Chelsea team receives a post-game speech from Todd Boehly criticizing embarrassing season

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly attempted to motivate the players ahead of their Champions League tie with Real Madrid by giving a speech in the dressing room following their defeat to Brighton on Saturday. Boehly, along with fellow board members Behdad Eghbali and Hansjörg Wyss, expressed the club's disappointment at the season so far and the players' performances after spending close to £600m on signings since last summer. One senior player, who was not identified, was reportedly singled out for heavy criticism. Despite the criticism, Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga said that Boehly's speech was not unusual and that he regularly visits the changing room. Chelsea interim head coach Frank Lampard also had no issue with the owners' involvement and said passionate owners can work well with fans to bring a real vision to the club.

Chelsea have spent heavily on transfers but have seen little return on their investment on the pitch, exiting both domestic cups early while also struggling to maintain a top-four position in the Premier League. Concerns have been raised over the club's financial position, with some suggesting that almost every player could be up for sale this summer. Liverpool have reportedly expressed interest in signing Chelsea player Mason Mount, whose contract expires at the end of next season.

Other academy players such as Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Levi Colwill and Callum Hudson-Odoi could leave. Selling them would represent pure profit in FFP terms. Chelsea have agreed a deal to sign the France forward Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig.

Boehly also stole the headlines last week when he predicted that Chelsea would beat Madrid 3-0 at the Bernabéu. Carlo Ancelotti’s side made a mockery of that prediction thanks to goals from Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio. Chelsea lost Ben Chilwell to a red card and Kalidou Koulibaly to a hamstring injury that will keep the centre-back out for several weeks.