Few clubs will be under more scrutiny over what they do in the summer window of moves than Chelsea, especially now that another new head coach, Enzo Maresca, has arrived.
The strengthening of the men’s team is the only factor here. Compliance with benefits and sustainability (PSR) rules is now part of football debates across the Premier League, but, through qualification for the UEFA Conference League, Chelsea’s finances are also under scrutiny from the European governing body.
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Its regulations state that clubs can spend 80% of their profits on salaries, transfers and agent fees in 2024-2025.
So what does Chelsea have in mind? Here’s The Athletic’s on what to expect.
Chelsea seem to be looking for a new striker every year, so it’s déjà vu.
Nicolas Jackson has shown a lot of potential but obviously wants help, especially with the club competing on five fronts, adding the Club World Cup in June 2025. Naturally, we expect Christopher Nkunku to have compatibility throughout the campaign, but he’s betting. opposed to someone, rather than leading the way.
With the departure of veteran Thiago Silva, Chelsea want a centre-back. These two positions are the main priorities, although they would also like an extreme. What happens will depend on how much is collected through spending.
Strengthening the full-back is another domain that has stood out, although it can also be considered the goalkeeping branch, Maresca would possibly like to get more out of Robert Sanchez.
Chelsea have decided to wait for Maresca’s appointment because they need to talk to him about the objectives of the senior team.
And as always, the progression team will be made up of young talents from all over the world.
Chelsea have been an admirer of RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko for some time, but are facing a tough festival from Arsenal.
There are plenty of other names on the list, but Chelsea have ruled out making a move for Napoli’s Victor Osimhen for a number of reasons. His release clause tops £100m at Napoli, his taste for the game suits Maresca’s formula and considerations remain over the 25-year-old’s injury history.
Ivan Toney from Brentford also has no compatibility with what they are looking for. The club distanced itself from its links with Sporting Lisbon leader Viktor Gyokeres in January and that remains the case. There is a long-standing admiration for Brighton’s Evan Ferguson, but Brighton will still demand a hefty payment and the 19-year-old’s form has plummeted. His last goal dates back to November.
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As for defenders, Chelsea are confident they will beat Newcastle thanks to the free signing of Tosin Adarabioyo, whose contract with Fulham expires. Barring past unforeseen events, the centre-back is on his way to being the first to arrive in the Maresca era.
One of the young full-backs they are for is Pedro Lima, 17, who plays for the Brazilian club Sport Recife.
Chelsea continue to love Crystal Palace duo Michael Olise, who they almost bought last year, and Eberechi Eze. Nico Williams has a clause of 50 million euros (42. 6 million pounds sterling; 54. 2 million dollars) at Athletic Bilbao.
Although Maresca is keen to work with Sanchez, he is clearly a big fan of Mads Hermansen, who worked with the Leicester goalkeeper last season. Chelsea also like Burnley’s James Trafford.
The deals already agreed for Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez are an indication of how Chelsea have planned for the future.
Chelsea agreed a deal worth an initial €34m plus an additional €23m with Palmeiras last month for Willian, but he will sign up for next summer.
The same goes for Páez, who actually accepted a transfer of 20 million euros from Independiente del Valle 12 months ago. Chelsea consider them the most productive under-18 players in South America.
Silva is already there and there are no other senior players out of contract this summer.
Conor Gallagher’s scenario has been and will continue to be one of the main topics of discussion, as he only has one year left on his contract. In what looks like a similar scenario to Mason Mount before its £55 million move (plus an additional £5 million). ons) to Manchester United last year, the midfielder is up for sale to spice up his income.
As a local player, his departure will generate natural benefits. At the end of the season, there is no progress in terms of negotiating an extension.
Chelsea’s recruitment policy is led by teammates Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart.
Joe Shields is a member of the team as co-director of recruiting and talent, while Sam Jewell has just begun his role as head of global recruiting. The club’s co-owners will give the green light to any decision.
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Chelsea are in a position to pay attention to offers from a good number of members of their team. Gallagher is one of them, but other graduates of the academy are expected to quit.
Defender Trevoh Chalobah and striker Armando Broja could raise more than £50m between them.
Suggestions that Chelsea would settle for £20-25m for Broja, wanted by Monaco, AC Milan and three Premier League clubs, are premature. They still put a minimum price tag of £35m on him, a figure that could be fair if the 22-year-old impresses with Albania at Euro 2024.
Ian Maatsen, who arrived on loan at Borussia Dortmund in January, has a £35m release clause that the club and player will see activated this summer. There is also interest in teenagers Omari Hutchinson and Alex Matos, who inspired on loan in Ipswich. City and Huddersfield Town respectively.
Chelsea have activated an option to extend Hutchinson’s contract until 2026, but he will be part of the first team next season or sold. They don’t see the point of loaning him out, but Maresca will see it this summer and it is possible that he will simply be a component of the team.
The club will also remove from the books some of the highest earners from the previous regime.
Galatasaray’s legal responsibility to buy Hakim Ziyech after the activation of his loan. Romelu Lukaku has two years left on his contract that will pay him around £340,000 a week, the highest price at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea value the 31-year-old at £. 38m.
Kepa Arrizabalaga and Malang Sarr have only one year left on their contracts and are also available for a transfer.
Chelsea are already confident of raising £28m when Lewis Hall finalises his permanent move to Newcastle United.
Chelsea are confident that they will deliver for 2023-2024 and feel pressure to generate significant profits by June 30 to meet the demands.
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While the maximum foreigner target is a total outlay of £1. 2 billion since the Clearlake Capital-Todd Boehly consortium took over in 2022, last year’s spending (including the amortisation of signings over the life of the contract and player sales) is estimated at around £150. million to £180 million internally.
They still intend to be busy before then, but that’s because they need a team that’s in position for the start of the preseason so the head coach knows what he’s running with and can plan accordingly.
Chelsea also wants the organization to be too big when they leave for their trip to the U. S. in July and to have registered Americans whose future obviously lies elsewhere.
A lot will depend on sales, so there is no set amount. However, Chelsea plan to sign a large number of players to counter their lavish signing of the past two years.
Sources inside the club, who spoke anonymously to The Athletic about the relationships, say they need to spend more money in the future. Not only does this suggest that the budget may be lower, but it can also be noted as an admission that they have overpaid in the past.
(Top photo: Ulrik Pedersen/DeFodi Images Getty Images)