Chelsea fans may have already learned just what lies ahead during the upcoming January transfer window.
Andrew Freidman, a close ally of Todd Boehly - who forms part of the ownership group that oversees the LA Dodgers - has outlined the MLB team's need to cut back on improving their own roster in the months that lay ahead. Chelsea, who have further injury worries to deal with following Armando Broja's recent setback, may have to wait to bring in further reinforcements it seems.
The Blues know Reece James' return will have to be monitored carefully, with midfielder N'Golo Kante missing from France's World Cup squad due to his own issues. Cesar Azpilicueta, Ben Chilwell and Wesley Fofana also look to miss the Premier League restart later this month.
READ MORE: Armando Broja dealt massive blow as Chelsea learn knee surgery recovery timeline
But it is close friend Friedman's recent comments which may cast doubt over the club's upcoming plans in the transfer market, as he told of his efforts regarding the Dodgers' plans. He insisted the club will look to rein in their spending despite operating in an already heightened market as they chase a World Series success this year.
"We’ve seen a lot of large-market teams compete over a short period of time, and then fall off a cliff," Friedman began. "This is just not the sport where that reward is the same as in other sports. The sustained success part comes - and we’ve seen over the last seven, eight years - [by] interjecting young, talented players into the mix."
The Dodgers' current luxury tax payroll stands at around $189million (£152million) - a drop of $100million (£80million) on last season with purse strings already having been tightened.
Chelsea also may have to look to their talented crop of young players too if the coffers come up short, plus Boehly already injected large sums of cash to improve the squad in the summer by bringing in the likes of Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibaly and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Edson Alvarez and Leandro Trossard are just two names who have been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge.
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