Kieran Maguire: Chelsea £40m down as Damian Willoughby deal agreed
Chelsea need to boost their commercial revenue in order to keep up with the likes of Tottenham who can earn up to £40million more in annual matchday income.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the latest addition to the Blues’ commercial department.
As relayed by the Daily Mail on Tuesday (6 September), former head of sponsorship Damian Willoughby has returned to the West London club as commercial director.
The Todd Boehly regime has poached Willoughby from gaming giant EA Sports, and he has previously worked for Man City and Rangers.
Chelsea generated commercial revenue of £153.6m in 2020-21, while matchday income was virtually non-existent as a result of the pandemic.
Maguire explained how the limited earning power of Stamford Bridge makes commercial income all the more significant.
“Chelsea to be competitive as far as London is concerned do need to ensure that they are top of the pile when it comes to commercial income,” he told Football Insider’s Adam Williams.
“Winning two Champions Leagus has certainly helped them with regards to that.
“But it also has to be remembered that they have a stadium that is the fourth-largest in London, let alone the country. Therefore, that puts them at a disadvantage in terms of matchday income.
“The most matchday income they’ve ever generated is £78m. That is going to be £20m less than Arsenal and potentially £30m or £40m less than Spurs.
“That puts them at a disadvantage, especially in the new Financial Fair Play environment being introduced by Uefa.”
In other news, pundit suggests Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang may be frozen out under Graham Potter at Chelsea amid BBC reveal.