CHELSEA continue to play without a shirt sponsor.
In fact, they are the only Premier League team without a front-of-shirt sponsor this season.
Chelsea were without one for their opening Premier League game against Crystal Palace as they wore their home colours.
However, the Blues also rocked up to West Ham’s London Stadium in their black third kit without a sponsor.
Why do Chelsea not have a shirt sponsor?
The Stamford Bridge outfit suffered the same issue last season.
They played without a front-of-shirt sponsor until April, when Dubai-based property company Damac stepped in to fill the space.
It was the same in the 2023/24 campaign too.
US sports technology firm Infinite Athlete stepped in to sponsor the kits at the end of September.
Chelsea are reportedly looking to strike a deal worth £60m-£65million on any new sponsorship.
The, for now, vacant space has not been without offers, with the bidding for it said to be a “competitive process”.
It’s believed Saudi Arabia airline Riyadh Air was interested in a deal.
Malaysia Airlines and the Bank of America have also been rumoured to be interested in the past.
Long-term sponsorship plan
One thing Chelsea have been trying to get right is finding a long-term partner.
Following an agreement in 2023, all Premier League clubs will withdraw gambling sponsors from the front of their shirts after this season.
Last season, 11 teams had gambling sponsors on their kits, up by three from the year before.
This agreement will not apply to shirt sponsorships and LED advertising.
The ban came into play following a consultation between the league, clubs and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) as part of a government review into gambling legislation.
Chelsea’s transfer deals
IN
- Joao Pedro – from Brighton – £60m
- Jamie Gittens – from Dortmund – £52m
- Jorell Hato – from Ajax – £37m
- Liam Delap – from Ipswich – £30m
- Estevao – from Palmeiras – £29m
- Dario Essugo – from Sporting Lisbon – £18.5m
- Kendry Paez – from Independiente – £17.5m
- Mamadou Sarr – from Strasbourg – £12.5m
TOTAL – £256.5m
OUT
- Noni Madueke – to Arsenal – £52m
- Joao Felix – to Al-Nassr – £44m
- Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – to Everton – £28m
- Djordje Petrovic – to Bournemouth – £25m
- Lesley Ugochukwu – to Burnley – £25m
- Armando Broja – to Burnley – £20m
- Bashir Humphreys – to Burnley – £15m
- Mathis Amougou – to Strasbourg – £12.5m
- Kepa Arrizabalaga – to Arsenal – £5m
- Marcus Bettinelli – to Man City – £5m
TOTAL – £203.5m
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