Chelsea may have to sell three players if they win Carabao Cup due to rule change

Chelsea could be forced to sell three players should they win the Carabao Cup.

Chelsea take on Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday, with Mauricio Pochettino looking to claim his first silverware as Chelsea boss.

Chelsea have spent more than £1billion on new players since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over the club in May 2022, and the pressure is on to claim a trophy.

They will be up against Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who are on course for the quadruple this term, while also looking to claim a record extending tenth triumph in the Carabao Cup.

Should Chelsea defy the bookies and claim a victory, however, it may paradoxically lead to them selling three of their academy youngsters.

If Chelsea win on Sunday they will qualify for the Europa Conference League next season, and in turn, have to comply with UEFA’s club licensing and financial sustainability regulations (FSR), the rules that replaced FFP in 2022.

Such regulations are considerably more restrictive than the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

In Europe clubs are permitted to lose up to £68.5million for the 2024-25 monitoring period, which will encompass the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons.

Gallagher has been linked with a Chelsea departure in consecutive windows (Getty)

That means that losses of £68.5million over the previous two years, rather than £105million over the previous three years, becomes the key loss threshold for Chelsea next season if they qualify for European competition.

Such restrictions may force Chelsea to sell three academy graduates from their books that would generate pure profit.

The Athletic claimed that Chelsea’s eagerness to drum up a market for Armando Broja in January indicated a desire to raise funds from player sales.

Ian Maatsen, who has a £35million release clause in his new contract, is another that could be sold in the summer, while should no new contract be agreed Conor Gallagher may also depart at the end of the season.