David Ornstein has claimed on The Athletic Football Podcast that Reece James, Mason Mount and Raheem Sterling are in line for a big wage cut if Chelsea miss out on a top four finish this season.
The Blues currently sit in 10th, ten points behind current occupants Manchester United.
This season has been a difficult one for Graham Potter’s side, with injury issues stacking up throughout the campaign.
Things got off to a rough start when they lost N’golo Kante in the second game of the season. He is still yet to return as we enter the month of February.
Since then, the likes of James, Ben Chilwell, Wesley Fofana and many more would face lengthy spells on the sidelines as results have continued to get away from the Blues.
Chelsea players set for wage cut
Chelsea’s poor form has left them way off the pace set by the current top four, and that could be bad news for players who have recently signed a new deal or are preparing to.
Ornstein said the way the club are currently offering contracts involves a significant wage drop for the time the Blues are not in the Champions League.
He said: “I suspect Fofana, Badiashile and a number of others who have come in recently are on very reasonable salaries.
“Those who have signed new deals, such as Reece James, potentially Mason Mount, even Raheem Sterling. They have clauses that see their salaries significantly reduced if they don’t qualify for the Champions League.”
There will be hopes that the current situation this season won’t see players such as Mount, who has not yet signed a new deal, put off signing due to the likelihood that a wage cut is likely to be on its way at the end of the season.
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