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      Chelsea ‘desperately trying to slash wage bill by £80MILLION’ after Todd Boehly’s £1billion spending spree

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      CHELSEA are trying to cut their annual wage bill down by an astounding £80million after their mammoth spending spree under Todd Boehly.The Blues were taken over by Boehly and Clearlake Capital back in May of 2022 and they have spent over £1BILLION on transfers since his arrival.
      Chelsea have spent over £1billion on transfers since the arrival of Todd BoehlyCredit: AFP
      The club are now looking to reduce their wage billCredit: Getty
      And now it looks like they need to sort out their cash elsewhere after one of Clearlake’s co-founders revealed they are trying to trim down their wage bill.
      Jose Feliciano spoke about their money-saving plan at the IPEM private equity conference in Paris.
      He said: “I think what we are trying to do is reduce the salary and essentially the opex [operating expenses] of the business by over $100m (£80.6m) per year.”
      And despite Chelsea’s shocking form not matching up to their huge expenditure, Feliciano ensured fans that they are hoping to get back to winning ways and have collated a hugely talented squad.
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      “Ultimately, we are extremely aligned with that supporter and fan base because the best way to make our club more valuable is to win.” He explained.
      “The team had a tough first season, our first season. We have a tremendous amount of talent.”
      Chelsea have already brought in big name players like Mykhailo Mudryk for £88m and Enzo Fernandez for £110m.
      As well as smashing the British transfer record with the purchase of Moises Caicedo for £115m from Brighton in the summer transfer window.
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      Mykhaylo Mudryk has failed to live up to his £88m price tag so farCredit: Getty
      Moises Caicedo joined Chelsea for a record £115mCredit: Alamy
      But with big names come big wages and the Stamford Bridge outfit will have to find a way to reduce their expenditure on salaries in order to save money.
      They’ve made a start by offloading players such as Kai Havertz to Arsenal for £65m and allowing N’Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy and Kalidou Koulibaly to swap West London for the Middle East this summer.
      But there are still problems that need solving with some big money players not even part of the squad.
      Malang Sarr is earning over £100,000 per week at the club and wasn’t even included in Mauricio Pochettino’s Premier League squad for the season.
      There are issues that need solving on the pitch too for Chelsea with the club winning just six games in all competitions in the entirety of 2023.
      Malang Sarr has been left out of the Blues’ Premier League squad despite earning over £100,000 per weekCredit: PA
      Chelsea currently sit 14th in the league and have only won six games in the whole of 2023Credit: Alamy More

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      Furious fans say ‘Chelsea are the problem’ as Blues loanee Omari Hutchinson joins Hudson-Odoi in scoring debut screamer

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      CHELSEA fans have been left fuming after Omari Hutchinson scored a debut goal in the same week that Callum Hudson-Odoi netted a screamer for Nottingham Forest. The Blues have had a torrid start to the season and their fans are frustrated as players they have let go are excelling – while those still on the books aren’t doing the business.

      Omari Hutchinson scored a stunning goal on his full debut for Ipswich TownCredit: Getty
      The Chelsea loanee received the ball of his teammate Conor Chaplin after a superb slide tackleCredit: Twitter @itvfootball
      he let fly on his left peg from just inside the areaCredit: Twitter @itvfootball
      The ball ricocheted off the post and nestled into the back of the netCredit: Twitter @itvfootball
      Hutchinson celebrated with an acrobatic backflipCredit: Getty
      Hutchinson left Chelsea this summer to join Ipswich Town on a season long loan.
      The 19-year-old has failed to make an impact at Stamford Bridge since signing from Arsenal last summer.
      But he’s wasted no time in settling straight into life in the Championship as he bagged himself a goal on his full debut for the Tractor Boys.
      The tricky winger stunned relegated Southampton with the game’s only goal as Ipswich climbed into second place in the league with a 1-0 victory.
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      Hutchinson snatched possession away from Saints man Shea Charles with a well-timed slide tackle after the midfielder was dawdling on the ball just outside his own area.
      Before receiving the ball back from teammate Conor Chaplin in a sharp one-two and dispatching it tidily into the bottom corner off the post.
      And it comes just days after Callum Hudson-Odoi burst onto the scene at Nottingham Forest after leaving Chelsea for just £3m.
      The former Three Lion curled in a beauty from just outside the area at The City Ground to earn his new side a draw on his Premier League debut for the club.
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      Callum Hudson-Odoi scored a screamer against Burnley on his Premier League debut for Nottingham ForestCredit: Getty
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      And Chelsea fans aren’t best pleased with both departures shining away from Stamford Bridge while their current crop have just one league win this season and have failed to score in their last two matches.
      Many fans took to social media to react to the unfortunate chain of events for The Blues.
      One said: “I’m literally convinced every player we sent on loan should’ve stayed and every player we kept should’ve went on loan lmaooo.”
      Whilst a second added: “Chelsea is the problem.”
      Another claimed that nobody in Chelsea’s squad could replicate Hutchinson’s goal, saying: “None of our current players scores that…”
      A fourth longed for celebrations at Stamford Bridge after Hutchinson pulled off a stunning back flip following his goal, they commented: “Imagine back flips at the bridge.”
      Chelsea failed to score at the weekend as they drew 0-0 to BournemouthCredit: Getty
      The Blues have just one league win this season and currently sit in 14th placeCredit: Alamy More

