The doors have slammed shut on yet another extremely eventful summer transfer window, and Chelsea, as expected, were very active.

I think it’s probably one of the most ‘interesting’ windows I have ever seen, with so many variables involved in nearly every deal or non-deal that happened, and thus, understandably, there are so many opinions on the window as to its apparent quality. 

The transfer dealings that went through:

Incomings:

Jorrel Hato, £37.5m

Alejandro Garnacho, £35m +£5m add ons

Facundo Buonanotte, £2m loan fee

Joao Pedro, £55m + £5m add ons

Jamie Gittens, £48.5m +£3.5m add ons

Liam Delap, £30m

🚨 Total confirmed fee’s = £208m

🚨 Total if add-ons / obligations reached = £221.5m

Outgoings: 

Noni Madueke, £48m guaranteed fee + £4m add ons 

Christopher Nkunku, £36m 

Joao Felix, £26m guaranteed fee + £17.5m add ons 

Kiernan Dewsbury Hall, £25m guaranteed fee + £4m add ons 

Lesley Ugochukwu, £25m 

Djordje Petrovic, £25m  

Carney Chukwuemeka, £24m

R. Veiga, £21.6m + £3.8m add ons 

Armando Broja, £20m 

Nicolas Jackson, £14.1m loan fee + £56m obligation 

Mathis Amougou, £12m 

Bashir Humphreys, £12m 

Ishe Samuels Smith, £6.5m 

Kepa, £5m

Alfie Gilchrist, £2m 

Betinelli, £2m 

Alex Matos, Unknown 

Donnel McNeilly, Unknown 

Lucas Bergstrom, Free 

🚨 Total confirmed fee’s = £306.2m

🚨 Total if add-ons / obligations reached = £353.5m

For the purposes of simplicity, I did not include signings that had been agreed prior to this window but joined the squad during it. 

That being said, let’s get onto the actual discussion at hand.

The New Faces

Chelsea spent just over £200m this summer on incomings, excluding previous signings made in other windows.

In addition to those listed above, Chelsea have welcomed Darrio Essugo, Andrey Santos, and Estevao Willian.

Weirdly enough, this is an achievement in itself, with countless reports over the last year or so stating Chelsea would be open to selling Andrey Santos to rival clubs. 

In terms of the signings, I think it’d be hard to argue against the rationality behind most dealings. In fact, it’s a window that ends in a disappointing sense more because of what it could’ve been rather than what it actually was. 

What I want to address first is the expectations going into the transfer window. A wide consensus amongst the fanbase was that Chelsea should probably purchase a goalkeeper, centre back, striker, and left winger as priorities.

The window has closed, with Chelsea pretty much ‘needing’ a goalkeeper, centre back, and striker.

The rationale behind the decision not to get any of these three positions, as LondonsFirst understands, is mainly due to the future incomings of players bought in Chelsea’s youth-driven approach. 

The Goalkeeper Situation

It is no secret that Robert Sanchez is a controversial player at Chelsea. Many fans, experts, and pundits doubt that Sanchez is a keeper capable of taking Chelsea towards the title.

It is believed that Chelsea’s plan is to await the development of Mike Penders, before implementing him into a bigger role at Chelsea and thus phase out Robert Sanchez.

This decision was taken due to the fact that it was deemed there were no sufficient market opportunities to actually improve on Robert Sanchez.

In all honesty, I personally agree with this assessment. Maignan is not as good as he is perceived by the wider footballing world, and in all honesty? He probably isn’t even an upgrade on Sanchez at all.

Robert Sanchez, when the game is simplified for him and he operates without any errors, is a top keeper. 

So yes, I think Chelsea probably ended up doing the right thing with the goalkeeper situation. I am still of the belief that Sanchez should be replaced, but I’m also of the belief we should be doing it properly and not through signing stop-gap keepers for silly amounts of money. 

The Centre Back Situation

Chelsea opted against signing a ‘proper’ center-back and, in fact, only moved for a left-back in Jorrel Hato.

Again, it’s a position that fans have always felt needed strengthening, and there’s good reason for this – Fofana and Badiashile are always injured, and questions are always asked as to whether or not the remaining centre-backs in Tosin and Chalobah are consistent enough.

Regardless, it was an assumption that Chelsea needed a centre-back before the extended injury to Levi Colwill. Yet, the window has shut, and Chelsea decided against buying one.

Sources within the club have indicated that Chelsea are more than happy to enter the season relying on the players already at the club, with the belief that they are all quality members of the squad.

It has also been indicated that the club has promised Josh Acheampong a certain number of minutes he will feature in, to ward off potential suitors.

Enzo Maresca is also believed to be a massive fan of the player, and has been arguing in his favour to the sporting directors for a while now.

Ultimately, the assessment made by the club was that it just wasn’t worth spending big on another centre-back when there are already plenty at the club.

Additionally, it has become clear that Chelsea ended operating with significant restraint in the transfer window due to the settlement made with UEFA over their squad registration rules.

It’s certainly a bold move to trust Badiashile and Fofana’s fitness over the season, but if it pulls off, then it’s a smart one.

