Chelsea's Championship Glory Demands Strategic Squad Overhaul: Essential Signings and Key Departures Ahead
The extraordinary and unusual structure of this summer's football schedule has allowed Chelsea to wrap up much of their transfer activity early—choices that proved wise when they secured the Club World Cup trophy.
João Pedro emerged as a standout performer while Liam Delap contributed significantly, and a transfer for Jamie Gittens was finally completed after earlier pre-tournament negotiations had collapsed. Many of Chelsea's problem areas have been strengthened, but their Club World Cup victory places them in an intriguing position.
Similar to 2012 when Eden Hazard used social media to announce he was joining the "Champion's League winners"—complete with that infamous apostrophe error—Chelsea now possess an appeal that hasn't been witnessed at Stamford Bridge in years. The success of this project, frequently criticized and mocked, is now undeniable, and top players will be eager to join this movement.
With recruitment specialists now able to concentrate entirely on squad enhancement, here are the essential signings Chelsea must complete before the transfer deadline.
Backup for Marc Cucurella
Marc Cucurella logged more playing time than any other Chelsea player throughout 2024–25. While this reflects his revival and significance in Enzo Maresca's tactical setup, it's also completely unsustainable long-term.
The Spanish defender was virtually ever-present last season, largely due to the absence of suitable alternatives. Maresca has demonstrated his preference against conventional full-backs during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, discarding Ben Chilwell while implementing a versatile position that sees Cucurella function as both left-back and attacking midfielder simultaneously. This represents a crucial element of Chelsea's approach and could collapse instantly should Cucurella suffer an injury.
Securing cover for Cucurella should be Chelsea's immediate priority, though this task isn't simply about acquiring another left-back. Maresca requires someone with particular abilities, and such players are neither abundant nor affordable.
The left-back market offers limited options, so Chelsea may need innovative thinking, having shown interest in Ajax's Jorrel Hato. Some suggest recalling Valentín Barco from Strasbourg, though the 20-year-old might benefit from additional development time following his difficult period at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Chelsea believed they had resolved this issue when signing Renato Veiga last summer. The promising 21-year-old seemed a bargain at £12 million ($16.1 million) from Basel, but dissatisfaction with his playing time led to a January loan move to Juventus, leaving the Blues back where they started.
Veteran Goalkeepers
Let's acknowledge the elephant in the room. Criticizing Robert Sánchez following his exceptional Club World Cup final performance feels almost criminal, as it demonstrated his true capabilities when at peak form.
Regrettably for Chelsea, this version of Sánchez has been rare. It wasn't shocking to see the Blues target AC Milan's Mike Maignan before the tournament, and supporters remain hopeful the deal could be revived despite Massimiliano Allegri's public statements that Maignan won't depart.
The goalkeeper position has troubled Chelsea since Thibaut Courtois left in 2018, with only Édouard Mendy's 2020–21 form providing temporary relief. An established, unquestionably world-class keeper like Maignan would significantly strengthen this team.
Regarding experience, one overlooked departure this summer was third-choice goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli, who moved to Manchester City before the Club World Cup. Typically, losing a backup option matters little, but Bettinelli's exit cost Chelsea not only a beloved figure but their only player over 27. His veteran presence could be greatly missed.
Mike Penders shows too much promise to remain as backup—the 19-year-old is set to join Strasbourg on loan—while using 21-year-old Gabriel Slonina as emergency cover seems wasteful for a £12 million ($15 million originally) player who doesn't help Chelsea's homegrown quota. A seasoned option should be acquired affordably.
Prioritize Departures
Having completed most transfer business before the Club World Cup, Chelsea must now concentrate on player exits.
A brief review of Chelsea's roster reveals approximately 15 players requiring permanent moves. Raheem Sterling, João Félix and the previously mentioned Chilwell lead this group, with Veiga and Axel Disasi among the surplus squad members. This doesn't include underperforming talents currently in the squad, such as Christopher Nkunku.
Chelsea must generate revenue through player sales, but fortunately, the large number of departing players should address the financial deficit, making negotiations potentially straightforward—especially regarding Mathis Amougou and Ishé Samuels-Smith, who have connections to BlueCo-owned Strasbourg.
Maresca desires squad depth, but concerns about his hesitation to utilize fringe players have continued from his Leicester City days. There's simply no justification for retaining excess players in most positions.
This raises questions about players like Benoît Badiashile, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and even Nicolas Jackson. These are valuable assets who will only decline when relegated to the sidelines. Without available playing time, Chelsea should consider immediate sales.