BBC: Three key players demand new contracts as Chelsea reach crucial crossroads in BlueCo “project” | OneFootball

Chelsea’s strategy under their current ownership is much-discussed. In terms of buying and selling, it means getting players young, and selling them for a profit when their value has increased. The compatibility of that model with winning major trophies is heavily debated.

Chelsea approaching key moment in current contract strategy

Moises Caicedo in midfield. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)

But that’s only part of the strategy – another element of buying players young is locking them in on very long contracts at a low wage. This keeps salary totals down. We’ve also had our issues with this idea – as we saw with Cole Palmer, if a player does well in their first year or two, you have to give them a raise anyway. So it doesn’t work as well as it looks on paper.

Nizaar Kinsella’s piece for the BBC today is all about our centre-back options, but has some interesting information about what’s going on with contracts too. According to Kinsella, Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are all seeking discussions over improved contracts.”

Chelsea are delaying those talks until the summer. That’s when we’ll really see things come into focus. If the likes of Caicedo and Enzo ask for silly money, Chelsea can easily say no. They both have a long time to go on their current deal.

But how will the players react to being told they don’t deserve more and should continue with their current salaries? That’s been the missing piece of the logic of this strategy all along. You can force the players to stay at the club and play, but if they’re unhappy that’s going to cause issues of its own.

In other news…

Chelsea’s predicted XI for tonight is here – we think some big names will miss out, but others will get their chance in a surprisingly strong team to face Pafos.

In tactical terms, Liam Rosenior’s first big question as Chelsea boss is about what to do with Cole Palmer. We won’t get answers tonight, most likely.

Chelsea’s big plan for this window was to sign a defender – and while there were some promising signs early on, things are stalling a little now.