New York State

OLYMPIC champion Matty Lee has retired from diving because he “doesn’t want to be a broken man” anymore.

Lee, 26, won the 10-metre synchro title with teammate Tom Daley at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and also claimed medals at world, European and Commonwealth level.

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Olympic champion and Tom Daley’s former teammate Matty Lee has retired[/caption]

Alamy

Lee retired from diving because he “doesn’t want to be a broken man” anymore[/caption]

Yet in March 2024, he underwent spinal surgery – which ruled him out of the Paris Games in the summer – to solve “chronic pain”.

Since then Daley, 30, has retired from the sport and their shared coach Jane Figueiredo has left the British Aquatics system.

The Yorkshireman had tried to supplement his diving income by selling pictures on adult website OnlyFans.

Writing on Instagram, Lee said: “After 20 years in the sport, it’s time for me to step away from diving.

“This decision hasn’t been easy but after losing my dad in 2022, I struggled to find the same passion I once had. He was my ‘why’.

“Then came injuries, surgeries and the realisation that I don’t want to be a broken man moving forward.

“Diving has given me the world, literally. The people I’ve met, the places I’ve traveled, the memories I’ve made. That’s what I’ll cherish the most.

“To my incredible family. Dad, my biggest fan, I hope I made you proud. Tom, my brother, my inspiration.

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“Mum, for always being there, through the highs and lows, the early mornings, the long drives, the endless support.

“To my team. Jane, who shaped me into a champion. Gareth, who kept me moving when it mattered most. Brit, who made me believe in my own strength.

“And of course, to my synchro partner Tom Daley. What a journey, what a moment we shared. Olympic champions forever.

“To every coach and staff member who played a role in my career. Thank you.

“From the first coach who sparked my love for diving to the last who guided me through my final chapter, everything I’ve achieved is because of you.

“Your support, knowledge, and dedication never went unnoticed.

“To my closest friends. You never pulled me away from my sport, you lifted me up through it.

“Your support, laughter and belief in me meant more than you’ll ever know.

“To my fans and followers, thank you for your unwavering support, through every dive, every challenge, every triumph. You made this journey even more special.

“And finally to the doubters. Thank you, too. You kept me hungry. You made me push harder. And in the end, I proved to myself that I could achieve more than I ever imagined.

“What’s next? Honestly, I don’t know. And that’s both terrifying and exciting. But I do know this. There’s more to life than diving and I’m ready for it.”

BRITAIN has a jobs crisis among the young as nearly a million are out of the employment market.

Latest figures show 987,000 16 to 24-year-olds were not in education, employment or training — the highest level for more than ten years.

There were 110,000 more of them in the last three months of 2024 compared with a year earlier.

The numbers come as ministers are poised to set out sickness and disability allowances reforms.

Proposals have included a youth guarantee scheme to make sure all young people are in training or education to help them find a job.

But businesses have already indicated employer national insurance increases are likely to lead to hiring freezes.

Work Foundation think tank director Ben Harrison said the ten-year high “could be cause for concern for the government’s plan to boost employment”.

Employment minister Alison McGovern has said the young must “earn or learn” or lose benefits.

SIR Keir Starmer played his trump card in the White House tonight – handing Donald Trump a hand-signed note from the King inviting him to Britain.

The PM teed off his Oval Office meeting with the US President by whipping out the special invitation to the Royal-mad President to swing by Balmoral and plan an unheard of second state visit.

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Sir Keir Starmer hands over personal letter from King Charles in Oval Office meeting[/caption]

via REUTERS

The letter was hailed as ‘special and beautiful’ by Trump[/caption]

The King’s note suggested holding the discussions at the royal residence just a few miles from the Trump International Golf Links course at Menie.

A delighted President Trump immediately accepted the invitation, hailing both Starmer and the  King as special and beautiful.

The kodak moment kicked off an extraordinary White House love in, where President Trump even gushed about Sir Keir’s  wife Lady Victoria and his love of Britain.

