Todd Boehly is showing credentials outside of his proprietor role as the new co-owner continues to make big strides Chelsea as an acting sporting director this summer.
The American has already secured big-money signings to strengthen Thomas Tuchel's first-choice XI by bringing in Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Marc Cucurella but he has also shown an immediate desire to fulfil promises including investments in the women's team, stadium development and youth prospects.
By bringing in 18-year-olds Gabriel Slonina and Carney Chukwuemeka, alongside an expected deal for Cesare Casadei, Boehly is including academy director Neil Bath in transfer business and it's paying off. Further statement additions have included even younger players Omari Hutchinson, Tyler Dibling and Zak Sturge.
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These are the movements of a man not only invested in his new club but also into his makeshift role. Boehly has no previous experience of the European football market and has truly put his money where his mouth is to make changes at Chelsea in a rapid style. There have also been important decisions made that are just as telling in what Chelsea haven't done as opposed to what they have.
Although a move for Koulibaly, 31, and a new deal for Cesar Azpilicueta, 32, is adding more experience to the squad, a short-term move for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is another move to set time into older players too. This isn't just to improve Chelsea for the coming campaign in short-sighted move though. If the deal for Aubameyang can be completed with no more than two years on his contract then there is still the chance to bring in additional, longer-term players whilst he is at the club as well.
Chelsea have an interest in Christopher Nkunku and Raphael Leao but this summer was certainly at least one window too soon for them to be realistic targets. However, with more attacking players still set to leave this window, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi could all move on in a permanent or temporary deal, there would be spots open next year for a big name addition, even if Anthony Gordon came in this summer.
This would be the sort of decision that a director of football - or a sporting director - makes. That is currently what Boehly is filling and is one that he wishes to have sorted as soon as possible. There hasn't been the timeframe to allow for that this summer, but having a new sporting decision maker in place to crack on with statistical and logistical player planning at the club is certainly an aim of Boehly's.
The only catch to this is that, despite being on the tail of Michael Edwards, Boehly looks very keen to be in this role right now. It's not a negative for now, but if it were to impact his dealings when making an appointment then Chelsea could suffer from directors being in powerful positions for too long and making a mess.
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