Chelsea Football Club has officially been sold to Todd Boehly

For the second time (or third, if you want to get technical and count the East and West as different demises) in history, the Roman Empire has officially fallen. While this empire was more short-lived  than that of the Ancient Romans, its impact on the world as we know it today cannot be discounted. In the same way that Pep Guardiola has impacted the game of football with his unique tactical style on the pitch, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has changed the way modern football is run off the field with his unprecedented financial investment into the sport.

The Russian’s time in west London now comes to an end after 19 wonderful years with the club. The Men’s team captured 21 trophies during Abramovich’s time as the custodian of the Blues, conquering Europe twice (2012, 2021) and the world once (2022). Meanwhile, the Women’s side has also won a plethora of titles under the ownership of the oligarch en route to becoming pioneers of the women’s game. There comes to a time where all good things must come to an end though, and that is no different when it comes to Abramovich’s tenure. Chelsea Football Club now enters a new and exciting era as Todd Boehly and Co. have officially taken over as owners.

Chelsea Football Club has officially been sold to the Todd Boehly consortium

While the takeover by the American has been the worst kept secret in football for the last few weeks, it’s important to note that the sale is fully completed. This announcement will likely be followed by statements from the UK government confirming that the sanctions that have loomed large over the club for the last three months have been lifted. This is music to supporters’ ears, but it also means that Boehly must hit the ground running.

There is no time for the new owner to sit for a minute and take it all in. The unfortunate reality of this unprecedented situation is that it put the Blues at a massive disadvantage on the field. Chelsea was unable to hold transfer negotiations with any incoming or outgoing individuals, which includes their own players. Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger are already out the door, meaning the new owners need to act fast and secure replacements. They also need to ensure that this situation does not happen again in a year’s time when Marcos Alonso, Jorginho and N’Golo Kante are slated to become free agents after their current contracts expire.

Perhaps the most important job that the new owners have though is changing the culture. Abramovich demanded excellence out of every employee he ever hired, this was especially true as it related to the managers. This created a constant chop and change culture for coaches, which is ultimately what got the Blues into the mess they’re currently in. This culture led to a squad with players from four or five different managers in a dressing room under new leadership. Thomas Tuchel has proven he is committed to the “rebuild” (his words, not mine) and Boehly needs to keep the German manager happy throughout the next few seasons.

Furthermore, there is a lot to be done in relation to stadium renovations—at both Stamford Bridge and Kingsmeadow—in addition to focusing on the academy and women’s team. Boehly will be up to his knees in work over the coming months, which seems to be a good thing as his opening remarks as owner display his commitment to excellence:

"“We are honoured to become the new custodians of Chelsea Football Club. We’re all in—100%—every minute of every match. Our vision as owners is clear: we want to make the fans proud. Along with our commitment to developing the youth squad and acquiring the best talent, our plan of action is to invest in the Club for the long-term and build on Chelsea’s remarkable history of success.” -Boehly"

Busy—yet exciting—times lie ahead for Chelsea Football Club. While the new owners will be a bit preoccupied, it’s time for the fans to sit back and enjoy the coming months. The takeover is finally complete after one of the most tumultuous times in the club’s rich history. Read more about the Blues’ new head man, Boehly, here.

What are you most excited about now that the new owners are in the building? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on Twitter!