Chelsea are close to kickstarting their multi-club project by buying a stake in Strasbourg. The deal would be a major boost for the Premier League side’s owners, Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who have been looking for suitable clubs to purchase since last summer.
Boehly has spoken about a multi-club model being a way “we can show pathways for our young superstars to get on to the Chelsea pitch while getting them real game time”.
Chelsea have looked at a number of clubs in France, Belgium, Portugal and South America. There have been talks with Bordeaux but sources indicated a deal with Strasbourg made more financial sense. The size of the proposed stake is unknown but talks are progressing smoothly and it is understood the price would depend on whether Strasbourg avoid relegation from Ligue 1. They are five points above the bottom four with three games left.
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Chelsea, who are also believed to be looking at buying a stake in the Portuguese club Portimonense, stepped up their interest in Strasbourg after Boehly was unable to reach a deal with Bordeaux’s president, Gérard López. Boehly has held productive discussions with Strasbourg’s president, Marc Keller, in recent months. Chelsea, who also looked at Lyon and Sochaux, initially wanted a full purchase but were told they would have to settle for partial ownership.
There are 11 shareholders at Strasbourg and Keller, whose 27% stake is the biggest, has been alive to their concerns. Keller, a former Strasbourg player and a frontrunner to become the next president of France’s football federation, has an emotional connection the club. He has rebuilt the Ligue 1 side since becoming president in 2012 and is keen for the club to retain its identity.
Gaining influence at Strasbourg would give Chelsea a footing in a country that produces some of the best players in the world. They would also have a way of giving experience to young players who could be brought to Stamford Bridge at a later date. Chelsea were approached for comment.
The practice has been followed by Manchester City’s parent company, City Football Group, which has a number of satellite clubs around the world. Brighton’s owner, Tony Bloom, owns the Belgian club Union Saint-Gilloise. Kaoru Mitoma, who has been outstanding for Brighton this season, thrived on loan at Union SG last season.
Uefa’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, recently hinted at relaxing restrictions on clubs with the same owner playing in the same European competitions. A change in the regulations would be a boost for Chelsea’s owners.
