New Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly will host an informal dinner with his Premier League counterparts, according to reports.
The American businessman, who also co-owns the LA Dodgers, completed the $4.25billion takeover of the Premier League giants alongside Clearlake Capital in late May.
Boehly has now arranged the dinner with his counterparts after the 20 executives from soccer’s English top-flight gather for their latest shareholders’ meeting in London on Tuesday, according to The Athletic.
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has invited his Premier League counterparts to dinner
Although not every member of the group is reportedly able to attend, Boehly’s gesture is said to be well-received by his peers.
Fellow American and Liverpool owner John W HenryArsenal chief Stan Kroenke
Fellow Americans Liverpool owner John W Henry (left) and Arsenal chief Stan Kroenke (right)
His reign of the London club has fully taken off with the Blues heading to the owner’s home for pre-season.
But their preparations have hit some turbulence. Thomas Tuchel’s side have performed poorly here in the States, just when Boehly and Co wanted to show off their exciting new project.
They won their first match, a 2-1 victory over Club America, but have since lost to Charlotte in a penalty shootout, and then were thrashed by English rivals Arsenal last weekend.
Chelsea have visited Boehly’s home for pre-season, including a trip to his LA Dodgers
Since his arrival at Stamford Bridge, Boehly has overseen a number of changes at board level with long-term executives Bruce Buck and Marina Granovskaia leaving the club alongside technical advisor Petr Cech.
Boehly has now assumed the role of chairman and interim sporting director, leading Chelsea’s negotiations in the summer transfer window.
He promised fresh faces and he’s started to deliver with the $57.4million arrival of Manchester City star Raheem Sterling and the signing of Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly for $41m.
But with some players still eyeing the exit door – they’ve already lost center-backs Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen – there’s been a feeling that the Blues might be still off the pace.
Chelsea were under the control of Roman Abramovich for 19 years so teething problems can be expected but things are unravelling just two weeks out from the season start.
Boss Tuchel has already called out his players, saying: ‘We were absolutely not competitive.
Blues manager Thomas Tuchel has called out his players for their pre-season performances
‘The worrying part is the level of commitment, physically and mentally… it was far higher for Arsenal than us.
‘(There was) a level of mental commitment that we lacked because we have a lot of players who are thinking about leaving and looking at their options.
‘We got sanctioned and players left us. We know that some players are trying to leave us and this is where it is.’
However, the club are said to be intending to appoint a ‘full-time replacement’ for Granovskaia, who oversaw the club’s recruitment, amid their recent woes.
