One thing Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have tried to do since taking over Chelsea is lower their wage bill, bringing in younger talents before they hit their prime, and making their pay structure more incentive-based, to reward the top performers.
The club's current highest earner is the club captain, Reece James, who is earning £250k-per-week, coming through the academy ranks, and being valued as one of the Blues' best players when he is fit. However, people could argue he isn't currently justifying that wage, as he is often out with injury issues.
Chelsea's top ten earners 2024/25
Player
Reece James
Ben Chilwell
Wesley Fofana
Christopher Nkunku
Enzo Fernández
Marc Cucurella
Raheem Sterling
Pedro Neto
Moises Caicedo
Cole Palmer
Data taken from Capology
One name that stands out in Chelsea's top ten earners, is Raheem Sterling. Despite being out on loan with Arsenal this season, he still ranks as the seventh highest earner at the club, and next season, when he returns, he would be back to the top earner, on a whopping £325k-per-week.
Raheem Sterling's time at Chelsea
When Chelsea signed Sterling for £47.5m from Manchester City back in 2022, Boehly said Sterling was a "world-class" talent, who was also a "serial winner" and he couldn't wait to have him playing at Stamford Bridge.
Raheem Sterling Man City goal record
But things didn't turn out that way, as the winger struggled to live up to the expectations set for him, not providing the same output as he did at City, and not providing enough overall quality elsewhere to make up for that lack of goals and assists.
"Sterling is a serial winner and his signing is an important step in strengthening our squad. We are delighted for Raheem to return to London with Chelsea, and we look forward to seeing his world-class talent on display at Stamford Bridge."
In his 81 appearances for the club, the Englishman has scored 19 goals and provided 12 assists, totalling 5,326 minutes. This output wasn't enough to justify his mega salary and Enzo Maresca made it clear in pre-season that other wingers would be ahead of Sterling in the pecking order, leading to his loan move to Arsenal this summer.
Raheem Sterling for Chelsea
However, The Blues will still have an expensive problem to deal with next summer, a £64.4m problem to be exact combining his £47.5 purchase fee and £16.9m-per year-wages, as they look to offload the 29-year-old on a permanent basis.
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How Chelsea's wingers compare to Sterling
The two wide players for Chelsea with the most appearances so far this term are Noni Madueke and summer signing, Pedro Neto.
The former has made 16 appearances, scoring six goals and providing two assists, whilst Neto has also made 16 appearances, scoring three times and providing three assists.
Sterling (23/24) vs Neto & Madueke (24/25)
Stats (per 90 mins)
Goals
Assists
xG
xAG
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Shots Total
Key Passes
Passes into Pen Area
Shot-Creating Actions
Successful Take-Ons
Stats taken from FBref
Madueke has thrived this season, ranking highest in seven of the 11 metrics measured above, providing the most progressive actions, the highest shot volume, and the most output per 90 (goals + assists).
A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent's goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.
Neto, on the other hand, whilst he hasn't added the same level of output as Madueke, has added a new creative level to this Chelsea side, producing the most xAG (expected assisted goals), playing the most key passes per 90, and generating the most shot-creating actions per 90.
madueke-chelsea-premier-league
Chelsea have been much better off this campaign without Sterling in the side, and therefore the challenge will come next summer as they look to offload the 29-year-old on such high wages, which could prove to be the biggest stumbling block. Either way, they must find a way to lose him permanently.
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