Chelsea’s recent money spree on young talents across Europe and America looks like an over-spending scheme from the outside, but the club’s new business owners are into the long-term game with long and lucrative contracts offered to these players with a promising plan for their future at the club. This has been evident with the Club’s remarkable income from sales of home-grown and quality players.
Since Russian businessman – Roman Abramovich’s acquisition of the Club in 2003, the Blues have transformed into a football powerhouse, not only in England but across Europe. Upon his ownership of the club, “The Roman Empire” mapped out a plan to convert the club into a dominant side in football by investing heavily in elite players and coaches. Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho took charge of the team and attracted quality players across Europe, leading Chelsea to two League titles, an FA Cup, and two League Cups in three seasons. The Club has since added more trophies to its expanding portfolio including the League double in 2010, two UEFA Champions League victories in 2012 and 2021, the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup, two Europa League victories in 2013 and 2019, and Premier League and Carabao Cups.
Under Abramovich, Chelsea became known for throwing cash on world-class talent and selling players for substantial profits, a trend that has continued under Todd Boehly’s American ownership. Chelsea has executed some of football’s largest transfers recently, following Enzo Fernandez’s purchase for €121m and €116m purchase of Moises Caicedo last season. The Club has however shown a remarkable ability to develop and capitalize on talent. According to reports from Football Transfers, here’s an in-depth look at Chelsea’s biggest sales of all time;
Eden Hazard’s €115m move to Real Madrid
Eden Hazard’s move to Real Madrid was Chelsea’s most lucrative sale in history. The Belgian was Chelsea’s talisman for seven years following his €35m arrival from French side Lille in 2012. Chelsea made huge gains following the sale of their key player in 2019, while also capitalizing on the add-on clauses that followed his transfer to Real Madrid.
Hazard was a natural maestro of the game, dazzling fans with his dribbling, creativity, and goal-scoring ability. Hazard made 352 appearances for the Blues, scoring 110 goals and providing 92 assists. Amongst other international recognitions and Ballon D’or nominations, Hazard was Chelsea’s Player of the Year in 2014, 2015, and 2017. The Belgian playmaker led the Blue’s to two Premier League titles in 2015 and 2017, the EFL Cup in 2015, the 2018 FA Cup, the 2013 Europa League as well as their 2019 Europa League victory, where he scored twice in the final.
His €115m move to Real Madrid remains the club’s largest sale, although his time in Spain was marred by injuries. Eden Hazard failed to replicate his success in Spain following multiple muscle injuries and fissures. He scored 9 goals and provided 12 assists in Real Madrid before calling time on his playing career on the 10th of October 2023 at 32 years old.
Kai Havertz’s €75m move to Arsenal
The German forward joined Chelsea as one of Europe’s most promising talents from Bayer Leverkusen in 2020, in a deal worth almost €80m. Havertz was employed as Chelsea’s main striker under Thomas Tuchel and the youngster became a regular starter and scorer in that position. His most important contribution was Chelsea’s only goal in the 2021 Champions League finals against Manchester City, crowning the Blues the Champions of Europe for a second time in history.
In 139 appearances for Chelsea, he scored 32 goals and provided 15 assists to help the Blues claim the 2021 UCL and UEFA Super Cup, as well as the FIFA Club World Cup in 2022. Despite flashes of brilliance, Harvertz struggled with consistency, leading to his €75m sale to Arsenal in 2023 during the club’s massive overhaul.
Mason Mount’s €64.2m to Manchester United
After spending nearly two years at Stanford Bridge, English midfielder Mason Mount left the Blues for Manchester United in Chelsea’s 2023 Club overhaul. Mason Mount came through Chelsea’s academy in 2005 and became a first-team starter in the 2020/21 season. He was compared to Chelsea Legend and highest goalscorer Frank Lampard. The English coach promoted Mount to the First team during his time as Chelsea’s head coach.
Mount scored 33 goals and provided 37 assists in 195 appearances for the Club’s senior team. He scored the winning goal in the Blues UCL semi-final clash with Real Madrid before assisting Kai Havertz’s winning goal in the final. Chelsea also won the UEFA Super Cup victory in 2021 with Mount and he was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
Mount wasn’t productive in his final season with the Blues, resulting in a €64.2m move to Manchester United in 2023. He has since had a challenging start at Manchester. He was also omitted from England’s Euro 2024 team.
Diego Costa’s €60m to Atlético Madrid
Diego Costa was one of the greatest strikers to represent Chelsea. The Brazilian-born striker was quick and aggressive with both his feet and head. He arrived from Atlético Madrid for €38m in 2014 and made Chelsea a strong title contender in England. The Blues won the League trophy in 2015 and 2017, as well as the 2015 EFL Cup with his help.
Costa scored 59 times and made 23 assists in 120 appearances for Chelsea and won the Premier League Golden Boot in the 2016/17 season. Despite his stats for the club, his bad relationship with manager Antonio Conte led to his departure from the Club. He returned to Atlético Madrid for €60m in 2017, leaving behind a legacy of goals and standard for the Chelsea number 9 role. Costa returned to England to feature for Wolves for a season. He currently plays in Brazil for Gremio.
Oscar’s €60m move to Shanghai Port
Oscar was one of Chelsea’s most talented playmakers. The Brazilian was behind Chelsea’s success in the 2013 Europa League victory and the 2015 Premier League and EFL Cup success.
