More scrutiny looms over Chelsea’s achievements during former owner Roman Abramovich’s tenure following leaked documents suggesting a series of payments that potentially breached Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations and other sports laws.
In a collaborative investigation by the Guardian, alongside international outlets like the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ) and Germany’s Paper Trail Media, documents have emerged detailing payments spanning a decade, totaling tens of millions of pounds.
These payments allegedly flowed through offshore entities owned by the Russian billionaire, who sold the club in 2022 due to sanctions on his UK assets following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The transactions purportedly aimed to benefit Chelsea, raising queries about whether governing bodies were informed about these accounts.
The Chelsea star Mauricio Pochettino has unlocked
In recent years, Conor Gallagher stands out as an unsung hero at Chelsea. While some academy talents pursued bigger paychecks elsewhere, and others sought the limelight in rival Premier League clubs or prominent European leagues, the 23-year-old remained steadfastly committed to the Blues.
Amidst a turbulent previous season, marked by both on and off-field challenges, Gallagher emerged as a consistent force in midfield, displaying commendable performance under the management of Graham Potter and Frank Lampard. Despite his unwavering contributions, certain fans called for his sale during the summer, amidst talks of a dressing room revamp following Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival.
However, Pochettino staunchly included Gallagher in his plans from the outset, even naming the English talent as captain in the Carabao Cup second-round victory against AFC Wimbledon. Despite swirling rumors linking him to local rivals Tottenham, Pochettino made it unequivocally clear about Gallagher’s integral role within the squad.
