Xabi Alonso has reflected on an “important day” for Chelsea after shareholders including Todd Boehly sold their stakes in the club to put Clearlake in complete control.
Chelsea announced that Clearlake will buy the minority stakes of Boehly and Mark Walter, ending the former’s time as chairman in the post-Roman Abramovich era, during which he played a hands-on role for a number the club’s big-money signings.
Clearlake, which was co-founded by Behdad Eghbali and Jose E. Feliciano, has joined forces with a third minority owner, Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, to acquire the remaining stakes in the club, which add up to about a quarter of the club.
Alonso, who was appointed Blues manager in the summer, thanked Boehly and Walter for their contributions over their four-year stay and said he was ready to “move on together” with Eghbali at the helm.
"I think it is an important day for the club when there is an important change in the structure of the club, new ownership,” he said.
"Thanks to the former owners for what they have done. I was not here but I know that they played an important role. And now that Behdad is taking more control, or almost full control, I think it is good that the main one is clear.
"I have a very good relationship with Behdad; he was the one who came to Madrid to explain the project to convince me and we are working well together. As I have mentioned, this is phase one we have completed in project of the squad. It is good and now we move on together."
Alonso faces one more Premier League assignment before his side break up for an extended three-week international break, with his side travelling to Brentford on Friday night.
He confirmed there will be last-minute fitness assessments of captain Reece James, Marco Palestra and Jordan Henderson, while Moises Caicedo could also make a return to the squad after three matches on the sidelines with injury.
Meanwhile, it is a “possibility” that Joao Pedro could feature despite being ruled out for the international by Brazil with a supposed injury.
"In terms of injuries and in terms of the squad, we are having the last training session tomorrow so no one is ruled out for us for Friday so I prefer to be cautious and we will be waiting until tomorrow to make the final decision on every player,” he said.
Staying coy over Joao Pedro’s apparent problem, which he opted not to disclose, Alonso was asked how the Brazilian had reacted to missing out on another international opportunity after being snubbed for the World Cup squad.
"He has moved on from the summer, from the World Cup,” Alonso said. “He has this strong desire, determination to have a great season so far. So the summer is far away now.
"He will be in the future for sure [selected for Brazil]. I am pretty sure that he is going to be."
Joao Pedro has scored three goals and notched three assists in the first four league games of the season, emerging an integral contributor to Alonso’s strong start to his debut campaign.