Chelsea Football Club has once again sparked widespread concern in the soccer world in recent days, with its official announcement that the size of the team's squad has swelled to more than 50 after the signing of Wolves winger Pedro Neto, a move that has undoubtedly intensified questions about the management of Chelsea's squad.
With the summer transfer window about to close, Chelsea face an important task: according to Premier League rules, they must submit a roster containing 25 players, of which at least eight must be home-grown youth players. These players are not limited to nationality, but must have received at least three years of training in an English club's youth system before the age of 21. For Chelsea, how to choose among the many players in order to build a lineup that is both compliant and competitive has become a pressing issue.
Under Coach Potter, Chelsea's squad problems have become more and more pronounced. The team currently has more than 40 players, leading to overcrowding of first team members in team meetings and training, and there are even reports that some players can only sit on the floor for meetings or change clothes in a hurry in the corridor. This situation not only affects the daily operation of the team, but also has a negative impact on the psychological state of the players and the quality of training.
Although this summer's transfer activity has been tempered compared to last year when Mauricio Pochettino was in charge, Chelsea's transfer operations are still frequent, with the number of signings far exceeding that of other clubs in the Premier League. The club said that they did not set a minimum age or wage limit for signing players, but made decisions based on each player's individual situation and potential. However, this strategy has also led to an overstretched squad and unnecessary financial pressure.
In order to alleviate this problem, Chelsea are planning a massive reshuffle of their squad in the coming period, with at least 14 players expected to leave the team, including a number of new recruits who have yet to represent Chelsea or the national team. At the same time, the club is also actively seeking to balance its books by selling players and assets to comply with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Chelsea have reportedly sold two hotels to affiliates for £77 million to secure the necessary financial backing.
Despite this, Chelsea's financial sustainability continues to be questioned by outsiders. Rivals and observers have questioned how Chelsea can sustain large-scale investments and transfer operations under the strict financial regulations of the Premier League. In response to these questions, Chelsea have stated that they will continue to follow the league's rules and ensure the club's long-term stability through sound financial planning.
In the future, Chelsea needs to pay more attention to financial management and sustainability while maintaining the competitiveness of its lineup. Through reasonable transfer operations, lineup adjustments and financial management strategies, Chelsea is expected to achieve better results in the new season and bring more exciting games to fans.
