As the new Premier League season begins, Chelsea legend Mikel John Obi has expressed his concerns about the club's ownership under Todd Boehly. Chelsea missed out on Champions League qualification for the second consecutive year and have a massive squad size of 43 players. Obi fears that the club is headed towards becoming a mid-table team, losing its status as a powerhouse in the Premier League.
Chelsea Future Under Todd Boehly's Ownership Raises Concerns Among Fans and Former Players
As the new Premier League season commenced, former Chelsea midfielder Mikel John Obi voiced his apprehensions about the club's current ownership under Todd Boehly. Chelsea's recent struggles, including missing out on Champions League qualification and accumulating a bloated squad size of 43 players, have led to fears that the club may be transitioning into a mid-table team, losing its once-prominent stature in the Premier League.
Background
Todd Boehly, an American businessman, became the majority owner of Chelsea in May 2022, following the departure of Roman Abramovich due to sanctions imposed on the Russian oligarch. Since then, Boehly has made significant changes to the club's operations, including appointing a new manager, Graham Potter, and investing heavily in player transfers.
However, Chelsea's performance on the pitch has been underwhelming, with the team finishing sixth in the Premier League last season and failing to qualify for Europe's elite competition, the Champions League. The club's excessive squad size has also been a point of concern, as it makes it difficult for players to receive regular playing time and maintain high levels of motivation.
Mikel John Obi's Concerns
Mikel John Obi, a Chelsea legend who played for the club from 2006 to 2019, expressed his worries about the club's trajectory under Boehly's ownership. He stated that the club's lack of Champions League football and excessive squad size could have detrimental effects in the long run.
"Chelsea is a big club with a rich history," Obi said. "But I'm concerned that we're losing our way. We need to start winning trophies again and competing for the Premier League title. I'm not sure if we have the right structure in place to do that anymore."
Top 5 FAQs
Q: Why is Mikel John Obi concerned about Chelsea's ownership? A: Obi fears that Chelsea may be headed towards becoming a mid-table team, losing its status as a powerhouse in the Premier League, due to the club's lack of Champions League qualification and excessive squad size.
Q: What changes has Todd Boehly made to Chelsea since becoming owner? A: Boehly has appointed a new manager, Graham Potter, and invested heavily in player transfers, but the team's performance on the pitch has not significantly improved.
Q: What is Chelsea's current squad size? A: Chelsea has a massive squad size of 43 players, making it difficult for players to receive regular playing time and maintain motivation.
Q: What have been Chelsea's recent results under Todd Boehly's ownership? A: Chelsea finished sixth in the Premier League last season and failed to qualify for the Champions League. They have also struggled in cup competitions, being eliminated from the FA Cup and the League Cup.
Q: What is the long-term outlook for Chelsea under Todd Boehly's ownership? A: The long-term outlook is uncertain, as Chelsea need to improve their on-field performance and reduce their squad size to regain their status as a top team in the Premier League.
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