Published On:Thursday, 9 October 2014
Chelsea's new transfer policy looks more settled
European giants Chelsea have headed into a new direction in the transfer market and with dream summer enforcements the days ahead look promising for the Blues. Chelsea bought the likes of Diego Costa, Cesc Fabregas, Loic Remy and Felipe Luiz this summer and profited from their activities in the market. Jose Mourinho needs to be lauded for the sanction of these moves. Moreover, their new policy of making money to further initiate spending later on is a master-stroke.
Jose Mourinho recently cited that Chelsea will not be able to spend big money on star players any more like they did in the initial years of owner Roman Abramovich's takeover. The London club have sold star players such as Juan Mata, David Luiz and Romelu Lukaku for a total fee of GBP 105 million.
Their summer inputs have come within a profit valuation range and overall that has been good for the club. In the coming years, Chelsea are set to enforce this business model in the market and according to Jose, the club will not be amongst top spenders like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United.
Mourinho also reckoned that the Financial Fair Play will spell the end for Chelsea's days as big spenders - and that they will never match the GBP 60 million fee rivals Manchester United paid for Angel Di Maria, breaking the transfer record fee of GBP 50m the Blues paid for Fernando Torres in January 2011.
United have taken a big blip in the transfer market post Alex Ferguson era. Last season, they bought Marouane Fellaini for an overpriced sum of GBP 27 million, followed by GBP 37 million capture of Juan Mata. With Fellaini already being surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, Juan Mata too finds his place in the side not guaranteed, after the club's signing of Radamel Falcao on loan. Juventus, Atletico Madrid and AS Roma are all linked with a January bid for Mata. Both Fellaini and Mata are expected to leave United at half the price they were signed for. Unlike Chelsea, Man United's transfer policy has been bizarre.
Chelsea's summer recruitments were done well ahead of time. Only the capture of Loic Remy for just GBP 10million was done after the exit of Fernando Torres during the last few days of the transfer window. Chelsea have the maximum number of young players on loan compared to their rivals, and with the example of Romelu Lukaku's transfer, the road ahead shows the club's intent on cashing in on young players doing well in their respective loanee clubs.
Chelsea's commercial revenue is far behind that of Manchester United – who have spent big on the likes of Angel Di Maria and Luke Shaw during the summer. The Blues have also signed a GBP 30 million a season kit deal with Adidas compared to United's new GBP 75 million-a-year sponsorship with the same company, starting 2015.
But with the way they have gone ahead with their business in the transfer market, it is a big thing to learn for other big clubs keeping the FFP in mind and getting a profit after sales and purchase. With the way the market is heading, Man United, Real Madrid and Barcelona will keep spending huge sums, meanwhile Chelsea will look to work out from a superb squad, increase the players' valuation and continue with what they are doing already.
Chelsea earned a profit of GBP 31 million with the sale of David Luiz and Juan Mata. The Blues are reaping benefits of a well laid plan and their present scenario promises them more.
Also the impact of youth policy and scouting has played a significant role. Many promising talents have been bought from different countries and loaned out to gain experience and increase their valuation. One good example of that is Thibaut Curtois. The Belgian goalkeeper was bought as a teenager in 2011, for a relatively less but undisclosed fee from Genk and was loaned out to Atletico Madrid. He had remarkable three seasons with the La Liga champions and made over 100 appearances. The 22-year-old has replaced Petr Cech, as the No. 1 in the team and his present valuation will increase by a huge amount as he is likely to sign a new contract with the Blues.
Promising players in the team such as Oscar, Eden Hazard, Andre Schurrle and Willian's valuation in the market is far more than what Chelsea bought them for. On the other hand United's sale of Shinji Kagawa to Borussia Dortmund was half the fee of what they had paid for him two seasons back.
Chelsea's purchase of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas shows they have invested wisely for a good return. However, clubs like Tottenham, PSG and United have bought players whose prices have been more than their actual value.
Since Jose's arrival at Stamford Bridge last season, he had voiced his opinion that Chelsea are looking to build a squad for the future. He wanted to have a team to his liking and this summer his identification has been spot on. With the team he has in his kitty and the prospect of several youngsters in the line-up, Jose doesn't need to break any transfer fee record.
For the moment, he and Abramovich have a plan, and it's going to tick off wisely. Good days lie ahead at Stamford Bridge!
