53 minutes ago, chelseagirl1 said:

Have mixed feelings about that as I'd rather Arsenal qualified than Tottenham!

 

Still hilarious that Arse have failed to qualify yet again 🤣

8 minutes ago, SW6Blue said:

Still hilarious that Arse have failed to qualify yet again 🤣

My brother is a Gooner and he said that in some ways it's a relief as he knows they are not good enough for the CL

5 hours ago, Munkworth said:

We’re not Arsenal - qualifying for the CL shouldn’t be celebrated as an achievement it should be considered a bare minimum requirement. 

I know we have high standards but no one has the right to top 4. Similar to how United fans still live in denial that they are a top club. The fact of the matter is that it is an increasingly tough league with no game a guarantee and a lot of clubs have a lot more money. Given that, top 4 is an achievement. 

Thinking this through.

Abramovich allegedly wants charity money to go through Camberly.

Govt does not.

This is political, govt want the money to put into their favoured Ukrainian charities.

They suspect if Camberly are involved the money will go to Russian favoured Ukrainian charities or just to RA cronies or Putin cronies. 

it is messy and unlikley to reach a favourable outcome unless govt steps in and freezes the charity money. 

If that does not happen in a timely manner we will be seeing a lot more of RLC and Sar next season.

 

 

10 minutes ago, strider6004 said:

Thinking this through.

Abramovich allegedly wants charity money to go through Camberly.

Govt does not.

This is political, govt want the money to put into their favoured Ukrainian charities.

They suspect if Camberly are involved the money will go to Russian favoured Ukrainian charities or just to RA cronies or Putin cronies. 

it is messy and unlikley to reach a favourable outcome unless govt steps in and freezes the charity money. 

If that does not happen in a timely manner we will be seeing a lot more of RLC and Sar next season.

If it doesn't happen by the first week of June then we won't be a club next year. 

2 hours ago, drjonesy1994 said:

People can be concerned about more than one thing at the same time. My bills have gone up a ridiculous amount since the energy increases. That doesn't mean I can't also be concerned about the future of my football club.

It's also more than just the football - it's the relationship you build up with people you go with and sit with, the beers before and after a game. If the club went bust it would have a negative impact on the 42,000 that go week in week that work their arse off through the week and the football and the day out that comes with it is a relief for them at the weekend.

Some of the best moments of my life have been following this club up and down the country. So yeah forgive me for being concerned about what the future holds for the club. Due to my own personal circumstances now I can only go a handful of times each season. But there are people who devote much more of their time and life to it. I think we are all entitled to be concerned. That concern in no way shape or form takes anything away from people being concerned about the cost of living etc.  

I agree with you, but i will add, their is zero to none chance we go out of business. NOT HAPPENING ! So don't bother worrying and wasting energy.

 

 

A welcome note of positivity from the Standard. Problem what problem?

Chelsea: Todd Boehly takeover on track for May completion despite new Government fears over sale

Todd Boehly is still on course to buy Chelsea, despite fresh concerns raised by ministers.

Whitehall sources claimed yesterday that the £4.25billion deal was at risk of falling through over concerns about the structure of the sale. There are still worries about where the funds could end up, despite Roman Abramovich vowing that all proceeds will go to charity.

But sources close to the deal have told Standard Sport that Boehly’s buyout remains on track to be completed by the May 31 deadline, when the special licence granted to Chelsea in light of Abramovich’s sanctions will expire.

There is belief that the Government are making a late attempt to get more control over the distribution of proceeds. A source close to Abramovich last night reiterated his determination to donate the funds to good causes.

“We are not concerned about the situation, and are still confident in the sale,” said the source. “There has never been any intention for Roman Abramovich to benefit from these funds.”

The latest concerns from Government provided a fresh twist at a time when the sale is nearing completion. Sources spoke of “alarm” that Chelsea’s owner would let the deal collapse over a disagreement on the structure of the deal.

Standard Sport understands that the Government is concerned the Russian oligarch’s public commitment to donating proceeds via a foundation is not being matched by the legal or technical infrastructure to deliver them. The Government want to set up an escrow - or third-party - account to hold the funds so creditors of Abramovich’s other companies, Camberley or Fordstam, cannot get to the money.

