For far too long Chelsea has suffered from their short-termism, been lumbered with expensive signings that pose more questions than answers. Transfers at their strongest should expand a coach’s options not limit them.
Chelsea’s takeover offers the chance for positive change, most notably the chance for fan involvement and the securing of the club’s long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
It also could present the chance for an update to Chelsea’s transfer structure, helping to lead the club into a different era smoothly, taking inspiration from where their rivals have managed to succeed and using the strengths already at the club’s disposal.
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As per a brilliant piece in The Athletic, Boehly’s approach to Daniel Finkelstein to become a non-executive director is an act to not only ensure a Chelsea fan’s voice is present on the board, but that statistical analysis is state-of-the-art at Stamford Bridge.
The piece goes on to state that Boehly is a very data-driven man, suggesting that the club will no longer purely chase the glamour of superstars but players who align with a wider philosophy.
A sentiment Thomas Tuchel has emphasised in his own words many times when being questioned about the struggles of £97m Romelu Lukaku to adapt to his system this season.
“This is not Chelsea, and this is not football. Every player serving the team is the highest principle, and this will never change.”
This aligns with the thinking and strategy of Liverpool’s recruitment under the ownership of FSG with Jurgen Klopp, or that of Manchester City with Pep Guardiola. The system comes before the player.
Liverpool probably better reflects where Chelsea could be heading under Boehly. American ownership is a more self-sustaining model which probably is weighed towards the intelligence of the coach.
Klopp’s influence cannot be underestimated at Anfield but within his years on Merseyside, there have been cases of the club’s scouting department uncovering gems that have elevated his work.
Far too often it has felt like Chelsea has chased superstar names to no avail. Just look at the number of high-profile strikers who arrived with great reputations only to fail?
Edouard Mendy probably summarises the type of shrewd business a Finklestein-led statistical department would aim to pursue with Boehly at the top. A player signed for £22m without much fuss or hype but has turned out to be a transformative addition.
The days of Timeoue Bakayoko, Alvaro Morata, Danny Drinkwater and Andriy Shevchenko should be a thing of the past. A clearer alignment of the coach’s style of play and the players recruited has been something several coaches have struggled to find.
This is even more vital post-Roman Abramovich with the need for the club to increase its revenue and move away from the debt racked up from Abramovich’s personal investment since 2003.
The idea things will stay the same is ludicrous, Chelsea is unlikely to find another owner like Abramovich again even if Boehly’s own track record with the LA Dodgers is promising, the club will likely be working within its means more.
That does not have to be a negative, it can lead to more competency and a clearer plan. Something their rivals also cannot boast is Cobham, an elite academy that has proven it can provide internal solutions for the first-team squad.
The investment and support for that must continue in uncertain times because it offers priceless solutions to a coach when external options are either unattainable or undesirable.
Boehly’s data-led future would be overdue at Chelsea and is another reason he should be the frontrunner in the final shortlist to take over the west London club.
