Chelsea: Todd Boehly’s $4.25bn takeover is already on rocky ground 

Todd Boehly’s $4.25billion takeover of Premier League giants Chelsea 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 visited new owner Todd Boehly’s LA Dodgers during their US pre-season tour

But things have not gone according to plan on the pitch for Boehly (L) and Thomas Tuchel (R)

Boehly 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 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. Recent displays have just added to that concern and increased fear.

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.

‘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.

Boehly promised fresh faces and have signed Raheem Sterling (L) and Kalidou Koulibaly (R)

‘We got sanctioned and players left us. We know that some players are trying to leave us and this is where it is.’

Waving farewell to both Christensen and Rudiger on free transfers did not just provide Chelsea with a setback financially. 

Losing such stalwarts in defense has understandably disrupted the backline on the pitch at the start of the season, heaping the pressure on Koulibaly to slot in seamlessly.

Chelsea would be forgiven for not being at their peak at this stage, considering the changes at the club, but a lack of commitment to the cause is a glaring concern.

Unrest in the Stamford Bridge dressing room first unearthed at Christmas when Romelu Lukaku revealed his unhappiness and desire to leave in a bombshell interview in Italy. 

Boss Tuchel is already not happy with his players’ commitment as issues mount up for his side

The club hoped the Belgium’s loan move back to Inter would weed out further issues, but Tuchel’s comments have shown that a few more players are prepared to leave.

Chelsea have been heavily linked with Jules Kounde, Presnel Kimpembe and Nathan Ake, the Blues chiefs have yet to land a second center-back replacement, and 23-year-olds Trevoh Chalobah and Malang Sarr did very little against the Gunners to win over the manager.

With limited options Tuchel has experimented with a four-man defense in pre-season, adding a change of system to the growing list of things Chelsea need to work on ahead of the opening clash against Everton.

Koulibaly and fellow marquee signing Sterling arguably impressed the most during the shambolic 4-0 defeat, easily outshining the long-serving crop of players.

Lukaku’s exit could pave the way for Timo Werner to lead the line once again at Chelsea but the German striker still seems stunned by his massive loss of form since arriving in west London and has not ruled out a move away.

Chelsea was humiliated by Premier League rivals Arsenal, losing 4-0 in the Florida Cup

Boehly needs Chelsea’s pre-season woes to vanish as soon as the 2022-23 term begins

The 26-year-old said ‘I could be happy everywhere’ near the start of the US tour, dropping a hint that he is open to a departure. Again, not the best timing. 

Meanwhile, club veteran and full-back Cesar Azpilicueta has been linked with a switch to Barcelona.

Transfer speculation is an unwanted distraction for Tuchel but it also ramps up the demands on Boehly to get reinforcements in both attack and defense. 

It could be down to attacking midfielder Kai Havertz to lead the line if no more signings are made. Whether Manchester United wantaway Cristiano Ronaldo is the answer remains to be seen.

Chelsea faces ex-managers Frank Lampard and Antonio Conte in their first two matches, who will both be desperate to pile some misery on their old club. 

Sportsmail revealed Saturday that Boehly plans to sweat their assets with radical plans for TV rights and ‘super fans’ as they want to boost fan experience and digital content in the league.

Boehly’s Blues honeymoon is very much over. The LA Dodgers owner needs Chelsea’s pre-season woes to vanish as soon as the 2022-23 term begins so that his brand new venture can take full flight.