Chelsea legend takes aim at owner Todd Boehly following summer transfer decision

Chelsea are back on track after Fulham win | Football Digest

Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola has hit out at the club’s ownership for letting four key players leave this summer before Mauricio Pochettino took charge of the team. The club sanctioned exits for Cesar Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kai Havertz and Mateo Kovacic while finalizing several incoming transfers, which the Italian admitted he was “surprised” to hear.

Chelsea’s spending under the ownership of American investor Todd Bohely and Clearlake Capital has come under much scrutiny in recent years. Boehly bought the soccer franchise in a deal worth £4.25 billion in 2022 from Russian owner Roman Abramovich and has spent around £1 billion on players during that time.

Almost a quarter of the sum was invested in midfield duo Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez – just two of the 30 first-team players that have come through the door. But while the incomings have been a shock, the club’s outgoings have also caused a stir.

Cesar Azpilicueta made the move to Spanish team Atletico Madrid in the summer after 11 years at the club, while Jorginho and Kai Havertz moved across London to join Arsenal. Fellow midfielder Mateo Kovacic also joined a Premier League rival in Manchester City.

While these deals were made to bring much-needed revenue back into the club, in accordance with Financial Fair Play regulations, Chelsea icon Gianfranco Zola believes that the moves could be damaging. “I am surprised so many experienced players left,” Zola told The Times.

“My understanding is they are planning to build a team within the next three or four years but players left that were there a long time and that won a lot – [Cesar] Azpilicueta, Jorginho, [Kai] Havertz, [Mateo] Kovacic — players that probably everyone looked up to. You need those players. In difficult moments you rely on those players. So many left and that doesn’t help the situation.”

Zola’s claims have been backed up by Chelsea’s recent Premier League performances. The club currently sits 11th in the league with two wins, two draws and three defeats.

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Despite letting the players go to acquire new funds for further spending, Chelsea’s owner Todd Boehly has been exploring new ways to increase revenue. A recent report from, Bloomberg, revealed that the club is exploring a £250 million investment which would involve the Bank of America Corp. working as advisors.

The loan would coincide with a further £400 million investment from U.S. firm Ares Management. The deal would help towards the proposed expansion and renovation of Stamford Bridge, something which Boehly agreed to put around £2 billion behind when purchased the club.

Chelsea will be looking to capitalize on their recent 2-0 win over Fulham as they head to Burnley on Saturday in search of another vital three points.

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