One of the Premier League's biggest teams is now reportedly at risk of being slapped with a huge ban.
Chelsea are currently seventh on the EPL table, vying for a spot in Europe next season, but face the possibility of being banned from all UEFA competitions as they are on the verge of breaching financial regulations, according to Football Insider.
This is because the club's 2022/23 accounts reveal that Mauricio Pochettino's side is currently at a loss of a whopping £90 million (R2 billion) due to investments made in previous transfer windows.
This comes after UEFA altered its financial regulations, which will see clubs only being allowed to lose £35 million (R808 million) per season.
The updated system is said to be one that is much stricter than the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability regulations that saw Nottingham Forest being deducted four points and Everton receiving a six-point, and then a further two-point, deduction following two separate breaches of the league's rules.
It is believed that the Blues, meanwhile, will need to be in compliance with UEFA's financial regulations if they are successful in making a return to European football.
This is said to have put the club co-owned by American businessman and investor Todd Boehly under pressure to comply with the regulations because if they do not, they could end up like Galatasaray and Juventus, who had both previously been punished for similarly breaching UEFA's sustainability rules.
There is some hope for the London club, though, with it believed that the financial thresholds required can be achieved with certain outgoings. Thiago Silva's confirmed exit means his big wages will no longer be a consideration, left-back Lewis Hall's permanent departure to Newcastle united for £28 million (R648 million), has been confirmed, while Ian Maatsen will also likely be sold to loan club Borussia Dortmund.
Other players expected to be put up for sale include Trevoh Chalobah, Armando Broja, Conor Gallagher, Romelu Lukaku and Kepa Arrizabalaga, with the latter pair having spent the season out on loan at Roma and Real Madrid, respectively.
