Steve Pagliuca has vowed to ensure Chelsea remain a “usual winner” by setting out the vision behind his bid to buy the club.
The Boston Celtics co-owner watched Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Southampton 6-0 on Saturday, and has now laid out his plans should he win the race to buy the Blues.
The four consortia fighting for the Premier League club will present final offers to New York’s commercial bank Raine Group on Thursday, with Pagliuca the latest to confirm a list of commitments that include plans to rebuild the Stamford Bridge stadium.
“During this very significant week for Chelsea, we would first like to wish Thomas and the Chelsea team the best of luck ahead of tonight’s Champions League game against Real Madrid,” Pagliuca said.
“Having witnessed a great 6-0 win against Southampton last week, I hope to see a comeback against Real Madrid in the quarter-final second leg.
“This process has been a bewildering moment for the football club and the fans.
“Throughout my life and career, my spirit has always been to operate quietly, with integrity and to let my actions and results speak loudly.
“However, it is imperative to clarify and reassure supporters about our bid pool and its commitments, to emphasize how seriously we take our potential responsibility to Chelsea.
“Our first focus and goal is to make strategic investments to keep competing for championships and trophies.
“We will support our players and managers to ensure Chelsea are regular winners and title contenders, whether it be in the Premier League, Champions League or Women’s Super League (the only Super League we intend to compete in, for the record). ).
“In addition, we will continue to invest in the youth academy to develop the stars of the future and we would not be in this process if we did not have an exciting and inclusive vision for Chelsea.”
Russian-Israeli billionaire Roman Abramovich put Chelsea up for sale on March 2, amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The UK government then sanctioned the 55-year-old on March 10, with Downing Street claiming to have proven his links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Chelsea have been granted a special government license to continue operating, albeit under strict terms.
Abramovich cannot benefit from the sale of Chelsea, but had already promised to write off the club’s £1.5bn debt.
Besides Pagliuca, the other three contenders to buy the Blues are the Ricketts family, which owns the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly, British business titan Jonathan Goldstein, and Sir Martin Broughton and Lord Sebastian. Coe.
Pagliuca has now revealed his plans for Chelsea should he be successful in his takeover bid.
“Our second focus will be to continue to cherish and preserve the legacy and traditions of the club,” Pagliuca said.
“In more than 20 years of ownership of the Boston Celtics, not once have we considered changing the club’s name, colors or logo. This is our guarantee for Chelsea fans.
“Not only are we committed to staying in Chelsea’s home, Stamford Bridge, we are inspired to renovate or rebuild the stadium.
“Chelsea is a world-class team, in a world-class city, with world-class fans – it deserves a world-class stadium.
“Our third focus will be making a significant positive impact in the community.
“We passionately believe that clubs have a social responsibility and we will continue to support the Chelsea Foundation and its impressive work in education, health and wellness, and diversity and inclusion both locally and globally.
“Chelsea should be the pride of London for their achievements on and off the pitch. It has fans all over the world and we will not tolerate bullying, anti-Semitism, racism or any other form of hate speech, and neither should our fans.
“Ultimately, the fans will see our commitment and we hope they trust us to stay true to our values on and off the field. We understand the responsibilities that come with such an important sports institution and we hold ourselves accountable to the fans.
“Later this week, we will submit a substantial and credible bid proposal, one which we expect will meet the respective requirements and regulations of the Premier League, the UK Government and UEFA, and we pledge to deliver on our commitment to credibility and the good guardianship of Chelsea. Soccer Club from the first day.
