Xabi Alonso is pleased to have clarity around Chelsea‘s ownership structure after Todd Boehly and fellow co-owner Mark Walter sold their stakes, allowing Clearlake Capital to take full control.
Clearlake previously held a 61.5% stake in Chelsea, with Boehly and Walter each owning 12.83%. Swiss philanthropist Hansjorg Wyss, who also held a 12.83% share, will remain part of the ownership group.
The BlueCo consortium, fronted by Boehly, completed its purchase of Chelsea in 2022 for £2.5 billion, with a further £1.75 billion committed to investment in the club following the sanctions placed on former owner Roman Abramovich.
The Financial Times reported that Boehly and Walter will receive £950 million for their combined stake, with the deal valuing Chelsea at £5 billion including debt.
With Boehly stepping down as chairman following the sale, Behdad Eghbali is set to be the man in sole charge at Stamford Bridge.
And that is a situation that suits Alonso, who was persuaded to take over as head coach by Eghbali.
“I think it is an important day for the club when there is an important change in the structure of the club, new ownership,” Alonso told a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League clash with Brentford.
“Thanks to the former owners for what they have done. I was not here but I know that they played an important role. And now that Behdad is taking more control, or almost full control, I think it is good that the main one is clear.
“I have a very good relationship with Behdad; he was the one who came to Madrid to explain the project to convince me and we are working well together. As I have mentioned, this is phase one we have completed in project of the squad. It is good and now we move on together.”
Chelsea have stuttered in their last two league matches, losing at Arsenal and drawing with Hull City, with those results dampening talk they could challenge for the title in Alonso’s first season.
But Alonso is confident his side can contend for major honours.
“That is why we are here,” he added. “To work to get into that position, knowing that the competition that we have but for sure the ambition of the club, the potential of the club, the dimensions of the players, of where we are.
“We know where we want to be. We know everything takes time but the ambition for that is very clear.”
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