Strasbourg fans already protesting against Chelsea owner Boehly's regime
Tom Weber
- Updated: 6 Oct 2023 22:09 BST
- 4 min read
Strasbourg fans have already had enough of the BlueCo ownership of their club.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly founded BlueCo to build a footballing empire that could match Red Bull and City Football Group. The first of what the American billionaire hopes will be many clubs to be acquired was Ligue 1 side RC Strasbourg.
The Alsatian side were taken over by BlueCo in the summer and the effects of the takeover were soon felt. Not only did new Chelsea signing Angelo Gabriel immediately join the club on loan but Strasbourg also annihilated their transfer record not once but twice with the €20 million signing of Abakar Sylla and the €13m acquisition of Emanuel Emegha.
READ: Chelsea boss Pochettino gives nightmare update on €62m signing
Patrick Vieira's Strasbourg already being booed, 2-0 down vs Nantes.
At Nice and now here, he's shown an ability to suck joy and creativity from players. Shown nothing at home against a team that's conceded 14 in 7.
Chelsea's owners really know how to pick a manager! pic.twitter.com/zDpsobZq6q— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) October 6, 2023
While some were certainly excited about the club's new funds, many in the Strasbourg fanbase did not want to see their club at the whim of an erratic American billionaire who has blown more than €1 billion on transfers with little to show for it in the way of on-field improvement at Chelsea.
"Let's not cut corners," the Strasbourg ultras announced in May, "if Racing were to be sold to a person who already owns one or more other football clubs, we would fight it with all our might."
Fan protests
Despite Strasbourg's seemingly exciting transfer business, the Alsatians are only in mid-table in Ligue 1 and there is no clear plan to be discerned regarding the direction of the club. Moreover, new head coach Patrick Viera is playing dire football which led to the Strasbourg team being booed after going 2-0 down - and ultimately losing - to fellow middling side Nantes.
At the game, fans displayed a banner that read: "Squad made to look younger, experience diminished: what is the project?" - a clear message to BlueCo and Boehly.
READ: Chelsea hold secret wonderkid talks after transfer mistake
Things likely won't get any better for Strasbourg anytime soon as their next Ligue 1 game will see them square up with PSG after which they will face a Stade Rennais side that is playing the Europa League this season.
