Xabi Alonso thinks it is important Chelsea now have clarity on the ownership structure at Stamford Bridge moving forward.
- Home 聽聽>聽聽
- Soccer 聽聽>聽聽
- Premier League 聽聽>聽聽
- Alonso welcomes Chelsea clarity after Clearlake deal struck with Boehly
Alonso welcomes Chelsea clarity after Clearlake deal struck with Boehly
Clearlake capital agreed to buy a 25 per cent stake owned by Todd Boehly and Mark Waker at Chelsea, news welcomed by Xabi Alonso.
Chairman Todd Boehly and director Mark Walker have agreed to sell their 25 per cent stake in the Blues, with majority shareholders Clearlake Capital completing a deal that values Chelsea at 拢5bn.
It means that Clearlake will now own 86.5% of the club, with the Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss retaining a 13.5% stake.
Clearlake co-founder Behdad Eghbali has become the most prominent part of Chelsea's hierarchy, despite the fact Boehly was initially the main face of the consortium when the club was acquired in 2022.
Asked about the changes in a news conference on Thursday, Chelsea head coach Alonso said: "I think it is an important day for the club when there is an important change in the structure of the club, new ownership.
"Thanks to the former owners for what they have done. I was not here but I know that they played an important role.
"And now that Behdad [Eghbali] is taking more control, or almost full control, I think it is good that the main one is clear.
"I have a very good relationship with Behdad; he was the one who came to Madrid to explain the project to convince me and we are working well together.
"As I have mentioned, this is phase one we have completed in project of the squad. It is good and now we move on together."
Alonso took over at Stamford Bridge in the close season, with the Blues taking seven points from four games to sit five adrift of Arsenal and Manchester City in the Premier League.
The Blues are also into the fourth round of the EFL Cup, but are not in any European competition this season.
Former Real Madrid coach Alonso says progress at Chelsea will take time, but the ambition remains to be challenging for major honours.
He added: "That is why we are here. To work to get into that position, knowing that the competition that we have but for sure the ambition of the club, the potential of the club, the dimensions of the players, of where we are.
"We know where we want to be. We know everything takes time but the ambition for that is very clear."
