Chelsea trying to 'get around' the FFP rules, UEFA will stop them

Even thou everything concerning Chelsea looks a bit like chaos or circus, there are certain constants in their behavior. First of all, they keep buying players and second, they give them long-term contracts. And the reasons are simple: they want to upgrade almost every position out there, but they also want to 'cover up' all those enormous transfers and paid fees and 'trick' the Financial Fair Play rules. But UEFA is not (so) crazy after all, and a new rule will be installed next season, because of Chelsea, but also other clubs who might get the idea.

The idea to spent around 500 million euros in two transfer windows had to be at least planned properly, and owner Todd Boehly did that, and his advisers have gone with the long-term contract strategy, stretching the finances over a much bigger period of time. And they can do so, because there is no limit for that in the Premier League, unlike for example in Serie A. Article 18 of the FIFA Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players says:

"The minimum duration of a contract is from the date of entry into force until the end of the season, while the maximum duration of a contract is five years. Contracts of any other duration are only allowed if they comply with national laws" And those laws allow the exception in the Premier League and Chelsea knows that. And the contracts are huge: Mykhailo Mudryk (until 2031), Benoit Badiashile (2029), Wesley Fofana (2029), Detro Fofana (2029), Noni Madueke (2030) Cesare Casadei (2028), Chukwuemeka (30, 2028) and the list is going on and on…

And Premier clubs are complaining. Sportsmail revealed that a number of Chelsea's top-flight rivals had accused the club of attempting to cheat FFP regulations by using amortization to spread the cost of players. Having been alerted to what appears to be a clear trend by other clubs UEFA have reacted, and are planning to set a five-year limit for the time over which a player's transfer fee can be spread from next summer. So, Boehly can spend as much as he can now, because next summer he won't be able to do it. And he is hurrying, as Lyon's Malo Gusto is the next target, with reportedly a six and a half year's contract in the works.

Todd, is everything OK? It has been two days that you haven't signed a new player

The Financial Fair Play establish a cap on the cost of the squad (cost of transfers, salaries, amortizations and agent commissions) up to a maximum of 70% within the 2025/26 season.

"What Chelsea have decided to do is spread the cost of the players by signing them to very long contracts. By signing Mudryk on an eight-and-a-half-year contract, the way it is handled for accounting and Financial Fair Play purposes, is that you take that cost of 100 million euros and split it between eight years. This is reflected in the accounts as just over 12 million euros per season" explained Kieran Maguire, an expert in sports finance, for 'Sky Sports News'.

Madueke at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea spent twice as much as Spanish, German, Italian and French clubs combined in January

But off course, this cannot go forever. With every new sighing, no matter how the money is spread, the amortization will grow, and Chelsea needs to continue to play in the Champions League in order to get more money. But, they are currently 10 points away from it, and are not in contention for any European competition at the moment.

"If we take a look at Chelsea when they won the Champions League in 2021, they generated around €120m in prize money. Now if you compare that to the Europa League, for every pound you earn in the Europa League you're missing out on earning around 4.50 in the Champions League" said Maguire.

And there is also a matter of players bought. If you buy players and they prove to be a success (like for example Newcastle did, as almost all players they bought are in the starting 11), then the long-term contracts are not a problem. But if, for example Mykhailo Mudryk doesn't satisfy the expectations, how do you get rid of him and his huge wage, when he will still be on a long term contract? And what if there are more players like that? Chelsea haven't sold anyone of their 'old players' yet, not to mention if the new ones became unsuccessful. Tod Boehly is risking this one hugely.