Chelsea’s sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, have discussed the club’s strategy of offering long-term contracts in a rare interview.
Since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over in 2022, many new signings have received six- or seven-year contracts, keeping them with the club into the 2030s.
Recently, Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson both signed extensions that will keep them at Chelsea until 2033, giving them nine years left on their deals.
The directors addressed criticism regarding these long-term contracts. Former player Emmanuel Petit argued that players may become complacent once they secure such deals.
Initially, the long contracts allowed the club to spread transfer fees over a longer period, but that option has been limited to a maximum of five years.
While some speculate that Chelsea’s long-term offers are for financial reasons, Winstanley and Stewart clarified their strategy in the interview.
Winstanley noted, “People often think, ‘Well, that’s how it’s always been done, so we must continue that way.’”
