Chelsea have received takeover interest from the Middle East amid a behind-scenes rift between Clearlake Capital and Todd Boehly with a response given by the former, according to a new report.
Chelsea's mixed start to 2025/2026 under Enzo Maresca
Chelsea entered the campaign aiming to re-establish themselves as Premier League contenders and to make a strong impact in Europe, following what was a promising 2024/2025.
Enzo Maresca’s side qualified for the Champions League, won the UEFA Conference League and topped it off with a summer triumph at the Club World Cup, which banked the club a seismic £84 million in total prize money, according to the BBC.
However, there were real concerns surrounding Chelsea’s long-winded campaign and their inclusion in the controversial summer tournament, particularly around player fitness.
This appears to be coming to the forefront right now, with Maresca in the midst of a mini-injury crisis which has seen a host of key players sidelined, including almost all of their central defence for Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Liverpool just prior to the international break.
Enzo Fernández
Knee
Unknown
Cole Palmer
Groin
November
Andrey Santos
Knock
Unknown
Dario Essugo
Thigh
Early 2026
Liam Delap
Hamstring
November
Levi Colwill
ACL
Spring 2026
via Standard Sport
Reece James caused a major scare when the right-back withdrew from England duty after an injury sustained against Liverpool too, but thankfully for Maresca, the decision was merely precautionary.
Chelsea’s much-needed wins over José Mourinho’s Benfica and Liverpool helped to calm suggestions of real tension between Maresca and the Stamford Bridge hierarchy, with the Blues suffering a poor run of form between late August and late September.
Maresca’s side won just once in five games during that period — a nervy 2-1 victory away to Lincoln City in the Carabao Cup — and suffered humbling defeats against Bayern Munich, Man United and Brighton.
Chelsea really haven’t been helped by injuries and there are glaring weaknesses to address, particularly in defence, with BlueCo reportedly prioritising the signing of a star centre-back in January.
However, as per a new report by journalist Simon Phillips, Clearlake and the club’s ownership remain committed to the cause.
Clearlake respond to Middle East takeover approach over buying Chelsea
Phillips, via his Substack, reports that Chelsea have been subject to a takeover approach from the Middle East, with an unnamed consortium expressing interest in buying the club “outright.”
However, this enquiry to Clearlake was met with a clear response — Chelsea’s majority shares are not for sale.
Clearlake and Boehly have pumped hundreds of millions into Chelsea since their takeover from Roman Abramovich in 2022, particularly into new signings, and it would be a major shock to see either party sell-up now.
Even if a long-term acquisition is one to keep an eye on, Clearlake will surely want to end their tenure at the club by going out on a high with major silverware to look back on.