Since taking over Chelsea in May 2022, Todd Boehly has struggled to replicate the success that Roman Abramovich enjoyed during his ownership of the club. Abramovich’s successful tenure was marked by significant investments in the transfer market that resulted in numerous titles and trophies for the Blues. In contrast, Boehly’s transfer dealings have been heavily criticized for poor returns on investment. Despite reaching the Carabao Cup final, Chelsea remain without a trophy under Boehly’s ownership.
A comparison of the first 10 signings made by Abramovich and Boehly reveals stark differences in their transfer acumen. Abramovich’s initial signings, such as Glen Johnson, Geremi, Damien Duff, and Joe Cole, were largely successful and played key roles in Chelsea’s success. However, there were some misses, including Juan Sebastian Veron and Adrian Mutu. Overall, Abramovich had six hits and four misses among his first 10 signings, landing a certified legend in Claude Makelele.
In contrast, Boehly’s first signings have largely been disappointing. Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly, Gabriel Slonina, and Carney Chukwuemeka have failed to make a significant impact at Chelsea. Despite spending significant amounts on players like Marc Cucurella, Cesare Casadei, and Wesley Fofana, their performances have fallen short of expectations. Additionally, Boehly’s decision to sign Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria proved to be costly mistakes.
Boehly’s transfer strategy has been marked by a focus on youth and budget signings, with mixed results. While some players have shown promise, such as Casadei winning awards in youth competitions, others like Aubameyang have been outright disappointments. The struggles in the transfer market have raised questions about Boehly’s ability to lead Chelsea to success and compete with the top clubs in the Premier League. With no standout hits among his first 10 signings, Boehly faces a challenging task in turning around Chelsea’s fortunes in the transfer market.
Overall, the comparison between Abramovich and Boehly’s transfer dealings highlights the challenges that arise when taking over a club with a rich history of success. While Abramovich set the standard for ambitious and successful signings that delivered trophies for Chelsea, Boehly has struggled to find the right balance between investment and returns. The pressure is on Boehly to make smarter decisions in the transfer market and bring in players who can elevate Chelsea to the same level of success enjoyed under Abramovich’s ownership.