Oscar joined Chelsea from Internacional in 2012 for €32m as a 20-year-old. He featured in 203 Chelsea games, scoring 38 goals and providing 37 assists before deciding to move to Shanghai Port in 2017. A €60m transfer that was a record-breaking transfer to the Chinese Super League at the time saw Oscar sign a lucrative offer to play in China. Oscar went on to win the Chinese League title with his new club. Oscar is the current captain of the club and remains their main man in terms of goals and assists.
David Luiz’s €49.5m transfer to PSG
Chelsea’s legendary No. 4 David Luiz joined the Blues from Benfica in 2011, in a deal worth almost €25m. His defending style, free-kicks, and long-range shots made him a unique figure at Stamford Bridge. With Chelsea, David Luiz won the 2012 Champions League and FA Cup title, and the 2013 Europa League.
Luiz left for PSG in 2014 for €49.5m, setting a world record for the sale of a defender at that time, before returning to Chelsea two years later to win the Premier League title in 2017 and another Europa League victory in 2019. The 37-year-old returned to Brazil to feature for Flamengo on a free transfer.
Juan Mata‘s €44.7m move to Manchester United
Spanish attacking midfielder Juan Mata was a fan favorite during his time at Chelsea. He was well known for his instrumental contributions to Chelsea’s Champions League victory in 2012 and Europa Cup triumph the following year. Mata joined Chelsea from Valencia in 2011 for €26.7m and rocked the iconic No. 10 shirt of the Blues. The Spaniard scored 32 goals and made 58 assists in 135 appearances. Mata also won the FA Cup with Chelsea in 2012 and was voted Chelsea’s Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013 respectively.
After falling out of favor under José Mourinho, Mata moved to Manchester United for €44.7m in January 2014 as the Club’s record signing at that time. Mata was signed to breathe life into United’s attack but had a mixed spell at Old Trafford. His performances were crucial for the Red Devils, but not as outstanding as his time in Chelsea. He left Manchester United in 2019 and featured for Galatasaray in the 2023/24 season.
Nemanja Matic’s €44.7m transfer to Manchester United
Matic is one of Chelsea’s high-profile talent to leave the club for Manchester United. He was a key figure during Chelsea’s dominance in the Premier League under José Mourinho and Antonio Conte, helping the Blues to League victories in 2015 and 2017, the 2015 EFL Cup and the 2018 FA Cup.
The Serbian joined Chelsea from Benfica for €25m in 2014, scoring 7 goals and providing 18 assists as a Chelsea player. Matic was intelligent with the ball, controlled games with his passing, and ability to break up play. When Mourinho moved to Manchester United, he brought Matic along for €44.7m. The Serbian replicated his expertise at Old Trafford, before eventually leaving for Roma in 2022.
Conor Gallagher’s €42m move to Atlético Madrid
Gallagher joined Chelsea academy in 2008 and has since worked his way up the ranks with impressive loan spells at various clubs to boost his development. After his big break into the first team in 2022, he made an impact on Chelsea games with his relentless energy and pressing style. Under Mauricio Pochettino, the English midfielder was Chelsea’s top-performing player on the pitch next to Cole Palmar. The 24-year-old scored 10 goals for the club and made 10 assists in his 95 appearances for the Club. He was part of Chelsea’s 2019 Europa League winning side and won the U-18 League with the club twice.
However, without reaching terms for a new contract with the club and a change in managerial role to Enzo Maresca in the 2024/25 season, Gallagher found himself out of favor and was sold to Atlético Madrid this summer for €42m.
Tammy Abraham’s €41m transfer to Roma
Tammy Abraham is on the long list of Chelsea’s academy players who have left the club for a lucrative fee. Abraham was groomed at Chelsea from the age of eight in 2004. The English striker fought his way through the academy and broke into the first team under Frank Lampard. He helped Chelsea through a struggling season and claimed the 2021 UEFA Champions League and UEFA Super Cup with the Blues.
Abraham made 82 appearances for the Blues, scoring 30 goals and creating 10 assists. Thomas Tuchel wasn’t fond of the striker’s playing style and Abraham left the club to find more minutes at Roma in a deal worth over €41m. Under José Mourinho, Abraham thrived in Italy. He has since scored 37 goals as the lead striker in Roma.
UPCOMING CHELSEA FIXTURES
Thursday 29th August (UEFA Conference League Qualifying, Servette vs. Chelsea, 19:30, Agg: 0 – 2)
Sunday 1st September (Premier League, Chelsea vs. Crystal Palace, 13:30)
Saturday 14th September (Premier League, Bournemouth vs. Chelsea, 20:00)
Saturday 21st September (Premier League, West Ham United vs. Chelsea, 12:30)
Saturday 28th September (Premier League, Chelsea vs. Brighton and Hove Albion, 15:00)
Saturday 5th October (Premier League, Chelsea vs. Nottingham Forest, 15:00)
Saturday 19th October (Premier League, Liverpool vs. Chelsea, 17:30, On Sky)
Sunday 27th October (Premier League, Chelsea vs. Newcastle United, 14:00)
Saturday 2nd November (Premier League, Manchester United vs. Chelsea, 15:00)
Saturday 9th November (Premier League, Chelsea vs. Arsenal, 15:00)
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The Blues have been in an unending race to prove their worth to the football world for the past few seasons. A slow start to the season is not a good sign for what is to come under Enzo Maresca’s management. Fans anticipate an overwhelming performance by the Blues in the coming fixtures, one equivalent to the support they bring to the games.
