FFP: Why Chelsea fans should be worried now more than ever

The news does not look good on Chelsea as the Blues face a hot chase against the Financial Fair Play regulations, and according to reports, their strength in the transfer market could become their ‘Kryptonite’.

With the latest reports on the news, it appears Chelsea getting railroaded at Anfield last Wednesday by Liverpool should be the least thing fans should be worried about under Mauricio Pochettino’s reign as manager and the Todd Boehly ownership of the club.

According to reports, the West-London side may be facing a more severe penalty from the Premier League for alleged Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches compared to Everton, as argued by a former financial adviser for Manchester City.

The spotlight on the Premier League’s FFP regulations intensified after Everton received a 10-point deduction in November for violating the spending rules.

The Toffees, along with Nottingham Forest, faced additional charges in January for exceeding the stipulated limit of £105 million in losses over a three-year rolling period.

Meanwhile, Manchester City is confronting a staggering 115 charges that could result in severe consequences, including title-stripping, relegation, fines, or legal action. The club vehemently denies the allegations.

In a twist, Chelsea, under the ownership of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital since May 2022, has surpassed the £1 billion mark in transfer expenditures.

Despite substantial revenue from the sale of academy products and the amortization of significant signings, concerns have been raised regarding their compliance with the Premier League’s spending regulations.

Stefan Borson, a former financial adviser for Manchester City, expressed his apprehensions on TalkSPORT, stating,

“They’ve used the tricks of amortization. (But) in my mind, there’s certainly trouble on the horizon, and they’ll certainly fail FFP for the current season.”

Borson highlighted the challenge Chelsea faces in meeting the criteria before June 30, emphasizing the limited window for selling players after the January transfer window closes. The looming Euros further complicate potential sales, making quick transactions crucial.

Borson suggested that Chelsea might encounter a more severe punishment than Everton, stating,

“This breach Chelsea are lined up for is much bigger than Everton’s breach.”

He emphasized that the Premier League might view Chelsea’s breach as deliberate, as opposed to unintentional breaches or stadium construction-related issues.

While Chelsea has insisted on compliance with FFP rules in previous statements to the Telegraph and refrained from making new signings in January, the situation remains dynamic.