The numbers behind Chelsea’s CRAZY decline under Clearlake Capital

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 26 Apr 2024 19:36 BST
• 4 min read

Chelsea’s 5-0 loss against Arsenal was a new low for a club on the decline.

The Blues were crowned Club World Cup champions just over two years ago - having won the Champions League eight months prior - yet they are set for consecutive mid-table finishes after another poor domestic campaign.

Roman Abramovich’s exit in 2022 saw Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali take over at Stamford Bridge and while Clearlake Capital have spent big since arriving at Chelsea, their investment has yielded little reward.

READ MORE: How much will it cost for Chelsea to sack Pochettino?

The west London club finished a measly 12th in the 2022-23 Premier League season, while they are on course for another average finish this time around after a series of poor results under Mauricio Pochettino.

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager is under huge pressure at Stamford Bridge and his future remains uncertain amid Chelsea’s inconsistent form.

The Blues have signed almost exclusively players under the age of 25 since Clearlake Capital took charge and the overreliance on youth has massively backfired. The strategy may come good in the future, but that backwards step Chelsea have taken over the past two years has been monumental.

READ MORE: How much have Chelsea spent on transfers under Todd Boehly?

The Stamford Bridge outfit have gone from Champions League winners to mid-table obscurity in less than three years and things don’t look like improving quickly, with Pochettino’s style of play unsuited to many of Chelsea’s current crop of players.

The numbers behind the Blues’ drop off over the past two years are incredible.

Chelsea’s decline under Clearlake Capital

Since Abramovich’s arrival in 2003, Chelsea have been one of the most successful clubs in European football and their tally of two Champions League titles is testament to that.

They also won the Premier League on five occasions under the Russian billionaire’s ownership, while eight domestic cup triumphs were also achieved.

However, Chelsea look a shadow of their former selves.

*current season.

The Blues’ first season under Clearlake Capital saw them register a finishing position lower than they ever managed under Abramovich, while they tallied the lowest number of goals scored too.

Furthermore, they have set a new record for goals conceded this campaign.

All the wrong records are being broken, all while over €1 billion has been spent on new signings in just two seasons.

Chelsea are on a downward trajectory and the Blues must hope their significant investment in youth pays off in future years.