Chelsea spent big and often over the summer. Their stories are not done being written, but at the midterm point the report cards reveal a mixed bag.
In its constant pursuit of success, Chelsea is no stranger to making significant investments whenever a transfer window comes around. Since Roman Abramovich’s takeover of the club in 2003, north of €2 billion has been spent. In all fairness, the rewards have been evident with Chelsea being the most successful English team in that time.
Frank Lampard became the most recent manager to profit from the Russian billionaire’s financial buoyancy in the just concluded summer window. After successfully navigating his debut year as Chelsea gaffer where the club served a two-window transfer ban, the former Blues midfielder would have expected to have been massively backed and so it has turned out.
Seven signings worth just under a combined fee of €250 million were added to the roster as Lampard seeks to restore Chelsea to where they belonged during his playing days. The signing of Hakim Ziyech in February set the ball rolling while Edouard Mendy’s capture drew the curtain on what was one of the Blues’ most productive windows ever. In between them, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Malang Sarr, Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva all walked through the door as the Blues prepared for a new season. Sarr was sent out on loan to gather more playing experience while the other six slotted straight into the first-team picture. As the season enters its second trimester, here is an evaluation of how they have all performed so far.
Edouard Mendy (€24m from Rennes): 8/10
Following Kepa Arrizabalaga’s dismal displays last season while conceding Chelsea’s most ever goals in a Premier League campaign, it was largely expected that he was going to be replaced as Chelsea’s number one. However, the club failed to acquire a new shot-stopper early enough and Arrizabalaga would go on to start the first two league games of the season. On the recommendation of Petr Cech, Mendy was brought into the club and has made an instant impact. His ability to claim crosses has helped Chelsea solve a major defensive deficiency from last season. Having played only 16 games, Mendy is already into double figures for clean sheets.