WHAT a transformation a year has brought for Chelsea co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly.
Last autumn, persistent speculation about a divide between the two billionaires was confirmed.
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It was reported that both were considering buying each other out for greater command over the club.
Nevertheless, significant progress both on and off the pitch has allowed Eghbali and Boehly to reconcile their differences and develop a constructive collaboration.
The thrilling last-minute victory against Premier League champions Liverpool showcased that, after investing over £1.5 billion in players, the Blues’ owners are forging a powerful team aimed at clinching major titles.
Chelsea now feels confident that following last month’s reorganization of the senior executive team, they have appointed the right individuals in crucial roles to drive the business forward.
However, the ongoing need for a larger and upgraded stadium may pose a challenge to this newfound unity and reignite old disputes.
At present, Boehly and the team appear to be united in their efforts.
Stamford Bridge has become vibrant and engaging, upholding its legacy of attracting celebrities since the 1960s.
Madonna’s participation at the Liverpool match was a notable moment, marking her third visit in just over a year.
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In the directors’ box, the only person who maintained composure while celebrating Estevao’s dramatic goal was Gary Barlow of Take That, a Liverpool fan.
Maresca’s accomplishments on the field, including Champions League qualification and two trophies, have undeniably played a significant role in maintaining harmony between Boehly and Eghbali.
Gary Neville had previously mocked Chelsea’s performance, calling them “billion-pound bottle jobs” after their loss in the 2024 Carabao Cup final against Liverpool’s young squad.
Now, Eghbali, Boehly, their fellow owners, and their investors finally possess tangible achievements to validate their investments.
Ex-Chelsea star reveals areas Enzo Maresca needs to improve on after missing out on two players in the transfer window
When operations run smoothly, collaboration is significantly easier.
While Eghbali and Boehly are unlikely to become best friends, they are dedicated to the club and have found a way to work together. Both took part in the Champions League draw in Monaco this August.
It may also benefit their relationship that Boehly, despite holding the title of chairman, has taken a more subdued role in daily operations since stepping down as interim sporting director in early 2023.
Clearly, Eghbali is the one driving the initiatives, although Boehly retains a more prominent public profile.
Earlier this year, Boehly highlighted that their alliance might face tests regarding the club’s most pressing issue.
The Blues require a new, modern stadium with a capacity of at least 60,000 to enhance revenue.
Currently, Stamford Bridge has a capacity slightly above 40,000, ranking as the fourth-largest club stadium in London, behind Arsenal, Tottenham, and West Ham, and it stands as only the 11th largest in the Premier League.
Nonetheless, boardroom disagreements have arisen regarding whether to construct a new venue (and its proposed location) or to renovate the Bridge, which has been their home since 1905.
This has resulted in a lack of resolution nearly three and a half years post-takeover.
Boehly has consistently pushed for relocation to a new site, with Earls Court remaining the only viable option.
In March, he informed Bloomberg that he and Eghbali were collaborating effectively, but added: “We have a significant stadium development opportunity that needs to be explored.
“This will either unite us or ultimately lead us down different paths.”
Shortly thereafter, Eghbali seemed to lean towards Boehly’s perspective, with reports suggesting that plans to renovate Stamford Bridge had been definitively shelved.
However, in August, it emerged that no final conclusion had been made, with the entire development hindered by escalating construction costs.
The Earls Court Development Company submitted a planning application to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in July 2024.
If ECDC’s proposals receive approval — with some anticipating an announcement by year-end — redeveloping Stamford Bridge will become Chelsea’s only option.
Regardless of the ECDC outcome, can Eghbali and Boehly collaborate effectively to address Chelsea’s most critical challenge?
If the executive team, led by club president Jason Gannon, cannot align their objectives, this temporary partnership could lead to a contentious split.
PALMER CASHING IN
COLE Palmer’s ongoing injury challenges have limited his impact on the pitch, but off it, he’s thriving.
The recent trademark registration of “Cold Palmer” aims to help him capitalize on his fame for financial benefits.
An analysis of the latest accounts for Palmer Management Limited, which manages his image rights, indicates he’s already doing quite well.
In the year ending October 31, 2024—his first season with Chelsea—PML’s net assets rose by nearly £800,000 to £1,271,616.
