The Premier League have reportedly demanded an explanation from Chelsea for the current mass exodus of first team players to the Saudi Pro League.
In what could be seen as the biggest summer clear out this summer, a number of Chelsea first team players are on the verge of exiting Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, the club have announced the departure of 13 players already.
A flurry of top stars and first team players have now been added to the exit list with more departures expected in the coming days.
Chelsea players on summer exit to Saudi Arabia
France international and box-to-box midfield sensation, N’Golo Kante was the first Chelsea player to complete a move to Saudi Arabia. N’Golo Kante joined Saudi champions Al-Ittihad on a four-year contract till 2027.
On Wednesday, three Chelsea first team players reached agreements with their respective Saudi suitors to join the club.
Morocco international, Hakim Ziyech reached an agreement with Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr to join the club on a three-year contract until 2026.
Out-of-favor Senegal goalkeeper Edouard Mendy reached agreement with Al Hilal to join the club on a three-year contract.
Chelsea’s last summer signing from Napoli, Kalidou Koulibaly, also reached agreement with Al Ahli to join the club on a three-year contract.
Premier League concerned of mass exodus to Saudi League.
The Premier League are reportedly concerned of the mass exodus of Chelsea’s top players to clubs in Saudi Arabia with spotlights on the relationship between Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund.
The Telegraph reports the Premier League have demanded explanation from Chelsea on the mass exodus of Chelsea players to the Saudi League.
The fear is Todd Boehly’s Clearlake Capital may be linked to Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, who are the owners of Newcastle United.
The projections are the mass exit of Chelsea players to Saudi Arabia could only be possible with a direct or indirect relationship with Saudi PIF – an ambitious Saudi investment behemoth backed by Saudi government.
The Sun reports Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, PIF, are involved with Clearlake Capitals linked to Todd Boehly. However, before the American investor bought Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, the relationship between Clearlake Capital and PIF was thoroughly investigated.
After the thorough investigation, it was established as a matter of fact that Saudi PIF are also investing in Clearlake Capital but it was purely a business investment in no way connected to an attempt to take over the ownership of another Premier League club after Newcastle United.
However, the recent exit of Chelsea first team players to Saudi Arabia have now awakened the concerns and ignited fears of behind-the-scene pact for football related investment.
The report adds Premier League officials are however optimistic there is no such relationship based on the previous investigation before Todd Boehly took over as Chelsea’s new owner.
Nevertheless, if the mass exodus lingers, the Premier League may be forced to swing into full investigations again.
The soft side of the narrative of Chelsea’s mass exit this summer is the need to offload some players from the overbloated squad, balance the financial books, and avoid clash with Financial Fair Play Rules.
After taking over as Chelsea new owner, Todd Boehly splashed £586m to sign 16 players which left the squad overbloated and contributed to their dwindling Premier League fortunes last season.
