Ranking Todd Boehly era’s $1 billion Chelsea signings

3. Christopher Nkunku ($65.7 million)

RB Leipzig’s key player, Nkunku, inked a deal with the Blues in 2022, with his arrival scheduled for the conclusion of the season in June 2023. During his short tenure in the pre-season, Nkunku managed to find the net thrice in four appearances for Chelsea. Despite a knee injury that requires surgery and a projected recovery period of at least three months, the Frenchman left a positive impression during the friendly matches, validating his potential as a worthwhile investment. Upon his return from injury, Nkunku is expected to slot into the number 10 position, operating behind  Jackson.

2. Moises Caicedo ($146.1 million)

Following a topsy-turvy transfer saga, the Ecuadorian midfielder ultimately realized his dream move to Chelsea FC, which marked him as the second most expensive signing in the club’s history. While he’s yet to make his debut for the West London outfit, his statistics from the previous season shed light on the reason behind the club’s substantial investment of over $100 million in the 21-year-old. His noteworthy achievements from the previous season include:

Interceptions: 2nd place with 56
Passes: 7th place with 2,209
Tackles: 2nd place with 100
With impressive numbers like these, it’s clear why he was sought after by Liverpool. He is poised to make an immediate impact upon his arrival. Chelsea fans are undoubtedly harboring high expectations for Caicedo.

1. Enzo Fernandez ($132.5 million)

During the winter transfer window of the 2022/23 season, Chelsea secured the signature of the World Cup winner. Despite interest from clubs across Europe, Fernandez opted to join the Blues and acclimatized swiftly to both the team and the league. Amidst a challenging season where positives were scarce, the Argentine emerged as a consistent performer, exhibiting a willingness to lead the team.

At just 22 years old, he commenced the season with a standout man-of-the-match display against Liverpool in the Premier League’s opening match week. In that encounter, his statistics against Liverpool were as follows:

Completed 100% of take-ons attempted (2/2)
Recorded a 90% pass accuracy (83/92)
Delivered 17 passes into the final third (most)
Executed 10 passes into the opposition box (most)

Wearing the new number 8 jersey at Stamford Bridge, Fernandez exerted control over the game in an advanced position. With the arrival of Caicedo and Lavia, he is poised to enjoy greater creative freedom in advanced roles, combining finesse with tenacity to great effect.