I can understand the reasoning behind not convoluting the squad with an emergency replacement for Colwill – what would happen to them when Colwill returns? I also understand the decision, especially with Josh in mind.

Ultimately, it’s a decision and risk that could impact the entire season. Fofana and Badiashile stay fit, Josh steps up? We’re fine for the season.

If any of those things don’t happen or further injuries occur? We will have serious problems. In a potential sixty-plus game season, having just Tosin that can naturally play at centre centre-back is risky, but as said, I understand the clubs reasoning behind taking the risk.

The Striker Situation

Well, well, well… The striker situation has been one that has caused ridiculously large amounts of discourse on social media.

Even before the injury to Liam Delap, large amounts of the fanbase were calling for Nicolas Jackson to remain in the squad, with the logic being that Jackson is an xG magnet and generates football for the team, and as such, that Chelsea would be better off keeping him.

I don’t necessarily think that the fact Jackson accumulates and enables higher xG in games is a worthy argument for keeping him and playing him over players who are fundamentally better technically and better finishers than him. Ultimately, a striker is there to score goals.

If they can’t do that, they are not a good striker. This is the way I view the situation, and, as much as I admire Jackson for many things, I can fully see the reasoning behind cashing in on Jackson and pursuing other options.

That being said, xG ‘mining’ is not a totally useless asset to have and this is something Chelsea’s decision makers are fully aware of. Sources have indicated to LondonsFirst that Emmanuel Emegha of Strasbourg remains a target.

I understand the thought process behind this target too – you get a slightly worse Jackson at ‘generating Football’, but someone who is a better finisher and also generates such high xG chances for themselves.

Emegha is, effectively, a vastly unrefined Jackson that has very similar profiles. He is also, however, a technically stronger finisher and a player with even better movement than Jackson.

What Jackson offers link-up wise is still better than what Emegha offers (it’s probably one of the best in the world), but Emegha will eventually offer that high-volume xG that many like Jackson for generating.

From talking to those familiar with the situation, the club wants to have two/three strikers at most, with each offering a different profile. Emegha possesses greater transitional threat, much like Jackson.

Liam Delap possesses more threat against settled defences and against physical defenders than Jackson and Emegha, while Joao Pedro offers a blend of everything.

Marc Guiu is seen as a capable squad striker too that can step up and do a job when needed with his high intensity pressing and runs in behind a difficult assest for defenders to contend with.

These qualities are why he was recalled to step in for Delap’s injury and also why Chelsea opted against signing another striker.

It is also important to note that Chelsea were again capped in what they could actually do by the UEFA settlement agreement. With trust in Guiu from Maresca and with growth and development into a good player that we know Guiu can be, the decision not to replace Delap will quickly be seen as a positive one.

However, much like the centre-back situation, the decision will be judged and decided by how the risk unfolds, as the striker is still raw and could face a LOT of pressure to deliver if Joao Pedro becomes human again!

With the three positions the club did not sign out the way, let’s take a look at what Chelsea did do this window..

Triple Trouble: Estevao, Santos and Essugo

The arrivals of all three players, despite not actually being new signings, feel much like new signings.

All three players possess undeniable talent and are sure to Maresca a massive headache during the season. But most importantly, they also provide Maresca solutions in ‘fringe’ games and enable him to put out a lineup that should secure a result without sacrificing Caicedo’s legs.

Many times last season, especially in high game volume periods like the winter period, Chelsea appeared tired and ended up conceding late goals.

It wasn’t even just late goals. Fans witnessed brilliant, and I mean absolutely brilliant, first half performances only for the hard work to be wasted by a fatigued and awful second half showing countless times.

Santos and Essugo, in theory, should solve this. A big problem Maresca felt he had (whether you agree or not) was that he had a big bench of many players he just couldn’t trust.

I personally still think he could’ve been braver and trusted his bench more, but at the same time, I understood his concerns.

The bench was full of players who didn’t suit and weren’t capable of doing what he wanted to do and what he wanted his players to do.

This cannot be a problem he claims to have this season. There was an obvious lack of midfield depth last season, with just Enzo Fernandez and Caicedo being fit as Lavia was injured for most of the season.

This is not the case anymore, and there should be no excuses to have Caicedo and Enzo run themselves into the ground. Santos and Essugo are brilliantly talented backups. 

As for Estevao, he is just another excellent young talent that I trust Maresca to develop into one of the best players in the world, and he already looks like to be ‘breaking away’ from just a squad player.

Overall, the introduction of these players adds top squad depth to the team that should be utilised in what could be a very long season, game-wise. 

Jorrel Hato

Marc Cucurella played the most minutes of any player last season. Off the top of my head, I can barely think of a game where he wasn’t on the pitch.

What was more astonishing was that there wasn’t a single player who could come off the bench for him and it’s even more crazy how durable he was!

Hato is a top signing. He is a top talent for an already top player in Cucurella, and I have no doubts that he is a great and important addition to the squad. 

Once again, it will now be down to Maresca to use these new tools at his disposal and pick the right time to rest Marc.

