Burkina Faso
Czech Republic
Lithuania
Montenegro
Nigeria
North Macedonia
United Arab Emirates

Chelsea are making a splash in the market

marca.com, 15 July 2022, 16:58
Sterling and Koulibaly are Chelsea's first reinforcements as it boasts new ownership and financial muscle

Chelsea have endured one of the most difficult seasons in their recent history... but are getting back on their feet.

Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly are the new pieces that Tuchel has added to the squad to return to challenging for titles as new air rushes through Stamford Bridge.

After winning the Champions League, expectations were tremendous and the big-money signing of Romelu Lukaku only increased them. Everything has gone wrong since then.

The Belgian didn't work out and the 115 million euros were wasted.

Soon after, the Russian invasion of Ukraine brought the glorious 'Abramovich era' (the best in the club's history) to an end, but not without a few months of absolute uncertainty surrounding the London club.

Now, under new owner Todd Boehly, a new era is beginning in central London... and it has started with a bang, with the Blues looking to make up ground on Liverpool and Manchester City.

Recovering from departures

Losing Rudiger to Real Madrid and Christensen to Barcelona as free agents was a blow. Tuchel lost two important members of the defence - especially the German - and did not receive a euro for either.

In addition, the possible departures of Marcos Alonso and Azpilicueta, both of whom are being eyed by Barcelona, heightened the turmoil in Chelsea's transfer market.

Meanwhile, a shadow of doubt was growing over Stamford Bridge: Would Boehly invest as much money as Abramovich once did?

It didn't take long for that question to be answered. And while the rumours surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo were echoing around England, Chelsea were on the move.

Without landing De Ligt, their first target, two strikes were achieved: one in attack and the other in defence.

Two big-name signings

First Raheem Sterling, then Kalidou Koulibaly. The English winger arrives to reinforce the attack and to provide the best possible complement to Havertz, who at times has been isolated.

With the departure of Lukaku and the disappointing performances of Werner, the experience of Sterling will bring numbers and assured performances to the Blue's attack.

The transfer is also a coup for a player who will be 28 years old in December and whose contract was expiring in 2023.

Almost 60 million euros, according to the BBC, for a player who will turn 28 in December.

Whether the deal is positive or not, it shows the financial muscle that Boehly holds.

Then there is Koulibaly, the centre-back who will shore up Chelsea's backline and accompany Thiago Silva and Chalobah.

The Senegalese defender arrives from Napoli, where he was an idol. His contract expired in 2023 and his departure leaves all parties happy.

The player secures a contract huge contract (10 million euros net per season until 2027, reports 'Sky Italia'), and Napoli receive 40 million euros for a 31-year-old who was due to end his contract in 2023 and who didn't want to renew...

Plus, Chelsea snap up one of the best centre-backs in Europe over the last decade.

And there is more to come...

But that's not the end of the story. Chelsea and Boehly have extra cash in their pockets should they need it.

There is Gabriel Slonina, the 18-year-old American goalkeeper who has chosen Chelsea over Real Madrid... although he will stay on loan for an extra season in Chicago.

There is also a need for an extra defender with Ake's name on the table for weeks while Jules Kounde remains on the back burner... perhaps soon to be a frontrunner.

And moving on to the midfield... keep an eye on Frenkie de Jong, who was already being talked about during Boehly's trip to Barcelona.

Show more

Top News

24 March 2025 talksport.com Premier League clubs will discuss moving the date of the summer transfer window to before the season starts. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Premier League fans are going to be forced to wait even longer for some action as there are no fixtures planned for this weekend. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Manchester United great Teddy Sheringham believes the club missed a trick by not signing Harry Kane or Declan Rice. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is reportedly on the verge of joining Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The feeling that Myles Lewis-Skelly could eventually become Arsenal's new Ashley Cole is "impossible" to ignore, but comparisons are premature, expert Charles Watts has told Sports Mole. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk A Premier League giant have reportedly emerges as the frontrunners to sign Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane in the summer transfer window. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly set to beat Real Madrid to the signing of Bayer Leverkusen defender Jeremie Frimpong. 24 March 2025 talksport.com A crocodile-inhabited river is reportedly set to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games rowing events. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool target Milos Kerkez has reportedly informed friends of his desire for an Anfield switch during the summer transfer window. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Former Manchester United Erik ten Hag is keen on the Juventus job, talkSPORT understands. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea have reportedly joined the race for Athletic Bilbao attacker Nico Williams ahead of the summer window. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Dwight Gayle was labelled disrespectful for his attack on former Newcastle boss Steve Bruce in a recent interview. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Jermain Defoe revealed he was close to joining the legendary 2000s Juventus side before his return to Tottenham Hotspur. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Chelsea owner Todd Boehly expects the club will move to a new stadium in the future but conceded it is a 'really complex' situation. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Newcastle United defender Tino Livramento has reportedly been left out of the England squad for Monday's World Cup 2026 qualifier with Latvia at Wembley, but Thomas Tuchel has recalled two other players. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Barcelona's Raphinha oozes confidence ahead of facing Argentina in international clash as the Ballon d'Or speculation continues. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Nelson Semedo has insisted that he is 'still thinking' about his future at Molineux. 24 March 2025 talksport.com A staggering 43 managers have been either sacked or left clubs in the Premier League and EFL so far this season. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Lamine Yamal lowered his shorts after scoring against the Netherlands to mock Rafael van der Vaart's criticism of the teenager. 24 March 2025 talksport.com A brand new football competition begins tonight as some of the sport's legends combine with famous faces for six-a-side action. 24 March 2025 talksport.com A brand new football competition begins tonight as some of the sport's legends combine with famous faces for six-a-side action. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Jadon Sancho could still end up back at Manchester United next season as the winger faces criticism over his Chelsea spell. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa has been told that he is "doing great" at Anfield by his father and former footballer Enrico. 24 March 2025 talksport.com It's been a international break to forget for the USMNT. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool are reportedly willing to part ways with one of their prospects to bolster their chances of signing Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo. 24 March 2025 talksport.com Dominik Szoboszlai does his research before trolling. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk England will be aiming to avoid suffering an unwanted 66-year first when they square off with Latvia in Monday's World Cup 2026 qualifier at Wembley. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk All transfer business is done and dusted for this season, but that doesn't stop clubs from preparing ahead for next season. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Lithuania vs. Finland (Monday, 5.00pm) Aiming to extend their successful start to World Cup qualifying, Finland will visit Lithuania on Monday evening, for the second game of their Group G campaign. 24 March 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea will reportedly have to pay a penalty price of £5m if they renege on their obligation to sign Jadon Sancho in the summer transfer window.