Chelsea Top Premier League Players Wage Bill

Chelsea have returned to the top of at least one Premier League table after annual figures revealed they have overtaken both Manchester clubs in terms of salaries paid to players.

Chelsea are the biggest payers in the top flight once more after losing that position to Manchester City in the 2011-12 season and this figures has have been made available on Companies House. The club, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, reported a total wage bill for last season that rose to £215.6milion, up £25m. 

The full annual figures reveal however that the club made a £42m profit on players trading, through selling Romelu Lukaku, Andre Schurrle and Ryan Bertrand - and despite bringing in Cesc Fabregas and Diego Costa. In the 2013-14 season Chelsea made a £65m profit in player trading.