Chelsea are set for a major overhaul this summer- but how much are they actually likely to spend?
Over the past fortnight there have been a few extravagant transfer rumours surrounding Stamford Bridge.
One was that Roman Abramovich has set aside £90 million to raid Newcastle United for Demba Ba, Tim Krul and Cheik Tiote, another is that there is £80 million tucked away to attempt to sign both Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain from Real Madrid.
Neither rumour particularly makes sense, even the three Newcastle players would not add up to £90 million without being heavily overpriced – not a route Chelsea want to go down, while Ronaldo and Higuain would likely cost more than the figure mentioned, which is more attributable to Ronaldo alone.
The finer details are not the issue here though, what is interesting is that it suggests Roman Abramovich is ready to use his financial wealth to blow his rivals out of the water.
Let’s take a look at how much Abramovich has spent on transfers in each of his seasons to date.
03/04: £153 million – Most expensive deals – Damien Duff £17 million, Hernan Crespo £16.8 million, Claude Makelele £16 million. Net spend – £153 million
04/05: £59 million – Most expensive deals – Didier Drogba £24 million, Ricardo Carvalho £19.8 million, Tiago £8 million. Net spend – £47 million
05/06: £112 million- Most expensive deals – Andriy Shevchenko £30 million, Michael Essien £24 million, Shaun Wright-Phillips £21 million. Net spend – £91 million
06/07: £12 million – Most expensive deals – Khalid Boularhouz £7 million, Ashley Cole £5 million. Net spend – Minus £15 million.
07/08: £40 million – Most expensive deals – Nicolas Anelka £15 million, Florent Malouda £13.5 million, Branislav Ivanovic £9 million. Net spend – £7.5 million
08/09: £24 million – Most expensive deals – Jose Bosingwa £16 million, Deco £8 million. Net spend – Minus £10 million.
09/10: 23.5 million – Most expensive deals – Yuri Zhirkov £18 million, Daniel Sturridge £4 million. Net spend – £17.5 million.
10/11: £99 million – Most expensive deals– Fernando Torres £50 million, David Luiz £26 million, Ramires £18 million. Net spend – £87 million.
11/12: £82 million – Most expensive deals – Juan Mata £23.5 million, Romelu Lukaku £20 million, Raul Meireles £12 million. Net spend – £58 million.
So what does all of the above tell us?
Firstly it shows that Chelsea’s extortionate spending in Abramovich’s first three seasons, slowed dramatically between 2006 and 2010. It was going along steadlily as well before the club panicked last January and splurged £76 million on David Luiz and Fernando Torres.
Last summer as well was another one of big spending, although the club recouped a third of it in player sales.
Both the last two seasons provide a model for what Chelsea are likely to do this year. The club will be aware of the upcoming required Financial Fair Play regulations, and there will be a blow from loss of income if the club fail to reach the Champions League.
But equally they will not shy away from making major changes. It is highly likely Roman Abramovich does have an expensive transfer kitty at the ready, of up to £100 million, just expect him to want a large portion of it back.
Last season the £82 million he spent looks a lot better at £58 million on the club’s balance sheet, and several players are likely to find themselves walking through the exit door this summer as the club try to limit the financial repercussions of the required overhaul, as well as having a much-needed clearout.
Just don’t expect the club to spend £80 million on two players, or even one, like a Cristiano Ronaldo. That has never been Abramovich’s style, up until Fernando Torres the highest he had spent on any single player was the £30 million on Andriy Shevchenko, and let’s face it, both of those have been huge failures.
We’re sure there will be one marquee signing, an Edinson Cavani or a Falcao perhaps, but aside from that, the club need to do their deals under £20 million and look for value going forwards. They could sign both if they take the brave move to sell Fernando Torres.
It is good to identify players in advance now, but the only winner to come out of a £90 million swoop on Newcastle will be Mike Ashley. First thing’s first is to appoint a manager and let him have his say.
What we do know, is that the club are prepared to spend the cash. Will they go ‘crazy’ ? We doubt it. We expect their dealings to be more similar to last summer’s acquisitions, geared towards the world’s best young players, such as Juan Mata.
Supporters will be praying they get it right, because the prospect of a fifth placed finish this season is not a feeling they will want to get used to.
What moves do you expect the club to make in the summer?
image: © Crystian Cruz
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