With the transfer window now closed, it is the perfect time to reflect on Chelsea’s business and how it has impacted Enzo Maresca’s squad.
There have been many new arrivals, with the likes of Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian joining the club and making an immediate impact.
Chelsea have also offloaded a lot of players, including Nicolas Jackson. The striker has signed for Bayern Munich on an initial loan deal after reportedly losing the trust of Maresca.
With the summer now over, The Chelsea Chronicle has taken a look at the winners and losers at Stamford Bridge.
Winners
Estevao Willian
As a result of an injury to Cole Palmer, Estevao has come straight into the Chelsea team and is already thriving. The winger managed to set up one goal in the Blues’ second Premier League game of the season, an impressive 5-1 win against West Ham United.
Just before Estevao officially arrived at Chelsea, the club sold Noni Madueke to Arsenal, a decision that the Brazilian has benefitted from. Madueke’s departure has helped Estevao to find a pathway into the side very early in his Chelsea career.
Robert Sanchez
Chelsea’s failure to sign a new goalkeeper during the summer has seen Robert Sanchez retain his status as the team’s No.1.
Chelsea were after Mike Maignan, a top-level shot-stopper. Had their pursuit been successful, Sanchez definitely would have been relegated to the bench.
Trevoh Chalobah
As well as a new goalkeeper, Chelsea also tried to sign a centre-back. Maresca was keen on Dean Huijsen, but the 20-year-old decided to join Real Madrid instead of the Club World Cup winners.
Chelsea could have turned to an alternative, such as Marc Guehi, but they have opted to put their trust in Trevoh Chalobah and Josh Acheampong instead. With no new central defender brought in and Levi Colwill out injured, both players have been retained and given opportunities under Maresca during this early part of the season.
Losers
Sporting directors
The fact that Chelsea did try to sign a central defender and goalkeeper but failed to do so does not reflect well on co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley.
Not signing a replacement for the injured Liam Delap on deadline day was also very questionable.
Raheem Sterling
Not much needs to be said about Raheem Sterling to be totally honest. Yes, he gets to keep the ridiculous £325,000-a-week contract Chelsea handed him — someone should probably be fired for that — but he is not going to kick a ball until January at the earliest.
The transfer window in Saudi Arabia is still open, but it is believed that the England international has no interest in moving there.
Tyrique George
Nothing was finalised for Sterling on deadline day, and that also proved to be the case for Tyrique George in the end.
George was set to join Fulham in a move that would have seen him get more playing time, but a deal collapsed at the last minute.
The 19-year-old will be devastated, now finding himself stuck at Chelsea as the third-choice left winger behind Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens.
All in all, this summer was one where some Chelsea players got what they wished for, while others did not.
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