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      John Terry ‘exploring buying a stake in Chelsea’ just months after Todd Boehly’s £4.25bn takeover

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      JOHN TERRY is reportedly part of a group “exploring the prospect” of buying a stake in Chelsea.And co-controlling Blues owner Todd Boehly is believed to be open to the investment.
      John Terry is reportedly looking to purchase a stake in ChelseaCredit: Getty
      The ex-Blues captain is part of a group looking to secure a 10 per cent stake in the clubCredit: Getty
      The legendary former Chelsea skipper, 42, and his partners are believed to be keen on purchasing a 10 per cent stake.
      The Telegraph claims that “would incorporate fan investment through the online technology platform PrimaryBid”.
      Their chief executive Anand Sambasivan, who was also co-founder of PrimaryBid, is a Stamford Bridge season-ticket holder.
      However, Terry’s group is just one of a number of potential investors keen but there are question marks over whether “they can raise enough cash”.
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      Terry, who led Chelsea to five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, three League Cups, the Europa League and and Champions League during his glittering 22-years at the West London giants, has previously looked into investing in his former employers.
      He was also part of a “True Blue” consortium that was keen to buy the club from Roman Abramovich before Boehly and Clearlake Capital bought it last summer for £4.25bn.
      That resulted in Clearlake owning 60 per cent of Chelsea, while the rest of it is divided between Boehly, Mark Walter and Hansjorg Wyss.
      Even though ex-defender Terry missed out in 2022, he and one member of the original group remain keen on buying a stake.
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      But other firms from and individuals are also, including US-based Ares Management, the firm that looked to invest in Manchester United in the past.
      This fresh report claims that Boehly “would favour an equity investment, with sources under the impression that a 10 per cent stake in the club is available to help big-ticket growth prospects such as the new stadium project, Cobham redevelopment plans and to expand their multi-club model”.
      It adds that Terry “is still working with tech businessman Harley Kisberg, who was part of the original True Blue group, over a potential bid for a stake” in the Blues.
      And they report that it involves fan investment through PrimaryBid, who are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority and described as an “online investment platform designed to help large pools of investors buy shares in companies”.
      Terry, who is currently helping out at Chelsea’s academy, was in Boehly’s box at Stamford Bridge for their recent victory over Luton Town – although investment talks are not believed to have been discussed.
      JT has also been in talks with Saudi Arabian club Al-Shabab about a UK-based role that would potentially see the icon help on player recruitment. More

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      Pochettino hints at Chelsea injury blow as he gives update on why £115m summer signing Caicedo missed Bournemouth draw

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      MAURICO POCHETTINO revealed Moises Caicedo will be “assessed” on Monday after the record buy missed Chelsea’s drab 0-0 draw at Bournemouth.Boss Pochettino also admitted the Blues are lacking punch after his new club picked up just their fifth point in five Prem games.
      Chelsea medics will evaluate midfielder Moises Caicedo on MondayCredit: Getty
      Wideman Marc Cucurella missed the Bournemouth game due to illnessCredit: Getty
      Noni Madueke was another Blues’ absentee from the weekend stalemateCredit: Getty
      But he might be more worried about £115million summer recruit Caicedo after hinting at an injury for the ex-Brighton midfielder.
      Poch revealed Spanish left-back Marc Cucurella and England Under-21 winger Noni Madueke sat out Sunday’s stalemate with fitness issues.
      He said: “Cucurella was not available due to fever. He was ill”.
      “Madueke came from the national team with a muscle problem.
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      “We will also assess Moises Caicedo tomorrow.”
      Pochettino’s stuttering team have won just once this season, while new Cherries’ chief Andoni Iraola has yet to taste victory.
      Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling did hit the bar as the Blues edged it, with Levi Colwill also having a goal ruled out for offside.
      But Poch has detected problems in attack as Chelsea have scored five goals and conceded five from the same number of matches.
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      He said after a scrappy draw at the Vitality Stadium: “I cannot lie, I think we are missing something in the last third – more calm, more relaxed, to be more clinical in front of goal.
      “That is about giving confidence and trust in your offensive players.
      “I think we were creating chances, fighting, I think it’s about the process.” More

