Chelsea to scrap its one ‘Golden rule’

A seismic shift is underway at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea Football Club reportedly prepares to discard its longstanding ‘golden rule’ in the wake of a tumultuous season under the management of Mauricio Pochettino.

Following a string of disappointing performances, Chelsea suffered their 11th defeat of the Premier League season on Tuesday, enduring a humiliating 5-0 loss to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

The defeat marked a new low for the Blues, who find themselves languishing in ninth place and facing the grim prospect of another season without European football.

Despite a staggering investment of £1 billion in transfer fees for 28 new players under the stewardship of owner Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s on-field fortunes have failed to reflect their lavish spending.

Last summer alone, the club splurged £115 million on Moises Caicedo from Brighton and a further £107 million on Enzo Fernandez during the January transfer window in 2023.

Additionally, significant sums were allocated for the acquisitions of Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, and Cole Palmer, the latter emerging as a standout performer amid the team’s struggles this season.

Under Boehly’s directive, Chelsea implemented a strategic transfer approach focused exclusively on players aged 25 and under, with a dozen new recruits fitting this criterion.

However, in light of the team’s underwhelming campaign and evident lack of experience, the club is reportedly poised to abandon this policy ahead of the upcoming summer transfer window.

Chelsea expert Simon Phillips revealed the impending change, stating that the ‘U25 rule’ will no longer be enforced, signaling a departure from the club’s previous transfer strategy.

With seasoned campaigners now in high demand, Chelsea is expected to pivot towards recruiting players above the age of 25 to bolster their ranks and inject much-needed maturity into the squad.

The departure of Thiago Silva, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the season, further underscores the pressing need for veteran leadership within the team. Silva, 39, has been a linchpin in Chelsea’s defense since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in 2020, and his impending exit leaves a significant void to be filled.