Premier League salary cap could be blessing in disguise for Man Utd and Chelsea

A proposed Premier League salary cap could prove to be a blessing for some of the league’s top teams.

This week Crystal Palace co-owner and chairman Steve Parish claimed the Premier League is considering a new wage bill cap to maintain a competitive balance across the division.

Speaking at the Leaders Week conference in Twickenham, Parish said: “As far as competitive balance (is concerned), people need to be bold. I think there is change afoot.

“UEFA’s squad-cost caps are one idea. Maybe something that is a bit more rigid than that, with a hard cap at the top, that doesn’t take turnover into account, where there are vagaries of how that turnover comes about.

“There are really positive conversations going on about it. We also have to be very careful because there are also unintended consequences.

“Hopefully, we will get somewhere that will be beneficial, not just to the clubs in the Premier League but to the whole pyramid and their ability to compete. We are voting for our competitors to be able to do better and challenge us.”

At first glance, the Premier League’s top six may look at the proposal with some scepticism, amid the consensus thinking that a salary-cap system would break the dominance of big clubs.

Firstly, this suggestion is unrealistic. Most world-class players will still pick a Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea over a Bournemouth, West Ham United or Palace, while it would take years for clubs lower down the Premier League food chain to seriously challenge for the title.

But also, some of the more mismanaged Premier League clubs among the top six may stand to benefit from a salary cap.

The division has been dominated by City in recent years, with the Manchester club having claimed the title in five of the past six years.

A salary cap would likely close the gap between Pep Guardiola's side, a team boasting two of the league’s top three highest-paid players (as per Sporting News), and the rest of the Premier League’s elite.

Moreover, the measure would also force the likes of United to be more frugal in the market.

Seven of United’s squad, including the misfiring Antony, Jadon Sancho and Anthony Martial, alongside the ageing Casemiro and Raphael Varane, are listed among the Premier League’s top 20 highest earners.

Indeed, Casemiro’s purchase of €60million (£52million) from Real Madrid has been a frequent topic of discussion since his arrival last summer. The midfielder was 30 years old and given a four-year contract of about £350,000 a week.

Casemiro has struggled to locate his best form this season (Getty)

The Brazilian enjoyed a standout debut season but this season he has appeared off the pace and his form has faltered.

At 31, with three years left on his deal, the United hierarchy will be concerned that one of their prized and most expensive assets may have burned out so early into his Old Trafford career.

A salary cap would prevent such a situation from ever arising. Sure, signings may will flop in future, but the cost of failure would be less expensive.

Moreover, while Chelsea have altered their transfer strategy to one of amortisation in the past two windows, in 2022 they too had a summer where they signed misfiring players on long contracts and enormous wages.

Raheem Sterling, who has endured a topsy-turvy time in a Blues shirt is allegedly on £325,000-a-week - the Premier League’s eighth highest salary - while the forever injured Wesley Fofana is on £200,000-a-week.

While both these signings could prove good value in the long term, a salary cap financially protects Chelsea from the prospect of neither succeeding at Stamford Bridge.

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