Chelsea’s owner already promised to write off the £1.6bn in loans made to the club during his time in charge, which was another issue that raised concern within Whitehall in recent weeks.

Boehly has signed terms on the deal to buy the club, and the Premier League are confident the owners and directors’ test will be passed before the deadline. It is now a case of the Government signing off on it and issuing a licence to complete the sale.

US merchant bank Raine Group are also confident the deal is on track after selecting Boehly as the preferred bidder from a host of potential buyers.

Just lots of fear mongering for clicks. It is not in the government's interests to let Chelsea go bust. They are just trying to look important as much as they can.

I'm sure Roman will have no issue if the funds don't go towards any businesses he owns so long he has reassurance where the government plans on sending the money to. 

As a solution I’m happy to keep hold of the money and make sure it goes to the right charities. All I ask is I get to keep any interest earned while holding it. Problem solved, you are all very welcome!

We can only hope

 

28 minutes ago, carrickblue said:

We can only hope

 

Paywall. 

Can you provide a summary?

11 minutes ago, Sconnie Blue said:

Paywall. 

Can you provide a summary?

After two months of the kind of twists and turns you might find in a soap opera, a consortium led by Todd Boehly’s group (and comprising of Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Wyss) have agreed a deal to buy Chelsea.

The deal should be completed by the end of May, with the group paying £2.5bn to buy Roman Abramovich’s shares and pledging a further £1.75bn to invest in the club.

This is the Boehly’s story.

“When I was growing up it was (about playing computer games) Pac-Man and Donkey Kong,” he told Bloomberg in 2019. “I certainly didn’t know about Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham. I didn’t know about these clubs. Kids these days are fully aware of what’s the best and the Premier League is the best.”

Meet Todd Boehly, head of one of four consortiums hoping to succeed Roman Abramovich as the owner of Chelsea. The American has been regarded as the favourite from the outset and is viewed by rivals in the process as the one to beat.

He is not doing this alone. Other names on the ticket are Swiss multi-billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, fellow LA Dodgers owner Mark Walter, property developer Jonathan Goldstein and investment firm Clearlake Capital. Chelsea fans Daniel Finkelstein and Barbara Charone are involved too. More about all of them later but as multiple sources insist: “This is Todd Boehly’s bid.”

Buying a Premier League club is not something the 46-year-old has only just begun to consider in light of the sanctions the UK government has imposed on Abramovich. Boehly had a £2.2 billion offer rejected for Chelsea in 2019, the same year he spoke to Bloomberg about his ambitions to get involved in the sport.

Boehly is very much the face of his consortium’s bid to buy Chelsea (Photo: Patrick T. Fallon/AFP via Getty Images)

The businessman set up Eldridge Industries seven years ago, a holding company that owns stakes in about 80 different finance, media, sports, real estate and tech companies. Among his portfolio is a percentage in global franchises the LA Dodgers and the LA Lakers, serial winners in baseball and basketball.

With those on the shortlist primarily coming from across the Atlantic, there is some concern among the Chelsea fanbase. The Glazers running of Manchester United, as well as Stan Kroenke’s troubles at London rivals Arsenal, has meant the prospect of Chelsea ending up in American’s hands is not being celebrated universally.

But Boehly’s conversation with Bloomberg in September 2019 might help ease some of those fears, especially as this was not part of a PR pitch to win over cynical Chelsea supporters. The club had consistently made it clear that Abramovich wasn’t interested in selling to anyone at the time so Boehly had little to gain by saying anything he didn’t mean, although his opinions coming to light now will surely help his cause.

“Football is the biggest sport in the world,” Boehly insisted. “I can’t believe American football can get to use the word ‘football’ because to me that word should be football. The fact is it is still the best product in the world. It’s 90 minutes so it has a great timeline. The passion that the fans have for the activity and the sport and the teams is unparalleled. So when you start to think about what you’re trying to build with these teams is, you’re really trying to A, win and B, be part of the community.”

