Chelsea’s rivals will test the club’s reputation for pricing players out of moves in summer – with Premier League sides believing that the Blues MUST sell star players to comply with top-flight financial rules

Chelsea’s rivals plan to put their reputation to the test this summer when it comes to pricing out players, as they believe they are now in a position where they have to sell to comply with the Premier’s financial rules League to bypass.

The Blues are notorious among their rivals for making tough deals by giving their stars high ratings, but speculation is rife that significant sales will be required once the next transfer window opens.

Chelsea insiders insist this is not the case, adding they are on course to comply with the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). Yet the club’s accounts yesterday revealed a pre-tax loss of £90.1 million for the year ending June 30, 2023. That followed a loss of £121.4 million the year before.

Despite Chelsea disputing the idea that they need to make a sell-out to make up for those losses, their rivals plan to test their resolve. A club owner told Mail Sport yesterday that he believes Chelsea will have to be ‘more realistic’ than in previous periods and that they would be willing to use any situation to their advantage if it meant they could secure a better deal this summer.

June 30 is the date by which clubs must ensure they are on the right side of PSR rules, and Chelsea made several sales before that deadline last summer, including receiving £65 million for Kai Havertz and £25 million for Mateo Kovacic.

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Manager Mauricio Pochettino was asked about the club’s financial situation during his pre-Newcastle press conference, including whether they would be allowed to spend the summer.

“I don’t know, because I also need to be informed,” Pochettino said. ‘We will talk and I will certainly be kept informed. But I don’t know what’s going to happen.’

Chelsea are guaranteed to generate at least some money this summer. Lewis Hall will sign permanently for Newcastle for £28m, while Romelu Lukaku, currently on loan at Roma, has a £37m release clause in his contract.

Borussia Dortmund loanee Ian Maatsen is also said to cost £35 million, while Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah are likely to leave.

Conor Gallagher could also be sold if interested parties do not agree to a new contract with Tottenham.

As a homegrown player, Gallagher would count as pure profit on the balance sheet, just like Mason Mount did when he was sold to Manchester United for £55 million.