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Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali reveals significant shift in transfer strategy

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Chelsea owner Behdad Eghbali has revealed how the club will drastically shift their transfer strategy after growing dissent among supporters.

The Blues are currently in a battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League, with fifth the target in the Premier League to secure a berth, despite a remote chance of an extra English team in Europe’s top club competition.

But after inconsistent results since Enzo Maresca’s departure and the hiring of Liam Rosenior, fans have underlined “an erosion of trust” with the owners and the project, but Eghbali maintains the club’s approach will evolve in the coming months, instead targeting some “ready-made” players, despite a committed approach to signing younger, unproven talent in recent years.

“The view was to recruit and build elite players that can, frankly, be together and have that stability in the squad. We’re still in the 40th, 50th minute of that process,” Eghbali said at the CAA’s World Congress of Sports conference in Los Angeles on Thursday.

“But the view is to keep, sign and retain and compensate and extend some of the world’s best players, and ultimately the view was you need, eight, 10, 12, 15 elite players to win and win sustainably, year after year.

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“I think we’ve done a few things right, a lot of things right. We’ve got to be better on a few things, to add more ready-made players at this part of the project, to take it to the next level, to be consistent over time.”

Eghbali also admitted regret at the mid-season departure of Maresca, adding: “Our policy has been no in-season [head coach] changes.

“You certainly review and hold not only the manager, but the management team, the sporting team, accountable, but typically in the summers, not in season.

Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali in the stands at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali in the stands at Stamford Bridge (PA)

“It’s not a change we wanted to make [Enzo Maresca leaving]. It’s a change that had a bit of a negative impact in the season, when you’re changing systems and personnel, and it’s one we’ve got to fight our way out of.

“We still have six matches in the Premier League, and an FA Cup semi-final coming up. So, hopefully the story of this season hasn’t been written yet, and you’ve got a lot to fight for. In my perspective, when you get punched in the face, you’ve got to fight back, you’ve got to stand up and fight. And it’s going to hopefully show a lot about the character of this squad.”

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The Blues reported a pre-tax losses of £262.4m for the last financial year, a Premier League record, with around £1.5bn spent on transfer fees since the new ownership group took charge in 2022.

And now the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST) has said there is a “lack of confidence” in the owners.

Chelsea were beaten comprehensively by Manchester City on Sunday
Chelsea were beaten comprehensively by Manchester City on Sunday (PA Wire)

“These concerns are not driven by short-term results, and they will not be resolved by them. They relate to the underlying direction of the club, and they will persist regardless of fluctuations on the pitch,” said the CST.

“At the heart of supporter concern is a simple point: the current model has demanded a huge amount of faith from the fanbase, while giving too little clarity in return. Supporters have watched relentless upheaval. Players, managers, staff, and structures have changed at pace. This has been presented as part of a long-term plan.

“Yet four years on, there is still no sufficiently clear or convincing explanation of how that plan delivers sustained success while preserving a recognisable Chelsea identity. The vision remains unclear, its execution inconsistent, and its leadership insufficiently accountable.”

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Meet the stars behind the film and the roles they play

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Normal (2026) is an American action film written by Derek Kolstad, directed by Ben Wheatley and dramatizing a story originally by Kolstad and Bob Odenkirk. Normal (2026) had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in late September 2025 and its US theatrical release on April 17, 2026. Normal (2026) is a story about a small-town sheriff who discovers a bigger criminal network, which leads to a series of violent incidents.

The film setting is a peaceful town that suddenly gets out of control with Normal (2026) mixing action with a multi-layered story about corruption, crime, and survival.

The movie features Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses, alongside Henry Winkler as Mayor Kibner and Lena Headey as Moira, supported by a cast including Reena Jolly, Ryan Allen, Billy MacLellan, Brendan Fletcher, Peter Shinkoda, and Jess McLeod.


Who stars in Normal (2026)?

1) Bob Odenkirk as Sheriff Ulysses

Bob Odenkirk - Source: GettyBob Odenkirk - Source: Getty
Bob Odenkirk – Source: Getty

Bob Odenkirk stars as the main character, Sheriff Ulysses, in Normal (2026). He is a well-known actor, writer, and producer who has won several awards, including Primetime Emmy Awards and has been nominated in most major categories several times. Odenkirk started his career as a writer for Saturday Night Live from 1987 to 1991.

He then moved on to work on The Ben Stiller Show, where he won an Emmy for writing. Besides, he was a writer for Late Night with Conan O’Brien and an actor in The Larry Sanders Show. Odenkirk became famous for his role as Saul Goodman in Breaking Bad and its spin-off Better Call Saul, for which he was nominated multiple times for the Emmy Awards.

Besides the TV-series, he has been a part of Fargo and was also recognized for a guest role in The Bear. In the movie industry, Odenkirk has featured in Nobody and its sequel, while also having supporting roles in Little Women and The Post.

Read More: Who was Nadia Farès married to? Children and all you need to know as French actress dies aged 57

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2) Henry Winkler as Mayor Kibner

Henry Winkler- Source: GettyHenry Winkler- Source: Getty
Henry Winkler- Source: Getty

Mayor Kibner is portrayed by Henry Winkler in Normal (2026). Winkler is a seasoned actor who has enjoyed a lengthy career in television and film, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards. In the early phase of his career, Winkler gained recognition for his role as Fonzie in Happy Days, which was on air from 1974 to 1984.

This acting effort catapulted him to become a well-known figure on television. As a result, he diversified into both the media of film and television. You can see him in projects like Scream, The Waterboy, and Click.

Recently, he has been active on the small screen with roles in Arrested Development, Parks and Recreation, and Barry, the latter of which won him an Emmy Award. Besides acting, Winkler has also been a director, producer, and author. For example, he has written a children’s book series that is based on his own experiences.


3) Lena Headey as Moira

Lena Headey - Source: GettyLena Headey - Source: Getty
Lena Headey – Source: Getty

Lena Headey portrays Moira in Normal (2026). She is an English actress whose career has encompassed television and film, earning her international fame. Playing Cersei Lannister in Game of Thrones is probably Headey’s best-known work, a character for which she received several Emmy nominations and garnered great critical praise.

Additionally, she starred as Queen Gorgo in 300, one of her many cinema appearances, and The Purge is another example. She enjoys a diversified filmography featuring a variety of action, drama, and fantasy titles.

The Brothers Grimm and Imagine Me & You are among her earlier films while quite recently, television productions include Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. Not limiting herself to live performances only, Headey has lent her voice to animated series and video games.

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The movie was released in theatres on April 17, 2026.