Boehly’s rise to prominence has been pretty remarkable too. He’s admitted to not being the best student at William & Mary, the second-oldest university in the US after Harvard, and wasn’t sure how to get into finance. Advice from his former geometry teacher at Landon School in Maryland, Steve Sorkin, led him to apply for an internship in the UK, which provided the opportunity to work at Citibank in London while also studying at the London School of Economics. This kick-started his career, so no wonder he has a bit of a love affair with England and its capital.

It was at Landon School that he displayed another form of a competitive edge. He was on the wrestling team that won state tournament titles in 1990 and 1991 and the facilities there now carry his name.

He got his first full-time job at CS First Boston in New York, now known as Credit Suisse, in 1996 and things went rapidly from there. As he told Yahoo Finance last year: “I lived with a simple mantra. If I said I was going to do it I’d get it done. And when you have a reputation for being able to get stuff done it’s amazing what more stuff ends up, piling up in your inbox.”

His next move was to JH Whitney & Co, an old-school venture capital business. He learns a lot about valuing businesses and using debt. This led to a switch to Guggenheim Partners in 2001. Later that year he spotted that Enron, the American energy company, was about to go bust and told investors to get out.

By the time he left to set up Eldridge in 2015, he was a co-owner in the LA Dodgers, bought by a consortium he was involved in called Guggenheim Baseball Management for $2.15 billion (£1.64 billion) a decade ago. What will encourage those of a Chelsea persuasion is the success the Dodgers have enjoyed since his involvement, winning eight division titles, three National League pennants and the World Series in 2020.

Boehly doesn’t run the Dodgers by himself but the way he operates gives a clue to how he could do things at Chelsea.

Talking to Yahoo Finance last year, he said: “You always just have to keep remembering that the fans are the centre. And the second that you kind of veer, just go back to think about the fans.

Boehly (right) and the Dodgers’ new ownership group in 2012 (Photo: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

“I think we’ve got a great team now… like any business, you have to have the people that are in the business run the business and really feel like they own the outcome. Let them run.”

In many ways, that doesn’t sound too different to how Abramovich has operated. Director Marina Granovskaia effectively runs the football side of Chelsea, with technical and performance advisor Petr Cech providing support since taking up a role in 2019. Chief executive Guy Laurence is in charge of the commercial and marketing side.

But Boehly would not be as carefree with spending as Abramovich. Chelsea have accumulated £1.5 billion of debt under his ownership, although the Russian has made it clear he doesn’t want the sum repaid.

Sources talk about the consortium running Chelsea similarly to how Fenway Sports Group operates at Liverpool. FSG still makes major transfers, but works far more within the club’s means.

Boehly is not trying to buy the club to take it backwards, though. He remains very ambitious and wants to invest in the squad.

One contact talks about his desire to compete with Real Madrid. The La Liga side may not be what they were in the transfer market but are still regarded as one of the biggest clubs in the world.

People talk of a very data-driven man, someone who believes in the analytics of a player. While it is not new in football, the suggestion is Chelsea will not necessarily be chasing the most expensive names but looking for the right fit. It’s not what you spend but how you spend it.

The need to generate more revenue is high on the agenda. It is believed Boehly is encouraged by the increased funds that foreign media rights could bring. He also believes there is still a huge market in the USA that Chelsea have not made the most of yet. Improving the stadium, which seems to be a major factor in the sale, is regarded as another money maker.

Plans have already started to be worked on, although that isn’t a major development given rebuilding the ground is one of the conditions of the sale. The Sunday Times reported that architects Jane Marie Smith and David Hickey, who is the former project director for Abramovich’s now-cancelled 60,000-seat redevelopment, are being consulted. Another clue to what he might want to do with Stamford Bridge, and the surrounding area, comes in his 2019 Bloomberg interview.

“The new stadiums that English clubs are building, they’re starting to take an American approach to stadiums and making them environments,” he said. “They were very utilitarian historically but now they’re starting to think of them as ‘lifestyle’.

“Originally stadiums would be a place where you would go and then leave, just watch an event. Now they’re starting to think about entertaining you earlier and keeping you longer. That works on lots of levels — it drives the experience, the economics and it also takes away from the congestion of arrival and departure.”

