CHELSEA REPORTEDLY IN TALKS TO BUY FIRST-DIVISION EUROPEAN CLUB AS PART OF PROJECT

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly along with Behdad Eghbali and Jose Feliciano, are in talks to buy first-division Portuguese side Portimonense. This is according to a report in the Evening Standard. Boehly had earlier confirmed that he wants to establish a multi-club model at Chelsea, similar to those of the Red Bull and City groups. The American had identified Portugal as the ideal country to buy a satellite team.

Super-agent Jorge Mendes has also been consulted over which clubs should be considered in his homeland. And now there are reports that discussions have taken place with Portimonense, who are currently fourth in the Liga Portugal. The owners are also exploring the possibility of acquiring a club in Belgium. Boehly and co have already been turned down by French side Sochaux and Brazilian giants Santos.

City Football Group has a total of 11 clubs under their umbrella, including three in Europe with the most popular being Manchester City. The Red Bull group owns both RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg, both of which play in the Champions League. This has impressed Boehly who wants something similar at his west London club.

The Blues want to establish this network to allow their young players to experience top-level football elsewhere. Should such plans become successful, they will likely bring an end to the mass loan moves that were used under previous owner Roman Abramovich to avoid Financial Fair Play sanctions. It remains to be seen if the new owners are successful in their plans. A very solid plan overall that will only help the club, fans will hope that they can implement it successfully. Hopefully, it will bring in various talents to the club who will help in its success for years to come.

The management and the player’s focus, for now, would be on the match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday, October 1.