19 January 2023 , 17:51
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Agents are fully expecting this January transfer window to break all spending records.
Premier League clubs are fast approaching £300m and traditionally there is always a rush of late deals so the previous biggest outlay of £430m in the 2018 winter window is under threat. Chelsea have clearly blown everyone away as their £90m capture of Mykhaylo Mudryk is their headline signing but obviously raises the question of how a club already on UEFA’s Financial Fair Play “watch list” can stay within spending rules.
UEFA’s annual Benchmark Report is due out at the start of February and will highlight that, after two years of financial difficulties because of Covid, football is returning to normal as it attracts big commercial deals, has full stadiums and TV deals.
The biggest blip will be the continued rise in wages and player contracts which, together with transfer spending, is the biggest impact on FFP.
But despite the lavish spending at Stamford Bridge under new owner Todd Boehly, there is a confidence they will stay in line under FFP and will not find themselves facing punishment.
Marcel Sabitzer completes Man Utd transfer after last-minute deadline day dash
Chelsea will need something of a fire sale to clear out their bloated squad but the eye-catching lengthy contracts for new signings are the reason why the club believe they will fall within the rules.
Mykhaylo Mudryk joined Chelsea for £90million earlier this week (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Mudryk signed an eight-and-a-half year contract while France defender Benoit Badiashile penned a seven-and-a-half year deal after his £35m more from Monaco.
In very basic terms, the fees and market values are spread over the length of the contract and means Mudryk only eats up just over £10m-a-year in FFP terms.
But the clear risk is that if any of the big deals do not work and they fail to adapt, selling them at a big loss eats into their FFP allowance. So, effectively, they are stuck with these players - and they have to work.
The other thing which Chelsea have done is raise the bar in the market. Now every valuation comes with clubs demanding “Mudryk money” plus an anxiety from other Premier League giants that they have to spend just to keep up.
Those factors are driving the market and prompted one leading agent to predict at the start of the window that it would be quiet only for him to change his mind a few days later and predict: “It’s going to be totally crazy!”
Klopp's new approach at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp is taking more of a “hands-on” feel to overseeing Liverpool’s recruitment and squad rebuilding.
Liverpool boss Klopp has clearly been the club’s greatest asset in attracting players to Anfield because of his CV, record and infectious enthusiasm.
Jurgen Klopp is taking a hands-on approach (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)But now Klopp faces his biggest test with more say, more responsibility and an even bigger year ahead with Liverpool also for new outside investment into the club. Clearly, Liverpool will also need to try and get back into the Champions League if they want to attract their biggest summer targets.
Concussion heads IFAB summit
Football will hold a three-day medical summit at the end of the month with heading and concussion top of the agenda again.
Man Utd deadline day live updates as Sabitzer completes loan move
There is frustration at IFAB’s reluctance over temporary concussion substitutes and all of the national federations will be represented with medics in England still pushing the issue.
Clubs want clearer sexual offence case guidelines
Clubs are pushing for a clearer set of guidelines on how to deal with players in sexual offence cases.
They are currently loosely governed by whether players are arrested or charged and some clubs would like stronger rules when it comes to dealing with players in such circumstances.
Arsenal's equality
Arsenal are taking big strides to giving their women’s team equal coverage as the men as they look to hold pre-match press conferences following on from each other at their London Colney training base.
Charlton's LGBTQ+ initiative
Charlton deserve praise for holding the first ever Football v Homophobia week in January in partnership with the club’s LGBQT+ supporters’ group, the Proud Valiants.