Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has accused the club of "lacking class" since Todd Boehly's consortium completed a takeover in May.
Previous Blues owner Roman Abramovich, who was in charge of the Premier League club for 19 years, was forced to sell up after being sanctioned by the UK government for allegedly having ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin, something he denies.
Putin ordered his troops to invade neighbouring Ukraine in February, triggering a violent war in Europe. The conflict has continued to rage since, with Russia becoming a pariah state and Ukraine earning the admiration of most countries for resisting Putin's aggression.
Despite Putin's abhorrent war, Abramovich remains a popular figure among Chelsea fans. His name was controversially chanted by a significant section of supporters and flags were raised at Stamford Bridge in his honour after he was sanctioned by the government.
Abramovich pumped billions of pounds into Chelsea to establish them as one of the most successful clubs in Europe. They won every trophy available to them under the Russian oligarch's ownership - including five Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues.
Drogba was involved in much of that success during his two spells at Stamford Bridge and has criticised the new ownership model - led by chair Boehly - insisting it is "lacking" class and should "go back to the principles and values they had" under Abramovich.
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Bohely has said goodbye to several Chelsea employees since the takeover was completed, as he looks to leave his mark on Stamford Bridge. Among those to be sacked was successful manager Thomas Tuchel, who was succeeded by Graham Potter last month.
As quoted by beIN Sports, Drogba told Canal+: "I knew this club with a certain class during the Abramovich era, but today I find it lacking. It’s very hard for me to see how they got rid of certain people, for example the physiotherapists, who were there for a very long time. They should go back to the principles and values they had."
Drogba's comments are questionable, considering Abramovich's alleged links with an authoritarian regime that's pursuing a destructive war. Abramovich also had a reputation for sacking coaches with ease, making 14 managerial changes during his ownership.
Drogba is the second former Chelsea star to criticise Boehly's ownership in recent days. Speaking to BILD, Michael Ballack said: "I was surprised by the sacking [of Tuchel]. For me, it was incomprehensible when a coach is dismissed so quickly - specially because Thomas Tuchel had such a great success like winning the Champions League.
"You can see that a new owner brings a new philosophy with a new understanding of ideas. Everyone has their own people they want to rely on, so they made the hard cut with the trainer.
"We have to see if it works in the long term. I believe that you have to approach such a successful and big club carefully. Chelsea doesn’t need any upheaval! Todd Boehly is doing it differently now with his elbow mentality."
