sport news Inside the first month of the Todd Boehly era...Chelsea could be even stronger ... trends now

When Roman Abramovich was sanctioned almost four months ago, Chelsea fans feared the worst.

The move by the UK government in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine signalled both the end of the Abramovich era at Stamford Bridge and, it was assumed, almost two decades of unimaginable success.

'Yeah, this is it,' reflected one dismayed, but philosophical supporter on social media. 'The end of Chelsea as we know it. Was fun as long as it lasted.'

The extent of the restrictions placed upon Chelsea, and it appeared on Abramovich's ability to sell the club, since he was disallowed from any financial benefit, made it hard to disagree.

And even if the club was sold, how many multi-billionaires were out there who would have the financial clout to bankroll the Blues to the same level?

Well, at least five it turns out and the takeover of Chelsea for £4.5billion was announced on May 30.

One month on, the group now in control of the Blues, is led by American investment banker, Todd Boehly, and includes five billionaires, a Spurs fan, who owns one of Harry Kane's left boots, a PR advisor to the stars and a lifelong supporter, who is a Conservative peer... It's a funny old game.

Sportsmail assesses the first month of the Boehly era as the American plays out real life Football Manager at Stamford Bridge.

Trusting Thomas Tuchel… and reshaping the squad

For Thomas Tuchel, Boehly and his new band of directors represents the cavalry.

Following the sanctioning of Roman Abramovich in March 2022, Stamford Bridge was plunged into turmoil by legal restrictions. Everyone at the club was affected, but it was Tuchel who had to lead the fight on the pitch each week.

The uncertainty meant the manager became bogged down. He was unable to agree contracts with existing players or pursue new ones and he was constantly dogged by unanswerable questions over the club's future. Inevitably, he could not maintain momentum.

But Boehly has swept in like a five-star general and Chelsea are on the march again, propelled by the American's decisive, hands-on approach, work ethic and sense of urgency.

The official announcement that the Boehly-Clearlake consortium was taking over Chelsea was made on May 30, however, the two men were drawing up their battle plans well before then.

Boehly and Tuchel made the most of May, when the American was in London to finalise the deal. And Tuchel reportedly delayed his holiday to Italy this month to continue those discussions.

The American wants Tuchel at the heart of the project.

He admires the Liverpool model in which the manager, Jurgen Klopp, plays a central role in planning recruitment, supported by a state-of-the-art data science operation, which until this summer was led by Michael Edwards.

Tuchel was always engaged in transfers under the previous administration at Stamford Bridge but he will have an even more pivotal position now.

The absence of signings to date is not a measure of Boehly's commitment. After a hiatus in the final months of the Abramovich era, Chelsea are playing catch up.

Boehly has spoken of his desire to bring in the 'best talent', but also warned about the challenge of financial fair play rules.

He is acutely aware that money needs to be spent wisely, not because there is a shortage of it in his consortium or because he is first and foremost a businessman, but because UEFA's new FFP rules will limit the number of big deals a club can do in a short space of time. 

Signings need to be the ones Tuchel wants and they have to make a difference. 

With the departure of Marina Granovskaia, chairman Bruce Buck and technical and performance director Petr Cech confirmed, Boehly has taken a central role in reshaping the squad in this critical moment, assuming the position of interim sporting director.

And once Tuchel has had his say, Boehly is said to have been hammering the phones in pursuit of those targets they had identified.

The first meaningful action, however, has been outgoing. Boehly has boldly allowed the Blues £97.5m misfit, Romelu Lukaku, to return on loan to Inter Milan.

Opinion was divided on the 12-month move, with the 29-year-old's value diminishing with each passing season. It is significant that Tuchel was open to the change after a year that brought much disruption and distraction, but very few goals from the misfiring striker.

It was a decision that placed trust in Tuchel and his judgement over what is needed to succeed.

For boldness, the departure of Lukaku is matched by Chelsea's fearless pursuit of Manchester City's Raheem Sterling. In this, Boehly has made another statement of intent.

It is not the fee – expected to be more than £55m – but his assumption that he can march right up to the best team in the country and coax one of their top players to Stamford Bridge, if that is what his manager requires.

Less than a month after the Boehly-Clearlake takeover being confirmed, Chelsea have formally approached City to finalise the marquee signing. Sportsmail understands the new owner hopes to wrap it all up in the coming week. It's ballsy by any measure.

Building a relationship with fans

Chelsea fans had little cause for complaint when their club was under the stewardship of Roman Abramovich.

The Russian oligarch bought Chelsea for £140m in 2003 and in the 19 years that followed the Blues won every major trophy: Two Champions Leagues, five Premier Leagues, five FA Cups, two Europa Leagues, three EFL Cups, the UEFA Super Cup and in February their first Club World Cup.

Along the way Chelsea – or more accurately Abramovich - spent more than £2bn in the transfer market. As that crestfallen fan said in March, from a footballing perspective it has been some ride.

But if supporters had a complaint, it might be that Abramovich did not always communicate. He became remote, in part because of limitations on his travel to the UK.

Boehly has hardly been verbose since he took over, but he has made some astute moves to reassure fans he is at least listening to their concerns.

General admission prices have been frozen at Stamford Bridge, booking fees removed and tickets for the club's deluxe development, Westview, reduced.

The American has also ensured part-time staff have had their wages paid. In a club purchased for £4.25bn it was uncomfortable that those on the lowest income were out of pocket.

Of course, what fans want more than anything now are new signings. And they are surely on their way.

Boehly has handed Tuchel a £200million transfer budget to strengthen his squad and the promise of six new signings.

Chelsea will hold talks with Raphinha's agent Deco on Thursday as they press to finalise the Leeds winger's signing and head off any late threat from Barcelona.

The club have offered a five year deal worth around £118,000 a week and agreed a £55m fee plus add-ons with Leeds as they look to secure their first signing of the window.

De Ligt, from Juventus, and Sevilla's Jules Kounde are the principal defensive targets but both of those deals have obstacles to overcome. 

The Dutch defender has a £103m release clause in his contract, which is due to expire in 2024, so Boehly will need all his negotiating skills to close that gap.

Meanwhile Kounde is desperately wanted by Barcelona and is said to be keen on staying in Spain.

As Sportsmail reported earlier this week, the Blues are also considering a stunning triple swoop from title rivals Manchester City. 

In addition to Sterling, Chelsea have full back Oleksandr Zinchenko and centre back Nathan Ake on their transfer wish list.

In releasing Lukaku on loan, Boehly has shown he is not scared to turn his back on past mistakes. And with Tuchel now more influential on outgoings, Chelsea may soon be taking significant hits on Kepa Arrizabalaga, Hakim Ziyech as well as Werner, all expensively recruited.

Hands-on and a decisive decision maker

Todd Boehly looks like a man on a mission at Chelsea. 

The overwhelming impression of his first month in charge as chairman and 'a co-controlling owner' at Stamford Bridge is someone with a clear long-term vision, coupled with a determination to make an immediate mark.

Boehly has wasted no time in removing the previous incumbents of the Chelsea board room. Buck, Cech and the revered deal maker and head of operations, Granovskaia have all gone within four weeks of the takeover being completed.

It is what business analysts now like to call a 'hard reset'. In other words, a clean break.

While fans eagerly

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