CHELSEA owner Todd Boehly is set to miss the club’s final match of the season, according to reports.
The Blues have embarked on their worst-ever Premier League season, trumping even their 1993/94 campaign which saw them notch 51 points as they finished 14th.
AlamyTodd Boehly has had a tough start to life as Chelsea owner[/caption]
PAHe is set to miss the Premier League’s traditional ‘lap of appreciation’ at Stamford Bridge[/caption]
Fast forward to now, and the most points Chelsea can get this season is 46, and they could yet drop down to 14th place if results go against them on the final day.
Boehly, who also owns the LA Lakers and LA Dodgers, is in America on other business, according to The Telegraph.
As a result, Boehly, 49, is set to miss the final game at Stamford Bridge and the traditional “lap of appreciation” held at the end of the season by all Prem clubs.
Although this time around, it will more likely be a “walk of shame” – as dubbed by The Telegraph’s Thom Gibbs.
Despite Boehly’s expected absence, it is not believed to be directly related to his reported scaling back of duties.
Indeed, the plan has always been to hand more control to sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley and chief executive Chris Jurasek for the day-to-day running of the club.
Co-controlling owner Behdad Eghbali meanwhile, is set to attend despite missing the 4-1 defeat against Manchester United through illness.
However, the report adds Boehly could change his plans and make a late dash for the Newcastle clash if he wanted to.
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GettyCo-owner Behdad Eghbali is set to attend[/caption]
The Chelsea faithful have already let their discontent with Boehly’s running of the club known.
Fans were involved in a heated row with the American during the 2-1 defeat to Brighton in April.
The dire season has come despite a £600million splurge on new players, though many have proven to either be not good enough or not yet ready to lead the club’s development.
Managerial decisions have been questionable too.
The sacking of fan-favourite Thomas Tuchel was far from popular.
But when replacement and supposed long-term boss Graham Potter was sacked and replaced by Frank Lampard in the interim there was bewilderment.
And just five league wins since the World Cup have signified how difficult a year it has been for the Blues.