Those who have met Boehly regard him as intelligent but also restrained, rational and astute. Take, for instance, the first tech investment Eldridge made, in a company called Replay Technologies. It involved putting nine cameras around the home plate in Dodgers Stadium to give viewers a 360-degree replay. Boehly’s company later sold that to Intel and it’s now used by all the US sports in their broadcasts.

Given the costs involved in owning a club at the highest level, let alone Chelsea’s issues with maintaining a healthy bank balance, one might wonder why Boehly — who says Eldridge made over $1 billion in 2020 — sees a Premier League club as a good investment.

He believes he has a good idea of what he would be taking on having done a lot of the required due diligence three years ago. When asked by Bloomberg about the huge cost of taking on a football side in 2019, he said: “It is hard to buy quality and also not have to pay up. Then it’s a question of can you continue to build on what you’ve acquired at that price? I continue to believe that there is a global opportunity for the best ones.”

Boehly, though, can’t do this deal on his own.

It is perhaps understandable due his finances and expertise that Mark Walter, principal owner and Boehly’s trusted colleague at the LA Dodgers, joined the ranks when they were already regarded as the favourites three weeks ago.

Their bond developed at Guggenheim Partners, a private investment firm. Since combining with other investors to acquire the LA Dodgers a decade ago, they have also bought a stake together in NBA club LA Lakers and the 2016 WNBA champions, the LA Sparks. Walter’s personal wealth thought to be worth $4.4 billion (£3.5 billion).

Wyss is another wealthy benefactor with a personal fortune estimated by Forbes to be £3.8 billion. His most famous part of the saga so far is being the first to reveal Abramovich was looking to sell the club. His interview with Swiss newspaper Blick came before Abramovich’s statement was released on the club’s official website.

The 86-year-old made his money in a medical device company, which he would go on to sell, called Synthes. But it doesn’t sound like he will have much involvement with Boehly’s bid.

Wyss is described by sources as a “partner” along with Goldstein, but it is the latter who will have a greater input. As one describes it, Goldstein is “the second person in this consortium”.

Wyss (left) pictured in 2015 and Goldstein in 2019 (Photos: Getty Images)

Goldstein’s name has certainly rung alarm bells among the Chelsea fanbase because he is a Tottenham supporter. He also co-founded real estate investment firm Cain International, which looked into buying Spurs in 2014.

But Cain’s biggest investor happens to be Boehly’s Eldridge firm so it is more understandable why he is on board. The fact he is a passionate football fan, even though it is of a rival team, matters to Boehly because he knows the game and he knows the players. He also lives in north-west London so would be in a better position to keep an eye on things than Boehly or Wyss, who both live in the US.

Perhaps just as importantly, Goldstein knows how Boehly likes to operate. Quoted in the Sunday Times recently, it is clear he does not see his personal affiliation to a club in the north of the capital as a stumbling block. He described the chance to buy Chelsea as a “generational opportunity”.

Goldstein was chairman of the Jewish Leadership Council between 2017 and 2021 and got to know Lord Daniel Finkelstein, who has been approached to become a non-executive director at Chelsea. He is already a committed Chelsea supporter so there is someone to speak up on fan issues. For example, unlike 12 months ago, there would be someone to rally against the concept of joining a breakaway Super League.

Finkelstein also has political connections as a member of the Conservative Party, which he represents in the House of Lords. He sat on the panel for the government’s fan-led review into football.

Finkelstein, pictured in June 2017, is a Chelsea fan (Photo: Arthur Edwards – WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Like Boehly, he has a love of statistics and has written a highly-respected column in The Times newspaper since 2002 on football data called The Fink Tank. One can safely assume he would make sure statistical analysis is state-of-the-art at Stamford Bridge. It is understood Boehly appreciates his work in this department and that it marries up with the rest of the consortium’s own ideas on recruitment and investment.

The links to the Conservative party don’t end there. Eyebrows were raised when former chancellor of the Exchequer George Osbourne, arrived on the scene. The consortium reached out to Robey Warshaw, a London-based advisory firm where Osbourne is a partner, to help try and close a deal. Rather than help, the link was talked about as a possible hindrance among some contacts because it left them exposed to accusations of favourtism given the obvious links to the government. But it doesn’t seem to have negatively affected things at this point.

