Chelsea Football Club had the biggest wage bill in the Premier League in the 2014/15 season following a £25m rise, according to its Companies House filing.
Following the acquisition of the likes of Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas ahead of their title winning season, the London club’s wage bill was £215.6 million, up from £190m the previous year. However, the figure does not differentiate between player and staff wages.
Manchester United, who finished fourth last season, had the second highest bill at £203m. Local rivals Manchester City spent £193.8m on wages, while Arsenal spent £192m.
Chelsea’s overall accounts showed a pre-tax loss of £22.6m for the season, following a £19m profit in the previous year. Revenues dropped £5.5m to £319m after an earlier-than-anticipated exit from the Champions League meant the club earned less in broadcast revenues.
The club is likely to report an even bigger loss for the current season. A run of terrible form in the first half of the season has left Chelsea 14th in the Premier League, costing Jose Mourinho his job. The chances of the club achieving Champions League footfall next season is now very slim, meaning a large drop in broadcast revenues. The club also agreed to pay Mourinho’s £10m a year wage until he finds another club.
