Clearlake Capital and Boehly completed a £4.25 billion takeover of the club in 2022. However, tensions have been rising between the stakeholders amid the men's team's poor performances on the pitch. It has been reported that Clearlake Capital, who are owned by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E Feliciano, are looking to buy out Boehly's stake in the club - with the 50-year-old keen to become a majority shareholder too.

The Guardian has now reported that Boehly is eager for a solution to be reached as soon as possible with tensions continuing to simmer in the boardroom. Under the terms of the takeover agreement, the American would not be permitted to sell to a third party without Clearlake's permission. But Boehly is refusing to be forced out, though he recognises that the management structure at the club in untenable.

Clearlake Capital are said to be on a similar footing to Boehly. The American private equity firm holds a 61.5% stake and considers the investment to be a long-term one, so it will not be ready to sell shares.

A solution to this boardroom conflict will be difficult to find. Chelsea fans will be hoping that the unrest does not affect performances on the pitch, as the men's side looks to improve on successive disappointing seasons and the women aim to defend their WSL title.