Chelsea's announcement of losses of more than £120million over the last financial year is ringing alarm bells at Stamford Bridge.
That financial strife could lead to major changes to the squad in the summer transfer window, with seven players at risk of being sold. The Blues are edging close to the amount of losses permitted by the Premier League 's Financial Fair Play rules.
Falling foul of those regulations could lead to sanctions, including points deductions, fines and transfer embargos. As a result, the Blues may need to work hard in the summer to negate their huge losses by selling as many as seven of their players.
According to The Times, Chelsea are facing having to raise 'substantial amounts' of money to avoid breaching the Premier League's rules. A loss of £121m last season followed losses of £153.4m over the 2020/2021 campaign.
Despite those losses, the Blues have continued to spend heavily in the transfer market, with eight players signed in January. They will also be without a large amount of prize money following a dire season in the Premier League, which has left them sitting a lowly 10th.
The Premier League allows clubs to lose a maximum of £105m over a rolling three-year period. The Blues are currently being saved from problems by the fact they made a £32.5m profit over the 2019/2020 season.
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But that figure will drop off from the calculations in 12 months' time, being replaced by the profit or loss from the current campaign. Having spent so much in the transfer market, that is likely to lead to a significant number of Graham Potter's squad being moved on.
They will have to do that before 30 June, to ensure that the fees are counted in the current season's accounts. Top of the list for the players at risk is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with the forward appearing to have no future at Stamford Bridge.
Potter has all but shunned the striker and it appears likely that this will be his sole season with the Blues. Mason Mount is also edging closer to departing, with his contract set to enter its final year.
Negotiations over a new deal have stalled, with the England international attracting interest from a range of teams. Having starred at Crystal Palace last season, Conor Gallagher could also depart, having struggled somewhat back at the Blues.
Having been so influential at Selhurst Park, the Englishman will have no shortage of suitors in the summer. Much like Aubameyang, Hakim Ziyech's time at the Blues appears to be over, having started just six Premier League games this term.
The winger was heavily linked with an exit last summer and is almost certain to depart at the end of the season. Christian Pulisic may also be ready to seek a new challenge, having struggled to live up to expectations.
Pulisic has had his season disrupted by injury, but even before then the American found it difficult to make an impact. The final two players at risk are included in large part due to Chelsea's moves in the transfer market.
The first is Trevoh Chalobah, who may find game-time hard to come by following the arrivals of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile. Given his young age, he is will likely attract a range of suitors if Chelsea are forced into selling him.
Finally, while he is clearly part of Potter's plans, Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be used to bring in cash. The Englishman has featured heavily under Potter, though Chelsea have spent heavily on midfielders.
Full list of players: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mason Mount, Conor Gallagher, Trevoh Chalobah, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Christian Pulisic, Hakim Ziyech