Joao Pedro and Liam Delap

I’ve already touched on the striker situation, so I won’t go into too much detail on these players.

I think they’re both good additions, especially for the money paid. Joao Pedro, specifically, is a top top player and will no doubt be a massively important piece for the club, as he is already showing.

It is a shame that Delap got injured but realistically no club has three strikers of a similar level and we cannot blame the board for this.

Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens

After what seemed like an endless saga for both, Chelsea finally got their hands on the two men they wanted for the job.

One, still needing nurturing and adaptation to the league, and the other, arguably, being on the brink of exploding into a high G/A and high-volume winger.

Gittens specifically, I feel, is a top talent. He is a player with great potential upside; a high-volume shooter, brilliant at taking on players.

Garnacho, likewise, is a high-volume player that will almost definitely be on the end of tons of chances due to his great off-ball movement.

I’m a big fan of both signings in all honesty and am of the opinion that Chelsea’s left-wing department is now much stronger than it was last season. 

Facundo Buonanotte

After an extended pursuit of Xavi Simons and a subsequent flash pursuit of Fermin Lopez, Chelsea successfully acquired neither of them but managed to get their hands on Brighton’s attacking midfielder, Buonanotte.

What makes the dealings then appear even worse is the fact that he is on a dry loan and then wasn’t even registered for Chelsea’s UEFA Champions League squad, meaning he will be unable to play.

Many people saw the ‘number ten’ position as a luxury addition to the squad. I disagree. Prior to the arrival of Guiu and Buonanotte, Chelsea only had Joao Pedro, Delap, and Palmer to play the three positions.

Any injury to any of the three would leave Chelsea with two players for two positions. With the potential of a 60+ game season, this is absolutely mindless.

Furthermore, there is still a glaring need for a profile that can occupy the spaces that a ‘ten’ would, but also receive the ball and carry between the lines.

All top teams that can break down compact defences have a player of this profile – Chelsea *barely* do. There have been many possibilities over the years for this profile. Sterling, Mudryk, Palmer (to some extent), Estevao now, and Joao Pedro are some ideas. But none of them are specialists at it.

This is where Kendry Paez comes in. Those at the club have so far indicated that the idea is to see Kendry Paez arrive and be integrated into the squad next season, and act as that ‘between the lines’ profile that Chelsea needs.

This was also what played into the minds of the decision makers at the club and pushed them away from spending big money on Xavi Simons/Fermin Lopez, especially with the cap of the UEFA settlement.

To be honest, I see the logic behind these decisions, but I think it’s also very important to note that Xavi Simons (IN MY OPINION) is a generational talent.

The first two home games against Crystal Palace and Fulham showed desperate need for a creative player between the lines in the left half space.

As such, I am very disappointed we passed up on the opportunity, especially with Simons wanting to go to Chelsea so passionately. It’s a real shame. It’s also a big risk, in a season where I genuinely feel Chelsea could actually take advantage of other teams not being so great. 

Those who have left Chelsea

The outgoings section of this article should be much shorter, as there isn’t much to discuss around both.

The sales of nearly all players this summer have been met with much positivity, with nearly all players who departed being ones who probably should’ve departed.

I also feel that Chelsea got excellent value for money on pretty much every single sale made, racking in more than £300 million and becoming the first Premier League club to ever sell that many players for that much money in a single window.

It is believed that Chelsea are very happy with the dealings done this summer, as most players that were offloaded are not seen to be in the club’s long-term plans. 

However, Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi continue to be thorns in the backside for the directors, with both players rejecting multiple clubs and refusing to explore moves away to Turkey, where the window remains open still.

Overall, the sales have to be seen as a major positive. Chelsea could also bank further cash in the future with hefty sell on clauses negotiated for the likes of Renato Veiga and Carney Chukwuemeka.

An overall summary of the window

It was okay. I want to begin by giving credit where credit is due – we’ve done an excellent job at selling useless players we don’t need.

Fans, generally, are all in agreement that we’ve sold pretty much everyone we wanted to sell. I also think we’ve made roughly the right decisions in terms of bringing people in, or not bringing people in, and have therefore guarenteed some pathways for talents next season as well as keep hold of those valued at the club by not blocking them out with new toys.

Though I am positive, relying on fitness of players historically not available regurarly is a huge risk, while the lack of attacking midfield depth and striker choices can rightly be questioned.

If these decisions pay off, it’s genius – players will have stayed fit and some would have perhaps overperformed fans expectations on the pitch.

If the decisions do not pay off and the issues occur both on and off the pitch (Garnacho attitude history, deep block troubles, centre back fitness) it will have capped our season, unfortunately.

It is another one of those windows with no certainties and left open to interpretation and fan opinion. From my view, I think that it is a massively better window than the one of summer 24, simply down to the fact that we did not overtly convolute the squad with players we clearly didn’t want/need. 

Online, there is a ‘what could’ve happened‘ feeling around the window as opposed to what good we did.

I admit, it is a risky window, but it’s one that builds the platform for Chelsea’s future talents to join and have a pathway in the team. 

Should that have been the priority or at least a major line of thinking in the planning this window? As always, time will be determining factor.