Todd Boehly – CaughtOffside

Chelsea want 16-year-old wonder kid with incredible €60m release clause

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 24 Nov 2023 06:23:12 +0000

With another transfer window just around the corner, it’s no surprise to see Chelsea linked with one of the world’s best young players.

Ever since the Blues were taken over by Todd Boehly they’ve been amongst the biggest movers and shakers in the market place, and rumours of their interest in a 16-year-old with a whopping €60m release clause only strengthens their position.

It appears that they could have their work cut out to land Palmeiras talent, Estevao Willian, more commonly known as Messinho, however.

According to Mundo Deportivo, Man City, Man United, Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona and Real Madrid are all circling, with the Catalan giants the clear favourites at this stage if for no other reason than the player’s own preference.

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The one issue Barcelona do have at present is a distinct lack of funds to be able to get deals done.

The framework that president, Joan Laporta, and his team are having to work to at present puts them at a serious disadvantage to any of their contemporaries and means they need to go above and beyond just to consider themselves part of the conversation.

With every other club needing to stay within the bounds of Financial Fair Play too, it represents a level playing field and, to that end, would potentially give Boehly as good a chance as anyone to be able to pitch well for the player’s services and turn his head away from Barcelona.

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“Only suitable punishment” – Football finance expert has bad news for Chelsea

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 19:43:24 +0000

Now that Everton have had a 10-point punishment for financial irregularities concerned, Chelsea and Man City are likely to be more than interested in how the Premier League will adjudge their own business practices over the past few years.

The Blues will need to answer questions with regards to payments made in the Roman Abramovich era and, subject to the outcome of the investigation, will be punished accordingly.

Kieran Maguire, an expert in football finance, thinks that there could be some dark days ahead for the west Londoners.

“I think you have to punish the offence and under UK law we have what’s known as the veil of incorporation which means that a company is separate from its owners,” he told Football Insider.

“Therefore, it is Chelsea that would be prosecuted and not Roman Abramovich or Todd Boehly. If Chelsea are found to be guilty, then a points deduction is the right sanction.

“I can understand Boehly’s frustration and unhappiness with regards to that, but if clubs could avoid punishment by changing owner then we’d see clubs run up charges, mess around with the rules and then find a patsy to buy the club.

“So that has to be considered and a points deduction seems the only suitable punishment.“

Maguire mentions that current owner, Todd Boehly, won’t be too enamoured with any penalty given that it will relate to business done before he was at the club.

Whilst that’s understandable, in time there are sure to be questions asked regarding the transfer business undertaken during the American’s tenure, as well as the source of funds for various transactions.

The haphazard way in which the club have done their transfer business since Boehly has been at the helm has been in stark contrast to almost every other team in the division.

Surely the question needs to be asked as to why that is.

In any event, we can be assured that the club’s legal department will be all over any ruling if it goes against them, so this particular saga is set to run for a while yet.

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Exclusive: Nothing wrong with multi-club ownership as long as it’s policed properly

Jason Pettigrove — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 16:06:37 +0000

There are a few Premier League clubs that are expanding their portfolio wisely at this point, and though we won’t likely see the benefits of the same for a while yet, each of them appear to be taking a strategic position.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe will soon be in charge of football operations at Man United whilst still being involved at Nice, the Saudi Public Investment Fund own the biggest four clubs in the Pro League as well as Newcastle, Clearlake own both Chelsea and Strasbourg whilst the City Group have by far the biggest portfolio that includes clubs around the world.

Football traditionalists won’t like the way football is heading but that kind of ownership model is here to stay.

Co-creator of the Premier League and former ‘super agent,’ Jon Smith, believes that the status quo should remain as long as it’s policed properly.

“In principle, I agree that there should be some sort of management of multi-club ownership player swaps, because it gives rise to an advantage to those clubs against competing clubs who don’t have that accessibility to players and deals that perhaps are not as financially helpful,” he said for his exclusive CaughtOffside column.

“If you’re lending within your own group, you’re not really going to charge each other that much and the money gets reinvested into the group again.

“Of course, there’s ways around it. Let’s just say there are major funds, most of whom I know, who are seeking to own multiple football clubs, and some of the investors in those groups are sovereign wealth funds.

“So in other words, potentially, you have a country as an owner of a football club, dealing with a fund – of which that country’s sovereign wealth fund, which is different from the state ownership vehicle – actually means that is overly helpful to the initial club.

“I think clear, clearly defined capital ownership shows that there are no hidden ownerships in that mix, and if even if there are, by the way, that’s okay.”

The controversy that has arisen with regards to, for example, Newcastle being loaned players from the Saudi Pro League, isn’t anything new says Smith.

Indeed, there has been one club that has been surviving and thriving by using the player-swap scenario.

“Don’t forget Watford have been doing this for years with Udinese. Nobody’s complained, and it’s worked quite well for them,” Smith added.

