Maresca defends Chelsea transfers: PSR rules are killing academies

Tom Weber

• Updated: 6 Aug 2024 12:13 BST
• 3 min read

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca launched into a tirade on Premier League spending rules when quizzed about academy sales.

The Blues are once again in the midst of a busy transfer window, having already signed a host of players and remaining in talks with many more, such as Victor Osimhen and Samu Omorodion.

To balance the books, Chelsea have had to sell and academy talent is a particularly attractive asset to shift as it represents 'pure profit.' Lewis Hall was sold to Newcastle prior to the Premier League Profit and Sustainability (PSR) deadline on June 30 and Conor Gallagher is on the verge of moving to Atletico Madrid.

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Trevoh Chalobah, excluded from the US pre-season tour to force him out, and Armando Broja are two additional homegrowns Chelsea are looking to sell this summer. The sale of players who grew up supporting the club is not particularly popular with fans, but new Blues boss Enzo Maresca insists that their hands are tied.

Maresca blasts Premier League rules

Speaking overnight in the US, the Italian launched into a scathing tirade of PSR regulations, claiming that Chelsea and indeed all Premier League clubs are forced into selling their homegrown talent to balance the books.

“But this is not Chelsea’s problem," Maresca thundered. "These are the rules. All the clubs at this moment are compelled to sell players from the academy because of the rules. It’s all of the Premier League clubs’ problems.”

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“I also think the intention of the club is not to sell players from the academy, but it is the rules at the end that you have to do it. It’s not only us; it’s all the Premier League clubs. It’s a shame because in Italy we have Francesco Totti at Roma, 20 years with the same club."

“A one-club man — we love that in football; the fans want to see that. But with the rules now, it is different from the past...but it is not only Chelsea spending money on players.”

“It’s all the big clubs trying to try and buy players. Some of the clubs spend more, some spend less. My personal opinion is it’s a shame because we like to see a one-club man, but the rules are different.”

Asked if the Premier League should amend their spending rules, Maresca replied: “If they want to protect academy players, then probably yes.”