Charone is also included because of her love for Chelsea. She is from Chicago but people that know her talk about an individual who is one of the most passionate Chelsea fans you will ever meet.

She has been going to games since the 1970s when she was writing a book about the Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards. He lived very close to Stamford Bridge, so she just ended up going.

Now she pays several thousand pounds to attend as a VIP in the Canalettos Suite in the East Stand, where she is regularly spotted with others who have made their name in the music business. Her involvement is another indication of how Boehly wants fans represented.

Charone made her name in the music industry (Photo: Simon Young)

The addition of Clearlake Capital, which is thought to manage assets worth around £45 billion, to the team is seen as very significant. The size of the wealth behind them ensured their pockets ran at least as deep as any other bid. It also means they have the cash to complete the transaction quickly and satisfy Chelsea’s demands to have £1 billion available to invest in the club. It is understood Clearlake will be providing the majority of the funds, with Boehly having a minority share but acting as the face of the board.

No one can doubt Boehly’s ambition. When asked by Yahoo Finance why he invests in sports, he replied: “Because it is intellectually stimulating. There are no guarantees.

“I like the ones who have significant momentum already behind them. That’s my preference. They are more expensive but they are generally of better value.

“So the fact that the Lakers have 17 world titles and you walk into their facility and they have them all — it is awesome — over the court reminding everyone why they’re there. The Dodgers have seven and hopefully growing. Those two brands mean more than just baseball and basketball. They mean showtime.”

Chelsea won every major trophy under Abramovich. Boehly feels he can help them continue to do the same.

(Top photos: Getty Images; design: Sam Richardson)

National

Hint: Just click the book on the right of the address bar on any decent browser and paywalls no more! 

Sounds like PL approve is expected today and that a legally binding way to write of the 1.6bill debt to Roman has been found and approved by the government.

Apparently takeover is now close:

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2022/5/17/23102468/chelsea-sale-set-to-be-approved-as-legal-resolution-found-for-abramovich-debt-report

7 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Sounds like PL approve is expected today and that a legally binding way to write of the 1.6bill debt to Roman has been found and approved by the government.

Apparently takeover is now close:

https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/2022/5/17/23102468/chelsea-sale-set-to-be-approved-as-legal-resolution-found-for-abramovich-debt-report

Wait, so your telling me the latest insider scoop about it all going Pete Tong was bullsh*t, well I for one am flabbergasted our media would make stuff up.

On 09/05/2022 at 12:50, LongtimerLurker said:

I'm feeling optimistic, this just feels like 10 years ago when we were champions of Europe and had a massive squad shake up. That's why I suppose it's fitting Azpilicueta leaves since that's when he joined and now the cycle is complete. 

Its important to now back TT and build a footballing philosophy that translates across the whole club not just the squad. Commit to Tuchel and longevity it's the only way to try and establish long term success. Whilst the Roman model has worked it is now a product from a bygone era as more clubs commit to one coach across a sustained time period.

So far we're likely to lose 4 defenders I don't think that's enough, we need to shift Sarr, some midfielders and perhaps some forwards as well. I honestly believe 6+ new squad members are needed if not more. Now the fact we have such a talented academy means we can pick a good few out from there and from our loaned players who will be returning. 

It's very important now for the scouts to do their job and identify the next big stars without us having to pay ridiculous sums. We signed Salah, KDB, Lukaku (first time), Azpil, Mata, Hazard, Costa, Fabergas, Matic, Kante, and the list goes on for very affordable prices some were absolute steals. Sure football has changed yet I still see some teams getting world class players for nothing compared with our spenditure. 

Originally I worried that no longer being UCL champions may hurt us in recruitment since last summer our stock was at its highest and we failed to really make any use of it, unlike 10 years ago.

However, whilst we're no longer champions of Europe being the current reigning World championship has to have some pull. This is the summer to go in hard to the market, Marina if she stays will be more needed than ever to capitalise on the clubs stock being at an all time high with its current title, new investors a chance for any player really to make the starting 11 (aside from new fullbacks). 

