THE relationship between Chelsea owners Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly may have healed in recent weeks, claims a former Premier League chief.
Eghbali and Boehly were at loggerheads over the summer and wanted to buy each other out.
The professional relationship is said to have gotten so poor that the duo could not work together.
Eghbali’s Clearlake Capital owns 61.5 per cent of the Blues, while Boehly and allies possess 38.5 per cent.
Despite him being the minority shareholder, all major decisions over the summer required Boehly’s sign off, much to Eghbali’s ire.
In recent weeks, however, the boardroom civil war appears to have mellowed.
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Boehly and Eghbali were spotted sitting next to each other at Chelsea’s 3-0 win over West Ham on September 21.
Then four days later, the Mirror reported that the Blues had poached David Beeston from Liverpool to be their new managing director.
Former Everton and Aston Villa executive Keith Wyness believes that Beeston’s appointment could prove to be significant in the power struggle between Boehly and Eghbali.
The Scot, 66, told Football Insider: “Just a few weeks ago, we spoke about how Clearlake and Boehly were at each other’s throats.
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“That seems to have thawed. It’s amazing what a few wins can do, not just in the dressing room but in the boardroom.
“It does seem that peace has broken out. They will have known that it was a bad look, and hopefully, they’ve sorted things out.”
On Beeston’s arrival, Wyness added: “I don’t know whether there is still a control battle, but I’d imagine both parties would have to agree to bring a new executive into the fold.
“They’d both have to give Beeston their backing. There is a lot still to be done at Chelsea.”
The free-scoring Blues have won their last five games on the bounce in all competitions.
Enzo Maresca’s side are fourth in the Premier League table, and are the top scoring team in the league with 15 goals from just six games.
Tomorrow they host Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge, following their 4-2 European success over Gent on Thursday night.
I really don’t think we can compete with City or Arsenal
Enzo Maresca
Ahead of the contest, Maresca sought to play down expectations of his side this season, despite their promising start.
The Italian, 44, said: “I really don’t think we can compete with City or Arsenal.
“I really don’t think that because we are not ready. The reason is that City has worked with the same manager for nine years and Arsenal for five years. If you want to compete for big things you need that time.
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“After Arsenal beat PSG they asked Luis Enrique and he said the same thing that Arsenal have had the same manager for five years and them only a year-and-a-half.
“Imagine us, only three months… so it’s a huge difference. So I am really convinced we cannot compete with those clubs.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
