LATEST NEWS: After Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s disappointing announcement about the club’s takeover, Chelsea fans have now been given additional troubling news that has recently emerged.
Chelsea Football Club is reportedly undergoing significant internal strife as tensions between co-owner Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the club’s majority shareholder, have escalated.
According to *The Telegraph*, the discord between Boehly and Clearlake has become severe, with some sources likening it to a “civil war” within the club’s leadership. Boehly, an American businessman and minority shareholder, is increasingly frustrated with the current ownership structure. He perceives the ongoing disagreements and lack of unity among Chelsea’s top investors as major obstacles that need immediate resolution.
As a result of this growing tension, Boehly is contemplating a potential buyout of Clearlake Capital’s shares, which would grant him full control of the club. This potential buyout aligns with Boehly’s broader vision for Chelsea, which includes ambitious plans such as constructing a new stadium and implementing a long-term development strategy spanning 20 to 30 years.
Boehly is reportedly confident that he can secure the £2.5 billion needed to make an offer for Clearlake’s majority stake. However, Clearlake Capital, which currently holds a 61.5% share in Chelsea, is reportedly not interested in selling. Instead, Clearlake is more inclined to increase its stake in the club rather than relinquishing any control. The private equity firm, co-owned by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, became Chelsea’s majority owner in 2022, following their purchase of the club from Roman Abramovich as part of the BlueCo consortium. Since then, Clearlake has committed an additional £1.75 billion to further invest in the club, with around £1.5 billion spent on strengthening the team through new player signings.
Boehly, along with his fellow minority shareholders Hansjörg Wyss and Mark Walter, currently holds the remaining 38.5% of Chelsea’s shares. The core issue between Boehly and Clearlake seems to be their differing strategic visions for the club. Boehly seeks full control to implement his long-term plans, while Clearlake views their stake as a long-term investment and prefers to maintain or increase their share.
At present, there have been no official negotiations regarding the sale of shares between Boehly and Clearlake. However, with rising tensions, formal discussions may occur in the near future as both parties evaluate their options. If the conflict remains unresolved, it could lead to a significant power struggle within the club’s leadership, potentially affecting Chelsea’s direction and stability.