4 Reasons Chelsea Are No Longer Dominant In The Transfer Market [READ]

The current transfer market has seen the biggest clubs in Europe flexing muscles, trying their best to capture their target players.

No club could compete with Chelsea in the early years of the Abramovich era when the clubs they were competing with were among those caught off guard by the Russian’s revolution and frightening spending power.

Chelsea were once the club who called the shots in the transfer market and blew everyone else out of the water, but have now taken the back seats.

Here are 4 reasons why Chelsea are no longer dominant in the transfer market;

1. The emergence of more billionaire-owner backed clubs

Manchester City became a huge threat to Chelsea when they were taken over in 2008 by Sheikh Mansour, who is worth even more than Abramovich – an estimated £20billion.

The emergence of more billionaire-owner backed clubs at home and abroad and the increased TV money which has swelled the coffers of their domestic challengers, added to the continual growth of their traditional rivals, has slowly stripped Chelsea of the spending advantage they once had.

It has left Chelsea chiefs worried about their chances of competing for and buying the best talents and winning the biggest trophies.

In the first four years of Roman Abrahamovic’s reign, Chelsea spent almost £350million and their dealings showcased their new pull. More often than not they were beating their nearest rivals to players or plucking other sides’ big stars.

Chelsea’s spending slowed for a few years before Abramovich brought the chequebook out again in 2010/11 after the reduced investment led to reduced trophies.

They smashed the British transfer record to sign Fernando Torres for £50million with Ramires and David Luiz also arriving for £40million.

Over £150million more was spent in the next two seasons with Chelsea signing more players, such as Juan Mata, Romelu Lukaku, Gary Cahill and Eden Hazard ahead of their rivals to prove their pull was as strong as ever.

Over £100million has been spent in each of the last three completed seasons but there were more younger players among the big money arrivals than already established stars.

2. The increased competition for players

Every club wants to sign the best players and this has been one of the reasons why the prices of players have been jerked up in the last couple of years.

Meanwhile some of the more recent gambles Chelsea have taken on players like Papy Djilibodji, Baba Rahman, Matt Miazga and Michael Hector have also raised eyebrows.

The increased competition for players means the Blues no longer have it all their own way in the transfer market.

3. Having no Champions League Football

Chelsea finished 10^th last season in a disappointing season that saw Jose Mourinho leaving Stamford bridge unceremoniously for the second time. The reality on ground is that Chelsea will not be competing in Europe for the first time in over sixteen years.

Having no Champions League football to offer next season won’t make things any easier for Chelsea in the transfer market.

4. The new TV deal has empowered other clubs financially

With the new £5billion TV deal kicking in this year all the league’s clubs are even richer. They can all offer big fees and contracts and, crucially, stop the big boys picking off their best players. There are more challengers from abroad too.

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