**Xabi Alonso Outlines Chelsea's Clear Ambitions Following Ownership Change**
Chelsea Football Club's manager, Xabi Alonso, has articulated a clear vision for the club's future following the recent transition in ownership. Clearlake Capital has officially taken full control of the Premier League team, marking the end of Todd Boehly's chairmanship. The announcement came late on a Wednesday, with Alonso emphasizing the club's ambitions during a press conference on Thursday.
Clearlake Capital, co-founded by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, has acquired the stakes of Boehly and fellow director Mark Walter. The duo previously partnered with Clearlake in May 2022 to purchase Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, a sale mandated by the British government. Prior to this latest deal, Clearlake held a 61.5 percent stake in the club, while Boehly and Walter shared the remaining ownership with Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss. Wyss is expected to remain a significant stakeholder in the ownership group.
According to reports from the Financial Times, Boehly and Walter are set to receive approximately £950 million ($1.27 billion) for their combined stakes, which values Chelsea at around £5 billion, including its debt obligations. This financial maneuvering underscores the significant investment and interest in the club's potential.
In a statement released on Thursday, Chelsea reiterated its ambitions: “Our ambition is clear: to compete at the highest level, to win major trophies, and to build sustained success.” Alonso, who took over managerial duties on July 1, expressed gratitude to the former ownership for their contributions and acknowledged the importance of the new leadership.
"This is an important day for the club," Alonso remarked. "Thanks to the former owners for what they’ve done. I was not here, but I know they played an important role. And now that Behdad is taking more control, almost full control, I think it’s good that the main one is clear."
Alonso, who previously managed at Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen, is tasked with revitalizing a Chelsea squad that finished a disappointing 10th in the Premier League last season. The team has had a mixed start to the current campaign, securing seven points from their first four matches and currently sitting sixth in the league table.
The new manager has established a positive working relationship with Eghbali, who was instrumental in bringing Alonso to Chelsea. "I have very good relations with Behdad," Alonso stated. "He was the one that came to Madrid to explain to me the project, to convince me, and we are working well together."
Alonso's comments reflect a sense of optimism regarding Chelsea's trajectory under the new ownership. The club's highest Premier League finish since the takeover was fourth place in the 2024/25 season, during which Chelsea also claimed the UEFA Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup titles.
In addition to the changes at Chelsea, Boehly and Walter have divested their stakes in Chelsea's partner club, Strasbourg, transferring full control to Clearlake. This move further consolidates Clearlake's influence in the football landscape, as they seek to steer Chelsea back to its former glory and establish a winning culture.
As the club prepares for its upcoming Premier League match against Brentford, all eyes will be on Alonso and his ability to harness the ambitions of the new ownership and translate them into success on the pitch. The coming months will be crucial for Chelsea as it navigates the challenges of the Premier League while aiming to fulfill its clear ambitions of competing at the highest level.