Mauricio Pochettino has argued Chelsea FC should be stripped of their 2017 Premier League title. The former Tottenham Hotspur manager made the claim after Chelsea admitted to paying £47m in illegal payments to agents over a period of years.
Pochettino, who managed Spurs when they finished second to Chelsea in the 2016/17 season, stated his position clearly. "If they admitted they broke the rules, the Premier League title was for the second best team," he said. He added, "We deserve to be champions for that year, because we were the second best." Antonio Conte's Chelsea side finished ahead of Pochettino's Tottenham that campaign.
Chelsea's new ownership group self-reported the historical financial irregularities after taking control of the club. The breaches involved a series of payments to agents that were not properly declared, including transactions related to the transfer of Eden Hazard. The Premier League subsequently fined Chelsea for these breaches, with the Football Association also issuing a separate, lenient punishment. The club's admission has reignited a wider debate about sporting integrity and the consequences for off-pitch rule-breaking.
The controversy emerges as the current Chelsea squad prepares for its next challenge. The Blues sit in the Premier League table with points from their opening matches, a record of wins and a loss. They are behind early leaders Manchester City. Their immediate focus shifts to a home fixture against Hull City. Hull currently occupy a high place, setting up a significant early-season clash at Stamford Bridge. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
Pochettino's comments place Chelsea at the centre of a growing conversation about historical punishments in English football. The most prominent parallel is the ongoing case involving Manchester City, who face many charges related to alleged financial rule breaches spanning several seasons. The outcome of City's case is being watched closely, as it could set a precedent for how governing bodies handle complex, historical financial misconduct. The core question is whether titles and other on-pitch honours should be vacated as a penalty for off-pitch financial violations.
While the club contends with this off-field debate, manager Enzo Maresca is managing a squad with several key absences. According to our current squad data, midfielder Moisés Caicedo is among the players currently sidelined. The full list of unavailable players is detailed on our injuries page. Chelsea's season has begun with an attack-minded approach, scoring goals but conceding goals in their first outings. The team faces Hull City at home.
On September 11, Mauricio Pochettino reiterated his call for Tottenham to be awarded the 2017 Premier League title. He argued that Chelsea's rule breaches meant the teams did not compete under the same conditions. Chelsea were fined £10.75m in March and given a nine-month academy transfer ban for undisclosed payments made between 2011 and 2018. The current Chelsea side, fourth in the league, faces third-placed Hull City at home on September 12.
The Premier League has responded to Mauricio Pochettino's call for Chelsea to be stripped of their 2017 title. Chief executive Richard Masters said last month the sanction was not unduly lenient. "It's historic. It's very different to the PSR cases," Masters said. The league stated the fine was a record and that the breaches would not have taken Chelsea over Profit and Sustainability Rules thresholds. Chelsea, currently fourth in the Premier League, host third-placed Hull City on September 12.
