Chelsea paid over the odds for players as they smashed the British transfer record on deadline day.
That’s the view of former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy, who argued Todd Boehly is getting taken advantage of in the transfer market.
Chelsea’s exorbitant spending continued in January with a whopping £300million being forked out – sending records tumbling.
The Blues managed to get one final deal over the line in the final hours of deadline day – a £106.8m deal to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
Murphy told White and Jordan on talkSPORT: “I think they are overpaying for players and I still don’t think the majority of their first XI gets anywhere near City’s team.
“Not really [impressed].”
When asked about Fernandez specifically, Murphy added: “I watched a few of his games live. He’s decent, but not worth £100m. They’ve been absolutely bent over there.
“He’s a good midfielder, tenacious, young, gets on the ball and is brave. But he’s not Rodri, not Casemiro.
“They are overspending on players and people are seeing them coming and they are taking their pants down.”
Chelsea have been able to get away with such large spending as they are signing players to long-contracts, thus able to spread the costs of the transfers over a longer period.
Fernandez, for example, was given a deal until June 2031 plus the option of a further year.
Commenting on their business, former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan said: “What is prudent is the manner in which they are putting players on their balance sheet with longer term contracts.
“In the short-term, it enables them to spend twice the money as others do on four year contracts.
“It’s not Chelsea driving up prices, it’s release clauses. They are finding themselves caught, with the exception of Cucurella where they did get bent over and taken advantage of, which happens to all owners when you come through the door and you learn from them.
“They are buying players on the basis of release clauses.”
talkSPORT BET OFFER OF THE DAY
Get up to £40 in free bets* – CLAIM HERE
18+ New customers only. Opt in, bet up to £40 (min. £20) on selected events at odds of 2.00+, in 7 days. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected events. Bonuses expire in 7 days. Card payments only. T&Cs apply, see below. begambleaware.org | Please gamble responsibly
Source link: https://talksport.com/football/1319808/chelsea-transfers-pants-pulled-down-man-city/
