Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has called on the Premier League to change their financial regulations in order to "protect academy players".
Throughout June, there was a surge of unusual sales, largely directly being top-flight clubs, as they bid to avoid breaching the division's Profit and Sustainability rules.
There were several situations where the clubs in question - Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Everton and Nottingham Forest - facilitated deals, which were conducted separately rather than as a part-exchange, in order to ensure that no rules regulations were broken.
At present, Chelsea are currently a hot topic for debate courtesy of being willing to cash in on a player in Conor Gallagher - a homegrown talent - who starred as captain during 2023-24.
Although co-owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital did offer the 24-year-old a new contract, it was largely to protect his value rather than showing faith in the England international, and it has been well documented that they are satisfied to raise what will be £33m of profit on their books.
© Reuters
Maresca wants to see return of 'one-club men'
Under Boehly and Clearlake, Chelsea have relentlessly spent money on foreign youngsters, which has effectively forced their hand when it comes to selling academy players or graduates.
Trevoh Chalobah and Armando Broja have been tipped to be the next in line, yet Maresca used a press conference ahead of Tuesday's friendly with Real Madrid in the United States to staunchly defend Chelsea's approach in the transfer market.
The Italian said, as quoted by football.london: "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.
"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 with Roma, 20 years with the same club. One-club-man; we love that in football, the fans want to see that. But with the rules now it is different than the past."
"It is not only Chelsea spending money on players. It's all the big clubs to try and buy players. Some of the clubs spend more, some spend less."
When asked if the rules should be changed, Maresca concluded: "If they want to protect academy players, then probably yes."
![Samu Omorodion in action for Alaves in February 2024 [IMAGO]](https://sm.imgix.net/24/25/samu-omorodion_1.jpg?w=640&h=480&auto=compress,format&fit=clip "Samu Omorodion in action for Alaves in February 2024 [IMAGO]")
© Imago
Where do Chelsea currently stand on transfers?
If everything goes to plan, Gallagher will become an Atletico Madrid player over the next 48 hours, with Samu Omorodion moving to Stamford Bridge from the same club in a separate deal.
No suitable offers are yet to be presented for Chalobah and Broja, yet it would come as a surprise if they were still in West London come the end of the summer transfer window.
At a time when Boehly, Clearlake and the club's recruitment team remain insistent on acquiring more young talent, there is a desire to cash in on the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Romelu Lukaku, who both command large incomes.
Furthermore, homes - temporary or permanent - will need to be found for the likes of Cesare Casadei and David Datro Fofana, as well as an array of other starlets contracted to the club.
Darren Plant