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      ‘World’s richest footballer’ who spent time at Arsenal and Chelsea and is worth billions nets stunning goal for new club

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      FAIQ BOLKIAH is worth more than his weight in gold – and he celebrated a golden goal like it was worth the wait.The ex-Chelsea and Arsenal kid, who is now the world’s richest footballer, notched a brilliant curler for his new Thai club.
      Faiq Bolkiah takes aim for Thai side Ratchaburi vs Police TeroCredit: INSTAGRAM @sxlmxk
      Bolkiah watches his solo special dip into the top cornerCredit: INSTAGRAM @sxlmxk
      All the money in the world can’t buy such moments of joyCredit: INSTAGRAM @sxlmxk
      And his joy showed why he has always tried to stand – and score – on his own two feet.
      Bolkiah’s father Jiefri is the Prince of Brunei and his uncle the Sultan of Brunei – making the 26-year-old one an heir to a £20billion fortune.
      Born in Los Angeles and educated at Bradfield College in Berkshire, he joined Ratchaburi from fellow Thai top-flight side Chonburi in the summer.
      And one of the finest moments of his career so far came in Saturday’s 6-1 demolition of Police Tero.
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      Arriving off the bench at 3-0 up midway through the second period, the winger rounded off the scoring with a glorious goal in stoppage time.
      Nipping inside from the left corner of the box, he swerved a sublime right-footer into the far stanchion.
      Sprinting off to rejoice with his arms wide, Bolkiah’s incredible personal and family wealth was the last thing on his mind.
      Having started his football journey at Berkshire non-Leaguers Newbury in 2008, he moved onto Southampton, Chelsea and Leicester, also trialling with Arsenal.
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      But he never earned a professional deal, nor made a senior appearance, in England.
      Bolkiah’s next step was to join Portuguese fourth-tier club Maritimo B, whose first team play two levels higher, in September 2020.
      But although he managed a handful of appearances, he departed for Chonburi after just 15 months.
      Bolkiah notched two goals for the east coast side before switching to Ratchaburi in central Thailand in August 2023.
      Now he’s revelling after netting one of the best strikes seen in the Far East this year.
      His dad once spent £17million on hiring Michael Jackson for his 50th birthday party.
      But for Bolkiah Junior simple pleasures like scoring come first – you just can’t Beat It.
      Bolkiah played for Chelsea Under-18s and is seen in action during a friendly against Watford at the Blues’ Cobham Training Ground in July 2015Credit: Getty
      His spell at Leicester included UEFA Youth Champions League action like this clash with Porto in Portugal seven years agoCredit: Getty More

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      Bournemouth 0 Chelsea 0: Pochettino’s selection gamble backfires as Blues are wasteful in tame stalemate with Cherries

