Make it Rain - Chelsea FC
As our series continues on spending in the Premier League over the last decade, today we take a look at Chelsea FC.
Chelsea
Spent - $1.09b
Received - $608m
Since Roman Abramovich's takeover of Chelsea in the early 2000's, the Blues have become one of the biggest spenders come transfer time. Chelsea have spent a staggering $1 billion on players into the club during the last 10 years which has in turn brought success to the club but at what cost? Clearly shown they are down around $400m on funds received from letting players go as opposed to money spent. Chelsea have been known to buy up many of the best young players in Europe, then farm them out on loan across the continent. Currently they have 38 players on-loan throughout the world and this does assist in most cases covering some of the large wages commanded by top flight players these days. Players from the club's own academy also struggle to make it into the first XI.
Some Chelsea players were able to rise above all others and gained legend status over the last decade. A few that immediately come to mind are Frank Lampard, John Terry and the destructive Didier Drogba. Drogba was at his best in the crucial final's played in by the Blues and would just about always leave his imprint on a game.
Chelsea are second in terms of Premier League title success over the the past 10 years although they would overall push for the title of the most successful English club of the last 10 years alongside Manchester United, when all competitions are taken into account.
Number of trophies - 13 (3 x English Premier League, 4 x FA Cup, 2x FA League Cup, 1 x FA Community Shield, 1 x UEFA Champions League, 1 x FIFA Club World Cup & 1 x UEFA Europa League
Rare find - Kevin de Bruyne ($11.4m)
de Bruyne arrived fresh into his professional career along with a raft of signings in 2012. As is the normal for young players at the Bridge, de Bruyne found it hard to cement his place in the first XI after being sent out on loan. We are starting the see the best of de Bruyne now at Manchester City and formerly Werder Bremen and the heirachy at Stamford Bridge would have to be scratching their heads now as to why they let him leave. They did however make a tidy profit on his sale to Vfl Woslfburg. How does close to $19m sound?
Most expensive - Fernando Torres ($83.8m)
Torres arrived from Liverpool during the January transfer window in 2011 for a then record fee for a player in the Premier League. Torres form was slipping after his electric start to life in the Premier League and Chelsea was his way for a fresh start to rejuvenate his fledgling career. After a very sluggish start mainly off the bench, Torres' record for the Blues wasn't too shabby
netting 45 times and who could forget him scoring the goal that sent Chelsea to the Champions League Final?
Waste of money - Andriy Shevchenko ($62m)
Many would have thought this category would have been filled by the man above but not the case. Unfortunately for Chelsea fans there has been a player that fits this title better. Schevchenko arrived from AC Milan in 2006, well known across Europe with his scoring prowess. As Roman Abramovich is, he wants THE best players in Europe playing for Chelsea no matter the cost. Shevchenko suited up for the Blues 77 times and only scored 22 goals. A man with the talent and price tag Shevchenko carried, much more was expected from the Ukrainian.
Next up - Liverpool FC
All prices shown are in $AUD
