LA Dodgers Chief: Chelsea Have One Of The Best Owners In Sport In Todd Boehly

LA Dodgers Chief Executive Stan Kasten has heaped praise upon Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly.

Boehly, who is a part owner of the MLB team, headed up a consortium alongside Clearlake Capital to take over from Roman Abramovich.

The American has since taken on a lot of responsibility at Stamford Bridge, acting as interim sporting director while a full-time replacement is found.

Working with head coach Thomas Tuchel, Boehly has been working hard to secure signings at Stamford Bridge this summer.

The Blues had agreed a £55 million fee for Raphinha but the Brazilian now looks set for a move to Barcelona.

The Chelsea co-owner is set to get his first signing, having agreed a fee with Manchester City over Raheem Sterling.

The 27-year-old is set to join up with his new teammates in the United States this week.

Boehly also travelled to Barcelona to discuss transfer negotiations amid interest in Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso.

While the Blues are yet to release an interview with the Chelsea co-owner, he has been given a glowing review by the LA Dodgers Chief Executive Kasten.

Speaking to Sky Sports after Joe Cole threw the opening pitch for the Dodgers, Kasten said: “Todd is an incredible sports fan, very passionate about the teams, but he’s passionate as is Mark (Walter) about all of the things we do - not just the team, but the stadium, stadium experience, community relations efforts. All three of these different areas were very important to all of them. They have always given us the resources we need to be leaders across the board in all of those programmes.

“I’m aggressive by nature, but they’ve always encouraged me to be more aggressive. That’s what we’ve experienced here, it’s what makes them the best owners in sports.

"It is one of those rare, premier, global, iconic brands, like the Dodgers, like the Lakers, Chelsea’s right in that same conversation. We are a good group to fit in. 

“Sports fans are always sceptical when you’re not winning. We have sceptical sports fans in America, of American owners.

"It will have to do with what plans you have in place, what kind of people have been put in place, what kind of resources they have to get the job done.

"Based on what we’ve done here with the Dodgers, I would foresee all of those good things for Chelsea.”

Blues fans will be hoping for even more success under Boehly and Clearlake Capital’s ownership as they prepare for their first season under the consortium.

Chelsea will face Club America, Charlotte FC and Arsenal during their pre-season tour of North America before returning to Europe and preparing for the new season with a final friendly against Udinese scheduled at the end of July.