Yes thats correct but Deloitte!!!! Hmmm I think the world looks to them when assessing football finance. They are the experts in the field and they produce up-to-date financial records. The records I refer to are for the 2011/12 season. If you recall thats how football works.

Nice try but pretty lame!!

For the 'bible' on football finances see below:

[Link]

Well actually some did, but why would you recall that, I don't remember all the ins and outs at Chelsea.

Funny to think that Ambramovich was actually going to buy Tottenham initially. Luckily (?) for you, he chose Chelsea instead otherwise you would probably had Bates still there....but you are right, the Russian's money has enabled your club to buy those trophies that you are boasting about, good luck to you.

However, that spending has changed the face of the game as a whole. And not in a good way. I'm not in any way jealous of Chelsea's success but I do resent the effect the likes of them and Man City's finances have had . I wonder how you will bend the Financial Fair Play Rules ? - Hopefully by increasing your ticket prices. I know long standing Chelsea fans ( ie. pre Bates and Abramovich ) who resent having to pay what they do now - where will it end ?

Anyway, you must be chuffed at that Under 18 result, I'm sure that will be the springboard to turn your season around and cement your CL place for next season.

Disagree, the spending has greatly enhanced English football worldwide, hence the massive growth in TV money next year, which by the way you will benefit from massively if you get promotes. Will you not take that money as a matter of principle?!?!?!
In a way you will be riding on the back of our success. Its because the big clubs are so successful more money is coming in to the game and our game has moved to a massive world wide audience. Additionally, we have the amazing European Games we witness every season.
In terms of ticket prices Chelsea FC have frozen them over the last few seasons and there are many opportunities to go 'on the cheap'. Its the top priced tickets that are expensive.
Actually wasnt really 'chuffed' by the u18 result just thought it funny how Palace fans shout loudly when they win an U18 game but when they get 'battered' they fall silent.
Any closer analysis of our youth system since Abramovic will show that over the last few years we have amazing talent emerging. We are consistantly the best at every age group across the country (as shown by the endless list of trophies at each age group) and players emerging now are being heralded as the very best about. Just look at the amount that represent their respective countries.

Thats not really true is it.. Yes the game is now more popular abroad and = greater revenues. But the majority of that money goes to places where it is of no benefit to football at all. e.g. Ashley Cole's wages and Rupert Murdoch's offshore bank account.

You fail to mention the cost to the English national team as countless Premier league sides have effectively shut out the development of English players by denying them first team opportunities, opting to bring in international players instead for a greater fee. The EPL has gorged itself over TV revenues at the expense of the English National team. This is not a dig a Chelsea so much, but you were one of the first teams to start this practice.

Edited by snytaxx (14 Feb 2013 11.06am)

Isnt it lucky we have a court of law available to sort these issues out and its not left to the ill-informed and ill-educated.

How is the guy that abused eric cantana by the way??

And your dont have a good record it seems?

[Link]

If we got promoted, the new income will sustain Palace for some years and also enable much needed ground development. That's IF we get there. IF we do, what are our chances of staying there ? Not good. Without the spending power of the likes of Chelsea and Man City and to a slightly lesser degree, Man Utd, you become just an also-ran at best. Ask any Arsenal fan. At worst you could become another Portsmouth in chasing a dream by spending money you haven't got.

More money is NOT coming '' into the game ''...it's going into the PL with the clubs at the top getting the lions share. It's certainly not filtering through the football pyramid in this country. That effectively stopped when clubs decided to look abroad for talent rather than down the leagues.

The spending has '' enhanced English football worldwide '' - agreed it has, but again, only to the benefit of the Few. If you can afford to sign and pay the top players, yes of course it increases wider interest - it's just not very competitive. The Champions League places are only competed for by five teams at the most - then there is a huge gap before you get to the Evertons and the rest...they cannot compete because they don't have the spending power. If ' the rest ' unearth a good player, then that player becomes an immediate target for those with money.

As for Chelsea's youth teams, how many of those are populated by young ' imports ' ? I don't know, genuine question, but there is a track record of signing young players for those sides as opposed to developing them. I could be mistaken, as you were with your Jordan/Coppell comment.

As i said before, no jealousy on my part re Chelsea's success. Two of my best mates are Chelsea fans and I've enjoyed seeing them get some payback for all the years when Chelsea were not winning anything. But as a club I do find it hard to find anything to like about them !

Old, Ungifted and White

No the LAST financial position is he one I posted. Hence its the more up-to-date. Blimey just look at the dates?? Surely thats not difficult. To suggest I am wrong in my statement about Chelsea being fifth is to suggest Deloitte's figures are incorrect. REALLY??

Some good points and I agree that I think its hard to break in to the top few without massive investment. However, with the new Premier league rules and Euopean Fair play rules I think you'll find an increased expenditure on the club and less on player wages. Although I am not one who condemns player for earning what they can. However, its always been difficult to break in to the TOP group. Clubs have to grow and build up their fan bases and ability to generate money. At the end of the day they are a busines.

Your question about Chelsea youth 'imports' is an important one. However, whilst it was true when Abramovich first arrived a lot of youth imports were bought (Arsenal are the 'best' or 'worst' at least depending on your perspective)it is definately NOT true in recent years. The vast amount of youth players are English. My previous post on this issue answers that.