Chelsea Risks Over $600Mn On New Signings

Chelsea

In a significant move that is bound to have implications on the English football scene, Chelsea is pouring in more than $600 M into fresh signings. Presently owned by American businessman Todd Boehly, Chelsea’s latest signing is 22-year-old forward, Mykhailo Mudryk.

Arsenal was ahead in the move to sign Mudryk. But the Ukrainian star instead signed for its crosstown opponent, Chelsea, which swooped with a transfer amount of $75 M and an added $35 M in bonus payments, according to Shakhtar Donetsk, his former club.

The acquisition of Mudryk and the English record $132 M acquisition of Enzo Fernandez on the deadline day demonstrates that it has been a frenzied January transfer spree for Chelsea. The Blues’ spending in this month alone has surpassed $350 M and has led to the arrival of 8 players, most of them attackers.

Russian Owner Abramovich Who Transformed Chelsea, Forced Out Due To The War

The UK in May permitted the transfer of Chelsea in a deal valued at over $5 billion to a group of owners led by Todd Boehly. The club was for years held by Russian businessman Roman Abramovich, who gave up ownership after Russian forces moved into Ukraine in February last year. He said at that time that the move was in the best interest of Chelsea.

Abramovich was included in the list of individuals sanctioned by the UK government. It was part of the move to isolate President Vladimir Putin after the Russian invasion. Boehly has already moved in swiftly and removed coach Thomas Tuchel, who steered Chelsea to a 2nd Champions League trophy in 2020-21. He has been replaced by German Graham Potter.

But the results have not been forthcoming. A goalless draw against rivals Fulham on the night Fernandez was signed had fans chanting about money being wasted. The question must be weighing on the mind of the the club management if they have taken too big a risk in their new signings.