By Noel Whelan

4th Feb, 2023 | 2:00pm

Pundit suggests Premier League clubs could have big Chelsea 'problem' as UEFA loophole closed

Noel Whelan has claimed big-spending Chelsea will only be a “problem” for the rest of the Premier League if they break records “year-in, year-out”.

The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, urged top-flight bosses to “look into” how the Blues are making their big-money spending fit into Financial Fair Play rules.

As per Sky Sports (1 February), Chelsea’s January shopping spree takes their total outlay for the 2022/23 season to a whopping £600million – a new record.

UEFA have already moved to close the loophole which allowed the Blues to spread the cost of their new signings across lengthy contracts of seven or eight years.

Enzo Fernandez, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Benoit Badiashille, and Noni Madueke are among the stars to arrive at Stamford Bridge for big fees in the January window.

All four took part as Chelsea drew 0-0 at home against Fulham on Friday (3 February) – meaning Graham Potter’s side have won just one of their last seven games across all competitions.

Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s all about the structure of these deals and how it fits into the fair play.

“These signings will be going into the books for next season, and probably two or three seasons after that.

“Should that be allowed? I think it’s something which needs looking into.

“But if they’re doing all the big spending now and getting that rebuild underway, maybe they won’t need to spend big every season.

“They’re building a team for longevity at the moment, and it’s exciting.

“I think it only becomes a problem when Chelsea are the only team breaking these kinds of records year-in, year-out.”

In other news, pundit tips Man City to sign Chelsea star after unexpected deal agreed.