Chelsea faces potential player sales if they secure victory in the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, a scenario that could see three academy graduates leaving the club.
As Mauricio Pochettino aims for his inaugural silverware with Chelsea, the pressure mounts for success, particularly with the club’s hefty investment in new talent since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital assumed ownership in May 2022.
Despite their ambitions, triumph in the Carabao Cup could pose financial challenges due to UEFA’s club licensing and financial sustainability regulations (FSR), which are stricter than the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).
If Chelsea clinches the cup, they will qualify for the Europa Conference League, subjecting them to the FSR.
This necessitates adherence to a maximum permitted loss of £68.5 million over the monitoring period spanning the 2022-23 and 2023–24 seasons.
In light of these regulations, Chelsea may be compelled to offload three academy graduates to ensure compliance and generate necessary profit. Notably, efforts to create a market for Armando Broja in January hinted at the club’s intent to raise funds through player sales.
Among potential departures are Ian Maatsen, who possesses a £35 million release clause in his new contract, and Conor Gallagher, whose future hinges on contract negotiations. Their exits, alongside others, would serve Chelsea’s financial objectives while also reshaping their squad dynamics.