Mr Trump said: “It’s a great honour to have Prime Minister Starmer at the Oval Office.

“It’s a very special place and he’s a special man – and the United Kingdom is a wonderful country that I know very well, I’m there a lot.

“I’ll be going there and we expect to see each other in the near future – we’ll be announcing it.”

Mr Trump initially asked whether he was allowed to read the letter in front of the assembled reporters in the White House.

Starmer said he had to tell the monarch what his reaction was to the invitation.

The PM said: “It is my pleasure to bring from His Majesty the King, a letter.

“He sends his best wishes and his regards, of course, but he also asked me to bear this letter and bring it to you. So can I present a letter from the King.”

The US President replied: “He is a great gentleman. A great, great gentleman. Well that is really nice. I must make sure his signatures on that.

Remarking on the King’s famous hand-writing, he said: “That’s quite a signature, isn’t it? How beautiful. Beautiful man, a wonderful man and we appreciate I’ve known him, gotten to know him very well actually.”

The royal family’s soft power diplomacy is seen as a way of engaging with the controversial politician. 

Most second-term US presidents usually have just tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle which was the case with George W Bush and Barack Obama.

It is my pleasure to bring from His Majesty the King, a letter.

Keir Starmer

Mr Trump immediately told him that he would visit Balmoral with wife Melania saying it was “our honour” to take up the invitation.

The meeting will take place just a few miles from Trump’s golf resort at the nearby 1,400-acre Menie estate.

A beaming US President didn’t hesitate in holding up the letter even though the letter had “Private and Confidential” written at the bottom.

The King has invited Mr Trump to Balmoral in the first instance to discuss organising the state visit.

It marks the second time Mr Trump will head to Britain in such circumstances having been invited by the late Queen back in 2019.

The letter appeared to be an attempt to smooth relations ahead of potentially fraught discussions over a peace deal in Ukraine and damaging tariffs on British goods heading stateside.

STATE VISIT

Mr Trump said: “It’s a great honour to have Prime Minister Starmer at the Oval Office.

“It’s a very special place and he’s a special man – and the United Kingdom is a wonderful country that I know very well, I’m there a lot.

“I’ll be going there and we expect to see each other in the near future – we’ll be announcing it.”

Mr Trump initially asked whether he was allowed to read the letter in front of the assembled reporters in the White House. 

The royal family’s soft power diplomacy is seen as a way of engaging with the controversial politician. 

Most second-term US presidents usually have just tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle which was the case with George W Bush and Barack Obama.

Earlier, Donald Trump greeted Sir Keir Starmer – who arrived in a 4×4 Chevrolet – at the West Wing entrance to his residence in Washington DC.

The pair warmly shook hands with the Prime Minister touching the US leader on the shoulder before they entered the building.

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King recommends holding meeting at Balmoral – close to Trump golf resort in Scotland[/caption]

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It marks the second time Mr Trump will head to Britain in such circumstances having been invited by the late Queen back in 2019[/caption]

They posed for photographers for a few seconds where Mr Trump was asked whether a peace deal to stop the Ukraine war could be achieved. The President swiftly replied with a simple “Yes, we can.”

Sir Keir was followed into the White House by Foreign Secretary David Lammy as well as new UK Ambassador to the US Lord Peter Mandelson.

It marks the second in-person meeting the two men have had. They last me face-to-face in New York while Sir Keir was in the States for meetings at the United Nations.

They held a dinner at Trump Tower in Manhattan where they were joined by Mr Lammy.

Mr Trump has spoken warmly of Sir Keir in the past saying he was doing a “very good job thus far” adding that the pair have a “very good relationship”.

The strong bond between the two countries, often branded the Special Relationship, was highlighted at the meeting by both leaders.

The PM said the alliance was “the greatest alliance for prosperity and security … the world has ever seen”.

