Spend now and think about the consequences later. That would be the most accurate, one-sentence explanation of Chelsea’s transfer strategy during both transfer windows since USA businessman Todd Boehly took over the club. The Blues spent around 630 million euros and bought 16 new players and everybody is asking the same question: How is that possible, since there are Financial Fair Play regulations? There are two ways Chelsea will try to get ‘around’ the rules: the first one are long term contract (six to eight years) and the second way was revealed today by the England press: the Blues are planning to seek exemptions from the Premier League’s spending rules when they submit their accounts at the end of the season. They argue they were unable to receive income for three months last year after the previous owner, Roman Abramovich, was sanctioned by the Government.Chelsea trying to ‘get around’ the FFP rules, UEFA will stop themTodd Boehly is already living on the ‘razor’s edge’ with all these vealings and dealings, and they must qualify for next season’s Champions League in order to comply with the rules. As per football finance expert Kieran Maguire.“Chelsea’s wage bill in 2021 was 333 pounds million and that was before the club had made an investment in a myriad of players on long-term contracts who are also presumably very well remunerated. I think failure to qualify for the Champions League this season will mean that they will be very much on UEFA’s watchlist. The thing that is most likely to be able to dig Chelsea out is that they do have players who have come through the academy who count as a zero cost in FFP calculations who could be sold for significant sums. Selling the likes of Callum Hudson-Odoi, Conor Gallagher and Ruben Loftus-Cheek could generate close to £100 million between them. That would be pure profit under the new version of UEFA’s financial sustainability rules and this more than anything else could prove to be the saviour of Chelsea in the future” Maguire said to Sky Sports.Chelsea and the new signings – it will be a long process of adaptationThe three mentioned players were not sold in January, which means they will need to do that in June 2023, and in the meantime, they will try this other way with the Premier League. Under their rules, clubs are allowed to lose around 117 million during the three year period and the Blues made a 171 million loss at the end of 2021. But, the Premier League gave them allowance, as well as to other clubs, due to financial troubles caused by the COVID pandemic. It is unclear how the Premier League will respond to Chelsea’s request. The Blues should fear more about UEFA’s Financial Fair Play rules, but considering the number of players bought, a financial fine or transfer ban should be no problem for Graham Potter’s team. Their biggest problem right now are the results, which are nowhere near the money invested.PREMIER LEAUGE – Matchday 22FridayChelsea – Fulham 0-0Saturday 15.30: (8.50) Everton (4.50) Arsenal (1.45)18.00: (2.00) Aston Villa (3.50) Leicester (4.10)18.00: (1.95) Brentford (3.50) Southampton (4.40)18.00: (1.40) Brighton (4.90) Bournemouth (9.00)18.00: (1.40) Man.Utd. (4.50) Crystal Palace (8.50)18.00: (4.00) Wolverhampton (3.60) Liverpool (2.00)20.30: (1.70) Newcastle (3.70) West Ham (5.90)Sunday 17.00: (2.70) Nott.Forest (3.10) Leeds (2.75)19.30: (4.90) Tottenham (3.60) Man.City (1.75)***odds are subject to change***
