Pride of London appraise Chelsea’s summer transfer window. There have been typical highs, lows and surprises for Blues supporters.
Before evaluating CFC’s incoming and outgoing business in the market, we wanted to observe the initial game after the window expired. Of course, to properly gauge new players, loans and sales will take months, though we now have an idea of squad depth and starting quality.
When firing on all cylinders, Chelsea’s contemporary roster is one that can and will continue to claim trophies. That sentiment especially applies as the team evolves and young players emerge from Cobham, as well as new prospects hopefully maturing into first team starlets.
Presumptions versus reality
Expecting to take every top name available – or pursuing the unavailable, which is often the case – was always unrealistic. Even with Todd Boehly’s charm and imposing wallet. There is never a time when clubs such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and the like will not take some of the premium talent at their disposal.
Irrespective of that, great signings were made at Stamford Bridge. Furthermore, the new chairman and the board are prepared to invest heavily as well as broadly to secure Chelsea’s position atop the Premier League. Or they are at least attempting to create a state to be challenging and amassing other prestigious silverware.
Expect a revolving door of household names to arrive, resuming from January. The reported, record expenditure of £271.1million illustrates that point.
For the future of Chelsea Football Club
There are three almost marquee acquisitions merely for the Under-21s. Though status can change for any youthful athletes, the previous statement stands with respect to this trio.
Carney Chukwuemeka signed from EPL rivals Aston Villa for approximately £20m and very big things are expected from him. Cesare Casadei arrived via Inter Milan for a fee of £12.6m; and Gabriel Slonina cost £13m from Chicago Fire.
Starting with Chukwuemeka, the central midfielder commanded a huge cheque at only 18 years old and having played less than 20 English top-flight matches. Which essentially exemplifies the price tag. Whether that amount proves justified on Fulham Road in years to come, obviously remains to be seen.
Casadei is another midfield man; Tuchel no doubt admires the 19-year-old for his adaptability to play either pivot in the centre. The Italian poses a threat going forward, too; he actually scored on his PL2 Division 1 Blues debut.
Slonina, 18, plies his trade in goal; the ‘keeper was so assured with 11 Major League Soccer clean sheets last season that Chelsea came calling. A rosy future.
Marquee acquisitions
Let’s list the main senior additions first of all: Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling, Marc Cucurella, Kalidou Koulibaly, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. I have declared Fofana a gem of a capture for the outfit. Although costly, that figure will prove nothing in the grand scheme of things – unless I am very much mistaken.
Someone of Sterling’s stature and experience was required on the pitch for output, and needed as a statement off it. The winger will produce the goods if he has the right teammates and stability surrounding him, as he proved for Manchester City and England.
Cucurella needs time, but he is explosive and dedicated. I envision a fine Blues career for the Spaniard. Yet his price was a bit hefty. Koulibaly is a natural-born centreback. I think the fans are lucky to have him at the Bridge.
Aubameyang will go either way: amazing success, or absolute failure. Thankfully the amount paid wasn’t too bad so the risk is minimal. Hopefully the loan for Denis Zakaria will be more fruitful than that of Saul Niguez. Overall, in the circumstances with all the complications, haste and no true recruitment chief, this is prospectively an 8.5/10 window.
Leavers
To conclude, we must subtract or offset the stars who left and what they offered. While there is a claim to be made that fan favourites such as Antonio Rudiger should have been made larger offers earlier, neither that scenario nor Andreas Christensen’s, for example, are reflections of new ownership.
I would also put Marcos Alonso into the aforementioned section. ‘Auba’ joining in return for Alonso certainly alleviates any worry there with regard to replacing quality, and Cucurella covering with the once again flying Ben Chilwell is truly excellent.
Elsewhere the west London club had a lot of overpaid personal and deadwood to rid themselves of. Specifically, allowing Timo Werner and Emerson to leave for their prices seems decent trading right now. An agreement to sell Ross Barkley should’ve been made at least a year ago.
Don’t ask about the Danny Drinkwater debacle, gladly it is finally over. Callum Hudson-Odoi being able to return, as with Ethan Ampadu, is beneficial.
Billy Gilmour’s value of £9m felt slightly small. Recouping anything even resembling what was initially paid for Romelu Lukaku may be wishful thinking. Malang Sarr going for an apparent £900,000 seems low. All in all, the right people departed; thankfully some only went on a temporary basis: 8/10.
Evaluation
A balance must be struck with regard to the size, nature, parity and expectations of a squad. In that sense, the equilibrium has almost been restored to where it was in the recent, trophy-winning period.
Nonetheless, the foremost starting eleven is not yet known and it likely won’t be as effective or resolute as ones in the not too distant past. But aspirations are there, not in the form of meticulous planning, but the confidence to outlay for what is necessary at present.
Expectations for 2022/23
What will happen this season? Good question. There are, as always I suppose, a multitude of scenarios CFC might perhaps eventually find themselves in. Basically Tuchel’s ambition will be partially curbed in comparison to previous campaigns.
Essentially, measured hopes would be best. Good things come to those who wait; before that time, the head coach needs to discover his best XI and most suitable system. Meanwhile one signing may become iconic, whereas others shall fall by the wayside. As the power of the Blues grows, the preeminent footballers will join the project.