This [UK and USA] is the greatest alliance for prosperity and security, I think, the world has ever seen.

Keir Starmer

President Donald Trump, turning towards his counterpart,  said: “You have done very well over the years, haven’t you?”

Sir Keir added “We have, I’m very proud of our country – but we’ve also always been there backing each other up.

“That is why this is the greatest alliance for prosperity and security, I think, the world has ever seen.

“Whenever necessary, we’ve absolutely backed each other up.”

via REUTERS

Mr Trump initially asked whether he was allowed to read the letter from Buckingham Palace in front of the assembled reporters in the White House[/caption]

Mr Trump even found time to praise Sir Keir’s wife Victoria who wasn’t in Washington DC for the visit.

Lady Starmer has previously been to the White House when she joined fellow world leaders during the Nato summit which was hosted by then President Joe Biden.

He said:  “I must say, she’s a beautiful, great woman.”  Sir Keir intervened to say: “I second that.”

Mr Trump added: “And I said, ‘you’re very lucky’. He’s very lucky. And, no, we’ve had a very good relationship.”

KIM KARDASHIAN seems determined to keep up with Beyonce – after she and her daughter dressed up in copycat cowboy outfits.

Kim this week posted a photo of her little girl Chicago, seven, in a white stetson and dress.

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Blue Ivy landed the role of Princess Kiara in the new Lion King movie[/caption]

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Kim K griped she does not have time for her own projects as she is so busy supporting 11-year-old North West’s huge ambitions[/caption]

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Kim this week posted a photo of her little girl Chicago, seven, in a white stetson and dress[/caption]

It was remarkably like the one Beyonce’s daughter Blue Ivy wore at an American football Christmas half-time performance.

And after Blue landed the role of Princess Kiara in the new Lion King movie, Kim’s oldest child North sang from the Disney musical at the Hollywood Bowl.

It seems the megastars are the ultimate Tiger Mums, giving everything to their children’s careers.

In fact, during a recent episode of reality TV show The Kardashians, Kim, 44, griped she does not have time for her own projects as she is so busy supporting 11-year-old North West’s huge ambitions.

She said: “I really wasn’t planning on being a momager for another ten years.

“Every day North is busy doing something is a day that I can’t work, because she’s not doing anything without me being right by her side.”

It follows Beyonce, 43, revealing she takes her three kids to work. Blue also performs on stage with her and they are often spotted in matching outfits.

Kim and Bey are sculpting their eldest in their own image and going all out to make them big stars.

They have even trademarked their daughters’ names. Both children have acted, danced, modelled and appeared on TV.

Here, we look at who is the pushiest mum.

NORTH WEST

DRESSED in fluffy yellow shoes and a big cat’s mane, North West Kardashian looked to be having the time of her life singing a Lion King song at the Hollywood Bowl last spring.

Playing the much-loved Simba is a dream come true for most children, but the reviews were nightmarish.

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North having the time of her life singing a Lion King song at the Hollywood Bowl last spring[/caption]

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Kanye will produce North’s first album, Elementary School Dropout[/caption]

It appeared North had not inherited either Kim nor Kanye’s singing or dancing skills.

The backlash was brutal for a girl who, at that point, was only ten.

At least she had Kim prowling around to defend her cub.

The reality TV star said: “She did a great job. And anyone that is hating on a kid is just a hater.”

North has just made her mum proud by achieving her first Top Ten hit.

She featured on FKA twigs track Childlike Things, which made it to No6 in the US Hot Dance/Pop Songs chart.

The youngster has been primed for fame since she was born in Los Angeles in June 2013.

Aged five, she appeared on the front cover of Beauty Inc magazine and in an advert for fashion line Fendi. She would also post make-up tutorials on TikTok.

‘The best ever’

In March 2023, Kim applied to trademark the name North West in the areas of entertainment, advertising, toys and cosmetics.

The same year, she voiced Mini in the animated hit Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie.

