Chelsea’s huge outlay on players in 2003-04, their first season after Roman Abramovich’s takeover, has pushed the combined spending on players of English football clubs past the £1bn barrier for the first time.

Chelsea’s huge outlay on players in 2003-04, their first season after Roman Abramovich’s takeover, has pushed the combined spending on players of English football clubs past the £1bn barrier for the first time.