Chelsea`s were reluctant to pay Romelu Lukaku`s agent, Mino Raiola a hefty fee for the Belgian`s services last summer. That resulted in Antonio Conte missing out on his desired choice to replace Diego Costa.
However, despite that, the Blues came second only to Liverpool for the amount of cash that has been splashed in agents fees during the 12 months to January 31st. West London Sport put Chelsea`s spend on agent fees at £25.1m. Just shy of Liverpool`s £26.8m.
The two Manchester clubs City and United drop into third and fourth, spending £23.4m and £18m respectively. On the surface that doesn`t look like good business for Chelsea. City have put together one of the best sides the Premier League has seen, yet spent less to secure their deals.
Without naming names, some of Chelsea`s recent signings have been overpriced and frankly not good enough. If they`ve paid inflated agents fees on top of those exaggerated player fees, Marina Granovskaia`s perceived frugal approach in the transfer market looks less canny.
Roman Abramovich is going to have to adopt a root and branch review of everything that is going at his club if he`s to arrest its slide into football obscurity. Talk is hot of Max Allegri coming in, the summer transfer window will open early and close before the season`s opening game. The Russian will have to put his holidays on hold as he attempts to restructure the club.
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