Premier League Net Spend Table Over the Last Five Years Shows Chelsea in Damning Light

No team has a higher Premier League net spend than Chelsea over the last five years – that much is obvious. However, it is startling to see just how far ahead they are above the rest of the division, and with very little to show for it.

Much has been made over Chelsea’s spending since Clearlake Capital purchased the club from Roman Abramovich in 2022.

The recruitment appears to be haphazard, slapdash and generally chaotic. It has yielded problematic results for the Blues, which has seen them record their lowest ever Premier League points total in the 2022/23 season as well as the departures of four different managers in two years.

This aimless meander through an unprecedented period of change has seen them spend close to £2bn over the last five years – almost £1bn more than the next-nearest Manchester United.

Most Money Spent in the Premier League – Last Five Years

1. Chelsea – £1.83bn
2. Manchester United – £954m
3. Arsenal – £911m
4. Manchester City – £860m
5. Tottenham – £857m

Data courtesy of Swiss Ramble

Those on the outside looking in have cast a keen eye over their transfer dealings of late; how can one club be allowed to spend this much in such a short amount of time?

The Premier League’s PSR crackdown last season was a sign of things to come in a hardline, albeit necessary approach. Chelsea have no doubt been treading water during this period of extraordinary spending, but the club have also stripped themselves to the core in order to finance it.

Indeed, no team has spent more than them on transfers over the past five years, but no team has sold more than them either.

£844m in total sales in that period is £164m more than second-place Manchester City. It is also interesting to note that this includes a string of home-grown sales – namely Conor Gallagher, Lewis Hall and Ian Maatsen just this summer – which in the eyes of PSR is pure profit, helping to offset spending elsewhere.

Most Money Earned From Sales in the Premier League – Last Five Years

1. Chelsea – £844m
2. Manchester City – £680m
3. Brighton – £477m
4. Wolves – £463m
5. Aston Villa – £390m

Premier League Net Spend Table Over Last Five Years

Chelsea are of course the headline-grabbers when it comes to all things transfers, but it is worthwhile looking further down the net spend table.

Nothing highlights the unsettling power of the Premier League more than seeing aspirational clubs with higher net spends that champions Manchester City.

Bournemouth – a club with stadium that houses little over 11,000 spectators – have a net spend that trumps the Champions by over £50m.

Aston Villa – a club that although no doubt significant in the complexion of English football, were in the second division just five years ago. They are now a Champions League side capable of stretching their negative net spend to almost £300m.

1. Chelsea – £994m
2. Manchester United – £690m
3. Arsenal – £662m
4. Tottenham – £592m
5. Newcastle – £438m
6. Liverpool – £317m
7. West Ham – £293m
8. Aston Villa – £278m
9. Bournemouth – £236m
10. Nottingham Forest – £225m