Chelsea Hand Cole Palmer One of the Most Bizarre Contracts in Premier League History
Cole Palmer, the 22-year-old winger, has signed a whopping nine-year contract with Chelsea FC, leaving fans stunned and scratching their heads. The deal, which beats the previous record for the longest contract signed in English football history, has raised eyebrows throughout the football world.
Palmer had an incredible 2023/24 season, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists as Chelsea returned to playing European football. His impressive performances earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, where he scored in the final that England lost to Spain.
The former Manchester City player signed an eight-year contract last summer, but Chelsea extended it by two years and gave him a pay increase, according to Fabrizio Romano. The new deal allows Chelsea to list player amortisation, the amount per year that clubs pay for a player over the course of their contract, as a lower amount in their accounts, as explained by football finance expert Kieran Maguire.
This move could be seen as a clever tactic by the new Chelsea ownership to circumvent Premier League financial rules. The club has been known for giving lengthy deals to new signings to avoid paying high transfer fees or wages.
While some may see this as a shrewd business move, others may think it’s a risk for the club, as it ties up a significant chunk of their budget for the next nine years. However, with Palmer’s impressive performance last season, it’s hard to blame Chelsea for wanting to keep him on their roster.
What do you think about Chelsea’s decision to give Cole Palmer a nine-year contract? Let us know in the comments!
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