Chelsea remain the world’s eighth biggest club in terms of revenue, according to Deloitte’s annual Money League report, as the club takes a step closer to its change of ownership.
The West Londoners posted a revenue of £436.6million last season to stay as the capital's biggest club in terms of money-making ability. But the figures deal with last season and, with an update on the club’s sale expected later today, Deloitte say that one of the key trends to future growth rests in the one area in which they are behind many of their rivals.
Several bidding groups are expected to receive confirmation that their offers have been rejected by the Raine Group later today following a process in which several interested parties have spoken about the need to redevelop Stamford Bridge.
READ MORE: Chelsea sale latest as US firm evaluate best bids with weak offers rejected
While last season saw minimal matchday income across the board on account of the pandemic, clubs such as Tottenham Hotspur are better positioned to make gains now crowds have returned to full capacity. “Investment in stadia infrastructure to enhance and facilitate a greater matchday and non-matchday experience” is listed as one of seven areas to shape the future of Money League clubs.
Chelsea, who have ranked eighth in four of the past five seasons, posted the third biggest broadcast revenue for 2020-21 (£273.6million) and ninth largest commercial income (£155.4million) in a campaign that ended with them being crowned European champions for a second time.
The report said that an above average 77% of the club’s revenue is spent on wages. Deloitte also remarked that there is no ethnic minority representation on the club’s board but 20% are women.
There are 11 Premier League clubs in the top 20; four of them London sides. Tottenham have fallen one spot to 10th, closely followed by Arsenal in 11th. West Ham United are among four new entries, placing 16th overall, in another display of English football’s financial strength compared to their continental rivals. Three more Premier League sides occupy spots between 21st and 30th.
The most notable development is Manchester City’s rise to the summit, with the league leaders becoming only the fourth club to top a list that has been published since 2006. That is a consequence of an eye-opening rise in commercial revenue that has brought significant questions and a spike in broadcast revenue, partially as a consequence of the season before last being delayed by coronavirus.
Real Madrid and Bayern Munich remain second and third as last year’s number one, Barcelona, fell to fourth. Manchester United have slipped one spot to fifth and Liverpool sit seventh.
“Despite an ever-changing economic environment, the top 14 clubs in this year’s Money League are consistent, but in a slightly rearranged order for the fourth successive year,” the report said. “Notably, this includes 11 of the 12 proposed European Super League founders (excluding AC Milan), with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain not amongst the original participants.”
