I see Chelsea fans as our customers - Blues CEO admits he doesn't like football

Chelsea supporters have been left aghast after reports emerged of CEO Chris Jurcsak admitting he views football as merely a "product" and fans as "customers" during a staff meeting.

American businessman Jurcsak was installed as chief executive by new owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital following their £ 4.25 billion takeover of the club last year.

However, according to the Daily Mail, Jurcsak left employees stunned when asked if he supported Chelsea during an introductory meeting with new starters.

The report states Jurcsak responded that he was "not really a football fan" before making the controversial remarks about viewing the game as simply a "product" with fans as paying "customers".

"He was asked if he supported Chelsea. To paraphrase, and to open mouths, he responded that he was 'not a football fan' before adding that he refers to the game at Premier League meetings as 'a product and our fans as customers - which people get mad at'," the report claims.

The comments are likely not to appeal to Chelsea's loyal fanbase, who have already vented their anger at Boehly's consortium this season as the team's Premier League campaign has collapsed amid record spending on new players.

It starkly contrasts with the approach of the previous owner Roman Abramovich, who oversaw a hugely successful period of multiple Premier League and Champions League triumphs while caring deeply about the club.

While Boehly has insisted he wants to build a long-term "legacy" at Stamford Bridge, Jurcsak's alleged dismissive attitude towards football itself will raise major concerns among supporters.

Viewing Chelsea and its global fanbase purely through the lens of economics rather than sporting passion could prove dangerously short-sighted for the new regime.

Fans have shown their willingness to protest against the current ownership if their love for the club continues to feel unreciprocated or misunderstood.

Jurcsak's purported lack of enthusiasm for football itself seems to epitomise fears that Boehly's Clearlake consortium views Chelsea more as an asset than a sporting institution to be nurtured.