The Premier League is apparently looking into Chelsea’s transfer practices under Roman Abramovich, including covert payments made by the club when they bought Willian and Samuel Eto.
The former Chelsea duo joined the club from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in August 2013 and have been identified for further inquiry, according to The Times.
Abramovich sold Chelsea to Todd Boehly for £4.2 billion last year after the government sanctioned him in March following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
However, the Premier League has been investigating transactions under the club’s previous ownership, and the transactions involving Willian and Eto’s arrivals at Stamford Bridge are now being investigated.
Chelsea’s current owners, led by Boehly, reportedly flagged the transfers while the club was being purchased from Abramovich.
Willian, a Brazilian winger, joined Chelsea in a £30 million deal from Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala ten years ago after first looked ready to join Tottenham.
Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Eto’o followed in the same transfer window, taking a £10 million salary cut to join Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea club.
According to financial records, in addition to the transfer payments made by Chelsea, other payments may have been made to so-called “Russian entities.”
There is no evidence that either player was aware of the linked transactions, but their transfers are part of an ongoing inquiry into the club during Abramovich’s rule.
Chelsea issued a statement in reaction to the charges, stating that the payments have nothing to do with any present Chelsea players.
‘These claims pre-date the club’s present ownership,’ Chelsea added. They are about entities that were purportedly controlled by the club’s prior owner and have nothing to do with anyone who is now at the club.
‘Chelsea FC’s ownership group completed the club’s purchase on May 30, 2022. The current group became aware of potentially incomplete financial reporting about historical transactions during the club’s previous ownership via a rigorous due diligence procedure prior to the completion of the purchase.
‘Immediately following the completion of the purchase, the club self-reported these problems to all applicable football regulators.
‘In accordance with the club’s ownership group’s basic principles of full compliance and openness, the club has proactively aided and will continue to assist the applicable regulators with their investigations.’
