Explained: Why recent Premier League vote spells end of Chelsea handing out eight-year contracts

Until now, teams could spread out the total transfer fee spent on a player over the entirety of their contract. Chelsea have taken advantage of this loophole by spending big on players and handing eight-year contracts to the likes of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Mykhailo Mudryk in order to avoid breaching the Premier League's financial rules. The new rule puts the Premier League in line with UEFA, which set a five-year limit on amortisation earlier this year. Chelsea were one of the 15 clubs who voted in favour of the limit.

The Blues will no longer be able to do that, however, as The Athletic reports clubs have voted to limit the amortisation of transfer fees to the first five years. Teams can still sign players to longer contracts, but the fees will not be spread beyond the new time limit.

While this may affect Chelsea's plans for the future, it does not affect the deals already in place as the regulatory changes will not be backdated, meaning the London club can still spread Fernandez, Caicedo and Mudryk's fees across the entirety of their contracts. Given their star players' struggles this term and the rule change, the club may abandon their long-contract policy from now on.

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino is reported to be eyeing three new signings in the January transfer window. But the club's negotiation strategy may be affected after spending huge transfer fees since new co-owner Todd Boehly took charge.