Some thoughts on the "US consortium" buyer type.
1. I think we have learned something about what these guys have in mind, looking at how Boehly is handling the Chelsea investment.
2. Chelsea spent 250m under Abramovich in the summer of 2020. A big reason for this was that after the Covid spring, it was felt that nobody else had money to spend and they could get bargains on the transfer market. And they got their targets. They also spent a 120m in 2021. Chelsea FC was not an "under-invested" club when Boehly took over. They are in a bit of a generational change phase, they have a boatload lot of quality on the squad, but they aren't quite taking off. Their coaching has been iffy. Conte is just not good in today's game. They have had issues with the striker position.
With their youth academy, they are in a good position going forward. The last years they have SOLD players for 194m, 83m, 153m, 57m, 124m and 56m.
3. Boehly is not stupid, and neither is the guys he is working with at Chelsea. They are splashing cash, and it will not be effective. We all know it. 293m this summer. They are prepared to spend 120m on Fernandez and 70m on Nkunku. Another 10-15m for Fofana from Molde. Haven't they also swooped up 2-3 big youth players? Another 250m this january? Since take-over to summer transfer window, it could easily add up to 600m if not more. They are reportedly the favorite for Moukokou.
Given "football" inflation, that is at least on par with what Pep was allowed to spend. And when you make this amount of signings, and they are swinging for everyone. Gvardiol? I don't think they have given up on him. We have seen these type of spending sprees before, and while they might work, they are never "effective". Its not sound economics. 2-3 guys work out and become core guys for you, 3-4 end up being rushed players.
4. Why is Boehly running Chelsea in a stupid way? Without any single doubt, success breads success in elite football. How come?
(i) Price money is significantly increasing if you are a winner. The difference between being the impact of being 5th in the PL and not playing in the Champions League and winning the PL and the CL is significant. 150-200m? Sponsorships etc included. Could be more. Real Madrid made a slight -- like 20-30m -- profit last season. They won the double. Huge loss if they finish 3 in the league and is out in the QF in the CL.
(ii) Players want to go to winners. You get a huge discount on signings if you are top 3 in the world.
(iii) You get to buy players, that you otherwise would not be able to get. Endrick is an example. City just signed two strikers that could more or less choose between all top clubs...
(iv) In sports -- confidence, pressure and these things really matter. A winning club is just much more "healthy" than an under-performing player. Your players will develop better, your new signings will do better.
(v) You get a premium when selling players. Managers look at someone playing in a CL final, and attribute them a too high value. Cancelo was just sat for Dalot in the World Cup. Cancelo is great, but "how" great is he? If he went to Tottenham -- he would have a much lower price tag at this point.
5. Look at Manchester City. It has been a very very successful acquisition by Abu Dabi. They are profitable now, somewhat. If Abu D sold them now, they have that awsome youth academy, the City group in place, they wouldn't return to the cellar over night.
-> I think it is very obvious that guys like Boehly -- who 100% is an investor, only is looking for profit -- intends to do it the Manchester City way. I think this is a bit risky, because when Chelsea, City and PSG did it -- they were alone doing it. When you start going in this direction, you cannot stop. Then it will be an enormous loss. Chelsea hit it off with Mourinho and City with Pep -- if City don't get Pep -- it would work out a lot worse for them.
But this is definitely the goal of an "US consortium" spending billions on a PL club right now. This is the business plan. Put the club at the top, reap the rewards. What is their USP? They can provide financial resources others cannot/are not. Spend 500m a year on transfers for 5 years and you will get there, the risk for failing are low. Once you are there, its much harder for everyone else to compete with you.
