Chelsea last night announced a £23.1million loss for last season – but insist the deficit still keeps them within Financial Fair Play limits.
The Blues announced revenues of £314.3m, marginally down on the 2013-14 high of £319.8m, which led to a profit of £18.4m being announced last November, the largest surplus during Roman Abramovich's ownership.
The financial dip was put down to Chelsea's early Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain , and with the Blues currently 15 in the Premier League standings, a huge turnaround in form will be needed to secure the cash cow of Champions League football next term.
On the bright side, Chelsea expect their revenues to improve through a reported £40m-a-season shirt sponsorship deal with Yokohama.
A club statement said: "Following our Premier League championship-winning season, we expect the current year to produce record revenues once again.
"These will be powered by new commercial deals, including our record-breaking partnership with Yokohama, and revenues related to this season's Champions League, which improve due to entering as Premier League champions and an increase in TV revenue for English clubs."
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck added: "Chelsea Football Club has been consistent in our intention to comply with FFP, and it was a primary aim in the past financial year to be one of the clubs with a continuous record of meeting the regulations, which we have achieved.
"To record the second highest turnover figure in the club's history despite the Champions League campaign ending at the earliest knockout round demonstrates our business is robust, and is testament to good work regarding our commercial activities, our growing fanbase around the world and the tremendous support the team received at home and away matches in 2014-15."
