Chelsea are reportedly unlikely to avoid receiving a points penalty for breaching the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.
Since the arrival of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May 2022, the Blues have proceeded to spend in excess of £1bn across four transfer windows, the outlay coming in the opening three.
Boehly and Clearlake opted against adding to their outgoings in January courtesy of their increasingly-negative position with the top flight's rule book.
Reports have continued to indicate that Chelsea's hierarchy are confident of passing the regulations at the next accounting date of June 30.
The completion of the £28m transfer of Lewis Hall to Newcastle United and receiving a £4m loan fee for Armando Broja from Fulham will help matters, but the general consensus is that an array of sales are required.
What financial losses did Chelsea post in March?
As has been the case with several clubs in the Premier League, all eyes have been on their posted financial losses for 2022-23, and Chelsea revealed theirs in March.
A negative of £90.1m was recorded in the books, down on the £121.4m figure for 2021-22, but giving Chelsea a total of £211.5m; they are not allowed to go over £105m across a three-season period.
That is why a firesale is currently anticipated from between the end of May and end of June, but it is yet to be determined which players are pushing to leave Chelsea.
According to Football Insider, there is an expectation that Chelsea will not be able to avoid any punishment from the Premier League ahead of 2024-25.
Senior correspondent Pete O'Rourke, speaking on the Inside Track Podcast, suggests there is a high probability of Chelsea being handed a points deduction.
That would follow the charges that have been handed to Everton and Nottingham Forest respectively during 2022-23, the former being docked a total of eight points and the latter's tally currently at four points pending the outcome of an appeal.
Chelsea facing possibility of further punishment
Chelsea are also awaiting the conclusion of an investigation into potential rule breaches under the ownership of Roman Abramovich; Boehly and Clearlake self-reported their own concerns on this matter.
As it stands, the severity of any punishment is unclear, yet the understanding is that a fine and points deduction are not out of the question.
On the pitch, Chelsea are currently preparing to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday evening, eager to bounce back from their 5-0 defeat at Arsenal earlier in the week.
