Football finance expert Kieran Maguire believes that Chelsea will adopt a new approach in the transfer market under the ownership of Todd Boehly's consortium - one that could look to replicate the ideas implemented by Fenway Sports Group (FSG) at Liverpool after the Reds' recent success.
The Blues have confirmed that terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, with the consortium led by Boehly set to takeover the club. A statement on the club's website read: "Chelsea Football Club can confirm that terms have been agreed for a new ownership group, led by Todd Boehly, Clearlake Capital, Mark Walter and Hansjoerg Wyss, to acquire the Club.
"Of the total investment being made, £2.5bn will be applied to purchase the shares in the Club and such proceeds will be deposited into a frozen UK bank account with the intention to donate 100% to charitable causes as confirmed by Roman Abramovich. UK Government approval will be required for the proceeds to be transferred from the frozen UK bank account.
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"In addition, the proposed new owners will commit £1.75bn in further investment for the benefit of the Club. This includes investments in Stamford Bridge, the Academy, the Women’s Team and Kingsmeadow and continued funding for the Chelsea Foundation. The sale is expected to complete in late May subject to all necessary regulatory approvals. More details will be provided at that time."
As the club is now set to finally move on from Abramovich, his approach to spending is also likely to be a thing of the past. According to Maguire, Boehly's consortium are likely to adopt a new tactic in the transfer market.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Maguire said: "Roman Abramovich's approach was 'if I sign a player and it doesn't work, then we just go and sign another player or we replace the manager.' I think what we will see is a more data analytical, a more measured and more money-ball approach coming from the Boehly group.
"They've seen what FSG have achieved at Liverpool. Liverpool have spent half a billion pounds less over the course of the last nine years investing in the player market compared to Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City and yet we're sitting this morning with Liverpool on the brink of a potential quadruple. So, I think we will see a more measured approach to spending money. Less big fees, more investment in younger players who perhaps Chelsea can look to move on at a later stage and there will be a strategic movement as far as the player recruitment and retention is concerned."
It'll be interesting to see what happens in the market in the future, but for now at least, Chelsea fans will be happy to know that the takeover is near completion, and as a result, their club could well compete for years to come.
