Chelsea owners under pressure as Strasbourg fans lash out over transfer strategy
- Chelsea's ownership group BlueCo purchased Ligue 1 side Strasbourg earlier this season
- French outfit have bought young players but, like Chelsea, have struggled domestically
- Fan group have demanded change from Blues co-owner Behdad Eghbali
By Tom Gott
Chelsea's owners are under immense pressure from a Strasbourg fan group to change their transfer strategy after an underwhelming 2023/24 campaign.
The BlueCo ownership group purchased Strasbourg earlier this season and wasted little time implementing the same transfer approach used at Chelsea - selling veterans and putting faith in young players.
Strasbourg spent big on 21-year-olds Abakar Sylla, Emanuel Emegha and Dilane Bakwa, also bringing in 19-year-old Brazilians Andrey Santos and Angelo on loan from Chelsea. Allowed to depart were top scorer Habib Diallo, star midfielder Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and captain Matz Sels, whose deadline day exit to Nottingham Forest proved particularly controversial.
Like Chelsea, the returns on the pitch have been underwhelming. Led by Patrick Vieira, Strasbourg find themselves 12th in Ligue 1 and fans have rarely shied away from slamming the owners for their approach to the club.
Strasbourg fan group Ultra Boys 90 have taken their frustrations to the next level with a lengthy statement demanding a change in the club's transfer policy to turn their fortunes around.
"Racing is now nothing more than a financial asset, owned by an investment fund that already owns another football club," the group wrote. "We've said it before, and we'll say it again: Multi-club is killing football, and we'll fight it!
"Two transfer windows have also come and gone, and all we can do is watch helplessly as our club is stripped of all its experienced players. In favour of young up-and-coming players. It is now clear that BlueCo requires the recruitment of players aged 23 years or less.
"We're not fooled! No professional club can be competitive under these conditions. Without balanced recruitment, the tens of millions invested in these young players will not serve Racing but only the interests of the new owners. That's why we're asking: what is BlueCo's real plan for Racing?"
Such complaints are nothing new to BlueCo, who have faced similar criticism from Chelsea fans after the Blues' expensive transfer strategy has seen them fall into mid-table obscurity in the Premier League.
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