Why on Earth Would Chelsea Withdraw from Deals for Victor Osimhen and Michael Olise?
Many fans may be disappointed with Chelsea’s decision to pull out of deals for Michael Olise (22-year-old, RW), but ultimately, it is in the club's best interest.
According to David Ornstein, Chelsea held talks with Crystal Palace and Michael Olise to understand the financial implications of the deal. Despite making their strongest offer, (according to another source) Olise wanted to be the highest-paid player at Chelsea, a demand the club's directors found financially untenable.
Another source revealed that the financial structure of Olise's deal was excessively complex, with percentages allocated to Reading FC, Crystal Palace, Olise himself, and his agent. This complexity, combined with high salary demands, rendered the deal unfeasible.
Chelsea’s financial report, released in April, highlighted significant financial challenges: a 12th-place finish in the 2022/23 Premier League, the second-highest wage bill (£404 million), the highest amortisation cost (£205 million), the biggest operating loss (£249 million) and the most expensive squad (£1.1 billion).
Given these factors, the Stamford Bridge hierarchy aims to create a more disciplined wage structure. They prefer to reward existing players who perform well over time or invest in elite talent on more reasonable salaries.
In light of these considerations, it’s hard to blame Chelsea’s owners and directors for pulling out of the deals for Victor Osimhen and Michael Olise. Additionally, the management recently sold two hotels and is still selling some of their best Cobham players to ensure compliance with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, now reduced to £90 million.
What’s Next?
According to The Athletic, Chelsea already have left-footed players like Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Omari Hutchinson, and Angelo Gabriel. Estevao Willian and Kendry Paez are set to join in 2025. This summer, Chelsea plan to add a centre forward (CF) and a winger to the squad.
With the Michael Olise deal off the table, let's consider players around Europe with similar profiles. According to McLachApp, the first player with a similar profile to Olise is Malik Tillman (22) of PSV Eindhoven.
Born in Germany but representing the United States (USMNT) internationally, Tillman had a productive loan spell in Eindhoven during the 2023-24 campaign. PSV has now exercised a £12m ($15m) purchase option, severing his ties with Bayern Munich.
Other players with similar profiles to Olise include:
1. Bradley Barcola (Paris SG) - unlikely
2. Jamal Musiala (Bayern Munich) - unlikely
3. Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) - unlikely
4. Crysencio Summerville (Leeds) - possible
5. Yankuba Minteh (Feyenoord) - possible
6. Xavi Simons (PSG/RB Leipzig) - possible
7. Konrad De La Fuente (Eibar) - possible
8. Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich) - possible
Confidence at Chelsea remains high. With the recently appointed head coach Enzo Maresca and his team, Chelsea is poised to excel next season and secure Champions League qualification for the 2025-26 campaign.
Ultimately, while the decisions regarding Osimhen and Olise may be disappointing to some, they reflect a strategic approach by Chelsea's management to ensure financial stability and future success. By focusing on a disciplined wage structure and strategic player investments, the club aims to build a sustainable and competitive team for the long term.
Written by;
BlueCo Xtra
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