Chelsea record highest pre-tax loss in English football history over 2024-25 | OneFootball

UEFA's European Club Finance and Investment Landscape report says Chelsea posted a £342 million pre-tax loss for 2024-25, the biggest in English football history.

The deficit is more than double Lyon's £165 million for the same period and is eclipsed in Europe only by Barcelona's £484 million in 2021.

Despite asset sales, including a £76.5 million internal deal for the training ground hotels and the women's team to a sister company, men's first-team costs continue to outstrip income in the 'BlueCo' era.

Chelsea's squad remains the costliest assembled. By the end of the 2025 financial year, transfer spending totalled €1.75 billion (£1.47 billion), up £75 million year on year and nearly £150 million above Manchester City, despite no Champions League.

The club have navigated Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules via sales, but UEFA's Squad Cost Ratio is harder to meet. Last July they were fined £80 million and entered a four-year settlement after squad costs hit nearly 90% of revenue, above the 70% cap.

Missing interim targets during settlement can trigger tighter limits, including caps on registrations for European competitions or exclusion. Analysts also cite amortisation from heavy spending under Todd Boehly, wage inflation, and the absence of Champions League income, estimated at more than £80 million.

The club is working with the Premier League and UEFA to ensure future compliance through squad rebalancing and commercial growth.

Source: Hounslow Herald