Chelsea players unanimously agree 10 per cent wage reduction for next four months — report

Chelsea have received “no opposition” from any of the first-team players over the 10 per cent wage cuts that were proposed and negotiated last week, and those are thus set to go into effect next month (May), and are set to last for the next four months.

And, as reported by the Telegraph’s Matt Law, unlike the wage cuts negotiated by Arsenal, the 10 per cent is an actual reduction rather than a deferment — Arsenal players could earn back more than half their 12.5 per cent cuts if they were to qualify for the Europa League — and were agreed to without any objections of pressure from the coaching staff.

While Chelsea were not in need of cutting the wage bill at the moment, as the club have been paying all non-playing and matchday staff their full wages still, the reduction for the next four months will certainly help the club’s bottom line in these trying times.

The club have been exemplary in their response to the coronavirus crisis, and have opened up the stadium hotel for free use by healthcare workers, while also providing tens of thousands of free meals for the elderly and infirm. Chelsea are also working with Refuge to raise funds to help those suffering from domestic abuse during this lockdown.

The players themselves have contributed in their own individual ways as well, including donations to the #PlayersTogether charity and the Chelsea Foundation as well. Another recent example is Antonio Rüdiger covering the catering costs at the hospital in Berlin where he was born.