And in her first full interview in 2023, when asked to describe herself, North confidently answered, “the best ever”.

That ambition includes one day owning both her parents’ businesses.

She said: “I am starting my own clothing line, North West. One day I want to own Yeezy and Skims,”

Kim is wise enough to not let her daughter loose on social media. She shares a TikTok account with North.

But her volatile dad, who recently started selling T-shirts with a Nazi swastika on them, is also trying to influence her career.

Kanye will produce North’s first album, Elementary School Dropout.

If North doesn’t reach the top, Kim has three younger children, Saint, nine, daughter Chicago, seven, and son Psalm, five, to pin her hopes on.

Kim and Kanye agreed to joint custody after finalising their divorce in November 2022, but they spend most of their time with their mum.

Kanye claimed three years ago that he wasn’t invited to Chicago’s fourth birthday party, which Kim’s camp strongly denied.

And when he blasted North being on TikTok, Kim fired back: “I am doing my best to protect our daughter.”

If this Tiger Mum is cornered, she is always going to roar.

BLUE IVY CARTER

IT was very much a case of like mother, like daughter when Beyonce and Blue Ivy took to the stage in matching white Stetson hats and dresses.

On Christmas Day, the pair danced in unison at an NFL halftime show in Houston, Texas, where the pop star gave her first live performance of tracks from her album, Cowboy Carter.

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Bey and Blue danced in unison at an NFL halftime show in Houston, Texas[/caption]

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When Blue was just two days old, in January 2012, her dad Jay-Z, released a track called Glory, which featured her crying[/caption]

It was a big week for Blue Ivy as, just days earlier. the Disney animated movie Mufasa: The Lion King, in which she voices Princess Kiara, was released.

Guiding her along was Beyonce, who voices Queen Nala — the mother of her character in the hit film.

Last week, at the NAACP Image Awards in the US, Blue won outstanding character voiceover performance for the film and Beyonce scooped more music gongs.

Fans have noted mother and daughter look so alike.

‘Earned it’

At this month’s Grammys, one, said: “Blue Ivy looks more like Beyonce than Beyonce tonight.”

Blue joined her mum’s Renaissance world tour in 2023 as a regular performer. However, Bey, 43, recently said: “I did not want Blue on stage. Blue wanted it for herself. She took it seriously and earned it.

“And, most importantly, she had fun. We all watched her grow more and more every night.”

It is fair to say, though, that Blue was destined for fame from birth.

When she was just two days old, in January 2012, her dad Jay-Z, 55, released a track called Glory, which featured Blue crying.

It charted, making his daughter the youngest person to appear on a hit single.

Aged three, she was part of the choir on Coldplay song Up&Up, and in 2019 was in a music video for Beyonce’s song, Brown Skin Girl.

Blue also plays piano, paints, writes poetry and models clothes.

Beyonce’s other daughter Rumi has been in her music videos.

The seven-year-old’s twin brother Sir prefers to stay out the spotlight.

Beyonce has claimed she works hard to ensure her kids’ privacy.

But in 2016, she shared pics of her daughter’s fairy-themed fourth birthday party. And at the end of last year, she won a 12-year battle to trademark Blue Ivy’s name.

Like Kim, Beyonce keeps a watchful eye on her children.

She told GQ magazine: “My kids come with me everywhere. They come to my office after school, and they are in the studio with me. They are in dance rehearsals.”

No doubt they fill this Tiger Mum with pride.

JUSTIN Bieber has posted a bizarre video of himself smoking on Instagram amid concerns over his increasingly bizarre behavior.

Justin, 30, can be seen inhaling deeply close up to the camera causing his face to be engulfed in smoke.

Instagram/justinbieber

Justin Bieber shared a close-up video of himself smoking on Instagram[/caption]

Instagram/justinbieber

He ended the clip with a big grin[/caption]

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Justin whipped fans into a frenzy after posting a rap video[/caption]

The short clip ends with Justin, who is wearing a black hat and hoodie, flashing a toothy smile.

