Chelsea are not messing around. While Manchester United, who beat them to third place only on goal difference, have yet to make a big summer signing to bolster a weak squad depth, Chelsea has gone ham in the transfer market in preparation for the new season. Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have been joined by Ben Chilwell, Malang Sarr, and Thiago Silva as the London club looks to get back to challenging for trophies and it’s come as a surprise to some. Have we forgotten they have a billionaire owner in Roman Abramovich? This is not the first time he’s done this.
In his first season at Chelsea Abramovich spent £121 million on players such as Hernan Crespo, Claude Makelele, and Juan Sebastian Veron. The following year he spent another £92 million bringing in Didier Drogba, Arjen Robben, and Petr Cech. He’s not immune to going big in the transfer market, especially when it’s a new manager like in 2004-05 when he persuaded Jose Mourinho to join from then Champions League winners Porto.
But before you start screaming Financial Fair Play it’s worth noting that Chelsea is only spending what they’ve received over the past few years. With the transfer ban stopping them from bringing players in on permanent deals they brought in a whopping $254 million by selling the likes of Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata, and David Luiz. So far this summer they have only spent $157 million of that. Werner was the heftiest buy at $58 million which still looks a bargain when you think Borussia Dortmund is holding out for over $100 million for Jadon Sancho.
Thiago Silva on a free could possibly be the signing of the summer and the one that sees Chelsea challenge Manchester City and Liverpool next season instead of Manchester United who have so far not signed anyone of note. Unless you think Isak Hansen-Aaroen is knocking on the door of the first team. No? I didn’t think so. Chelsea are not messing around and unless Manchester United get their act together the gap between the two clubs could be astronomical.
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