Chelsea’s £1.05bn squad nearly worth same as entire CONFERENCE LEAGUE combined – after Blues scrape past Swiss minnows
CHELSEA have qualified for the Conference League and based on squad value should absolutely walk it.
They confirmed their qualification for third tier European competition last night after edging past Servette on aggregate.
GettyChelsea narrowly confirmed their spot in the Europa Conference League after beating Servette 3-2 on aggregate[/caption]
GettyHowever, they lost 2-1 on the night but have been revealed to have a squad value of almost equal value to every other team in the tournament[/caption]
The Blues triumphed 2-0 in the first leg at Stamford Bridge last week, with the second leg being played out in Switzerland last night.
Christopher Nkunku got Enzo Maresca‘s side off to a flyer when he converted a penalty after just 14 minutes to make it 3-0 over two legs.
However, the Swiss minnows fought their way back into the tie when Jeremy Guillemenot netted in the 32nd minute.
Fans would have been excused if they got a little nervous when Enzo Crivelli made it 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.
But Maresca’s widely changed XI – which did not perform well in SunSport’s ratings – managed to hold onto their aggregate lead and confirmed their spot in the Conference League proper.
Chelsea are expected to earn £5million before they even kick a ball in the competition, and they are in a league of their own when it comes to squad value in the third-tier European competition.
Indeed, Todd Boehly‘s outfit is estimated to have a squad value of €1.05billion (£883m), according to figures from Transfermarkt.
That figure dwarfs the team with the second biggest squad value in the tournament, Fiorentina, who have an estimated value of €266m (£224m).
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Other notable teams in competition are Real Betis (€186m), Panathinaikos (€95.7m), Copenhagen (€76.9m) and Gent (£60.8m).
In fact, the west Londoners squad value is nearly equivalent to the combined worth of ALL 35 OTHER TEAMS in the competition.
The 35 other clubs, six of whom Chelsea will face in the new league phase format of the competition, have an approximate total value of €1.3bn.
This all comes before Chelsea add anymore players to their ranks on deadline day, with names such as Jadon Sancho, Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen also being linked with a move to the club.
The deal for Manchester United outcast Sancho hinges on Raheem Sterling going to other way and United agreeing terms with Chelsea over a proposed swap deal.
Meanwhile, talks regarding deals for Osimhen and Toney are fluid at this stage.
Both have reportedly agreed deals to sign for Saudi Arabian side Al-Ahli, though the club are not in a position to get both, leaving the door open to at least one to sign for Chelsea.
Maresca and co will find out what teams they will face competition in the Conference League draw from Monaco at 1.30pm BST today.
Players signed under Boehly at Chelsea
Raheem Sterling – £50m
Kalidou Koulibaly £33m
Gabriel Slonina – £8m
Carney Chukweumeka – £20m
Marc Cucurella – £57.5m
Cesare Casadei – £13.3m
Wesley Fofana – £70m
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – £10.3m
Denis Zakaria – £2.7m (Loan fee)
David Datro Fofana – £10.6m
Benoit Badiashile – £33.7m
Andrey Santos – £11.1m
Joao Felix – £9.7m (Loan fee)
Mykhailo Mudryk – £62m
Noni Madueke – £30m
Malo Gusto – £26.75m
Enzo Fernandez – £107.8m
Christopher Nkunku – £52m
Diego Moreira – FREE
Nicolas Jackson – £31.5m
Angelo Gabriel – £13m
Lesley Ugochukwu – £23.3m
Axel Disasi – £38.9m
Robert Sanchez – £20m
Moises Caicedo – £115m
Romeo Lavia – £53.2m
Deivid Washington – £13.7m
Cole Palmer – £40.1m
Djordje Petrovic – £13.6m
Tosin Adarabioyo – FREE
Marc Guiu – £5.1m
Caleb Wiley – £8.63m
Renato Veiga – £12m
Aarón Anselmino – £14m
Omari Kellyman – £19.2m
Filip Jorgensen – £21m
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – £30.2m
Pedro Neto – £51m
Joao Felix – £42.6m
Mike Penders – £17m
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TRANSFER Deadline Day is here – with clubs against the clock to finalise their summer business.
Chelsea reportedly remain in talks to sign Victor Osimhen from Napoli, with time running out for the Blues to complete a deal.
Meanwhile, Ivan Toney is expected to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Ahli, according to reports.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are set to walk away from their long-running pursuit of Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi.
In other news, Chelsea and Juventus remain in discussions over a deal for Manchester United winger Jadon Sancho ahead of the 11pm deadline.
Follow our LIVE DEADLINE DAY BLOG for all the latest deals, gossip and exclusives.
