New Chelsea owner told to fix their leaky defence

NEW Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will be told the bulk of Chelsea’s summer budget should be used to rebuild the club’s defence. Boehly’s takeover at Stamford Bridge is expected to be ratified by the Government and Premier League before the end of the month, at which point the new owners — who include financial firm Clearlake Capital and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss — will have to hit the ground running in terms of player recruitment. The new owners will make substantial funds available to improve the squad during their first transfer window in charge. And the American-Swiss consortium will immediately be advised that signing defensive reinforcements should be a priority. Antonio Rudiger is leaving to join Real Madrid while Andreas Christensen is set to join Barcelona — both on free transfers. Cesar Azpilicueta and Marcos Alonso’s futures at Chelsea are also uncertain, with at least one of the two expected to depart. Sevilla defender Jules Kounde is a long-term target for Chelsea, with the club set to revisit their interest during the close season. Signing right back Reece James — and midfielder Mason Mount — to contract extensions will also be a priority for Boehly (below). Meanwhile, chairman Bruce Buck and director Marina Granovskaia are expected to continue at Chelsea under the new regime. Sportsmail reported last week that the pair — two of Roman Abramovich’s closest allies — were expected to stay at the club if Boehly’s bid was success. And now the US tycoon is officially Chelsea’s owner-inwaiting, American Buck and Russian Granovskaia are set to be offered the chance to stay at the club once the Abramovich era has come to an end.