It follows a worrying video shared earlier this week in which shirtless Justin rapped about “flying high like a magpie.”

While past collaborator Diplo commented that the “beat went hard,” fans were more concerned and urged the pop star to get help.

In the clip, tattooed Justin held a large snack bag of chips and waved his arms as a friend danced beside him.

The lyrics, “I go high like a fly guy. I fly high like a magpie. I go high like a bat guy”, left his followers confused.

Underneath the video, one follower wrote, “He’s desperate for help! Justin you are so loved!”

As an additional user claimed, “I’ll be praying for your healing.”

HITTING BACK

Justin failed to address their fears directly, instead he posted a close-up snap onto his story that saw him smirking towards the camera.

A new thread about the popstar has also been created on fan forum site Reddit in which fans are sharing their concerns.

One wrote, “His look seems so sad, empty and unhappy,”

As a second user commented, “I definitely think he’s reached his limit and this is a cry for help, cuz he doesn’t know who to turn to.”

Despite the concern, his rep insisted the star is actually in the best shape of his life.

“The recurring narrative that Justin is using hard drugs is absolutely not true,” they told TMZ, before adding that Bieber is actually “in one of the best places in his life.”

NEW DAD

Behind the scenes, Bieber has been cutting off members of his inner circle.

The rep said that the last year has been “very transformative” for Bieber, and that he “ended several close friendships and business relationships that no longer served him.” 

However, an insider told The U.S. Sun that fatherhood is taking its toll as is the stress of mounting a musical comeback.

They said, “There’s no question he’s also exhausted, and as much as he loves being a first time dad all the late night diaper changing and interrupted sleep has taken a toll.

“On top of that he’s been throwing himself back into his music, staying late at the recording studio, fixating over what direction to go with his big comeback.

“It should be the happiest time of his life but instead Justin’s walking around like he’s got the weight of the world on his shoulders.

They added, “For the most part, Justin and Hailey are pretty good at ignoring all the hysterical fan chatter.

“But for people to take it to the next level accuse him of being under some type of influence is on another level entirely, and it’s the big reason they’re coming out swinging with that very heavy public denial.”

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Fans are worried about the welfare of Justin after a number of ‘sad’ appearences[/caption]

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In the social media clip, Justin was hinting at being ‘high’ with a pal[/caption]

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He’s faced speculation over his marriage to Hailey Bieber[/caption]

A HIGH street card retailer with 163 branches is set to close another two stores – with huge closing down sales launched at both locations.

Clintons stores in Halifax, west Yorkshire, and Andover, Hampshire, are both due to shut for good this April.

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Two Clintons branches are due to close in April[/caption]

Fans first learnt of the Halifax closure after signs went up in the store window.

These declared that “everything must go”, according to The Courier.

Meanwhile, staff members at the Andover site were told they would be losing their jobs before Christmas.

A spokesperson told Andover Advertiser: “We were told the shop will close in April, there are about eight people working here at the moment, including temporary staff.”

Last month, the store launched a sale with 20 per cent off all items.

Clintons was first launched back in 1968 – and quickly became a go-to for Brits looking for greetings cards.

At one point, the chain boasted more than 1,000 branches across the country.

However, the rise of online shopping drove a decline in sales for the business – and it was forced to heavily cut down on locations.

The company was then taken over by Cardzone in March last year.

However, the new ownership has not seemingly been able to stem the flow of closures.

Last month, it was reported that a Clintons Cards in Southend had closed its doors for the final time after trading for two decades.

The Sun has reached out to Clintons for comment.

RETAIL SECTOR STRUGGLES

The retail sector has been hit hard in recent years as the trend towards online shopping intensifies.

The most recent data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows online retail sales increased from 5% of all retail sales in 2008 to 27% in 2022.

