“This is not Chelsea’s problem” - Enzo Maresca offers opinion on academy stars like Conor Gallagher and Trevoh Chalobah being forced to leave
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has claimed that clubs are being forced to sell academy players because of Premier League rules. He said that the Blues do not intend to offload their academy players but don't have many other options.
Maresca also stated that selling home-grown players was an easy escape for Premier League sides. He said (via BBC):
"But this is not Chelsea's problem. These are the rules. All the clubs at this moment are compelled to sell players from the academy because of the rules. It's all of the Premier League clubs' problems."
He added:
"Absolutely. I also think the intention of the club is not to sell players from the academy, but it is the rules at the end that you have to do it. It's not only us; it's all the Premier League clubs. It's a shame because in Italy we have Francesco Totti at Roma, 20 years with the same club. A one-club man — we love that in football; the fans want to see that. But with the rules now, it is different from the past."
Chelsea have reportedly agreed on a deal to sell midfielder Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid, while defender Trevoh Chalobah has been banished from the first team. They are also said to be ready to sell Armando Broja, while Ian Maatsen and Lewis Hall left the club earlier this summer.
Chelsea are not the only club spending money in the transfer window, says Enzo Maresca
The Blues manager also talked about Chelsea's big spending since the Todd Boehly-led consortium took over the club. The Blues have spent over £1 billion on new players since May 2022.
"Yeah, but it is not only Chelsea spending money on players. It's all the big clubs trying to try and buy players. Some of the clubs spend more, some spend less. My personal opinion is it's a shame because we like to see a one-club man, but the rules are different," Maresca claimed.
When asked if the Premier League need to change the rules, he added:
"If they want to protect academy players, then probably yes."
The Blues have handed Levi Colwill and Reece James long-term contracts and see them as a key part of the club's future.