While the European Championship and the Copa America have taken centre stage in the early stages of this summer for most clubs, with a flurry of big transfers expected to take place upon the conclusions of the major tournaments, Chelsea have been hard at work.
It should be no surprise that the Blues’ board has been working tirelessly already in the off-season, given Todd Boehly’s reputation since buying the west London club from Roman Abramovich in 2022, but the deals have been somewhat less subdued than usual.
It’s believed that Chelsea won’t be in a position to go all out in this transfer window as they have done in the first two years of the Boehly tenure due to Financial Fair Play regulations, hence the lack of noise around Stamford Bridge that we have come used too.
However, the goal for the Blues is always to secure Champions League football and currently, Chelsea’s top 4 odds aren’t looking great. So, improvements are necessary and the club’s chiefs have acted fast in the window.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the four deals Chelsea have completed at the time of writing and what they will offer new boss Enzo Maresca.
Keirnan Dewsbury-Hall
Kicking things off with Chelsea’s current record signing of this summer, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall arrived from Leicester City for around £30 million.
The 25-year-old scored 12 goals and provided 14 assists for the Foxes in the Championship last season, which earned him a place in the Team of the Season as he helped Leicester back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
The East Midlands side face a tough task in staying in the top flight with a potential points deduction looming, and Chelsea haven’t helped their cause by luring away Maresca and Dewsbury-Hall.
Omari Kellyman
Chelsea went back and forth with Aston Villa in late June, as Champions League finalist Ian Matheson joined the Claret and Blues while Omari Kellyman moved in the opposite direction to West London.
The 18-year-old joined Chelsea for £19m, penning a six-year deal, after making two Premier League appearances for Villa last term and featuring three times on their run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
Kellyman also appeared 12 times for the Midlands side in Premier League 2 last year, scoring seven times. His versatility and goalscoring ability could make him a player for the future.
Marc Guiu
Another signing who likely isn’t going to make an instant impact for Chelsea, Marc Guiu arrived from Barcelona for just £5m.
The 18-year-old, who graduated from the Catalan club’s prestigious La Masia academy, made seven senior appearances for Barca and scored just seconds into his debut against Athletic Bilbao.
The Blues are short of options when it comes to a central attacker, with Armando Broja and Romelu Lukaku expected to leave this summer, so Guiu could be called upon if Chelsea can’t bring in another No.9 in this window.
Tosin Adarabioyo
Tosin Adarabioyo made one of the closest moves in club football, joining Chelsea from Fulham for free upon the conclusion of his contract at Craven Cottage.The London-born centre-back came through the ranks of Manchester City but never made a Premier League appearance for the Citizens, before joining Fulham after loans at West Brom and Blackburn Rovers.
The 26-year-old ultimately made over 130 appearances for Fulham, including helping them win the Championship, and will offer support at the back after veteran Thiago Silva departed and perhaps weakened their chances in the Premier League odds.