Shoppers have also been feeling the pinch in recent years following sky-high inflation which has dented their wallets and purses.

It has led to a number of major retailers having to close stores to shore up their finances.

Boots announced in 2023 it would shut 300 of its branches in a bid to slim down its high street presence while WHSmith is in talks to sell off 500 of its stores.

Jewellery chains have been forced into closing branches as well.

Claire’s has closed a number of stores in recent years, including in Gillingham, Nuneaton and Newton Abbott.

T H Baker also shuttered a branch in Cambridge in May last year.

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The retail sector has been hit hard in recent years[/caption]

DONALD Trump dropped a massive hint that Brexit Britain will be spared from punishing tariffs he plans to slap on Europe within days.

Hailing Brexit as a huge success when quizzed by The Sun, the President declared: “I have a great warm spot for your country.”

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President Trump welcomes Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer[/caption]

Asked whether the UK had to choose between a closer relationship with the EU and the US, the President said: “Well, I think we have just a great relationship”

On Brexit, Mr Trump declared: “Frankly what they did was the right thing at the time and probably prove out over the centuries.

“I predicted it would happen and it did happen. It will work itself out, I think it’s already worked itself out.”

Asked if the UK would jeopardise its relationship with the US by seeking closer ties with the EU, Mr Trump said: “No, I don’t worry about that” later adding “it would work out” for Britain.

He added: “I’ve had problems with the EU, we happen to have a great relationship with you, but we did and do have problems with the EU because they have tariffed us.

And he hammered home the point that quitting the EU had been the right thing to do.

“We’re talking about a very different place” to the EU, he said of the UK citing his own golf course interests vin the UK.

He said: “I have investments, I own Turnberry, I own Aberdeen, I own a great place called Doonbeg … so I have a great warm spot for your country.”

Sitting beside him in the Oval Office, Sir Keir Starmer made the case that the UK should be exempt from tariffs.

He said: “ Our trade is obviously fair and balanced, and you have a a bit of a surplus.. 

Trump: It will work out.. We will have to take a look we are going to have a good discussion today.

Asked about his comments that the EU was designed to “screw the US”, Mr Trump joked: “Did I use the word you said, the bad word? They sue our companies… We don’t like the way they are treating our people, they way they treat our companies. 

They sell us cars, we dont sell us cars

They don’t take much of our agriculture. We have a deficit with them $350bn

He added: “So I wouldn’t say it’s been such a great relationship personally but other people have said it’s good because it’s politically correct to say its good but it isn’t good.

And we are going to change that and we are going to have reciprocal tariffs. Whatever they charge us, we are going to charge them.”

The only fly in the ointment to an unprecedented Oval Office love in came after, Vice President JD Vance’s comments about free speech being under threat in Britain.

Handing over to his deputy, the Vice President said: “Look, I said what I said, which is that we do have, of course, a special relationship with our friends in the UK, and also some of our European allies, but we also know that there have been infringements on free speech that actually affect not just the British – of course what the British do in their own country is up to them – but also affect American technology companies and, by extension, American citizens, so that is something that we’ll talk about today at lunch.”

Sir Keir hit back: “Well, we’ve had free speech for a very, very long time in the United Kingdom and it will last for a very, very long time.

“Certainly, we wouldn’t want to reach across US citizens, and we don’t, and that’s absolutely right, but in relation to free speech in the UK I’m very proud of our history there.”

CHELSEA owner Todd Boehly vowed he cannot afford to be waylaid by fan protests at Stamford Bridge.

Blues boss Boehly was in the firing line along with boss Enzo Maresca in a public show of supporter unrest before Tuesday’s win over Southampton.

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Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has spoken out following protests[/caption]

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Fans railed against the Americans’ ownership ahead of a win over Southampton[/caption]

But American Boehly, who will celebrate three years in charge at SW6 in the summer, launched a strong defence of his reign as he insisted he still believes he can oversee a Chelsea “dynasty” of success.

