"My frustration is now turning to anger" - Frank Leboeuf slams Chelsea for letting go of EURO 2024 star
Frank Leboeuf has slammed Chelsea's owners for letting N'Golo Kante leave as a free agent in the summer of 2023. The former Blues defender believes Chelsea are making too many mistakes in the transfer market.
Speaking to BoyleSports, Leboeuf stated that his former side have become a mockery of what they were and lack a core in the squad. He added that the fans are made to wait for results while they need to be thinking about the present and not just the future. He said:
"I'm frustrated as a former Chelsea player. I still follow all my former clubs and especially Chełsea, as something special happened with me and the fans there when I was at the club. My frustration is now turning to anger. Chelsea change coaches but they are not thinking differently. I try to stay neutral – even when Chełsea play Man United – but I have to be professional. Chelsea as a football club is just not working and we are becoming a mockery for other clubs. We live in the present and not the future; fans want results, and I want results; I don't want to wait four years to get them."
"We need to sign spine players – look at what N'Golo Kante is doing at the EUROs – it's shameful why we're getting rid of these players. There's no consistency and we also got rid of Thiago Silva, who was our only experienced defender," he added.
N'Golo Kante and Thiago Silva parted ways with the Blues after the expiry of their contract. The Frenchman moved to Al Ittihad last summer while the Brazilian moved to Fluminense earlier this summer.
Kante has received widespread acclaim for his performances for France at the ongoing European Championships.
Chelsea changed their transfer strategy under new owners
Chelsea were known for buying top players in the world who were in the prime of their careers. However, after the club was bought by Todd Boehly-led Clearlake Capital, they have focused on signing young and exciting talents to build a side that can deliver for years.
The Blues have prioritized future growth over immediate success, but that has not gone well with a lot of fans and pundits. Former players have also questioned the club's strategy after they finished 12th and sixth in the last two seasons.
While the strategy has changed, the revolving door for managers seems to be going on. Former Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca has started his era at the club – their third permanent managerial hire in as many years.