Chelsea written off as 'laughing stock' - by own fans!

FT Desk

• 20 Mar 2024 18:20 GMT
• 3 min read

The Chelsea Supporters' Trust slammed club management in an open letter addressed to Todd Boehly, warning that they are in danger of becoming a "laughing stock" unless drastic changes are made.

Chelsea are at one of their lowest ebbs of the past two decades, just over 18 months since Boehly took over ownership of the London club from Roman Abramovich.

Mauricio Pochettino, the third manager to be employed by Boehly following the dismissals of Thomas Tuchel and Graham Potter, has led his charges to a modest 11th in the Premier League so far in 2023-24 and risks missing out on European football once again unless they can make a late surge up the table.

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Fans' nerves have been further frayed by a wave of price increases around Stamford Bridge and fears that season tickets are also due for a significant hike.

And their Supporters' Trust issued a stinging rebuke to Boehly and right-hand man Behdad Eghbali, warning of an atmosphere of "toxicity" that has enveloped the club.

Chelsea fans slam club

"The current feeling amongst Chelsea supporters in our opinion is at its lowest since the early 1980s," part of the letter reads.

"While this may be expected with our current run of form and position in the league table, a significant number of supporters that we speak to are quick to express concerns that the lack of any public-facing vision from the new ownership has led to an overwhelming sense of helplessness, frustration, and deep concern.

"Many supporters have significant concerns about the short and long-term future of our football club.During our latest defeat at Brentford, the views of a quiet few became a vocal expression of a larger number of Chelsea supporters present at the game.

"Several anti-ownership chants could be heard even when we were winning and much of our recent dialogue with supporters reveals a widespread and significant lack of belief in the decision-makers at the top of our club.

"The current mood amongst supporters is critically low and cannot be ignored. The feeling that the club has become a ‘laughing stock’, both on and off the pitch, is growing.

"The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust regretfully believes that we are close to, if not already experiencing, a significant shift in supporter opinion that could result in irreversible toxicity, almost irrespective of results on the pitch.

"Unless the situation improves, this seems likely to manifest itself in more targeted chanting, especially at televised games, and quite possibly more organised, overt, and impactful forms of protest by some sections of the fanbase."