Carlo Ancelotti Backs Todd Boehly’s Chelsea Dressing Room Talk

Carlo Ancelotti believes Todd Boehly’s message to Chelsea’s squad could act as motivation and has insisted that the owner has the right to criticise the players in the dressing room after games. It is understood that Boehly labelled Chelsea’s current situation ’embarrassing’ as he addressed the players after their 2-1 defeat at home to Brighton on Saturday, and also singled out one senior player for criticism. Ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League quarter-final tie against Real Madrid, Ancelotti believes that Boehly should be allowed to give his verdict directly to the squad, saying ‘From the owners it could be an important motivation for the players’. Frank Lampard also made it clear that he had no issue with Boehly frequently visiting the dressing room to speak with the players, saying ‘For me, there was some criticism of our old owner about not coming and being around – and that wasn’t always true, to be fair. When an owner is very invested in the team and wants to help and improve, it’s his prerogative to have the input that they want. I remember, as a player, the moments of when owners came into dressing rooms. It happened first here at Chelsea and it never really happened here before. I remember being happy that you could touch them and high-five them, you could listen to them and feel them. I don’t think that’s a bad thing in terms of the identity of the club and where you want to get to. I have no problems with it.’