Chelsea is the world case of the 2024 market. A team that despite an extra-large squad continues to buy. Without logic, without a reason. Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool flag and now a popular commentator, expressed his opinion on the latest, inexplicable purchase, that Joao Felix who had already passed through Stamford Bridge without really making a difference:
“You ask me what position Joao Felix will play, but I would ask myself where Joao Felix will change in the training center. If you have 40 players, how do you put them in one dressing room?”
And again:
“Chelsea must stop buying players and players must stop signing for Chelsea. Why on earth would a player today be interested in the ‘Chelsea project’?”
Since Roman Abramovich’s forced farewell to Todd Boehly’s arrival, the London club has been on a compulsive shopping spree that can’t stop. And which incidentally hasn’t brought any trophy, with a lost League Cup final and a qualification to the Conference League as the best result achieved. As of August 22, the amount spent to strengthen the club amounts to 241 million euros (Transfermarkt data), partially recovered by sales that brought in 145 million euros. What is truly disturbing, 8 days after the end of negotiations, is that there are still 39 players in the squad. Still fewer than on the eve of the first Premier League match, when the roster was 43 players. There are currently 6 goalkeepers, 10 defenders, 11 midfielders and 12 forwards. The maximum number of players that can be registered in the Premier League is 25 players, with no restrictions for Under 21s. The situation is different in the Conference where there are more stringent rules for Under and foreigners. A lot of work will be needed in these days, but the problem will arise at every transfer session, if all these purchases are no longer part of the club’s plans. This is because, to spread the crazy expenses made so far in these two years, the club has made the players sign very long contracts. Of these 39, 17 have an agreement from 2030 onwards. In the case of Cole Palmer, even until 2033. Best wishes.
As of today, we could make 3 teams of these 39, still leaving out several players. Here’s how they would come out:
TEAM A (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Nkunku; Jackson.
TEAM B (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; James, Disasi, Badiashile, Chilwell; Dewsbury-Hall, Chukwuemeka; Pedro Neto, Joao Felix, Mudryk; Lukaku.
TEAM C (3-4-3): Kepa; Adarabioyo, Veiga, Chalobah; Sterling, Casadei, Kellyman, Angelo; Madueke, Washington, Marc Guiu.