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      MAURICIO POCHETTINO’S Chelsea billionaires club were frustrated by fellow strugglers Bournemouth. Nicolas Jackson and Raheem Sterling both struck the woodwork for the injury-ravaged Blues but they had keeper Robert Sanchez for a couple of smart saves which spared them a humiliating defeat on a soggy south coast. 
      Chelsea endured a frustrating afternoon on the south coastCredit: Reuters
      Nicolas Jackson had another frustrating performance as he looks to settle in at ChelseaCredit: Reuters
      Colwill thought he’d opened the scoring when he converted from a Raheem Sterling free-kick in the 51st minute but the goal was ruled out for offsideCredit: Getty
      Pochettino’s team are marooned in 14th place in the Premier League table after just one win in five matches under the Argentinian. 
      On an individual level, Chelsea lack experience and as a team, they lack cohesion, with the £1billion transfer-market splurge from Todd Boehly looking like a panic-stricken trolley dash. 
      Striker Jackson lacked physical presence and £106milion midfielder Enzo Fernandez was substituted after an anonymous display. 
      Bournemouth, winless under new boss Andoni Iraola, finished the stronger side but Sanchez pulled off the save of the match to deny former Chelsea man Dominic Solanke.  
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      With their form dismal and their injury list in double figures, Chelsea included six players on their bench who were yet to play for the club – despite their extraordinary levels of spending. 
      Mykhailo Mudryk, such a disappointment since Chelsea’s January hijacking of a move to Arsenal, was enjoying some success on the left. 
      His early centre across the face of goal struck Conor Gallagher and was deflected over. 
      Then the Ukrainian was involved in a neat exchange of passes with Nicolas Jackson, whose shot struck the base of the post.
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      But Bournemouth almost seized the lead when a smart sharply-taken free-kick from Lewis Cook caught Chelsea’s defence square and released Ryan Christie. 
      The Scot, who was kippered by Jude Bellingham at Hampden Park in midweek, centred low for Dango Ouattara but Robert Sanchez reacted quickly to smother his shot.
      Mudryk, booked for a foul on Max Aarons and struggling out of possession, centred for Gallagher, who beat his marker and forced a fine diving save from Neto in the Cherries goal. 
      Pochettino’s men had shaded the first half but their naivety and often showed. 
      Early in the second half, Mudryk darted inside and was chopped down on the edge of the area by Max Aarons, who was cautioned by ref David Coote.
      Raheem Sterling’s free-kick crashed against the underside of the bar and looped out to Levi Colwill, who stabbed home – but the stand-in left-back was immediately flagged for offside.  
      It was something of a surprise when Pochettino hooked Mudryk in the 63rd minute, although his replacement Cole Palmer was alert from the off. 
      When Bournemouth half-cleared a corner, Sterling picked out Colwill, who forced two scrambling stops from Neto.
      But the longer Chelsea failed to score, the Cherries grew in belief – especially with the introduction of sub Justin Kluivert. 
      First, the Dutchman’s centre found Marcus Tavernier, who duffed his shot, then he was mowed down by Axel Diasi on the edge of the box, with Philip Billing’s free-kick deflected wide off the Chelsea wall.  
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      And when Jackson meekly lost possession, Inaola’s side countered sharply with a Dominic Solanke shot brilliantly saved by Sanchez, sticking out his right boot. 
      It was end-to-end now, Palmer’s volley pushed away by Neto, before Solanke failed to finish off a Bournemouth counter-attack. More

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      Chelsea fans can’t believe they spent £1billion on transfers as squad revealed with little known stars and shock captain

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      CHELSEA fans can’t believe they spent £1billion on transfers after seeing their squad for today’s game against Bournemouth.Chelsea are without a number of their big-money signings for their away trip to The Cherries.
      Chelsea fans have been left perplexed by their expensive unproven squadCredit: PA

      Moises Caicedo, who Chelsea signed for a British record £115million, is not in the squad at all, with manager Mauricio Pochettino revealing he arrived back from Ecuador duty with a “knock to his knee” and will need assessing before he can play.
      The Blues are also without longer-term absentees Romeo Lavia, who they signed from Southampton for £58m, and Christopher Nkunku, who they signed for £52m.
      Captain Reece James remains injured and vice-captain Ben Chilwell is named on the bench as Pochettino’s experiment of playing him as a left-winger looks to have come to an end for now.
      That means academy product Conor Gallagher captains the team despite being linked with a move away from the club over the summer.
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      Youngster Lesley Ugochukwu, 19, who arrived from Rennes for £23,2million, starts alongside Gallagher in midfield along with Enzo Fernandez.
      Chelsea’s bench in particular is full of unproven names, including Lucas Bergstrom, Djordje Petrovic, Ian Maatsen, Alfie Gilchrist, Cole Palmer, Deivid Washington, Alex Matos and Ronnie Stutter.
      One fan on Twitter wrote: “What is this bench??? This squad doesn’t look like a billion pound squad.”
      Another fuming fan wrote: “We might as well give up now! And look at the bench nothing for god sake.”
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      A third wrote: “A billion quid to put that on the pitch! I’d rather have the Chelsea legends team play they’re better than this lot.”
      And a fourth added: “You’re telling me Chelsea spent £1bn and this is their team?”
      But not all fans were so negative about Chelsea’s chances, with some backing Conor Gallagher to do well now he’s been given the captain’s arm band.
      One said: “From getting abused to being one of our better players and now being the captain. Gallagher really evolved from GallaDog to GallaDawg!”
      A second said: “Go Conor! We behind you.” More