If you're a good CB, DM or an attacker you could make this your team and that has got to appeal to some top talents around the world. 

dont forget Mark Marin...

9 minutes ago, dkw said:

Wait, so your telling me the latest insider scoop about it all going Pete Tong was bullsh*t, well I for one am flabbergasted our media would make stuff up.

Who would have thought it?

Is it done yet then? 48 hours?

Seems the government booze up has been cancelled too many pulled out last minute due to other commitments.   Might as well get this Chelsea thing sorted then chaps.

9 minutes ago, DarkMata said:

Seems the government booze up has been cancelled too many pulled out last minute due to other commitments.   Might as well get this Chelsea thing sorted then chaps.

There's no thrill to it when it's allowed to happen.

Quotes from some American Chelsea fans that have had experience of Todd's ownership style first hand. Specifically regarding transfers, talent scouting, etc.

"Based on reports from people that are usually right.

And based on reports from people that seem to have sources in the boehly group.

And based on what boehly group have publicly said/and what they have done in the past with sports teams…..

 

I would expect them to spend fairly big early, but hopefully more smartly. I dont think like 200m, but i can see something in the 100m to maybe 150m range depending on outgoings.

I would also expect them to want to lean into cobham to fill out the squad as long as we can convince them. Which is easier said then done.

 

My reading of the tea leaves is that they are gonna want lukaku regularly starting or moved on if possible. Probably werner moved out, and kante either moved out or resigned at lower wages.

Resetting the top end of our wage scale so to speak. It needs to be done, you cant have the top 3 earners in the club by some margin being part time starters either by constant injuries(kante) or by manager choice(werner,lukaku). Its not sustainable and horrible business.

 

Best guess is 1-2 bigger target signings if they can. Something like kounde+Tchouameni or similar, and maybe a couple smaller signings to fill out depth in combination with returning loanees.

 

Also, i would be fairly suprised moving forward if we target players in the 28yrs old+ range. Unless its a perfect fit to finish the team, or a 1-2yr stop gap, like a perisic while keeping a eye on maatsen as a example."

 

Another fan

 

"I'm a Dodgers fan and I have no doubt about Boehly's initiative. It's the "smartly" part for me. I don't think they'll rush into a big signing. If they've been doing work already on future targets (and that may be why we're seeing they're keeping Cech/Marina for the time being) I bet they'll be involved.

 

For me it depends on when they're actually into the building and when they can get to work. They're behind in negotiations already and I just don't think they'll panic without doing all their due diligence. I wouldn't be stunned to see Kounde/Tchouameni if they're available when they're able to actually get to work, I'm just not counting on it right now.

 

I do expect next summer after they've had a year to do research and recruit that we'll see a lot of really smart signings (and honestly that excites me more than dreaming of spending 150m on one big name player). I do think they'll utilize the academy and take fliers on younger players who may seem underwhelming but just in the wrong set-up (they've excelled at this with the Dodgers, finding literal superstars who just need some development or used incorrectly)."

 

The final sentence is the one I wanted to really highlight, I think Todd and his group see the potential to really improve on our scouting and transfer side of things. Either though free or smaller transfer fees for higher quality players. Or the discovery of hidden gems either, flying under the radar because they're not in the right system/lack a top tier coach to nurture them. 

The more you think about it, the main reason we're behind the top two is recruitment. We keep getting duds and once that's rectified we should have a quality squad throughout in all positions.

 

Clearly the main area we have struggled is midfield and attack in recent windows, we may identify talents, but they're either not suited to the league/our playstyle or they're just not that good.

 

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/33795/12615772/abramovich-and-government-reach-agreement-to-push-through-chelsea-sale

Well sky sports making me look a tart now, The articles their but they aiint publishing, Waiting for jeff sterling to confirm it from his bunker?!

I got a feeling these new dudes might want a Marquee signing of astriker, just so they feel on terms with Citehs Haaland grab

Maybe P/ex for Martinez, or One last hoorah for best striker in Europe Lewandowski..

Seems as though we're nearly there.

But then again, it's been like that several times already before so believe it when it's finished.