Boston Celtics co-owner vows to ensure Chelsea remain ‘habitual winners’

Stephen Pagliuca, the co-owner of the Boston Celtics basketball team, has confirmed his interest in buying Chelsea, saying his takeover would ensure the club continue to be “habitual winners”, would never again try to join a European Super League and would remain at Stamford Bridge.

Pagliuca’s bid for Chelsea was included last month on a shortlist of possible takeover options for the club by Raine Group, the US bank handling the sale,but little has been heard from the American, who is co-chairman of Bain Capital, a private investment firm. He has now decided to make his intentions clear ahead of submitting a formal bid prior to Thursday’s deadline.

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In a statement, the 67-year-old said: “This process has been a disconcerting time for the club and fans. Throughout my life and career, my ethos has always been to operate quietly, with integrity, and let my actions and results speak loudly. However, it is imperative to clarify and assure supporters about our bid group and its commitments, to emphasise how seriously we take our potential responsibility to Chelsea.

“Our first focus and goal is to make strategic investments to continue competing for championships and trophies. We will support our players and managers to make sure that Chelsea are habitual winners and title contenders, whether in the Premier League, Champions League or the Women’s Super League [the only Super League we intend competing 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 a exciting and inclusive vision for Chelsea.

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