By Karim Were
Behdad Eghbali has publicly acknowledged that Chelsea FC’s long-term project must now deliver tangible success, signaling a shift from experimentation to urgency.
Speaking at a major sports industry event in Los Angeles, Eghbali struck a notably reflective tone, conceding that while the club has built a strong foundation, results have not kept pace with ambition. His message was clear: planning and process matter, but ultimately, Chelsea must win.
He emphasized that the ownership group has been actively reassessing its strategy, admitting that certain decisions—particularly around recruitment and managerial changes—have fallen short. The early dismissal of Thomas Tuchel was singled out as a move that “didn’t work out so well,” while instability in the dugout remains an unresolved issue.
The unexpected mid-season departure of Enzo Maresca further highlighted the club’s struggles to establish continuity. Eghbali pointed to managerial stability as a key area requiring immediate improvement if Chelsea are to compete consistently at the highest level.
Despite these setbacks, he expressed confidence in current head coach Liam Rosenior, backing him as a long-term solution—though he acknowledged that results will ultimately dictate that future.
On the pitch, Eghbali argued that Chelsea already possess a strong core of talent, referencing players such as Cole Palmer, Moises Caicedo, and Enzo Fernandez. However, he admitted the club’s recruitment model must evolve, shifting toward a better balance between youth development and experienced, “ready-made” players who can immediately raise performance levels.
Recent silverware, including success in the Club World Cup and Conference League, was framed as progress—but not the end goal. Instead, Eghbali positioned those wins as stepping stones toward sustained competitiveness.
The underlying message marked a subtle but important pivot: Chelsea’s ownership is no longer just building for the future—it is now under pressure to deliver in the present.
