'When you realise how much of the recruitment has been data-driven, you think, "Actually, this is an interesting experiment". It's high risk, high reward': Chelsea transfer policy intriguing former Stamford Bridge star

Chelsea's 'high risk, high reward' transfer strategy aims to build a young, valuable squad despite the upfront costs, requiring patience for long-term success.

It took a number of months before I could say, Oh right, OK, I know what you're doing now. The outline of the idea was that younger players are going to increase in value, so get them as young as possible.

Chelsea were paying loads of money to get these players in, whereas other clubs were getting them in really cheap. Chelsea were paying 100m for some players, 25m for others, for a squad of untested talent in the Premier League.

You’ve got to give this sort of plan at least two years... There were players coming in who were 17, 18, 19, 20, who had never played in England.

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