Chelsea has quietly made a major shift in how they structure player contracts — and Raheem Sterling’s deal is a key reason behind it.
Why such Change at Chelsea?
Since the new ownership under Todd Boehly and Clearlake took over Chelsea, the club has moved from large guaranteed salaries toward performance-based, incentive-laden contracts. The reason is clear: Sterling’s high-cost deal exposed vulnerabilities in the old system.
Sterling, signed for around £50 million from Manchester City in 2022, is now considered one of the catalysts for the upheaval. While his contract remains heavy and guaranteed, Chelsea now prefers to avoid such risk with other players.
What has Changed?
Under the new scheme, many players now receive:
Lower base salaries.
Bonuses tied to performance (goals, assists, appearances, team success).
Incremental rises only if targets are met.
A concrete example is Cole Palmer; whose new contract reportedly has built-in rises tied to performance. This system helps Chelsea manage financial risk while still rewarding output.
The Sterling Conundrum
Sterling is something of an exception. Though he isn’t part of the new contract model, his deal is so large that the club struggles to move him on. He remains under contract into 2027. Chelsea has tried to get him out — via loan or sale — but nothing has worked yet.
Because Sterling’s salary is so high, potential buyers have balked. Even when Chelsea subsidize part of his wages. Meanwhile, Sterling is training away from the first team with Axel Disasi, another player on the fringes of plans. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has defended the treatment. He said exclusion from the main squad is part of the business when no agreement is reached.
What this means Going Forward?
The Sterling episode taught Chelsea a hard lesson. They now aim to avoid repeating it. New signings will more often have deals that reflect performance and club success. That may make Chelsea less competitive in bidding wars for established stars. But it gives them a measure of financial control.
Author’s Insight
Chelsea’s big shift in contract policy is real. And Raheem Sterling’s heavy guaranteed deal played a central role in triggering it.
As featured on Chelseanews.com
