Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that the current financial sustainability rules in the Premier League need to be revised to prevent clubs from selling off their academy graduates. This comes as Conor Gallagher is poised to join Atletico Madrid, adding him to a growing list of recent academy sales that includes Mason Mount, Lewis Hall, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ian Maatsen, and Callum Hudson-Odoi. Additionally, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah are also expected to depart before the end of August.
Chelsea has been under pressure to recoup funds after investing over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in player acquisitions over the last four transfer windows, following a change in ownership led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital.
Selling academy players has become an appealing strategy for clubs to adhere to financial regulations since the entire transfer fee is classified as profit. The profit and sustainability rules limit Premier League clubs to a maximum loss of £105 million ($134 million) over a three-year assessment period, which has contributed to a sluggish summer transfer market.
Last season, Everton and Nottingham Forest were penalized with point deductions for violating these regulations, and newly-promoted Leicester could face similar consequences this season for breaches in the 2022/23 campaign.
Maresca remarked, "This is not Chelsea's problem, 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." He added, "It's a shame because in Italy, we have (Francesco) Totti with Roma, 20 years with the same club - 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."
When asked if changes to the rules are necessary, Maresca commented, "If they want to protect academy players, then probably yes."
Gallagher, who served as Chelsea's captain for much of the last season due to Reece James' injuries, is reportedly heading to Spain in a £33 million deal despite fan discontent over his potential exit. The 24-year-old has only one year remaining on his contract at Stamford Bridge and has reportedly declined a two-year extension offer.
"In this moment, there is something between the club and the player - an agreement to stay or to leave," Maresca stated. "These kinds of things happen in every club, every summer, and in the end, the final decision will be good for everyone. Hopefully, the final decision will be good for Conor and the club."
