Chelsea’s war chest may disappear depending on Premier League return

Chelsea’s has been gearing up to spend big this summer, but the delay in cash flows could cause that pile of money to disappear.

Chelsea has been more or less self sustainable for years now. Unlike some clubs constantly operating at a loss in every category, the Blues have been making efforts to stay on the right side of the red and the black.

But it is impossible to account for something like Covid-19. The Premier League being delayed has not only stopped the games themselves, but the cash flow provided by TV deals and ticket sales.

Depending on what form the Premier League takes, that cash could be gone just when Chelsea will have wanted to use it. That could cause the Blues to reevaluate plans in the short and the long term.

Worst case scenario is that the Premier League simply voids this season and all that money is simply lost. Chelsea may be fine regardless, but that is a lot of cash to leave sitting on the table. It could cause the Blues to bargain buy for “good enough” options like the last few seasons.

A step above that (and the step that will most likely happen) is play resumes to empty stadiums. TV companies are satisfied, though not necessarily happy, and pay out their end of things. But that leaves the ticket sales coffer empty. Some clubs earmark more of that cash for transfers and the like than others, but it would affect every club regardless.

Then there is the pie in the sky the Premier League returns with fans. Revenues would still be effected due to so many games close together, but far less than the alternatives. This is extremely unlikely to happen.

Add on FIFA is trying to find solutions by moving the transfer window itself. Suggestions have been made as to simply moving it back to coincide with the new league start and end dates as well as the more radical notion of leaving the window open through the end of January.

If the latter were to happen, it would force Chelsea into the market constantly. Things on the field would still take the highest precedence, but the transfer window is always a constant distraction. The former could also be a mess simply because some leagues may take much longer to resume than others. If they resume at all.

The longer all of this goes on, the lesser the chance Chelsea goes out and splashes the cash. The same will go for every other club as well but the Blues desperately need strengthening in a few key positions across the pitch.

Those positions could still be strengthened, it is simply hard to see the exact route to do so at the moment with so much up in the air. The Blues have already had to put contract talks on hold, likely expecting some volatility in the market going forward. They also will have trouble reaching out for new players given everything is so unknown at the moment.

Chelsea will have to wait and see how this pans out just like everyone else. Ideally plans are being made, but plans can change quickly in this current pandemic.