Erling Haaland's 10-year Man City mega-deal could become the norm in the Premier League as Chelsea legend tips U.S. owners to follow NFL and MLB contract strategy

That is the opinion of former Chelsea player and coach Roberto Di Matteo, who has seen his former employers at Stamford Bridge spend heavily across recent transfer windows. Many of the new recruits in west London have been tied to terms much longer than English audiences are accustomed to.

There is method to the supposed madness, though, as lengthy deals allow payments to be spread much thinner, helping clubs to operate inside Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations.

Huge deals are also common in other sports, particularly those in America, and it should come as no surprise to find that the Premier League – along with other divisions around the world – is treading a similar path as more money from the States floods into the European game.

Champions League winner Di Matteo, speaking in association with BetMGM, told GOAL when asked about deals such as the 10-year offering that Norwegian striker Haaland recently signed at Manchester City: “There are two reasons, I think. One is because when you spend a certain amount on transfer fees, the player is an asset. If the player is on a long contract, then the club has the power of the player. They cannot leave on a free and so on.

“The second is, it’s a bit unusual for European sport to have longer contracts, but if you look in the U.S. it is quite the norm. You look at baseball, you look at American football, it’s quite normal to give long-term contracts. It’s something new for us in Europe, but in the U.S. it is normal. We have a lot of U.S. owners now in England. I think the culture is starting to shift a little bit because they think it is best for the club to have the power over the asset, and the decision-making over the asset.”

Chelsea, with Todd Boehly and American investors now at the helm, set the tone when it comes to elaborate spending and long-term contracts. They are yet to see much of a return on that outlay, but a much bigger picture needs to be taken into account.

Di Matteo said when asked what the Blues need to achieve and when in order for their business to be considered money well spent: “I think it’s a gradual process. They have bought a lot of young, talented players. I think [Enzo] Maresca this year is really building the team. That’s the only little piece of the puzzle that is left, to build a team that can be consistent enough to be challenging at the top of the table. They need experience.

“Players have come from abroad and myself, I experienced coming from a different country to England. You need a bit of experience about how the Premier League works, playing certain teams and understanding the culture. This season I have been very impressed with the way that Maresca has set up the team, the way they play. I really enjoy watching them because it’s attractive football, high pressing and a lot of movement. I think it’s just building a team. You have got to have team spirit. If you have a lot of good individuals, it doesn’t mean that you are going to have a good team.”

Chelsea, who are into the fourth round of the FA Cup and last-16 of the Europa Conference League, sit sixth in the Premier League table at present and will be back in action next Monday when playing host to former manager Graham Potter and capital rivals West Ham.