Chelsea legend Drogba slams Boehly's takeover
FT Desk
- 15 Oct 2022 20:50 BST
- 3 min read
Chelsea idol Didier Drogba has launched a stinging attack on his former club, which he believes has lacked "class" since Todd Boehly took over.
Boehly purchased a controlling stake in the Blues from Roman Abramovich this summer to assume command as the club's new chairman and owner.
The takeover came at a tough moment for Chelsea, who were subject to heavy operating restrictions due to the sanctions placed on Abramovich by the UK government following the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine.
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Drogba, however, is not happy with how the Blues have been run under the US national, pointing to the dismissal of several team figures in recent months - a list which includes Champions League-winning manager Thomas Tuchel.
"I knew this club with a certain class during the Abramovich era, but today I find it lacking," Droba explained to beIN Sports.
"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."
Ballack joins list of Boehly critics
Fellow former Chelsea favourite Michael Ballack holds a similar view of the current situation at Stamford Bridge.
"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," he told Bild when asked about his compatriot.
"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."
Read more about: Premier League, Chelsea
