Chelsea FC Interviews Michael Emenalo: The Comprehensive Report
Financial Fair Play
Financial Fair Play (FFP) was approved in 2010 and the first assessments began in 2011. Since 2013 UEFA have assessed clubs to ensure that they are balancing their outgoings with their incomings in a bid to ensure that they don’t accumulate debt.
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Emenalo was keen to point out that Chelsea “anticipated that the regulations would be enforced strictly” and as such the club set about planning for the restrictions that would be imposed.
Chelsea’s strategic approach to signings shifted from buying players that were older, more experienced individuals seen in previous seasons, to younger, hungrier players.
The players cited as examples of the club’s new strategy were Juan Mata, signed at the age of 23 in 2011, Oscar (19 in 2012) and Eden Hazard (21 also in 2012).
Whilst Chelsea have put plans in place and made huge strides in adhering to the regulations set out by FFP, it is clear that Emenalo isn’t convinced that the rules are still strictly enforced. With a wry smile on his face Chelsea’s Technical Director made mention of the relatively subdued punishments metered out to those deemed to have breached the rules, calling UEFA’s action just a “slap on the wrist”.
With record-breaking spending in the summer’s transfer window, it is clear that UEFA have loosened their previously strict stance, but it remains to be seen how Chelsea will react to this. Given the relatively quiet summer for the club, it may well be that Chelsea want to see how the land lies and will watch with interest how UEFA respond to the high spending levels.
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