Todd Boehly Chelsea transfers questioned as Stan Kroenke prompts new approach after $244m plan

Chelsea transfer news: Stan Kroenke and Arsenal lead the way with fresh method as Todd Boehly and his Blues exits fall behind in the market

"Nobody ever won anything by selling players."

There is reason behind their mass exodus that is more than just building finances to go again. On June 30 the club have a deadline for accounting and need to do as much balancing of the books as possible. After spending more than £600 million ($767m) in less than 12 months just to finish 12th and miss out on the additional finances of the Champions League, serious surgery was needed.

Having mounted the squad with players underperforming, overpaid, ageing and running down contracts to 2023 and 2024, there was little else that could be done. Less than two weeks since the transfer window sprung open, already bursting at the seams with deals to be done, Chelsea have made great progress.

The announcements will keeo rolling in, too. Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech will follow the pair to Saudi Arabia meaning that four players over 30 will be off the cards, reducing the wage budget, squad size and making a small chunk of cash back.

Suddenly the shape of the squad is very different, much younger and less experienced but fresher and more energetic. When it comes to what they have, it's very inbalanced on the field.

Selling players was certainly a must but to think that it will all be fine once they leave is far from the truth. Chelsea have just over six weeks to get cracking and ready for the Premier League's return and the only way to be firing for the top of the table will be with incomings on their way.

Otherwise, Chelsea could fall behind their rivals that have been much more active without the need to ship out boatloads of stars. It is a reality born from poor prior work in the market and one that can now only be corrected with the right timing, and the clock is starting to tick.