4 days ago
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Officially, it is now Clearlake’s Chelsea. Unofficially, it has been that way for some time, ever since that summer of 2022 when Todd Boehly acted as interim sporting director in one wild window.
That was a fun spell at least, of Boehly asking Thomas Tuchel whether he would like Manchester United’s 37-year-old striker Cristiano Ronaldo as a gift, only for the now-England manager to advise his chairman to drop that deal despite having already held talks with Jorge Mendes in Portugal.
Instead, Boehly signed Raheem Sterling on a £325,000-a-week, five-year contract, and Marc Cucurella from Brighton because he had heard how Manchester City wanted him, among others.
Since then, Boehly’s internal influence had waned, and last night’s confirmation of him and Mark Walter selling their shares and Clearlake taking complete control only cemented what we already knew: that Behdad Eghbali is the most powerful person at Chelsea.
Eghbali and his business partner Jose E Feliciano are in charge of Clearlake, who say there will be ‘no changes to the day-to-day operations, leadership or strategy at the club’.
However, there is one item high on Clearlake’s agenda, per sources, and that is what to do with Stamford Bridge. Insiders say they have had to try to work harder and smarter than their rivals to get around how their home, which carries a modest capacity of 40,343 and scant scope for non-football events, leaves them playing catch-up to other Premier League clubs.
Todd Boehly (left) selling his shares in Chelsea confirms what we already knew - that Behdad Eghbali (right) is the most powerful person at the club
It is a complicated process – and one which we are warned should still be measured in years rather than weeks and months – but also accepted as an important one.
Boehly, who showed a fondness for speaking at sports conferences during his time at Chelsea, talked up the need for a swanky super-stadium like ‘Jerry World’ – the home of NFL side Dallas Cowboys built by owner Jerry Jones to serve as an all-encompassing entertainment venue – while hinting previously that differing opinions over the stadium project could ultimately force them into a divorce.
Now that mum and dad have separated, it is Clearlake who will lead that call on what to do with the family home, and Confidential can shed some light on which way we understand they are leaning.
Sources close to Clearlake suggest they have ruled out remodelling their current stadium, a stand-by-stand gradual upgrade not being seen as worthwhile. That leaves two options: knocking down and rebuilding Stamford Bridge, or moving to an entirely new site, most likely Earl’s Court.
There has been a misconception that the latter could not happen because the Earl's Court Development Company have already announced their masterplan without a stadium included on its site, but it is felt inside Chelsea there are enough acres spare to still find a solution.
While we must stress no final decision has been made, sources speaking anonymously have suggested that is seen as a logical option, even if it would require securing permission from the Chelsea Pitch Owners, who hold the freehold of their current home. No proposal has been put to the CPO to date. The Chelsea Supporters Trust add there has been no substantial progress.
But relocating is seen by some inside Chelsea as the more feasible solution for pursuing rather than forcing the team to temporarily relocate elsewhere.
Sources have suggested they estimate the club would need to play their home fixtures at Wembley Stadium for seven to eight years if they were to raze and rebuild Stamford Bridge due to how complicated it would be as a construction.
Sources close to Clearlake suggest they have ruled out remodelling Stamford Bridge, a stand-by-stand gradual upgrade not being seen as worthwhile
Chelsea have not officially committed to one option over the other as of yet. While we do not see it publicly, architectural plans have been worked on privately for both possibilities.
Clearlake sources say their objective is choosing the correct long-term solution for the club and its future generations, rather than simply opting for the quickest option. But supporters would not be against seeing some form of progress now they have clarity over who is at the helm.
CHELSEA NOT IN FOR ‘KID MESSI’
The links between JJ Gabriel and Chelsea were natural. One is a tremendous young talent. The other is a club that have spent the last few years chasing tremendous young talents.
However, Chelsea say they are not in for the 15-year-old sensation who has been nicknamed 'Kid Messi’ and has officially told Manchester United he wants to leave them.
It is also worth remembering the Blues were hit with a nine-month academy transfer ban in March. That restriction applies to youth players previously registered with another Premier League or EFL club. It does not apply to Chelsea’s current players, international players, players who are registering on professional terms, or players who are applying for their first registration at Under-9 level.
Speaking of Under 9s, Confidential was told a story this week when we called a former coach of Gabriel’s for the lowdown on him and his father, Joe O’Cearuill, who has found himself being crucified by United supporters on social media.
We were told Chelsea were among those interested in securing Gabriel, who was clearly on a pathway towards potential stardom even from such a young age.
O’Cearuill insisted on having a meeting with Neil Bath, formerly the senior figure within the Blues’ famous academy. It was arranged. Then, for whatever reason, Gabriel’s old man did not make the meeting. He missed it, and it is said Bath did not take kindly to that. Chelsea did not then bring Gabriel in, and, according to sources, they will not be doing so now if and when he departs United.
Chelsea say they are not in for 15-year-old sensation JJ Gabriel, who has been nicknamed 'Kid Messi’ and has officially told Manchester United he wants to leave them
HOW HENDERSON HAS IMPRESSED WHILE SIDELINED
Jordan Henderson is finally closing in on making a Chelsea matchday squad, having joined the main sessions under Xabi Alonso after a month of modified training.
Henderson, who still has protective strapping on his left arm, which he broke after a freak accident at the World Cup, has been considered in the final stages of his recovery since last week.
With Chelsea facing a Friday night trip to Brentford – the club that honoured a gentlemen’s agreement to let him leave on a free in the summer – Confidential spoke to several Cobham sources to better understand Henderson and his behind-the-scenes behaviour while sidelined.
