Dion Fanning: Who is the sucker at Todd Boehly’s poker table?

Chelsea have spent more than €600m in two transfer windows. In January, they spent more than all the clubs in the Spanish, German, French, and Italian leagues combined.

MONEYBAGS: Todd Boehly visited Chelsea’s dressing room after the game against Brighton. Pic: Adam Davy/PA Wire

THERE is a story about a Premier League club and an experienced football manager which tells much about the organising principles in certain quarters of English football.

The club were preparing for a pivotal transfer window with the manager steering recruitment. Deals were being done, players were coming in, others were going out and everyone was energised: this was what the club needed. An exciting transfer was concluded, then another, and then more at a dizzying rate. Agents were involved — multiple ones in certain cases — wage demands and bonus requests were met. This was all declared necessary.