Why Chelsea don't have a sponsor on their shirt despite having one for pre-season

By premiernews On Aug 15, 2024

Chelsea are set to begin the new Premier League season without a sponsor on the front of their shirt for the second year in a row.

The blues, Those who had Infinite Athlete printed on their uniforms during the preseason will have plain jerseys Against Manchester City This weekend.

Infinite Athlete was on the front of Chelsea's shirts during pre-seasonCredit: Getty

Chelsea It had the branding of the sports technology company on it Divisive launch of local strip Earlier this summer.

The club then followed this up by revealing their sponsor-less club. visiting teamand both shirts were used throughout the preseason.

However, that won't be the case for the start of the 2024/25 Premier League season, as new signing Pedro Neto will be unveiled in a plain shirt.

Why doesn't Chelsea have a shirt sponsor?

The west Londoners are the only Premier League club to start the new season without having agreed a sponsor for the front of their shirt.

Infinite Athlete only agreed a short-term deal to sponsor Chelsea in September 2023, which was extended to cover pre-season in May.

This is why his name was present in Chelsea's 1-1 draw with Inter Milan, but he will not be present if fans buy the 24/25 shirt online.

A new deal with Infinite Athlete is not expected to be agreed, and Premier League regulations state that clubs can only have ONE shirt sponsor during a season.

Only one substitution is allowed on a match day during the campaign, so clubs can promote a charity partner, such as Newcastle beat Tottenham 4-0 in April.

Special dispensations are only granted in cases of financial hardship (Chelsea have already spent £185m this summer) or if a sponsor fails to honour its contract.

This means that Enzo Maresca's team will start a new season in the same vein as last year at this time, without a sponsor on the front of the shirt.

Chelsea will start the new campaign with only the club crest and manufacturer logosCredit: Getty

Just like they did last season... — Just like they did last season…Credit: Getty

Infinite Athlete's replacement will likely match the £40m deal the US company signed for the 2023-24 season.

Talks with Saudi airline Riyadh Air failed to come to fruition and Chelsea are now scrambling to agree another short-term deal elsewhere.

Darren Bent fears Chelsea have too many players to find a balance in their Premier League squad

Chelsea's lack of Champions League participation means they are looking to sign long-term contracts when they cannot afford the fees of Europe's elite.

But with the jerseys already manufactured by Nike, they will have to wait before they can change the front of the uniforms.

Chelsea, whose home and away shirts do not have a sponsor, played their first eight games last season without one.Credit: Getty

Chelsea vs Manchester City: how to watch

This Premier League clash will take place on Sunday, August 18.

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for 4.30pm.

The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League.

Fans can watch the action on TV or via Sky Go on mobile and tablet devices.

talkSPORT will also keep you up to date with all the latest news while talkSPORT.com will broadcast a live blog of the match.

To tune into talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 via the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen through talkSPORT Appon DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

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