Chelsea ownership row: Todd Boehly & Clearlake split explained

The gradual worsening of relations has been described as a “culture clash” rather than a major blow-up.

There are complaints from sources on one side that Eghbali is too involved on the football side of the operation on a day-to-day basis and needs to leave the experts to do their job.

But Clearlake insists that he only helps on the financial side of deals and allows analysts and sporting directors to lead.

Boehly’s camp would point to his hands-off approach at the successful LA Dodgers in baseball, where he was not involved in the sporting operation.

In truth, both owners are somewhat culpable for what has, at times, become an oversized squad, having lurched between different transfer strategies in a relatively short period.

On the positive side, Chelsea say they have modernised the medical and recruitment departments, with work on the academy and training ground to begin soon.

Newly promoted club president Jason Gannon has taken the lead on the stadium project from board member Jonathan Goldstein, CEO of Boehly’s investment firm Cain International.

Although Goldstein remains involved, the accomplished Gannon, who has experience working as managing director of SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, is in charge. Architect Janet Marie Smith, who continues to work with Boehly on Dodger Stadium, has left, with Populous now advising on design possibilities.

However, the ownership issues and change in senior executive staff has significantly slowed work on ground redevelopment or a move to a new stadium, with the aim of expanding the 40,000-seater Stamford Bridge by 2030 now in doubt.

It has also been a factor in no front-of-shirt sponsorship deal being secured for the start of the second season in a row.

Yet the women’s team, which have had less intervention from the owners, remain a success as they seek a minority investor to buy into that side of the club, which has split from the first team.

Sources inside the men’s first team insist the public ownership spat will not undermine performances on the pitch, while the women’s team say they have never been impacted.