Chelsea are operating in a way that every modern team will probably be doing so in years to come.
Yes, there are some clubs in the Premier League where the man in the dugout has a say in transfers, Unai Emery at Aston Villa is an example.
That has proven to be successful so far after Aston Villa secured Champions League football this season and Chelsea were only resigned to sixth.
The feeling is that one of the reasons behind Mauricio Pochettino’s sudden exit at Stamford Bridge is because of the little say he was having on transfers.
Alan Pardew has been in many a boardroom during his time as a Premier League manager, so he probably understands the frustration and annoyance behind it all.
Financial Fair Play is dominating the headlines this summer, with many teams having to sell before they can buy and Chelsea are one of them.
The man who seems to be top of that list is Conor Gallagher, but Pardew thinks it’s a ‘massive problem’, as he told talkSPORT (02/06/24 at 7:15 pm).
Pardew doesn’t think clubs should be selling homegrown players to balance the books and feels it is a ‘really sad’ part of the game.
Gallagher was a key player under Pochettino, starting 50 out of 51 games, including donning the captain’s armband, but he’s already probably played his last game for the club, with sources telling HITC that Tottenham are pushing for his signature.
Chelsea to sell Conor Gallagher
“The team, to some degree, started to settle, didn’t it,” said Pardew. “It started to form a little bit.
“The worry is that Chelsea might be at their limit, in terms of financial fair play again. Gallagher might have to go. Most Chelsea fans, when I have been to Chelsea, love him. He has been so important to Chelsea. His energy and getting around the pitch.
“Do you know what’s really sad about that financial fair play thing, right? Is that a homegrown player is vulnerable. They are all value. If they are worth £60 million, it’s all profit. This has become a massive problem for Chelsea.”
Chelsea’s spending
For years and years now, Chelsea have had a great academy, but it never feels like they use it properly.
Yes, players come through. Alfie Gilchrist was another handed a chance this season. But there are many players ahead of him.
If Chelsea focused a bit more on giving their academy stars the chance, rather than buying players for nearly every position and for huge money, then they probably wouldn’t be in this current position.
But whoever owns the club and whoever is in the dugout, don’t seem to be that way inclined because the academy brings in huge money from a financial perspective.
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