Behdad Eghbali Holds Talks With Atalanta Chiefs After Chelsea’s Defeat — Business Before Football?

Whether he was in the stands for Chelsea’s painful 2-1 defeat to Atalanta is still unclear, but one thing isn’t: Behdad Eghbali was busy behind the scenes.
And this time, the Chelsea co-owner wasn’t just there to watch football — he was there to talk business.

Tuesday night’s Champions League loss was one Enzo Maresca will want to erase immediately. It damaged Chelsea’s shot at automatic qualification for the Round of 16 and exposed a few worrying cracks in the system. But for Eghbali, the trip appears to have served a different purpose.

Eghbali Meets Atalanta Leadership

According to Mail Online, Eghbali held a meeting with several members of Atalanta’s hierarchy ahead of the match, including CEO Luca Percassi, who actually spent two years at Chelsea between 1998 and 2000.

The purpose?
A surprisingly diplomatic one:
“Building networks, fostering dialogue and pursuing shared growth.”

Chelsea fans might raise an eyebrow or two — especially considering the club’s existing partnership with Strasbourg — but the intent seems more about opening doors than forming another full-blown feeder-club relationship.

Why Atalanta? Why Now?

Atalanta have built a reputation for developing technically gifted, tactically intelligent players — the exact kind Chelsea have repeatedly sought (and sometimes failed) to integrate in recent years.

And after watching Atalanta dismantle Chelsea at times on Tuesday, it’s no shock Eghbali might want to be on friendly terms with their leadership.

The Atalanta Players Chelsea Could Target

Some names practically leap off the page:

• Ademola Lookman
Once expected to leave Atalanta, his situation changed under their new manager. His contract ends in 2027, meaning Chelsea could potentially land him for a reduced price. He’s been linked before — this could reopen that conversation.

• Charles De Ketelaere
The undeniable star of the night.
He scored the winner.
He delivered the assist for Scamacca’s equaliser.
He ran the show.

If Chelsea are scouting attacking creativity and big-game temperament, De Ketelaere just delivered his CV directly to Eghbali, live and in colour.

Is a Chelsea–Atalanta Pipeline Coming?

A formal partnership like the one with Strasbourg feels unlikely. But a strong professional relationship?
That makes perfect sense.

Chelsea’s ownership have been crystal clear about wanting to expand the club’s influence, networks, and recruitment range. If friendships with Italian clubs lead to easier negotiations, smoother scouting, or early access to emerging talents, it’s hard to argue against it.

And after Tuesday’s match, one thing is obvious:
Atalanta have players Chelsea could use.

Keeping that connection warm might be one of the smartest off-pitch moves Eghbali and Todd Boehly make this season.