Maresca Highlights EPL Rules as Key Factor in Chelsea's Academy Exodus

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has stated that financial sustainability regulations must be revised to discourage clubs from profiting off academy graduates, as Conor Gallagher appears poised to join Atletico Madrid.

Gallagher, an England international, would follow fellow Chelsea youth products Mason Mount, Lewis Hall, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Ian Maatsen, and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who have all been sold in the past two years. Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah are also anticipated to leave before the end of August.

The need to recoup funds comes after Chelsea spent over £1 billion ($1.3 billion) in the past four transfer windows to revamp their squad under the ownership of LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and private equity firm Clearlake Capital.

Selling academy players is particularly beneficial for clubs looking to comply with financial regulations, as the full transfer fee counts as profit. Current profit and sustainability rules limit Premier League clubs to losses of £105 million ($134 million) over a three-year assessment period, which has contributed to a slow summer transfer window.

Last season, both Everton and Nottingham Forest faced point deductions for breaching these regulations, while newly-promoted Leicester may also face similar consequences this season due to breaches during the 2022/23 campaign.

Maresca commented, "This is not Chelsea's problem, these are the rules. All the clubs at this moment are compelled to sell players from the academy because of the rules. It's all of the Premier League clubs' problems." He noted the contrast to Italy, where fans cherish players like Francesco Totti, who spent 20 years with Roma, stating, "We love that in football, the fans want to see that. But with the rules now it is different from the past."

Regarding potential changes to the rules, Maresca remarked, "If they want to protect academy players, then probably yes."

Gallagher served as Chelsea's captain for much of last season due to Reece James' injury issues. Despite fans expressing dissatisfaction over his potential departure, the 24-year-old seems set to join Atletico Madrid in a £33 million deal. Gallagher has one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and reportedly declined a two-year extension offer.

"In this moment, there is something between the club and the player - an agreement to stay or to leave," said Maresca. "These kinds of things happen in every club, every summer and in the end the final decision will be good for everyone. Hopefully the final decision will be good for Conor and the club."