Chelsea update after Pedro and Gittens: ‘Nobody does it better’ – Kieran Maguire
Kieran Maguire is impressed by the current transfer model at Chelsea as rival supporters question the millions spent on player signings.
Enzo Maresca is set to add star forward Joao Pedro to the squad this summer, arriving from Brighton for over £50million on a contract lasting until June 2032.
The Blues have already splashed £30million on Liam Delap from Ipswich Town [BBC Sport], young duo Dario Essugo and Geovany Quenda for £62.4million [BBC Sport], with Jamie Gittens also set to join.
Joining the West London side from Borussia Dortmund on a £55million deal [Sky Sports], the winger is just another big-money signing after the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Romeo Lavia.
Rivals supporters are often questioning how Todd Boehly’s side can continue spending in each transfer window and remain on the right side of PSR laws, and Maguire has explained exactly how it is possible.
Chelsea transfer model to inspire other Premier League clubs
Taking to X (29 June), financial expert Maguire wrote: “For those wondering how Chelsea have managed to spend so much on players, take a look at the exit door over the last decade.
“Nobody does it better when it comes to player sale profits. The whole point about player trading is that trading involves buying and selling.
“Throw in a further £350m of real estate and women’s team sales, plus some player registrations being amortised over 8-9 years, and they have nothing to worry about from a PSR perspective.”
Taking full advantage of a PSR loophole in the Premier League’s laws, Chelsea sold its women’s team to parent company BlueCo for £198.7m, with two hotels also sold to a sister company [BBC Sport].
The Blues have also earned “pure profit” through the sales of academy products Conor Gallagher and Mason Mount, which has all helped towards boosting the club’s PSR situation.
Enzo Maresca continues to build a superteam at Stamford Bridge
Football Insider verdict
Maresca will be far from involved in the financial side behind the scenes, as long as it does not impede his development on the pitch and in the dugout, and it is certainly not right now.
Football Insider understands that Christopher Nkunku is set to leave Chelsea over the coming weeks, and having arrived for £52m from RB Leipzig [BBC Sport], that will be even more money back on his exit.
Delap, Gittens, and Pedro are all incredibly exciting players, and with all three available for the attack next season, the Blues will be expected to achieve even more than Champions League qualification.
Of course, Maresca led his side to the Europa Conference League title last season, but with the team now facing the most elite teams in Europe, the squad is being restocked with talent.
The Blues are unlikely to stop here with transfers, with weeks left until the summer window slams shut, and given the club’s standing with PSR, there is no reason for them to stop.
Supporters of other Premier League clubs can continue to take issue with Chelsea’s current transfer strategy, but until the PSR loopholes are closed, Boehly and Co. should be praised for their tactics.