Former manager Mauricio Pochettino has reignited debate over whether Chelsea should be stripped of their 2016-17 Premier League title, arguing that Tottenham Hotspur — who finished seven points behind in second place — were the rightful champions that season.

The controversy stems from a Premier League investigation that found Chelsea made £47m in secret payments to unregistered agents and third parties to facilitate transfers between 2011 and 2018. Among the players involved were Eden Hazard, Samuel Eto'o, Willian, Ramires, David Luiz, Andre Schurrle, and Nemanja Matic — four of whom were at the club during the 2016-17 campaign.

A fine that fell short?

Chelsea have received sanctions from UEFA, the Premier League, and the Football Association, yet Pochettino believes those penalties did not go far enough.