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Chelsea deal on hold amid Man City case as West Ham plot to end star's Stamford Bridge nightmare

Chelsea's Enzo Maresca and Manchester City's Pep Guardiola in conversation
-Credit: (Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)


Chelsea's focus on Thursday is preparing for the return of the Conference League with a trip to Greece to face Panathinaikos on the agenda.

Enzo Maresca's side enter that match licking their wounds after a spirited defeat to Liverpool on Sunday. While the Blues were able to compete on the day, they were not able to overcome the strength of their hosts.

While things are looking good on the pitch for Chelsea, their battles are being fought more firmly off the pitch at present. In our look at the media headlines we assess further these battles surrounding sponsorship and player departures.

Chelsea deal up in the air thanks to City

According to Manchester City's former legal advisor Stefan Borson, the Blues are in the dark surrounding whether or not an associated party can sponsor their shirt this season. Earlier this month, City declared they had beaten the Premier League in their hearing over associated party transaction (APT) rules.

They claimed the current rules were now unlawful and should no longer apply to clubs. Where as the Premier League argued the judgement proved that the spirit of the rules were good but just some amendments were needed.

All this has led to speculation as to whether clubs are allowed to be sponsored by businesses associated with their owners or not.

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What FL says: This is a really difficult situation for Chelsea to find themselves in. Let's not forget that shirt sponsorship packages go some way to helping clubs evade Financial Fair Play (FFP) punishments. While City will argue that their 'victory' was good news for the Premier League clubs, it has left the Blues in a tricky situation where they don't know if they are breaking rules or not by getting a company connected with Todd Boehly or Clearlake Capital to sponsor their shirts. They will need clarity soon though so as to get a sponsor on board.

West Ham could end Chilwell nightmare

According to TBR, Ben Chilwell could be offered the opportunity to end his stint at Chelsea in the January transfer window. It is understood the full-back wishes to leave the Blues this winter having made just one appearance against League Two Barrow in the Carabao Cup this season.

West Ham are reportedly interested in making a move for the England international as Julen Lopetegui looks to strengthen amid the Irons poor start to the campaign.

What FL says: It serves everyone's best interests if Chilwell was to be sold in January. He is clearly not in Maresca's plans so there is little use keeping him beyond January. The difficulty will be negotiating a permanent sale in the new year considering how quiet the market can be. West Ham will also be keen not to overspend on a player who will need time to regain match fitness. Just because there is an interested party does not mean the deal is done and dusted.