AliousFormer Aston Villa CEO Defends Kellyman’s Chelsea Move
Keith Wyness, ex-CEO of Aston Villa, has weighed in on Chelsea’s recent acquisition of Omari Kellyman, describing the £19 million deal as “quite sensible” and “within the rules.” Speaking on Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness drew parallels between Kellyman’s transfer and Wayne Rooney’s move from Everton to Manchester United two decades ago.
The 18-year-old Kellyman joined Chelsea on June 29, despite having made only six senior appearances for Villa.
This transfer, along with Ian Maatsen’s move in the opposite direction, has raised eyebrows among fans and pundits, with some suggesting the clubs might be inflating fees to circumvent financial regulations.
However, Wyness, who now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs, defended the transfer. He argued, “These deals have been going on forever.
They are within the rules – the valuations seem quite sensible, £19 million for Kellyman.”
Referencing his involvement in Rooney’s transfer, Wyness added, “What was Wayne Rooney worth at 17? I know what he was worth because I was involved in selling him.
He went for £24 million plus £4 million in add-ons, who would pay that now?”
Wyness further justified the deal by highlighting Chelsea’s past transfer missteps, suggesting that investing in young talent at this price point could be a more prudent strategy.
He concluded, “Young talent comes with a price, and anything under £20 million is still within the realms of possibility. It’s very sensible business.”
While the transfer has sparked debate, Wyness’s perspective offers a defense of the deal based on historical precedent and the potential value of young talent in today’s market.
Alious