This growth was fueled by a substantial increase in the company’s cash reserves, which soared from just over £300,000 to nearly £1.7 million, reflecting Palmer’s endorsements with brands such as Nike, Burberry, and Boohoo.
Since then, the England star has signed a new lucrative contract with Nike and added collaborations with brands like Beats by Dre, British Airways, and the FC video game franchise to his portfolio.
The trademark allows Palmer, whose Chelsea contract earns him £130,000 per week, to explore various new product endorsements and opportunities.
However, the overall worth of these deals won’t be clear until PML submits its latest accounts by next July.
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SEMENYO BARGAIN MISS
ANTOINE Semenyo’s transfer to Chelsea would now likely exceed £80 million, given his rise to prominence as one of the Premier League’s leading wingers at Bournemouth.
However, just six years ago, Chelsea and Maurizio Sarri could have secured him for a mere TWO MILLION POUNDS from Bristol City.
As SunSport reported back then, Chelsea expressed interest in signing the then-19-year-old forward for their Under-23 squad.
Semenyo had spent part of the 2018/19 season on loan at League Two Newport County, netting six goals in 32 appearances.
Manchester United also showed interest, yet neither club was willing to pay more than £1 million for the promising but raw player.
This led to Semenyo staying in Bristol, aside from a brief loan at Sunderland, ultimately enjoying a breakout season in 2020/21.
Bournemouth acquired him for £10 million in January 2023, and the rest is history.
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MESSI CHOOSES TWO CFC STARS OF THE FUTURE (AND ONE EX-CHELSEA)
LIONEL Messi has identified two current Chelsea players and one former Blue as future stars to watch.
The Argentine icon singled out youngsters Andrey Santos and Kendry Paez, who is currently on loan at sister club Strasbourg, as part of an Adidas campaign where he was invited to select ten players to keep an eye on.
He also included Liverpool’s Rio Ngumoha, a former Cobham talent, as the only English player on the roster.
The remaining names consisted of his fellow countryman Nico Paz, along with Brighton’s Brajan Gruda — who could potentially be signed by Chelsea given their shared history…
Other male representatives included Rodrigo Mora (Porto), Mika Godts (Ajax), and Kader Meite (Stade Rennais), while standout female talents featured Lily Yohannes (Lyon) and Clara Serrajordi (Barcelona).
CUCURELLA ISSUES YAMAL THREAT
CHELSEA’S home clash against Barcelona in the Champions League on November 25 is shaping up to be an eagerly awaited match for the Blues.
This is particularly true for Marc Cucurella, a product of Barcelona’s La Masia academy, who is set to go up against his Spanish teammate and Ballon d’Or runner-up Lamine Yamal at Stamford Bridge.
When asked about the upcoming match during the current international break, Cucurella humorously remarked that he wouldn’t hold back against the young winger, acknowledging he has ample time to recover before next summer’s World Cup.
The Chelsea left-back quipped: “I won’t hold back there. The silver lining is that there’s still lots of time before the World Cup. If I knock him out, he’ll have plenty of time to recuperate!”
“I prefer facing opponents I don’t know; I feel more at ease. I don’t typically reach out to opponents I know personally before matches.”
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WHOLESOME CAHILL/TERRY MOMENT
GARY Cahill was part of one of the most touching moments during the Chelsea Legends match against Liverpool Legends at Stamford Bridge.
After the final whistle, a young fan dashed onto the pitch, running PAST John Terry and others, directly into the open arms of Cahill, who had performed admirably in central defense.
Onlookers were stunned that the young boy chose to run towards Cahill instead of Terry or other well-known legends.
Regardless, it was heartening to witness a child recognize Cahill as a Chelsea hero — a player dedicated enough to secure every major domestic trophy, the Champions League, and the Europa League during his seven years at the Bridge.
Terry also had his moment shortly thereafter when another child rushed onto the pitch, going straight to the former Blues captain.
Terry showcased his class by gifting the young fan his captain’s armband, taking a photo with him, and most importantly, ensuring he returned to his family safely in the stands.
You can check how Terry, Cahill, Eden Hazard, Diego Costa, and others were rated in the game here.
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