Craig Burley believes Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali need to be in alignment regarding the direction of the West London club.
Chelsea ’s owners have been criticised by the club’s former midfielder, Craig Burley, because of a seeming head-scratching managerial appointment.
09:52 - 29.05.2024
‘Someone they can manipulate’ - Former Liverpool defender questions Chelsea’s move for Enzo Maresca
Steve Nicol believes the club have got rid of more experienced managers for a comparatively green Maresca due to their desire for excessive control.
10:30 - 28.05.2024
‘A risky choice’ - Former Chelsea defenders uncertain about Enzo Maresca
Frank Leboeuf and Mario Melchiot have reservations about the potential new head coach at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea close in on Enzo Maresca
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The Blues are seemingly set to appoint the 44-year-old Italian on a five-year contract despite previous reports that the Leicester City boss would join on a short-term two-year contract.
An extra year could be triggered at any point, possibly tying former Manchester City assistant to the club until 2030.
What Burley said about the Chelsea owners
Todd Boehly and majority shareholder Behdad Eghbali, who runs Clearlake Capital, have chopped and changed managers since their takeover of the club in 2022, jettisoning Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter and Mauricio Pochettino in 24 months, leading to perceived instability.
The former Scotland midfielder has criticised the lack of continuity and clarity in the Chelsea owners’ decision-making in the first two years of their takeover.
“They need to sort themselves out behind the scenes,” said Burley on ESPN. “They need some continuity.”
“Tuchel, Potter, Pochettino, now they go down this route of hiring a Championship manager. They did win promotion but some of the Leicester fans wanted him out.
“Good luck to Enzo Maresca but this leap from where he’s been managing to managing this club is steep.
“This just tells you all you need to know about the way this club is being run. It doesn’t think about where it’s putting its next foot forward it just launches it forward until they decide to backtrack.”
What comes next for Chelsea?
Chelsea ended sixth in the 2023-24 Premier League season, seeing the Blues miss out on Europa League qualification because of Manchester United’s FA Cup win.
Maresca should be in situ when the club’s preseason resumes in July.