Enciso deal tests Chelsea multi club model

KIERAN GILL analyzes the tangled deal surrounding Julio Enciso and the possible paths for his future amid Chelsea ownership ties.

Enciso transfer tests Chelsea multi club model

Chelsea's owners BlueCo have reached an agreement to sign Julio Enciso from Brighton for about 13.8 million pounds. Enciso, 21, joined Brighton in 2022 from Club Libertad after scouts identified potential in South America. Chelsea's recruitment team, including Sam Jewell and Paul Winstanley, helped bring Enciso to England. The transfer is linked to BlueCo's wider network that includes Strasbourg, and insiders say the move is not a straightforward sale.

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber has joked that Chelsea is his best customer after buying players like Cucurella, Caicedo and others. The deal is said to be phase one in a possible path that could see Enciso sign for Strasbourg first and then move to Chelsea later. Enciso is currently sidelined by knee surgery and is in the last year of his contract; the transfer fee is higher than Brighton paid in 2022.

The arrangement has drawn attention from football authorities who track multi club ownership deals for compliance and fair market value. If Enciso signs for Strasbourg first, loan and value checks could come into play, and Premier League scrutiny is likely due to the cross club links. Strasbourg supporters have publicly questioned the ownership model, while Chelsea faces financial constraints tied to their UEFA settlement and squad planning for this season.

The Enciso case shines a light on a growing trend where big clubs build talent pipelines through linked teams. It raises practical questions about value, timing, and the real meaning of a sale when control sits with a single owner. Regulators may demand clarity on how intra group moves affect price and player development, not just in theory but in the books.

For Chelsea, the move is a test of patience and ambition. The strategy could yield long term rewards, but it also risks fan mistrust and regulatory pushback if the structure feels opaque or exploitative. The lasting question is whether this model strengthens football or creates a lattice of leverage that favours a few wealthy owners.

Highlights

The coming days will reveal how transparent this cross club approach remains in practice.