Chelsea Board Criticised For Considering £75million Worth Coutinho Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Former Manchester United defender, Gary Neville, has slammed Chelsea board over their pursuit of £75million worth Barcelona midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, amid the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe.

But Neville believes it is “illogical” for the Blues hierarchy to be considering transfer moves at a time of Coronavirus crisis when their current players could well be set to take pay cuts.

“It’s like a parallel universe. Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta has been in talks with the club’s board over the past three weeks as they’re looking for a 10/15 percent pay cut,” Neville told Sky Sports.

“For the Chelsea players to hear in the next breath that the club is looking to buy Philippe Coutinho for £75m, it is like, “Which one is it?”

“If I were a player now, I would be looking at a wage deferral that potentially turns into a cut at a certain point in time.

“But if the club increases its budget or signs a player for £75m, you have to pay our money first.

“I would say, “you can’t go and sign a player for £75m and then say you can’t pay us fully”. It’s just illogical, and it does not make sense.”