“Providing it’s understood that it’s not a whole team, just one or two players every season or something like that, it’s absolutely financially advantageous for the clubs in that equation, beyond just the ability to move a player about.”

Supporters who still believe they are being short-changed by the pace at which the game is moving clearly have a choice to make.

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18-year-old replacement for Richarlison eyed by Tottenham as Chelsea wait in the wings

Jason Pettigrove — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 06:39:29 +0000

Injured at present, Richarlison is clearly still going through a tough time at Tottenham, both in a physical and mental sense.

The Brazilian is due back from his current injury on or about December 15th according to Premier Injuries, and perhaps with one eye on the future, Football Insider are reporting that Spurs are looking at an 18-year-old to come in and cover in the front line given how light Ange Postecoglou finds himself in that department.

Should Richarlison’s well-publicised mental health issues become an issue for the player again, Club Brugge’s Antonio Nusa could find himself becoming a longer-term replacement.

Tottenham will give the Brazilian all the help and support that he needs, as they’ve done so far, however, even that may not be enough for him to conquer his demons.

Should he hit the ground running during the festive period and find his footballing mojo, there’s still a good enough reason for Nusa to be considered in January given that Ivan Perisic is out for the season and Manor Solomon isn’t expected to be back on the pitch until late January at the earliest.

Chelsea and Fulham are also said to be interested by Football Insider, although the one thing that could scupper the deal for any of the London trio is that the Belgian Pro League side are said to be wanting £30m or thereabouts to allow him to move mid-season.

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Exclusive: Surprising developments in Ivan Toney saga with Arsenal and Chelsea on alert

Jason Pettigrove — Sat, 18 Nov 2023 08:35:30 +0000

The transfer of Ivan Toney away from Brentford appears to be a foregone conclusion, despite the fact that the Bees have supported the 27-year-old throughout his ban from football for betting irregularities.

By the time that Toney is able to return to competitive action on January 17 next year, he will have been out of the game for eight months.

It’s believed he has been training with the west Londoners and playing games behind closed doors to keep his fitness up, however, it’s likely to take a few weeks of Premier League games before he’s fully match fit once again.

Any clubs that are interested in taking the England international will need to factor that in to any potential negotiations.

Both Arsenal and Chelsea are credited with an interest in the player, though there have been some surprising developments as far as a January move is concerned.

Fabrizio Romano, speaking to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing column, noted that:

“Brentford will try any way to keep Ivan Toney in January and then sell him in the summer. It’s still not clear if this will be possible but they will try.

“I’m not aware of any precise info on release clauses and a new deal with Brentford as of today.

“As of now, there is only interest from Arsenal and Chelsea, still no concrete negotiations.”

There’s a sense of inevitability that the move will happen at some point soon, though a summer move would now appear to be the most likely scenario.

Whether that will hinder his chances of representing England at Euro 2024 won’t be clear until later in the season when Gareth Southgate assesses his options.

That surely has to be the aim for the player, as well as enjoying a great second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

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Ivan Toney contract shock will leave Arsenal and Chelsea reeling

Jason Pettigrove — Fri, 17 Nov 2023 07:25:59 +0000

Brentford ace, Ivan Toney, will soon be back on the football pitch after serving his ban for various betting issues.

The striker is due to play again on January 17, exactly two month’s time, and his re-appearance in the English top-flight surely can’t come soon enough for the Bees and for Toney himself.

Though it’s likely to take a while for him to rediscover his form and match fitness, his eye for goal means that the vultures have been circling even whilst he’s been sat on the sidelines.

However, Arsenal and Chelsea, two of the teams linked with a move for the 27-year-old, appear destined for initial disappointment.

That’s because, according to talkSPORT, Brentford are confident that Toney will sign a new deal with them.

Their support of the player has been unequivocal, and it appears that such faith is being repaid by the striker.

It would be a real coup for the west Londoners if they were able to keep hold of their prized asset, however, there does appear to be a caveat to any deal being signed.

According to 90Min, the player will insist on a release clause in order that he can still move before the end of his current Bees deal which is due to expire in 2025.

Any such arrangement would have to be of benefit to both parties, and would therefore not rule either Arsenal or Chelsea out of signing him in the longer term.

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Premier League trio destined for disappointment over world-class Bayern ace

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 12:07:55 +0000

The Premier League is often marketed as the best league in the world, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that everyone wants to play there.

Indeed, for one world-class Bayern Munich star, the sunnier climbs of the Spanish top-flight appears to be more in keeping with his wishes.

All three of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City are being linked with Alphonso Davies according to 90Min, who also credit Paris Saint-Germain with an interest in the marauding left-back.

At just 23 years of age, the Canadian has a lifetime ahead of him in football terms, though he’s gained significant enough experience already in the Bundesliga to be considered as a veteran of sorts.

