Xabi Alonso Welcomes Clearlake’s Full Chelsea Takeover

Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has welcomed Clearlake Capital’s move to full control of the club, describing the revised ownership structure as a significant moment and urging everyone at Stamford Bridge to progress together.

Clearlake assumes full control

Todd Boehly and Mark Walter have each sold their 12.83% Chelsea holdings to Clearlake, the private-equity firm that previously held a 61.5% share. The transaction leaves Clearlake in control of the London club.

• Boehly and Walter each held a 12.83% stake before the sale.
• Swiss philanthropist Hansjörg Wyss, also a 12.83% shareholder, remains part of the ownership group.
• Clearlake is led by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano.
• The consortium acquired Chelsea in 2022 for £2.5 billion, with a further £1.75 billion earmarked for investment.

The 2022 takeover followed sanctions imposed on former owner Roman Abramovich over alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Alonso thanks departing shareholders

Speaking on Thursday, Alonso acknowledged the contribution made by Boehly and Walter despite arriving after their involvement in the initial takeover.

“It is an important day for the club,” Alonso said, pointing to the change in its corporate structure. He thanked the departing owners for the part they played and said clearer leadership under Eghbali should benefit Chelsea.

Alonso said he has formed a strong working relationship with Eghbali, who travelled to Madrid to outline Chelsea’s project before the coach accepted the job. He added that the club had completed the first phase of its squad project and was now ready to continue its work under the new structure.

Ambition remains focused on major honours

Alonso did not put a timetable on Chelsea’s return to contention for the biggest trophies, but made clear that competing at that level is the objective.

He said the club must recognise the strength of its competition while also matching the ambition, resources and potential of Chelsea’s players with the level the club expects to reach.

João Pedro remains in contention for Brentford

Alonso also declined to specify the problem that caused João Pedro to withdraw from Brazil’s squad ahead of the forthcoming international window.

However, the Chelsea coach said no player had been definitively excluded from Friday’s match against Brentford. A final decision will follow the team’s last training session, and João Pedro could still feature for Chelsea despite being unavailable for Brazil.

Alonso said the club would remain cautious before confirming the final squad for the Brentford fixture.