'Todd Boehly created this mess' - Gary Neville takes aim at Chelsea owner

James Shearman

• Updated: 4 May 2023 21:23 BST
• 4 min read

Gary Neville has slammed new owner Todd Boehly for Chelsea's poor 2022-23 season.

Boehly has spent £550 million on players in his first year in charge, while also tearing apart much of the club's existing structure.

And the result of these changes is 'pathetic' performances like the 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Tuesday.

MORE: Pochettino could sign 'little Messi' for Chelsea

Of course, the players must take some responsibility, but Neville firmly believes that Boehly is to blame.

"It all comes from the top,'' he said on Sky Sports' Gary Neville Podcast. ''It's been chaotic, a mess since day one.

''Boehly has had a nightmare and misread this league. I'm sure he'll learn quickly. What has happened this season is purely down to him.

''He needed to keep the footballing department together. He's the non-footballing department. You're the owner. You're not a player or a coach.

''You've got no experience in this league so stay where you are and allow the people to run the football club [who have done so] successfully over the last 10 years. Try and get a year out of them to learn the ropes and keep the stability and consistency of Chelsea.

''Petr Cech left, Marina Granovskaia left, Thomas Tuchel was gone after a few games and all of a sudden you're in complete turmoil. Then they flipped it to a model giving players eight-year contracts to 22-year-olds!

''When you start sacking groundsmen, physios, sports scientists, directors, managers, then you are throwing everyone under a bus and saying, 'it's their fault not mine'.

''Chelsea had a successful way of running the club. This is now what Boehly has created. He created this mess. Like playing football manager, it's been terrible.''

Chelsea's summer transfer priorities

Chelsea's horrendous 2022-23 season makes it easy to forget the quality within their squad.

The Blues' struggles have been a result of a lack of cohesion more so than a lack of ability.

So likely next manager Mauricio Pochettino's primary focus will be to get them to play like a team rather than a group of individuals.

Having said that, there are limitations to the current group that prevent them from competing for the major honours.

Chelsea have had either Petr Cech or Thibaut Courtois in goal in their five Premier League-winning campaigns.

Neither Kepa Arrizabalaga nor Edouard Mendy are at the level required to help the Blues add a sixth, so a new goalkeeper is a must.

The midfield isn't so much of a weak point but there are rumours that Mateo Kovacic could be on his way out.

And signing a 'number six' would allow record transfer Enzo Fernandez to play slightly further forward.

Arguably the Blues' biggest need is a striker - a world class one, ideally.

But a forward that can score 15 league goals next season would be a significant upgrade on their existing options.