The transfer market’s doors are finally shut and Chelsea can finally catch a breath. It has been a busy few weeks for the club and for those of us reporting on it. But what a window it was.
A Chelsea fan would, by and large, be satisfied with the trade summary. There is depth, there is quality, there is a balance of youth and experience. We would say this is one of the best transfer windows any club has had this year.
And it was not just about the incomings but the outgoings as well. The Blues sent half a dozen players to Strasbourg alone. Still, it is no secret that they wanted to ship out even more.
At least three players at Stamford Bridge are now in deep water. It would have been better if they had left, but they cannot be blamed for being unable to find a suitable destination.
The three survivors of this transfer window who have no future at Chelsea are:
3 Chelsea players already on thin ice after summer transfer window
1. Raheem Sterling
This one is obvious. Sterling is one of the most experienced voices in Enzo Maresca’s ‘bomb squad.’ It is almost sad to see what has become of his importance, considering he was once one of the most reliable players at Manchester City a few years back.
But at 30, he brings little to the table. His numbers are dropping and he has done nothing worth appreciating in the 2024/25 season. Sterling returned from loan only to be immediately pushed into the bomb squad, which makes it clear he is not and will not be part of Maresca’s core team.
In the Premier League, his record is abysmal, with just two assists in 17 league games. Sterling was linked with several clubs this summer, Fulham among them, but no move materialized. Maresca clearly does not want him and may try to move him again in winter. His wages are also draining Chelsea for very little return.
2. Axel Disasi
Disasi spent last season hovering between Chelsea and Aston Villa and failed to make an impact at either club. He is clearly out of favour and not in Maresca’s plans.
Even on deadline day, West Ham approached Chelsea and Disasi’s entourage for a late loan deal. The defender turned it down, which was absurd given the Hammers needed defensive reinforcements and he could have earned minutes he will never see in the bomb squad.
He may have survived this window, but a winter move looks likely, perhaps on a permanent basis.
3. Tyrique George
Another deadline day collapse. Fulham had reached a total agreement with Chelsea to sign George for a reported 22 million, but the deal fell apart at the last minute.
George had a decent 2024/25 season with Chelsea, but the new signings have put his place in jeopardy. If he was wanted, Chelsea would not have entertained a late transfer in the first place.
The Englishman is now out of favour and will likely see his minutes cut drastically. Whether he gets any meaningful time at all remains to be seen, but George is on course to leave sooner rather than later.