When Boehly-Clearlake won the race to buy Chelsea eight months ago, few would have predicted that the west London outfit would be where they find themselves now. A spend of over £250million in the summer transfer window followed, which would further add to the disbelief that the Blues are currently tenth in the Premier League and knocked out of both domestic cups.
Some of the blame from sections of the fanbase lay squarely with Graham Potter, the man drafted in by the new ownership with the task of implementing a whole new philosophy and, possibly an even tougher task, taking over from the widely-popular Thomas Tuchel. It's a difficult ask of a new boss and it was one the Englishman threw himself into, though he couldn't foresee as many as ten first-team injuries coming his way.
Add to that a disjointed squad full of players beyond their peak years or simply not fitting into a system after years of scattergun signings and it's a recipe for disaster. For years Stamford Bridge has been synonymous with player power and the idea that managers can come and go.
READ MORE: Six Chelsea stars at risk of transfer departure as Todd Boehly reaffirms Graham Potter backing
New co-owner Todd Boehly is looking to put an end to that as the Telegraph reports a mass clear-out of the squad is expected in the coming months. A number of players are said to be in danger of leaving, with Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Kalidou Koulibaly all named in the report.
It adds to the support the board are showing Potter since arriving at the club, with the general belief being that he is secure in his job status and won't be sacked. However, things clearly need to change in one direction or another in the coming weeks and months ahead.
While stating a squad clear-out is needed and planned is well and good, actions will eventually speak louder than words when it comes to this transition. The US investment owners and the recruitment team face the same issue Tuchel faced himself over the previous few transfer windows.
The German coach warned of the need to let some of the squad leave, but there has to be interest in those players to ensure they move on. Ziyech and Pulisic were two linked with an exit in the summer, but neither were able to secure a move away.
“Listen, it’s the same players, so why should anything change?" the German coach said last summer after a heavy pre-season defeat to Arsenal. "We will see hopefully development but at the moment, we have the same issues because we have the same players.”
Perhaps it's their London rivals they are best to take note from too, given their recent success stemming from the exit of experienced players that weren't performing to expectations matched with a number of youthful additions, a careful approach and a consistent manager. For that though, the Blues may have to take a big financial hit, for this is the undoing of years of problems to get back on track.
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