On May 30, 2022, Chelsea were officially acquired. Since then, the new management, played by Todd Boehly, has spent lavishly…or almost. Indeed, the Londoners have dropped millions and millions to recruit players. But for the moment, the return on investment is slow. Last year, the Blues finished in twelfth place in the championship and did not qualify for any of the European Cups. This season, Mauricio Pochettino’s troops set out to achieve the same feat, who are in eleventh position after 28 days (39 points). Which is not really good news for leaders, who want to participate in a European competition. In terms of image as well as on a sporting and financial level, this is very important in the life of a professional club.
Especially since Chelsea recently announced the loss of 105.3 million euros before taxes. To fill their coffers in order to continue recruiting but also to move forward on the new stadium project, the Blues will therefore have to find other means, they who must recover at least 117 million euros. This will notably involve the arrival of new partners and the sale of certain elements deemed undesirable. To achieve this, Todd Boehly decided to turn to Saudi Arabia. THE Telegraph reveals that the Chelsea chairman traveled there to meet bosses at Riyadh Air and other companies in a bid to become the club’s new sponsor next season. Meanwhile, Boehly spoke recently in Riyadh with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Sports and Saudi Pro League Director of Football Michael Emenalo.
Several players on the transfer list
The English media indicates that neither party has specified the purpose of this meeting. But the Telegraph assures that this proves “Chelsea’s desire to raise funds by selling players to the Saudi Pro League”. They already sent players last year, namely Kalidou Koulibaly (Al-Hilal) and Edouard Mendy (Al Ahli). They also tried to place Romelu Lukaku or even Hakim Ziyech. But it didn’t come to an end. The English intend to succeed this time, having already identified the players to be included in the Saudi Pro League. Like last year, they want to send Romelu Lukaku to the SPL. The Belgian is on loan this season to AS Roma. A club which will obviously have difficulty paying his salary and his release clause.
The amount of this is 43.2 million euros. This is the amount that Chelsea hopes to recover in Saudi Arabia. The Blues also want Kepa Arrizabalaga to be on the trip. The goalkeeper was loaned to Real Madrid this season after Thibaut Courtois’ serious injury. If the Merengues thought of keeping him for a while, this is not necessarily the trend today, since he is ahead of Andriy Lunin. The London club also plans to part ways with Marc Cucurella, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah. But a priori, they will not be offered to the Saudis. Finally, Raheem Sterling was already the subject of big offers from SPL last year but he resisted. THE Telegraph explains that he shouldn’t change his mind. But his situation will have to be monitored since Chelsea still intends to recruit for his position. It should still go in all directions among the Blues!
