Chelsea's transfer window reviewed: Squad players leave but judgement will have to wait

New York Times

06-02-2025

Barely a day went by during the transfer window without Chelsea's name being mentioned.
The Todd Boehly-Clearlake consortium took a contrasting approach to their first two mid-season markets. There was the lavish spend of January 2023, which saw six players recruited — including the high-profile acquisitions of Enzo Fernandez and Mykhailo Murdyk for more than £170million ($213m at current rates) — but last year, the chequebook remained closed, with only Cesare Casadei's premature return from a loan at Leicester City adding to the senior squad.
So, what would Chelsea would do this time? Ultimately, it was more like the second winter window than the first. This is The Athletic's take on the deals that did happen — and the ones that didn't…
Only time will tell — the decisions made since the turn of the year will be judged at the end of the season.
By concentrating more on shipping out players than bringing them in, Chelsea have exposed themselves to injuries slightly — but the squad was bloated and keeping unsettled personnel can hurt morale in the camp. It is always a difficult balance to strike.
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Chelsea's messaging has remained consistent. They wanted a winger and a striker but were not going to break the bank to do it, especially with few teams wanting to sell their best assets.
Enquiries were made for Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho but nothing went further than that. If the right deal for the right price could be done, Chelsea would act. If not, it was all about making some headway for summer moves and the club believe they have done this.
Recalling Trevoh Chalobah from his loan at Crystal Palace following hamstring injuries to Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile provides good cover — he will need no time to settle in. Mamadou Sarr and Mathis Amougou are two talented 19-year-olds signed with the future in mind. The same could be said for Aaron Anselmino — another 19-year-old, he was signed from Boca Juniors last summer but only got added to the setup last month, having been initially loaned back.
Apart from Casadei, Chelsea failed to agree any permanent departures. Five first-team players left on loan but the club still see it positively. Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Axel Disasi and Joao Felix have joined clubs playing in the Champions League, with Ben Chilwell leaving for Palace. The hope is they either return to Chelsea's squad as improved players or secure a permanent transfer elsewhere, providing income to be reinvested into other targets.
Chelsea have been through so much change over the last three years that a more subdued window may not be such a bad thing.
Chelsea came out in the black. They earned more from Casadei's sale to Torino (€15million; £12.5m; $15.6m) than they paid sister club Strasbourg for Sarr (€14m).
The club have earned around £15m in loan fees, which comfortably meets the cost of Amougou's purchase for £12.5m. The wage bill has been reduced and more revenue will be generated when lucrative sell-on clauses are triggered.
In terms of making a massive difference now, no — but having Chalobah back in central defence is a step up from Disasi, who had struggled since moving to Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Head coach Maresca did not want Casadei or Veiga to leave but they made it clear to him that they wanted more regular first-team football. Veiga was a useful squad player given he can play at centre-back, left-back and midfield. He could be missed when the Conference League resumes in March and the schedule becomes more intense.
Chelsea's continued pursuit of a winger and striker speaks volumes. Nicolas Jackson is on his longest scoring drought at the club (eight games) and Mudryk's suspension for failing a doping test means inexperienced 19-year-old Tyrique George is being asked to step up.
There are other reasons to be concerned. Romeo Lavia's fitness issues have left them light in midfield and they are reliant on Moises Caicedo staying injury-free. Goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen have yet to win over the crowd but it is worth bearing in mind Chelsea have already got a very talented youngster, 19-year-old Mike Penders, coming from Genk in the summer.
Chelsea's squad has lost some of its depth, so you could argue they are a bit weaker. On the other hand, Maresca does not have to manage as many fragile egos, so his job might have become a bit easier.
A lot is resting on Cole Palmer's shoulders but he has coped with that pretty well over the past 18 months. As long as he keeps producing the goods in attack, Chelsea should remain optimistic about finishing in the Champions League qualification places and winning the FA Cup or Conference League.
Yes. Qualifying for the Champions League will help give them more but Chelsea's business model has used sales to generate a huge amount of funds in the past and the next close season will be no different.
A winger and a striker.
(4-2-3-1) — Filip Jorgensen; Reece James, Tosin Adarabioyo, Levi Colwill, Marc Cucurella; Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo; Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Jadon Sancho; Nicolas Jackson.
In
Mamadou Sarr (€14million from Strasbourg, to join in the summer)
Mathis Amougou (£12.5m from Saint-Etienne)
Aaron Anselmino (recalled from loan at Boca Juniors)
Trevoh Chalobah (recalled from loan at Crystal Palace)
Out
Cesare Casadei (€15m to Torino)
Ben Chilwell (loan to Crystal Palace)
Renato Veiga (loan to Juventus)
Carney Chukwuemeka (loan to Borussia Dortmund)
Joao Felix (loan to Milan)
Axel Disasi (loan to Aston Villa)
(Top photos: Getty Images)