Chelsea are set to be active in the final weeks of the transfer window despite a conveyor belt of talent having already arrived and departed from the club in Mauricio Pochettino’s opening weeks as Blues boss

Chelsea Football Club entered the summer transfer window with some key priorities. Some that had lingered from long before June 14 arrived and deals could be done.

 

It was very clear in how the 2022/23 season unfurled that the squad had too many players and required trimming to a more manageable number for the next head coach, ultimately Mauricio Pochettino. Before even that point however, Chelsea had ambitions of signing a goalkeeper, a central midfielder and a forward.

So, how have they done?

Chelsea were very busy in the early stages of the window and said goodbye to a lot of their stars. In addition to those players who did not see their contracts renewed, Mateo Kovacic, Kai Havertz, Mason Mount, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Christian Pulisic were sold before even participating in a session with the new Chelsea boss.

 

Incoming business was quickly checked off too, with the long-awaited arrival of Christopher Nkunku being announced in addition to the signing of Nicolas Jackson. Two players who could potentially provide goals for the Blues going forwards.

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Pochettino had to wait until this week until the club could make an addition in midfield with the intention of impacting the first team. Lesley Ugochukwu was signed during the west London side’s pre-season tour but with the view of heading out on loan.

While Enzo Fernandez arrived in January, the sheer turnover in the centre of the park, and it being an area which required rejuvenation meant it was set to be the area to come under most scrutiny in the transfer window. Chelsea are set to spend two significant fees totalling £173million for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to firmly suggest they have fulfilled their requirements with two weeks of the window left, and may avoid signing a midfielder on loan on deadline day on this occasion.

The Blues even landed a goalkeeper too, perhaps not an option deemed worthy of the No. 1 spot for the coming years, but a decent option in Robert Sanchez, having sold Edouard Mendy earlier in the window. Of course, there has been a continued investment in youth options, in what has been a consistent philosophy since the arrival of Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.

 

However, despite a reasonably successful window, albeit with some hiccups along the way, Chelsea are still left in a position where they are looking to satisfy some of these early priorities. Monday saw Kepa Arrizabalaga join Real Madrid on loan, perhaps placing another goalkeeper back on the agenda if Lucas Bergstrom and Jamie Cumming are not deemed good enough options while Marcus Bettinelli is injured.

The suggestion that the Blues could sign another forward has never been entirely off the cards either. Christopher Nkunku’s injury has perhaps ensured the requirement comes more into the spotlight. While not a No.9, Michael Olise could certainly fill some of the deeper roles that Nkunku would take up, and the Blues have already activated his £35million release clause.

 

With hopes of a squad of around 22 players, with youngsters able to supplement training and the squad over the course of the season, Chelsea will also need to see some players head out on loan or permanent deals. Perhaps most notably is the cohort of players still training away from the first team. Finding new homes for Romelu Lukaku, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Malang Sarr is imperative.

Chelsea got off to a very good start in the transfer window, and then had a stumble. Despite being part of more than 20 moves already, there is still a lot of work to do to secure a dream window.