On January 1, the winter transfer window will open its doors in the main European championships. Almost all teams will be looking for players to strengthen themselves, whether at the top or bottom of the rankings. In England, we already know that Chelsea will go on the offensive. Authors of a very complicated start to the season, the Blues, who are currently in twelfth place in the standings with 19 points, want new blood. Especially since they had numerous injuries.
Mauricio Pochettino has already asked his leaders for a central defender, a midfielder as well as an attacker. But the residents of Stamford Bridge, who have already spent a lot since the arrival of Todd Boehly and the new management, will no longer have as much free hands as in the past. Indeed, this Tuesday during the general assembly of the Premier League, English clubs voted for the implementation of a new measure concerning transfers.
The Premier League is a game changer
Information revealed by The Athletic and confirmed by other media. Thus, the British teams have decided to limit to five years the period over which they can spread the payment of a footballer’s transfer fees. Regardless of the duration of the contract, whether short or very long, this rule will be valid. Previously, Premier League teams had the possibility of spreading these regulations over several years without time or duration restrictions.
The Athletic explains that for a player purchased for 60 million euros, clubs could pay 10 million euros per year over six years for example. This therefore benefited many clubs, including Chelsea. As usual, the Blues have increased the number of very long contracts. Last winter, Mykhailo Mudryk signed an eight and a half year contract, which cost 70 million euros. The Ukrainian, who arrived from Shaktar Donetsk, signed the longest contract in the Premier League.
Clubs will have to adapt
Same thing for Enzo Fernandez and Moisés Caicedo, linked to the Londoners until 2031. The first was bought for 121 million euros and the second, 116 million euros (excluding bonuses). Now, the Premier League has decided to limit the duration of transfer fee amortization to 5 years. On the other hand, this decision does not concern movements made in the past. The situation will therefore change and clubs will have to think twice before buying a player.
