A night game versus Leeds United at Elland Road is up next for Chelsea on Wednesday. And the contest should be a tasty encounter: Leeds are always feisty, especially at home. Along with this match being a ‘six-pointer’. Although, traditionally, fixtures described in that way are purely relegation clashes. Yet, with the Blues chasing Champions League qualification through their Premier League position, and the Whites hoping for survival – end of season meetings don’t come much bigger. Jesse Marsch’s men are currently in the drop zone alongside already relegated Watford and Norwich City. Burnley and Everton are the other clubs in the mire.
Form-wise, the two teams’ condition in the previous five outings is as so: the Pensioners have drawn two, lost two and won one. Meanwhile the Yorkshire outfit have been defeated on three occasions and had two draws with no victories in that time period. With regard to early injury news for Thomas Tuchel’s side, N’golo Kante could return. While Jorginho’s status is unknown at the moment. Pride of London hasn’t heard any update for Callum Hudson-Odoi, meaning he is likely to remain sidelined. Ben Chilwell is still unavailable; and Ross Barkley may be fit, though his mystery illness keeps pushing a comeback date.
New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly makes decision on futures of Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia
We can presumably refer to the new incoming proprietor of CFC as the main man on Fulham Road now, as Todd Boehly will become the ‘controlling owner’ of the West Londoners. That information is according to a report by The Independent. Moreover, the outlet suggests that Behdad Eghbali, Clearlake Capital co-founder – another major shareholder – shall consult with Boehly and be involved in all significant financial areas.
The LA Dodgers chief, as well as his consortium, are on the verge of completing a £4.25billion takeover of Chelsea. Boehly’s future importance and positioning was expected at Stamford Bridge; his capacity and success with the baseball club speaks for itself, regardless of being a different sport.
This development emerges in spite of the California company being expected to have the majority shareholding. The former is entrusted with this role, despite Clearlake holding increased power, due to his fine judgement. From the outside looking in, these details feel prudent and practical to me; I imagine the vast majority of Blues supporters with any knowledge in these areas will agree.
Finally, in this article, we come to the matter of what the future holds for Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia. Buck is said to want to continue in his job as CFC chairman; whilst speculation states Granovskaia desires maintaining her post as director and ‘chief transfer negotiator’.
Confirmation appears to have been given on this affair, with The Times claiming both respective employees will retain their titles under a new Pensioners management structure. Furthermore, Boehly will be joined on the board by ‘Tory peer and Times columnist’ Daniel Finkelstein as a non-executive director. In addition, PR executive Barbara Charone will also undertake similar duties. Jonathan Goldstein won’t be on the board, the piece says. Though Goldstein shall be influential in the eventual stadium redevelopment.