games of the season.
“The fans have to trust the players. They are doing a huge effort every day to bring this club to the Champions League.”
Chelsea‘s only chance of a trophy this season comes in the Conference League. They face Copenhagen in a two-legged last-16 tie after cruising throughout the league phase.
A free weekend due to their early exit from the FA Cup allows them more time to prepare for next Thursday’s first leg.
