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Retired Premier League player explains why he thinks Chelsea are 'a shambles'
Bacary Sagna says NFL-style contracts have harmed Chelsea.
The Blues have raised eyebrows in recent seasons under owner Todd Boehly as they've handed out several long-term deals to incoming players as part of a new transfer strategy.
Recent recruits such as Moises Caicedo, Nicolas Jackson, Wesley Fofana and Mykhailo Mudryk were all lured to the club with contracts exceeding seven years, a practice that has drawn criticism as the length of the deals could lead to future squad inflexibility. Additionally, Sagna believes some players could even become complacent as they would receive several years of guaranteed pay regardless of performance.
“I’m struggling to understand the project at Chelsea," Sagna told Paddy Power. "Having spent so much time and money on players with eight-year contracts, I’m not sure this is the right model. I know this is the American way, and they have American owners, but this is Europe and football operates differently. This is why there is disorder – you can’t treat European football like the NBA or NFL.
“I’m not sure it’s right to put players on eight- or nine-year contracts, and whether it will motivate them to perform – some people will be professional, but others will be happy just to sit on their contract."
Along with the length of the newer deals, Sagna slammed the choice of players Chelsea have pursued under the current ownership, with the former Premier League defender calling the organisation "a shambles."
“The quality of recruitment has also not been good enough for me, as the players have struggled to show their potential, so naturally as a team it’ll be difficult for them to perform when the organisation has been a shambles," he said. "I’m not sure the fans are happy about how the club is being run, and that is being reflected in the team’s play and performances.
“For Enzo Maresca, it’s been difficult to build a group because he’s had to deal with unhappy and unsettled players, and there’s too many off-the pitch elements to focus on instead of football.”
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