There is one question that has often been posed by Chelsea's detractors over the previous 19 years. It's come after Premier League title wins, after Champions League triumphs, after domestic cup victories: Where would the club be without Roman Abramovich and his billions?
Well, we're about to find out.
It's not yet been officially confirmed, but the UK government signing off on the takeover by the consortium led by U.S. billionaire Todd Boehly was the final hurdle that needed to be cleared. So, a new era begins at Stamford Bridge – and it must try to live up to the unbridled success of the one that preceded it. Whether that is possible, only time will tell.
READ MORE: Todd Boehly takeover marks overdue £200m rebuild after Roman Abramovich statement
Long term, there is much work for Boehly to oversee. Without the financial backing of Abramovich, Chelsea will have to operate smarter, become cuter in their dealings in the transfer market. There are commercial opportunities to maximise too, and most importantly, a stadium renovation to oversee.
Yet for the most part, these are tasks for down the line, that can be completed at a later date. The immediate focus for Boehly must be to support Thomas Tuchel and ensure Chelsea remain competitive in the Premier League next season. That will not be simple, partly because of circumstance but also because the short-termism of the Abramovich era has caught up with the Blues.
Tuchel's squad is a mishmash of players brought in under several previous head coaches, all of whom had wildly differing football ideologies. And that is a problem, as highlighted across the 2021/22 Premier League campaign at the end of which Chelsea finished 19 points behind eventual champions Manchester City.
When one key player suffered a long-term injury, there was no like-for-like replacement, no seamless transition; something best highlighted by Marcos Alonso coming into the side for Ben Chilwell after the England international suffered a partial ACL tear against Juventus in the Champions League in November.
This is why Tuchel has said a squad rebuild is required this summer. And now the takeover is virtually complete, that can get underway. Replacements for Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen – both of whom are leaving on free transfers – are required. Decisions over Cesar Azpiliceuta and Marcos Alonso are also needed amid interest from Barcelona.
Then there are the contract situations of N'Golo Kante and Jorginho, whose current deals end next summer. Do Chelsea sell one of the duo? Or perhaps even both? Or is it worth offering the pair new contracts given all they have previously achieved at Stamford Bridge? Answers are needed swiftly.
Tuchel has confirmed he has a strong idea of the "profiles and characteristics" he wants from potential signings. It will be down to Boehly to ensure they arrive – and swiftly - given the Chelsea squad are due to reconvene for pre-season training at Cobham on July 2. The clock is already ticking.
One player expected to arrive is Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde; the France international has even been pictured in London this week. But another defender will be needed – even if Levi Colwill does enough in pre-season to earn his place in Tuchel's squad for 2022/23 after impressing on loan at Huddersfield Town.
Tuchel has not used the first week of his summer break to head off on holiday. He has instead remained at his home near the club's Cobham training base and will hold meetings with Boehly in the coming days to discuss and formulate Chelsea's transfer strategy for the summer window.
Boehly has shown through his part-ownership of the baseball franchise The LA Dodgers that he is not averse to spending big money to re-establish a club to the pinnacle of their sport. A repeat approach is unlikely; Chelsea are expected to operate within their means. But that doesn't mean the end of the Blues' success.
There is more than one way to win, a pathway to success without Abramovich. And it starts this summer.
