Chelsea are set to scrap their 'golden rule' following a disastrous season under Mauricio Pochettino, according to a report.
On Tuesday, Chelsea were condemned to their 11th defeat in this season's Premier League campaign.
They were thrashed by Arsenal, who ran out 5-0 winners at the Emirates as the Blues broke an unwanted record.
As it stands, Pochettino's side sit in ninth place and face the prospect of spending another season without European football.
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That's despite shelling out a whopping £1 billion in transfer fees for 28 new players under Todd Boehly's regime.
Last summer, Chelsea splashed out a staggering £115 million to sign Moises Caicedo from Brighton, having snapped up Enzo Fernandez for a massive £107 million during the January transfer window in 2023.
The club also spent £58 million and £53 million on Romeo Lavia and Christopher Nkunku respectively, while they forked out £40 million for Cole Palmer, who has been their shining light this season.
Following Pochettino’s appointment, 12 new players came through the doors at Stamford Bridge.
All 12 players were 25 or younger in a clear transfer plan under Boehly's guidance.
Chelsea expert Simon Phillips claims that only players under the age of 25 were considered last summer.
But the club's American owner is set to abandon his rule ahead of the transfer window reopening this summer.
With a lack of experience in the squad, it's claimed Chelsea will look at players above the age of 25 following an underwhelming campaign.
"As plans ramp up for the summer transfer window, I understand that the ‘U25 rule’ that Chelsea had in place will now be scrapped going forward," wrote Phillips.
Experienced players are believed to be high on Chelsea's transfer wish-list, with the club losing the services of Thiago Silva, who is set to leave when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The veteran Brazilian, 39, has been hugely influential since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain in the summer of 2020.
But he'll call time on his spell at Chelsea, who could be on the hunt for an accomplished defender this summer.
Nasir Jabbar