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Orgo-Life the new way to the future Advertising by AdpathwayChelsea have just landed a seismic financial windfall after reaching the Club World Cup final, but the expectation remains that they'll still need to sell a host of players.
Enzo Maresca's side knocked Thiago Silva's Fluminense out in the semi-finals on Tuesday evening, courtesy of a stunning brace from new signing Joao Pedro, who put on a sublime display in their 2-0 victory against his former side.
The win means that Chelsea are guaranteed to bank around £80 million from participating in the tournament, regardless of their next result, having reached the final with five wins from their total of six games played so far.
If Chelsea go on to win the whole thing, BlueCo will get a further £7.5 million - taking their total potential earnings closer to the £90 million mark.
"I am happy for the club," said Maresca on Chelsea's CWC prize money.
"But I don't care, because when I prepare a game, I don't prepare the game thinking if we win, we have more money. Because it is something for the club, it is not for us, unfortunately. We already have a clear idea about what we need to improve for next season. And hopefully we can have it."
While Maresca pays no attention to matters like this off the field, it could still prove crucial to Chelsea's balance sheet.
Cole Palmer |
7.33 |
Moises Caicedo |
7.02 |
Enzo Fernández |
6.95 |
Nicolas Jackson |
6.88 |
Noni Madueke |
6.82 |
via WhoScored |
The club were recently slapped with a UEFA fine for breaking FFP rules, and their estimated £140 million expenditure over the summer transfer window so far means that player sales are an absolute necessity, even if their CWC earnings could provide more breathing room.
Lesley Ugochukwu, João Félix, Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, David Datro Fofana, Armando Broja, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke and Djordje Petrovic are all tipped to leave Stamford Bridge this summer, with uncertainty also surrounding Nicolas Jackson after Chelsea's signings of Pedro and Liam Delap.
There is also the matter of £195,000-per-week forward Christopher Nkunku, who isn't a key starter for Maresca, and he's attracting notable interest from abroad.
Christopher Nkunku keen to make Germany return and leave Chelsea
According to talkSPORT, Nkunku is keen on a return to Germany with Bayern Munich, who were heavily linked in the January transfer window, and Chelsea are waiting for the Bundesliga champions to make a formal approach.
They won't have to wait at all for an approach from Saudi Arabia, though, as it is believed that Al-Qadsiah have already made an enquiry to the Frenchman's representatives.
Nkunku is understood to prefer remaining in Europe, so Bayern appear to be the lead contenders as things stand, but it is suggested that Chelsea could demand around £60 million as they actively seek to sell the 27-year-old.
The squad player is currently one of their highest-earners, so getting him off the books for a reasonable fee could be one of Chelsea's most imperative exit deals of the summer.