ARSENAL legend Paul Merson has warned Chelsea about a “scary ripple effect” from their “excessive” transfer policy.
New owner Todd Boehly has spent more than £600MILLION on players since taking over from Roman Abramovich in May.
AlamyEnzo Fernandez broke the British transfer record in his move to Chelsea[/caption]
AlamyMykhailo Mudryk joined Chelsea in an £88million January deal[/caption]
Paul Merson has criticised Chelsea’s transfer policyRex
That has included a £330m spree in the January window as the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Mudryk arrived at Stamford Bridge.
Both Fernandez and Mudryk have signed huge eight-and-a-half year deals to keep them at the club until 2031.
And Merson feels that could end up being an issue for Chelsea in the coming seasons.
Speaking in his column for The Star, the ex-Arsenal man said: “I worry for the future of Chelsea when Todd Boehly is handing out eight-year contracts like there is no tomorrow.
Chelsea’s spending spree since Boehly’s takeover
“Football is a funny old game and eight years is such a long time.
“There is going to be a domino effect at Stamford Bridge – that’s for sure. It’s alright now but in five years, where are Chelsea going to be?
“Boehly and the new hierarchy can’t keep doing this because if they don’t get Champions League football, they’re already in trouble.
“Chelsea have to get rid of players at the end of the season in order to be sustainable but those on big contracts will now be digging their heels into the ground and trying to ride it out.
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“The potential ripple effect is scary and it almost seems like there has been no logical thinking behind their excessive spending.”
Fernandez and Mudryk – who joined Chelsea for a combined total of £198m – both made their first starts for the club on Friday night.
But they could not lead Graham Potter’s men to victory as Fulham held them to a goalless draw at Stamford Bridge.
And Mudryk was taken off at half-time, with Potter confirming after the game that he had been suffering with a cold during the week.
Meanwhile, Fernandez impressed at a time when Chelsea have several midfielders out injured – including N’Golo Kante, Mateo Kovacic, Denis Zakaria and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.