Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has had his say on club co-owner Todd Boehly’s visits to the dressing room after games.
After Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Brighton, Boehly and fellow club co-owners Behdad Eghbali and Hansjorg Wyss were spotted visiting the dressing room.
It was almost an hour later before the three left, so it is safe to say that they took their time to deliver a message to the squad after such a disappointing result.
Unsurprisingly, Arrizabalaga was asked about the visit ahead of Tuesday’s second-leg match against Real Madrid.
“Todd comes to the changing room every game,” the Spain international said in Monday’s press conference.
“He had different chats with us for different games.
“I’m not going to say what he said, but it’s normal when he comes to the changing room.”
Well, Arrizabalaga was never going to openly criticise his employer, wasn’t he?
It may be unusual for club owners to be involved this much, but Boehly and Eghbali’s hands-on approach also shows that they care about the team.
While this may put the players under unnecessary pressure, it also gives them access to voice their opinions to the hierarchy.
The Blues are in a situation in which the players do not even know under whom they will play next season, so direct communications with the owners may help bring stability.
In the last years of Roman Abramovich’s ownership, Petr Cech played the role of the bridge between the playing and coaching staff and the board.
The only difference is just that now it can be done directly. However, this may also lead to a player-power culture in the team, which can be a double-edged sword.
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