They were highly complimentary, describing him as ‘a standards driver’, ‘the last to leave’, and ‘obsessed’ (in a good way).
Their stories included how, upon signing from Brentford while his Chelsea team-mates were still on their pre-season tour of Australia and Asia, Henderson immediately began using the gym at the training ground as he awaited the squad’s return.
His arm injury has held him back, but the 36-year-old midfielder knew he was brought in to assist off the pitch as well as on it. That is why, while restricted from playing, he has insisted on attending every game, home and away, to remain tied to the team.
Henderson knew he was walking into a young changing room, and younger players can be reluctant to take any issues they may have upstairs. That is seen as one of his responsibilities. He can relate to Chelsea's younger charges, having been where they are once upon a time, and it is said he strives to get the best out of and for them.
Jordan Henderson is finally closing in on making a Chelsea matchday squad, having joined the main sessions under Xabi Alonso after a month of modified training
Henderson has been described by sources as ‘a standards driver’, ‘the last to leave’, and ‘obsessed’ (in a good way)
Much like with Danny Welbeck, who was known personally by Paul Winstanley and Sam Jewell, Henderson had an advocate in Dave Fallows when he was signed. Formerly of Liverpool, Fallows joined Chelsea as their fifth sporting director last November, with sources saying one of his areas of responsibility is in the character checks conducted on potential signings.
They did not need to do a deep dive into Henderson’s background with Fallows knowing the discipline and experience he would add. Likewise, Bryce Cavanagh, who is in charge of Chelsea's medical department and formerly of the England national team, was able to vouch for him.
Yet all of Chelsea's sporting directors knew of Henderson and his reputation as a leader, and Alonso says he has been appreciative of that, too. Now all that is left is for him to make his debut.
DR… WHO?
Readers of this column may recall how the secret-gated entrance into Cobham is now considered off-limits after Willie Isa kicked up a fuss at some unknowns getting a glimpse of training.
Well, that made for an awkward moment last Friday when Cavanagh, whose official title with Chelsea is director of performance, tried to use it to avoid going the long way around.
Security over the tannoy would not open up for Cavanagh, who then had to try to explain that he is literally the man in charge of the medical department.
The secret-gated entrance into Cobham is now considered off-limits after Willie Isa (pictured) kicked up a fuss at some unknowns getting a glimpse of training
GARNACHO GETTING NO GAME TIME
Neither Aston Villa nor Chelsea have divulged how many appearances are required for the conditional obligation in Alejandro Garnacho’s loan deal to be triggered. There is a secrecy surrounding the particulars of that clause with sources not willing to reveal it just yet.
When Garnacho joined Villa, Chelsea insiders said they did not expect to see the winger again, claiming the obligation was easily achievable. Whatever the magic number, the start to this season will be making for some uncomfortable viewing within his parent club.
Garnacho was an unused substitute in the Carabao Cup away at Coventry last night – and that was the third game in succession that he has stayed sat on Villa’s bench.
Before that, he was brought on in the 86th, 78th and 75th minutes. He has yet to start a match.
Harvey Elliott’s loan with Villa from Liverpool last season also had what was described as an achievable conditional obligation – and that was for him to make 10 Premier League appearances. It was not triggered. Even that number seems a long way away for Garnacho presently.
Alejandro Garnacho's loan at Aston Villa has got off to a disappointing start
ALONSO TO REVEAL JOAO PEDRO NEWS
Xabi Alonso will provide an update on Joao Pedro today at his pre-Brentford press conference, though he did receive treatment for a left knee issue during last week's 2-2 draw with Hull.
Chelsea declined to comment when asked about his withdrawal from the upcoming international break for Brazil, who said it was due to him being ‘injured’.
Joao Pedro's camp likewise did not respond to requests for guidance.
If he is unable to face Brentford, Welbeck is likely to lead the line.
CITY BEMUSED BY CHELSEA CLAIMS
Manchester City won 1-0 with 10 men at Manchester United and that was largely thanks to Enzo Fernandez, who was hugely impressive in his winding-up mission at Old Trafford.
There has been amusement in City circles over the last week at the noises continuing to come out of Chelsea regarding their £125million sale of Fernandez on deadline day.
Chelsea insiders claimed last Friday: that Fernandez told them that his relationship with his team-mates was broken and beyond repair; that he revealed how he had remained in continuous contact with Enzo Maresca ever since the Italian’s acrimonious exit from Chelsea; that he submitted two written transfer requests as he pushed to leave for City.
But City are somewhat bemused as to why these revelations are coming out now, given Alonso praised Fernandez’s professionalism previously and that the Argentinian was handed the captain’s armband in Chelsea’s final friendly before the season started.
CHELSEA TOLD GABRIEL DID NOT DESERVE RED
Chelsea have been told that Arsenal centre back Gabriel did not deserve a red card for kicking Chelsea goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head during their 2-1 loss two weeks ago.
Arsenal defender Gabriel kicked goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the head in Chelsea's loss at the Emirates - but the Blues have been told he did not deserve a red card
That is via the five-man Key Match Incidents panel who are tasked with reviewing the major refereeing decisions each weekend. The report is distributed to the clubs involved weekly.
The panel concluded, by a unanimous score of 5-0, that Gabriel did nothing wrong.
A fair few within Chelsea disagree, but the KMI report states: ‘The panel unanimously supported the referee’s call of no red card. Multiple players were on the ground competing and challenging for the loose ball, and the action of Gabriel was not deemed to be an act of violent conduct or serious foul play.’
