'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Earlier, Chelsea were given a transfer ban by FIFA for breaching rules regarding the transfer of minors in some 29 cases. The club was fined £460,000 for breaking the rules. At the same time, the transfer ban is set to prevent the London club from registering new players over the two transfer windows.
In case you didn't know...
Chelsea may not be able to sign new players in the upcoming two transfer windows until the end of January 2020. It has been announced that the club has submitted an appeal, but even during the appeal process, Chelsea are unable to make any signings.
In the January transfer window, the Blues have secured the signature of Gonzalo Higuain (loan) and Christian Pulisic, who will move over to London in the summer. Higuain has started a couple of games since his move and is fast becoming an efficient scorer for his side.
The heart of the matter
Chelsea are desperately trying to improve their squad in order to match the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool who are the front-runners this season. Currently, the Blues are fighting with Tottenham, Arsenal, and Manchester United for a position in the top-four. Mauricio Sarri's future at the club currently looks uncertain after a couple of disappointments in the EPL, but the board will certainly be eager to get FIFA to lift their ban so that they can sign new players.
If the Blues were to miss the chance to sign any new players in the upcoming transfer windows, it could be a great loss to the club and they might struggle to compete for the title next season.
What's next?
Chelsea will take on Dynamo Kyiv in the Europa League round of 16 on Thursday night. Besides their attempt to advance further in the European competition, Sarri's side is also aiming for a top-four finish this season, but they will first have to beat Wolves at Stamford Bridge this weekend.
