Former Arsenal star and football pundit Paul Merson has criticised new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly with a US sports observation when analysing the decisions being made at the top of the club that have resulted in both Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech leaving their posts.
New owner Boehly's early days are shaping up to be quite dramatic, with three senior members of the club's hierarchy having officially left Stamford bridge. First off, Bruce Buck decided to go after almost 20 years on the Blues board. He will still take up an advisory role in the new Boehly-Clearlake era, meaning his involvement with the club isn't fully over yet but it will certainly be limited.
Next, it was the turn of transfer director Marina Granovskaia ,whose time at the club had been mixed. Her smart transfer business over the years of the Roman Abramovich era got the recognition of many around the world and culminated in her winning the best sporting director in last year's Golden Boy awards. Unfortunately, her last transaction won't be remembered for all the right reasons, with the club-record £97.5m acquisition of Romelu Lukaku - who looks set to be loaned back to Inter Milan following a disappointing campaign in west London - arguably tainting some of her other brilliant business.
READ MORE: Matthijs de Ligt could be paired with Premier League ace as Chelsea make Jules Kounde decision
Now, Petr Cech, who had only been in his role since 2019, has also followed other key members of the Abramovich regime in departing. As per The Mirror, multiple factors were considered in this decision by the legendary goalkeeper, including Boehly's decision to ignore both his and Granovskaia's stance on Lukaku this summer. This has now culminated in the parting of the ways between a club undergoing a massive transition and the former Czech international but, as with Granovskaia's departure, it all sounds like it happened in good faith as sections of the club statement illustrated.
Writing in a statement on the club's official website, Cech said: "It has been a huge privilege to perform this role at Chelsea for the past three years. With the Club under new ownership, I feel now is the right time for me to step aside. I am pleased that the Club is now in an excellent position with the new owners, and I am confident of its future success both on and off the pitch."
Boehly also paid tribute to the Blues hero, writing: "Petr is an important member of the Chelsea family. We understand his decision to step away and thank him for his contributions as an advisor and his commitment to the club and to our community. We wish him the best."
With various changes expected to happen in due course once the transfer window shuts, with Boehly occupying the role of temporary sporting director and Liverpool's Michael Edwards rumoured to be coming in to replace Granovskaia, all focus must remain on securing vital transfers with pre-season already just around the corner. Regardless, Merson has heavily criticised the part LA Dodgers owner had in allowing these two key figures to leave at this exact moment.
"It does, it does very much so (concern me)," he told Sky Sports. "I thought people who come in there would’ve left Petr Cech in his position and the lady who done an unbelievable job - I’m sorry I can’t pronounce her name. But done a great job at the club, I think you shadow them, keep them there and shadow them. It’s not baseball or basketball, you’re not doing trade. This is professional football, I’m quite shocked that them two have left the way they’ve left."
Chelsea fans- Do you agree with Paul Merson? Is Todd Boehly at fault for these two departures of Petr Cech and Marina Granovskaia? Leave your thoughts down below in the comments section!
Jules Kounde arrives, Raphinha joins, Raheem Sterling signs: Chelsea’s dream transfer window
Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: All the latest updates and rumours from Stamford Bridge
Full Chelsea Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
Ousmane Dembele's Chelsea transfer could trigger domino effect to help Arsenal land £60m star
Juventus set fresh Matthijs de Ligt transfer demands as Cristiano Ronaldo to Chelsea 'unlikely'