That’s perhaps why Real Madrid are, apparently, also keen to secure his services with 90Min saying all three Premier League clubs believe it’s to Los Blancos that Davies will ultimately head.

It’s understandable why he’s so coveted too. Aside from his wealth of experience which is unusual for a player so young, he is brilliant at turning defence into attack at the click of a finger, and is as important to Bayern in an attacking sense as he is defensively.

For Real Madrid supporters brought up on watching Roberto Carlos or Marcelo raiding down the left side, it’ll be manna from heaven should Davies arrive at the Santiago Bernabeu.

What will be interesting to see is the lengths that the Premier League trio will go to in order to get the player to change his mind.

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Chelsea could regret not signing huge talent that’s too expensive for Barcelona

Jason Pettigrove — Thu, 16 Nov 2023 10:19:20 +0000

There’s likely to be plenty of movement in the transfer market this winter, as clubs such as Chelsea and Barcelona look to find value for money in signings that can push them forward in the second halves of their Premier League and La Liga campaigns respectively.

Mid-season signings are likely to come at a premium too, if the selling clubs detect a hint of desperation from potential buyers.

Occasionally there’ll be a bargain to be had albeit clubs will need to be quick off the mark to find and then secure them.

Corinthians wonder kid, Gabriel Moscardo, is one such talent that could be picked up for a relative pittance, though Chelsea may have missed the chance to do so.

Speaking to CaughtOffside for his exclusive Daily Briefing column, Fabrizio Romano said:

“The cost for interested clubs to sign Moscardo will be around €25m from what I’m told.

“Chelsea wanted him in August but there was no formal approach to Corinthians.

“Now, 5-6 clubs from the UK and also Italy are interested, but nothing has been decided or advanced at this stage. For Barça, he’s too expensive as of now.”

Barcelona’s financial troubles have been well documented of course, though Chelsea have had no such issues over the past few transfer windows under Todd Boehly.

Perhaps the Blues just didn’t fancy the player after making initial enquiries or they’re hedging their bets at this point and see how the transfer market develops.

It seems clear that Moscard has a bright future in the game and Chelsea may well end up regretting their initial reticence.

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Newcastle ready to battle Chelsea for £208k per week title-winning ace

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 10:42:04 +0000

Although it may not take place until next summer, there’s already a transfer battle royale brewing between Newcastle United and Chelsea.

The Magpies have endured an incredible run of injuries which has significantly hampered what Eddie Howe was hoping to achieve this season.

With one eye on Financial Fair Play, the Saudi Public Investment Fund are going to have to adopt some financial gymnastics in order to bring in one or two players in January, with more of a focus likely to be on the summer market.

That’s likely to bring them into direct competition with Todd Boehly at Chelsea, with both teams reportedly after the same target.

According to Sport, Barcelona’s Raphinha is a player of interest, and given his patchy form there’s every reason to believe that the Catalans would consider a sale if their asking price was to be met.

Raphinha in action for Barcelona

The Blaugranes are still believed to be mired in debt, so any player that can earn them a pretty penny has to be considered as a saleable asset.

Currently earning £208,000 per week (Capology), it’s difficult to know which outfit the Brazilian would be likely to pick should he eventually have to accept his Barcelona career is over.

Newcastle are clearly a team on the up and they love a tricky wide man – just ask David Ginola or Laurent Robert.

Chelsea offer the bright lights of the capital as an inducement that many players have fallen prey to in the past.

Decisions, decisions…

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Chelsea could face points deduction after shady Abramovich deals uncovered

Jason Pettigrove — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 09:36:47 +0000

It appears that the net could be closing in on Chelsea after an investigation uncovered a number of potential payments from Roman Abramovich which seems to have flouted various rules including those on Financial Fair Play.

Not long after Ken Bates sold the club to the Russian billionaire, the Blues enjoyed a period of incredible success.

Indeed, much of the Chelsea we see today could be said to have had its roots in the Abramovich era.

The entire make up of the club changed under his ownership, and whilst it’s now commonplace for foreign investors and/or oligarchs to own football clubs, Abramovich’s takeover came at an entirely different time for the game.

It’s fair to say that eyebrows were raised at the time but despite any misgivings everything appeared above board.

Until now.

In a joint investigation conducted by The Guardian (subscription required) and others, it seems that various payments made over many years by Abramovich were often routed through channels other than the official ones, allowing the club and its associates to benefit.

The payments have come to light thanks to the leaking of 3.6m documents known as Cyprus Confidential, and the report goes on to state that four sports lawyers have suggested that Premier League and UEFA guidelines may well have been breached – including FFP.

There’s every chance that a points deduction could be the outcome of his investigation, severely hampering what Mauricio Pochettino and Todd Boehly are now trying to achieve at the club.

Given the potential seriousness of the findings, it’s incumbent upon the powers that be to treat them with the upmost importance.

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