24 January 2023 , 12:44
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UEFA are moving to stop clubs from signing players to bumper-length contracts after being alerted by Chelsea’s drive to secure recent recruits to deals of more than seven years.
According to The Times, European football’s governing body will impose a five-year limit on contracts after several clubs raised concerns with the Stamford Bridge club’s strategy.
Earlier this month Ukraine winger Mykhaylo Mudryk signed an eight-and-a-half year deal following his £62m move from Shakhtar Donetsk - the longest for a player in Premier League history.
That followed centre half Benoit Badiashile agreeing a seven-and-a-half-year deal, striker David Datro Fofana signing a six-and-a-half-year contract earlier in a chaotic January window that has since seen winger Noni Madueke sign a seven-and-a-half-year deal with further additions promised.
In the summer Wesley Fofana, signed from Leicester for £70m, agreed a seven-year stay and full back Marc Cucurella penned a six-year contract after securing a £55m switch from Brighton.
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The longer contracts are partially to spread the cost of transfer amortisation fees, thereby allowing the club more leeway when it comes to satisfying financial fair play rules.
But it is also to protect the value of young players and ensure they cannot leave the club cheaply in the future.
UEFA are expected to introduce the new rules in time for the summer transfer window but they will not have any impact on contracts agreed this month.
Experts did not foresee such lengthy contracts becoming a trend across the game, with one leading lawyer telling Mirror Football that it would not be a “magic recipe” for clubs even if the stability offered to players could allow them to play with additional freedom.
Mykhaylo Mudryk appeared off the bench to make his Chelsea debut away to Liverpool on Saturday.“This is a ground-breaking approach but I’m not sure other clubs will follow in the short-term,” David Diaz of the Baker McKenzie firm said. “I don’t see others doing the same unless there are exceptions.
“You need to consider the background of the new owner but also that the club must comply with FFP. It makes sense when you consider all the elements Chelsea face but it’s not a magic recipe for other clubs.”
UEFA are introducing new FFP regulations this year that will see clubs permitted to lose €60m (£52.5m) across three seasons with an added control measure that means 90 per cent of revenue this year can be spent on transfers and wages, with the limit reduced to 80 per cent for 2024 and 70 per cent from 2025.
The Premier League allows a £105m loss across three years.