Mauricio Pochettino has issued a cautionary message to Chelsea owners regarding their reported plans to incorporate an Argentine club into their multi-club system.
Operated by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, the BlueCo multi-club system currently encompasses Chelsea and French club Strasbourg. Recent reports suggest that the owners are exploring the possibility of expanding their portfolio by acquiring additional clubs.
Their focus appears to be on the South American market, with clubs such as Boca Juniors and Lionel Messi’s childhood team, Newell’s Old Boys, being considered as potential targets.
In response to these developments, Chelsea manager Pochettino has expressed concerns about the potential challenges BlueCo may face in Argentina. He believes that the Argentine club fans could pose a greater resistance compared to the supporters of Chelsea and Strasbourg.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League match against Manchester City, Pochettino emphasized the unique bond between Argentine fans and their clubs, suggesting that it might not be easy to change their mindset.
“It’s so difficult because Argentina is a country where it is not normally like here, where people arrive from outside and buy clubs. The fans, they feel they belong to the club and the club belongs to them, and it’s not easy to change the mentality,” Pochettino stated.
While acknowledging the president’s aspirations to contribute positively to the country and its people, Pochettino expressed skepticism about the ease of acquiring a club in Argentina at this time.
“Maybe in time, yes, but at the moment I don’t believe it is going to be easy to buy a club there. But, of course, the president has new ideas and he wants to help the country and the people to have better lives,” he added.
It remains to be seen whether Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital will be successful in their endeavors to integrate an Argentine club into the BlueCo multi-club system.
