Boehly and Walter in talks to sell Chelsea stake
Todd Boehly and Mark Walter are in talks to sell their Chelsea stakes to Clearlake Capital (1) (3) (6) (7). Clearlake already holds the majority share, so a completed deal would put the club fully in their hands. Both men value Chelsea at around £5bn (4). Buyout talks have been explored several times over the past two years.
3–1 over Real Sociedad, and a mixed reception
Chelsea beat Real Sociedad 3–1 at Stamford Bridge in the final pre-season friendly (2). It was a first proper look at Xabi Alonso's new-look side. Joao Pedro and Enzo Fernandez featured. Some fans booed Fernandez, with the Manchester City speculation still hanging over him (2).
Man City will pay more than £120m for Enzo
Chelsea are not blinking. Any deal for Enzo Fernandez costs Manchester City more than £120m (5). The club has held this line all window and set a Friday 5pm deadline for matching bids. City's interest has been persistent, but the price has not moved.
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Three signings still possible before kickoff
Chelsea could still bring in three players before the Premier League season starts (8). No names confirmed yet. The window is open and Alonso has areas he wants to strengthen before the real matches begin.
Lewis-Skelly link looks like noise
Myles Lewis-Skelly was reportedly offered to Chelsea, but Mick Brown is not buying it. "The Myles Lewis-Skelly rumours have always been strange to me," Brown told Football Insider (9). He expects the left-back to stay at Arsenal. Arsenal won the Community Shield 3–0 over Man City (9).
Fulham away opens the season
Your next match is at Fulham on Monday, August 24 at 21:00 CEST. Then Brighton visit Stamford Bridge on Sunday, August 30 at 15:00 CEST. Two games to set the tone for Alonso's first full campaign.
Fan-reaktioner
Fans are split on the ownership story. The £5bn valuation and Clearlake's possible full takeover dominate the threads, with some pointing to Ben Jacobs' detail that Boehly felt frozen out of key calls. Others are tracking the outgoing deals, with Diego Moreira heading to AC Milan and Badiashile's Napoli medical booked. See the full takeover discussion here.
