Speaking exclusively to BoyleSports, Former Chelsea star Frank Leboeuf did not mince his words when asked about his feelings about the running of his former club.
Leboeuf, who is also a FIFA World Cup and Euros winner with France, expressed his frustrations with club owner Todd Boehly and the constant firing and hiring of managers at the club.
He also weighed in on who the Blues should be looking to target in this summer’s transfer window and what he thinks are the future prospects of Mykhailo Mudryk and Nicolas Jackson at the club.
Anger Over Running of Chelsea
I’m frustrated as a former Chelsea player. I still follow all my former clubs and especially Chelsea, as something special happened with me and the fans there when I was at the club.
My frustration is now turning to anger. Chelsea change coaches but they are not thinking differently. I try to stay neutral - even when Chelsea play Man United - but I have to be professional.
Chelsea as a football club is just not working and we are becoming a mockery for other clubs. We live in the present and not the future, fans want results and I want results, I don’t want to wait four years to get them.
We need to sign spine players - look at what N’Golo Kante is doing at the EUROs - it’s shameful why we’re getting rid of these players. There’s no consistency and we also got rid of Thiago Silva, who was our only experienced defender.
We have talented players but they are far too young. There needs to be a blend of youth and wisdom of experience and we don’t have that - that is why we’re good and then terrible 15 minutes later and this is the new normal.
New Chelsea Manager Enzo Maresca ‘Won’t Change Anything’
I don’t know Enzo Maresca very well and I wish him all the best, but I genuinely believe it won’t change anything.
The problem is on the pitch, not the coach. Pochettino did so well and it’s f***** up that the owners aren’t getting it. It’s because of the players why we’re doing badly, not the coach.
After three years, the only problems we have are on the field - Poch did well especially at the end of the season to finish sixth, but it’s impossible unless the right players are bought.
When you buy Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo for a combined £220m and they are not even at the top of their countries, it’s extremely worrying.
This is What Chelsea Need To Change Their Fortunes
Chelsea need to sign three players to fix their spine, striker is the most important position. They need a defender, a defensive midfielder and a striker.
Over the years, we’ve signed some great players but they are still fragile.
All Todd Boehly Wants To Do is Make Money
Are fans starting to become disconnected with Chelsea due to their owners? Todd Boehly does not listen to people - all he wants to do is make money and they don’t care about football and it’s the same with the Glazers at Man United.
They do not care about football and that’s what I’m resentful about. They need to be wiser and the fans need to see it otherwise they will continue to be upset.
I get if you want to sign someone and sell them for profit, but Abramovich was a genius where he’d get the money back due to the success on the pitch.
He did not pay £100m for any player, with the exception of Torres, the recruitment was exceptional - just look at Makelele, Drogba, Lampard, Carvalho. Everything was spot on and you never had any poor coaches, too. He changed coaches but there was a clear structure - which was the right recruitment.
I’m not sure who is advising Todd Boehly but instead of Frank Lamprd being a coach, why don’t they appoint him as an advisor at Chelsea?
This is the Goalkeeper that Chelsea Should Target This Summer
Ederson is clearly being left out for a reason and I don’t think Chelsea should sign him. If you look at the past players who Guardiola has sold, there’s always been a reason.
Apart from Cole Palmer, who didn’t want to wait to play, Sterling, Gabriel Jesus for Arsenal - all the players he has sold have gone on to struggle at their new clubs.
If Pep doesn’t want you, it’s for a reason, and that’s why I’d be cautious about signing Ederson if I was Chelsea.
Mike Maignan, however, would be an excellent signing for Chelsea and I don’t think Milan could afford to keep him at Chelsea. I’d drive him to Stamford Bridge myself if I could. I just don’t think he would go to Chelsea as they don’t have Champions League football. He’s for sure one of the best goalkeepers in the world, however.
I do think the Dutch goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen has been excellent for the Netherlands and he could be a great option for Chelsea, but so would Jordan Pickford who has proven time and time again how important he is to England.
‘Bizarre’ Decision to Sign Roberto Sanchez From Brighton
Chelsea signing Robert Sanchez was bizarre and a mystery. Kepa was a huge mistake. It’s hard to follow in Petr Cech’s lead and I’m afraid I just do not believe Sanchez, Kepa or Petrovic are good enough to play at the level that Chelsea need.
Gusto Should Start Over Reece James Going Into Next Season
Listen, Reece James is absolutely brilliant but his injury record is a huge concern. Malo Gusto was absolutely fantastic for Chelsea and he stepped up when they needed him - I fear it’s not fair on him if he goes to the bench next season in favour of James.
Gusto has to start over Reece James as he has earnt that right after his performances last season. I know James is the club captain but right now you’d have to give Gusto the benefit of the doubt to start given how he performed last season.
If you cannot play Gusto, they might have to sell him while his stock is so high as they could get a lot of money for him right now.
Mudryk Is A Lost Cause
Mudryk has no value anymore - he’s a lost cause and Chelsea won’t make any money on him.
Mudryk is so raw and he’s not getting better under many managers - there’s no improvement.
Who would want to buy Mudryk? I wouldn’t even buy him for 10 million at the moment. In fact, I wouldn’t even buy him for £1m. Why would you want to spend money on a player who is not in any way productive.
He’s been here 18 months and I know it’s been difficult for him given his circumstances at home in Ukraine, but judging from what I’ve seen, I really worry that Chelsea have signed a dud in Mudryk and they must replace him.
I was bought for £2m in 1996 and I thought that was a lot! Mudryk was bought for £70m or something - it’s insane!
Nicolas Jackson’s Future At Chelsea
I think Nicolas Jackson works hard for the team. Sometimes he is clumsy but I think he did enough last season to be given another chance.
I do think he could improve a lot next season, unlike with Mudryk.
The Strikers That Chelsea Should Be Eyeing Up In The Transfer Market
I really rate Victor Osimhen and I feel he would be a great, great striker for Chelsea. He’s so strong, good in the air. I know he had some issues last season, but he can take on players and is a natural goal-scorers
Chelsea should look at Lens and Lille for cheaper strikers - over the last ten years they have got their business for strikers bang on and sold them for big profit. Jonathan David and Lois Openda have been superb in the French league over the years and they did not cost a lot.
If I were Chelsea, I would look at signing Elhi Wahi from Lens. He is a quality player and he could be a similar profile to Drogba, who joined from Marseille for such a cut-price fee. If you look at the market right now, the striker options are very short. Kane is struggling for England, Morata is average for Spain, Havertz is pretty poor and I’m not sure why Nagelsmann has played him every game.
Niclas Fullkrug should also be an option, he has the x-factor, he’s so dangerous every time he comes on for Germany and I know he’s 31, but I believe he would add a lot of quality to Chelsea and would fit English football perfectly.
Euro 2024 Star Arda Guler A Possible Signing For Chelsea?
Arda Guler has been phenomenal for Turkey but it’s too early for Chelsea and signing him and putting him in a jungle of young players is not the right thing to do.
I’m telling you the one who Chelsea should sign is Granit Xhaka. He’s so impressive and I think Chelsea should have signed him when he left Arsenal.
He has been phenomenal for Switzerland at the EUROs and he was also the Player of the Season for Leverkusen - he suits Chelsea so well, particularly in midfield with Enzo and Caicedo.
He could be the missing piece of the puzzle for them.
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