Chelsea opted against making a move for James Maddison this summer due to his age, according to the Daily Telegraph journalist Matt Law.
The Blues had a transfer policy of not signing anyone over 25 years of age and, with Maddison being 26, the decision was made not to pursue the England international. He went on to join Tottenham for £40m and the playmaker has had a strong start to life at the Lilywhites with 2 goals in 4 league matches so far. Understandably, Chelsea fans on X are not too pleased with the club and the strict age limit they have placed on new recruits:
That is a joke
— CFCMusti (@CFCMusti) September 2, 2023
Laughable. Hope this isn’t true otherwise we’re well and truly finished.
— Futbol Chelsea (@FutbolCheIsea) September 2, 2023
That is the single most stupidest thing I've ever heard
— CfcSheikh (@CfcSheikh) September 2, 2023
It's really pathetic
— Boma (@Boma_Wills) September 2, 2023
A team needs the right balance between young and experienced players especially when you play in a tough league like the prem. Its evident that thses signings are from the owners.
— Fran (@frachelsea23) September 3, 2023
He would have been an excellent signing.
— martin spooner (@martinspooner6) September 2, 2023
That is actually infuriating. If we added 3 or 4 established players to this team we would be in a much better position. We’ve spent a huge junk of our money on “potential” – it’s an awful policy for a big club.
— Boehly Ball (@BoehlyBall) September 3, 2023
Top talents like Maddison are slipping through the net
While it could be argued that Chelsea didn’t really need another no.10 like Maddison, with Christopher Nkunku already at the club, the limit on signing players over a certain age is concerning.
Some players don’t hit their peak years until well after 25 and so, if the reporting about Maddison is accurate, the policy has to change to give both the recruitment team and the manager more flexibility.
Chelsea’s youth policy could hold the club back in the short term
The lack of experience in the first-team squad is definitely an issue. To win trophies you need a blend of older and younger players.
There is clearly a huge amount of talent now at the club but manager Mauricio Pochettino requires time to get this team into shape.