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      I used to coach Chelsea’s academy – forgotten wonderkid could have been world class and shone under Pochettino

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      AT CHELSEA Dominic Solanke became one of the hottest young talents in world football.Now, six years after his controversial exit from Stamford Bridge, the Bournemouth striker intends to show the Blues what they are missing at the Vitality Stadium today.
      Dominic Solanke was a hot property as a Chelsea youngsterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      And Solanke’s former academy coach Adi Viveash is delighted.
      Viveash, now assistant to Coventry boss Mark Robins, said: “When I look back on my decade at Chelsea, I’m still extremely disappointed that players who, in my opinion, were definitely good enough, didn’t come through — and he is one of them.
      “At youth level, he was world class, phenomenal. I’m delighted to see what he’s doing now, because his  talent should be at the highest level.
      “I’m sure he looks back with a lot of pride on his time at Chelsea.
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      “I know he holds no grudges and respects the years of commitment from a tremendous academy.
      “But he will want to score and do well in this game.”
      Viveash drove a seven-year-old Solanke from Basingstoke to training and later was coach of Chelsea youth teams the forward spearheaded to domestic and European glory.
      In 2014, Solanke scored two late goals in the second leg of the FA Youth Cup final against Fulham to earn a 7-6 aggregate win. Viveash said: “In the first leg we lost 3-2 and he didn’t have a sniff.
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      “We had another couple of good strikers on the bench.
      “But he had always done it in the big games, I trusted my gut, and he was always the go-to player for me.”
      Then-Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho claimed if Solanke and team-mates Izzy Brown and Lewis Baker didn’t become Blues and England stars, the Special One would be to blame.
      Weeks later Solanke finished joint top scorer at the European Under-17 Championship, grabbing goals in the semi-final and final as John Peacock’s team lifted the trophy.
      The following season, Solanke helped Chelsea retain the Youth Cup and contributed 12 goals in their Uefa Youth League title triumph.
      Viveash said: “He destroyed teams at that level, even the best in Europe. For somebody so young to be doing that against players three or four years older was remarkable.”
      Solanke made his first-team debut as a sub in a 6-0 Champions League win over Maribor in October 2014.
      But after spending 2015-16 on loan at Vitesse Arnhem — during which Mourinho was sacked —  things turned sour.
      Jose Mourinho tipped Solanke for the topCredit: Corbis
      Solanke was frozen out in a stand-off over a new contract and Viveash said: “He was portrayed really badly through that period but that certainly wasn’t him.
      “When you can’t see pathways and you’re that good as a young player, you feel your future lies elsewhere.
      “All this rubbish around money was unfair on him and his family.“Players of that level demand a certain level of contract, he’s no  different to anyone else.”
      If that row and his impending move to Liverpool were preying on Solanke’s mind, he didn’t show it.
      He scored four times as England won the 2017 Fifa Under-20 World Cup and earned the Golden Ball as the tournament’s best player, a gong  previously given to Diego Maradona, Lionel Messi and Paul Pogba.
      Andy Edwards, now an assistant coach of Three Lions youth teams, said: “His goals and performances across the tournament were top end.
      “He was quiet but I always felt he had real self-belief.
      A former Chelsea youth coach believes Mauricio Pochettino would have got the best out of SolankeCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
      “There was a confidence in the way he carried himself.”
      But those qualities have been tested since.
      Things did not work out at Liverpool and he did not set the world alight as his first 18 months at Bournemouth ended in relegation to the Championship.
      But he rediscovered his form, with 29 goals in the Cherries’ 2021-22 promotion campaign.
      After playing his part in the club’s survival last season, Solanke has started this campaign with two goals and an assist in four games.
      Viveash said: “His exit from  Chelsea would have been difficult for anybody to handle.
      “He has come through mentally stronger and rebuilt himself.“Bournemouth deserve great credit. He is their go-to man, like he was for me at youth level.”
      Despite spending more than £1billion on players in just over a year, Solanke’s old team Chelsea go into today’s game struggling for goals under Mauricio Pochettino.
      Solanke has found his feet at BournemouthCredit: Rex
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      Viveash (below) said: “An English striker, of his age, with those Premier League games under his belt — looking at the teams Mr Pochettino picks, I’m sure he would quite like him.
      “I would love to see Dom score  and get a positive result — just  for him, not any other reason.
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      “He is only where he should be, with the talent he has.
      “He’s still not hit his prime.” More