And if that means ignoring the complaint of the fans, then that is what he will have to do.

Boehly said: “The fans are the lifeblood of any sports team. 

“You realise how important the team is to them and how important the fans are to the team. It’s hugely important. 

“But the fact is that people say different things, change their minds all the time.

“The criticism is just par for the course. The sooner you learn you won’t keep all the people happy all the time that brings freedom.

“So you don’t have to live with their words. You can’t turn left and then right every three minutes, which is some of the advice we get, if you boil it down.”

Boehly, speaking at the FT Business of Football Summit, has come under pressure for the state of Maresca’s squad, with fans bemoaning the lack of a genuine striking option in the absence of injured Nicolas Jackson.

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But the US businessman, who also owns the World Series champions LA Dodgers baseball side in California, dismissed those frustrations with a withering put-down – as he publicly explained the club’s controversial transfer strategy.

Chelsea’s decision to offer new signings contracts of up to eight years saw Uefa and Prem chiefs forced to draw up new rules to ensure transfer deals for signings can now only be “amortised” over five years for FFP purposes.

Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk’s potential £88m arrival on an eight and a half year deal looked a mistake even before he was left facing a lengthy drugs ban.

While eyebrows were raised over the contracts for Wesley Fofana, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and others.

He insisted: “Strikers are hard to find. You can’t get one from the grocery store.

“It’s an amazing skillset and you have to have a fantastic mentality.

The criticism is just par for the course. The sooner you learn you won’t keep all the people happy all the time that brings freedom.

Todd Boehly

“The most misunderstood thing is that we’re thinking about it measured in years, not months. 

“You have to think both short and long-term. We’re focused on a combination of both and seeking the best possible way to execute that. It’s a balancing act to figure that out.

“You have to have a plan and exercise it, accept that things are not linear and that the thing that matters is that the trend is in the right direction.

“Yes, it’s been a steep learning curve. We’ve been here for less than three years and that’s been a whirling dervish of activity. Nothing is a straight line, ever and sport is so humbling.

“If you look at contracts in football, a seven year contract is really a five-year contract.

“The reality that 95 per cent of the time by then you have to make a decision or you’ll shoot yourself in the foot

“At that point, you either agree an extension with the player or that greener pastures are out there for both sides.

“If you deny that you are kidding yourself.

“We felt the longer contracts meant we could amortoise but it was also about how we put together a team with the ability to stay together.

“Teams that are dynasties over the years had superstar captains that were able to lead. But how do you find those superstar captains?

“And in football, the market is obviously across multiple countries – so you’re thinking France, Germany, Brazil, Latin America – basically everywhere around the world.”

Strikers are hard to find. You can’t get one from the grocery store.

Todd Boehly

Boehly declined to expand on his strained relationship with co-owner Behdad Eghbali other than saying: “We’ve agreed on a strategy and the way forward and stuff’s getting done.”

That includes, longer term, “building a self-sustaining, very competitive club, figuring how to increase revenues” – in other words a likely new home away from the Bridge.

But while he admits he is still coming to terms with a very different sports world from the one he grew up with in the US, Boehly suggested Prem club chiefs will have to be prepared to sacrifice some of their sacred cows to really monetise their product.

Sky have been the Prem’s main broadcaster since its inception more than 30 years ago, with a new four-year deal – alongside a smaller one for TNT Sports – beginning next season.

But Boehly claims the idea of selling TV broadcast rights territory by territory is out of date – and that Prem bosses should be looking for one mega-money global deal with a streaming giant like Netflix, Amazon Prime or Apple.

He said: “The Premier League is one of the few truly global properties.

“It has unbelievable content with more people engaged than anyone else in the world.

“I’m not saying that bundling all the rights to package them globally is the direct answer at this minute but that’s where we are headed.

“The owners have to be willing to take that risk.”

The couple met in drama school.

The veteran broadcaster is the lastest addition to the star-studded lineup.