Chelsea has the most valuable future squad

Chelsea has been recognized as having the most valuable football squad for the future. This follows nearly £1.5 billion spent on player acquisitions since 2022. A recent study shows that Chelsea's success is due, in part, to their commitment to lengthy contracts for young players. The report from CIES Football Observatory highlights that Chelsea players have played the most domestic minutes among teams with stars contracted until at least 2026. Chelsea has secured 91.8 percent of their minutes through players with contracts extending beyond 2026. This places them ahead of Monaco and AZ Alkmaar. The club has signed many young talents to long-term deals since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital took over in 2022. Currently, Chelsea has 17 players with contracts lasting at least five more years, with 30 players signed through 2026. Notably, Coventry City, managed by Frank Lampard, ranks eighth in the study with 86.2 percent of minutes secured. Manchester United and Arsenal follow Chelsea in the Premier League, with percentages of 86.4 and 85.3, respectively. On the other hand, Liverpool ranks low with only 58.1 percent of secured minutes. The futures of key players like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are uncertain as their contracts expire soon. Everton has the lowest percentage, at just 34.4 percent, with multiple players out of contract in the summer. The report underscores the shifting landscape in football, highlighting clubs' strategies to secure their most valuable assets for the future.