In 2022, when Todd Boehly bought Chelsea, the Blues were the UEFA Champions League title holders. The American businessman was planning to take the Premier League by storm by bringing over the most innovative ways of management and business from the States.
The results have been underwhelming to say the least. Chelsea finished outside the top four in the Premier League both full seasons since the new ownership took over and failed to win a single trophy.
The Blues’ prospects for the 2024/25 season do not look too good either. The betting odds on the football champions of the Premier League do not see Chelsea among the top three favourites. Finishing inside the top four will already be considered a success.
The reason for the lowered expectations, which is also the main point of criticism towards Boehly, is the controversial transfer policy at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s Transfers for 2024/25
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, in just two years under Boehly, Chelsea made a total of 34 signings spending over £1 billion on transfers. Needless to say, the club from London registered even more departures in the meantime.
This summer’s transfers have not been necessarily as extravagant but are nonetheless far from optimal. As such, the Blues have signed Pedro Neto (£51.3 million), Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£30 million), Filip Jörgensen (£20.7 million), Omari Kellyman (£19 million), Aaron Anselmino (£15.6 million), Renato Veiga (£11.8 million), Caleb Wiley (£8.5 million), Marc Guiu (£5 million) and Tosin Adarabioyo (free).
Like before, these transfers included players in positions that did not require reinforcement – Jörgensen or Kellyman. Or youngsters with unclear prospects like Wiley, Anselmino and Veiga. Only Pedro Neto and Dewsbury-Hall can immediately make the team better.
What is more, the Blues paid farewell to veterans like Thiago Silva and Hakim Ziyech. And talented players like Ian Maatsen and Lewis Hall were sold for a profit. Moreover, Chelsea have 42 players in their first-team squad at the moment of writing, so more sales are inevitable.
New coach Enzo Maresca will have to put in a lot of hours if the team’s goal is to qualify for UEFA Champions League football again.
Chelsea’s Summer Transfers and Their Potential Influence
Dewsbury-Hall is the only transfer that is likely to have a positive impact at the Bridge. The 25-year-old has significant Premier League experience and was a request from coach Maresca, both coming from Leicester City. Kiernan should be expected to be a regular starter this term. By having an important role in the middle of the park, he can potentially help the coach implement his style of football faster.
Pedro Neto is a high risk and high reward signing. He is coming after a solid season with Wolves in which he recorded three goals and 11 assists in 24 matches. But it is impossible to ignore that the Portuguese is prone to injuries and has not played more than 30 games in a season since 2020/21.
The other signings are likely to have a limited impact. Jörgensen, Kellyman and Adarabioyo are likely to be rotational players. Youngsters Guiu and Veiga may make their occasional appearances or be loaned out. Anselmino and Wiley have been loaned out already.
More important will be the inevitable departures. It will mean that the players have to form new partnerships on the pitch and in the dressing room, and the group will need to regain its chemistry.
Similarly, it will take time for Maresca to set up his football at Stamford Bridge. And it is certainly more difficult to do so when your squad may change by the hour.
The 2024/25 term will likely be another season full of ups and downs for the Blues. The likely scenario is that Chelsea will have a slower start to the campaign but improve gradually come spring (if Maresca is not fired at the first and inevitable bump in the road). The UEFA Conference League presents itself as the best chance for Chelsea to win a trophy, as it is not as competitive as the other European tournaments.
