Chelsea ‘set to sell’ two star players during summer transfer window in bid to comply with FFP

Chelsea is rumored to be considering the sale of two star players during the upcoming summer transfer window in an effort to adhere to Financial Fair Play regulations.

Under the ownership of the Todd Boehly-led Clearlake Capital consortium since the summer of 2022, the club has invested a significant £1 billion on acquiring new players.

High-profile signings such as Marc Cucurella, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo, and Raheem Sterling have all been secured for substantial sums of money.

Despite their significant investment in players, Chelsea’s on-pitch performances have been a major disappointment. Currently placed 11th in the Premier League table after a 2-2 draw against Burnley at Stamford Bridge, the club faces the risk of breaching the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules.

With Everton and Nottingham Forest already penalized for such breaches this season, Chelsea may need to take action to mitigate their financial risks. According to The Sunday Times, the club is considering listing captain Reece James and midfielder Conor Gallagher for transfer, potentially yielding up to £100 million in additional revenue.

While James has been an integral part of Chelsea’s squad in recent years, he has been plagued by injuries this season, limiting his playing time. The England international underwent surgery in December and recently returned to training at the beginning of the month.

Following the draw against Burnley, manager Mauricio Pochettino expressed his disappointment, stating:

“Today, we didn’t demonstrate the capacity, energy, and hunger that are essential to compete in the Premier League. Defensively, we conceded too much, and that’s why I’m so upset and disappointed. It’s crucial for us to be stronger as a group, to function as a cohesive team. Unfortunately, for various reasons, we are progressing slowly in this area, and that was the deciding factor today. I’m not making excuses, but although the team performed well and showed energy in attack, we lacked the same intensity without the ball.”

Chelsea will return to Premier League action on Thursday night when they host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.