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… For failure to qualify for the Champions League
•Stars’ salaries to be cut by 30%
Chelsea’s failure to qualify for next season’s Champions League will cost players millions in wages as the club faces growing discontent within their squad.
The Blues’ elimination from this season’s competition at the hands of Real Madrid on Tuesday night means the two times winners will miss out on playing in European football’s elite club tournament for the 2023-24 campaign.
And the prospect of missing out on Champions League football will see a host of players sacrifice vast sums of money.
Following their arrival last year co-controlling owners Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital have moved to implement a bonus structure to player contracts linked to Champions League qualification that would see their wages fluctuate depending on whether they were playing in the competition.
It was a significant change from the ownership era of Roman Abramovich, who only rewarded players for winning trophies.
Mail Sport understands the club’s most recent signings, or those who have agreed new contracts, will see their earning power slashed by at least 30 percent.
Sources have indicated that some contracts have also been discussed which have included potential wage increases as high as 50 per cent linked to Chelsea being in the Champions League.
It is unclear whether the variable wage scheme will be enforced immediately or if players will be given a grace period.
The decision to enforce an incentivised salary structure was designed to motivate players – but it also provides Chelsea with a degree of protection against the financial shortfall incurred by the failure to qualify for the hugely lucrative Champions League.
In contrast, however, those who on contracts signed during the Abramovich era will continue to be paid their full salaries.
