Chelsea’s summer transfer window has been a mixed bag, with some exciting signings but also some notable misses.
The club signed talented young players like Pedro Neto and Joao Felix, but failed to address key areas like a clinical striker and reliable goalkeeper.
The desperate need for a prolific goalscorer has been evident for some time, and Chelsea’s failure to sign a top-class centre-forward is a glaring omission.
Despite being linked with several high-profile strikers, the club were unable to secure a deal, leaving them short of options from the start.
The Victor Osimhen transfer saga
According to sources, Victor Osimhen’s personal wage demands were too high for Chelsea, who were not willing to compromise on their strict salary structure. Although they were keen to sign the 24-year-old, the Blues drew a line in the sand and refused to meet Osimhen’s demands.
Chelsea’s wage policy has notably been shaped by recent experiences, notably the disappointing performance of Raheem Sterling, who has since been sent to Arsenal. The club has learned from these deals and is now prioritizing rewarding players based on their performance rather than handing out huge contracts straight away.
Time is starting to run out…
If Victor Osimhen was off the table, which striker should Chelsea choose? 👇#CFCSocial | #CFC pic.twitter.com/Ao4gMDayvU
– The Chelsea Social (@TheChelsSocial) August 30, 2024
In fact, some high-profile players like Felix and Jadon Sancho have already taken a pay cut to join Chelsea, demonstrating their commitment to the club’s vision. This approach has become a hallmark of Chelsea’s transfer dealings, as they seek to build a sustainable, performance-driven squad.
Chelsea are expected to turn their attention to a top striker in the upcoming transfer windows. While they may consider signing free agents to a one-year deal, this approach is highly unlikely for the Blues. Instead, they could wait until the winter transfer window to sign a transfer, which will allow them to reassess their options and make a more informed decision.
A sales headache
Meanwhile, the sale of Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid has weakened Chelsea’s midfield options. The club’s goalkeeping situation is also worrying, with the loan signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga from Bournemouth on the penultimate day of the transfer window raising questions about the team’s ability to compete with the best.
In addition to these concerns, Chelsea’s transfer window was also marked by a flurry of last-minute activity, with several players sent out on loan or permanently in the final seconds of the window. However, the club was unable to completely weed out the ‘bomb squad’ of unwanted players, nor was it able to secure deals for some players who received offers in the final hours of the window. Additionally, some youngsters who were desperate for a loan move abroad found themselves stuck at the club, unable to secure a move.
This “constant reshuffling of the cards” without really adding quality to the first team could backfire on Chelsea. The club’s inability to address key areas and sign top players can prove costly, particularly in big games.
The Blues also bid farewell to several key players, including Thiago Silva, who returned to his native Brazil to join boyhood club Fluminense, and Romelu Lukaku, who joined Napoli on a permanent transfer.
On the other hand, Chelsea have signed some promising recruits, notably the young and exciting Brazilian Estevao Willian, who has already built a solid reputation as one of South America’s hottest prospects. The club also signed talented young players like Omari Kellyman and Marc Guiu, who signed six and five year contracts respectively.
Although Chelsea have made some interesting signings, their failure to address key areas could come back to haunt them this season.
Written by: Emmanuel (@JollyEmmanuel24)
Edited by: Harrison Burridge (@hburridge2)
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