Chelsea’s activity in the transfer market this summer has been nothing short of impressive. Despite all eyes being on the European Championship, the club has managed to secure the signings of five new players. But how have they been able to navigate the Premier League’s financial rules?
One of the notable signings is centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo, who joined Chelsea on a four-year deal after his contract at Fulham expired. The 26-year-old, who can represent either England or Nigeria, was a key player for Fulham but turned down a new deal. Standing at an imposing 6ft 5in, Adarabioyo will be hoping to fill the shoes of Thiago Silva in the team. His signing represents a full-circle moment for him, as he was born just three miles away from Stamford Bridge and made his professional debut there.
Another exciting addition is 18-year-old midfielder Omari Kellyman, who was signed from Aston Villa for a fee of up to £19m. Kellyman only made one start for Villa and had five substitute appearances after joining them from Derby in 2022. With the ability to play up front as well, Kellyman is looking forward to seizing his opportunity at Chelsea and becoming a big player for the club.
Striker Marc Guiu also joined Chelsea, with the club paying just £5m for the 18-year-old. Guiu had a release clause of only 6m euros, which Barcelona tried to renegotiate with a new deal. However, Guiu chose to join Chelsea on a five-year contract. He made an impressive debut for Barcelona’s first team, scoring a goal just 23 seconds into the match. Chelsea sees him as part of their first-team squad and Guiu couldn’t be happier to fulfill his dream of playing in the Premier League.
Chelsea also made a significant investment in Leicester City’s midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, paying £30m for the 25-year-old. Dewsbury-Hall had an impressive season with Leicester, scoring 17 goals and setting up 12 league goals. New Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca knows him well from their time together at Leicester, and Dewsbury-Hall is determined to continue adding goals to his game and making a difference in the final third.
The club also secured the versatile Renato Veiga from Basel for £12m on a seven-year deal. The 20-year-old can play in central defense, left-back, or midfield. Veiga joined Basel from Sporting Lisbon last summer and had a loan spell at Augsburg in 2023. With his comfort on the ball and versatility, Veiga is a promising addition to Chelsea’s squad.
In addition to these signings, Chelsea has also agreed to sign Palmeiras winger Estevao Willian for an initial fee of £29m, which will be finalized after his 18th birthday. However, due to regulations, Willian will spend the next year with Palmeiras before joining Chelsea. The Brazilian is highly regarded, with the head of Palmeiras’ academy comparing him to Neymar.
So how have Chelsea been able to make these signings while adhering to the Premier League’s financial rules? The club has managed to generate funds by selling players such as Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall, and Omari Hutchinson for a total of £85m. They have also made controversial sales of two hotels for £76.5m to a sister company, which helped balance their books. Additionally, Mason Mount’s £55m transfer to Manchester United was likely accounted for in the 2023-24 season’s financial reports. Chelsea is also anticipating a significant windfall from participating in the inaugural summer Club World Cup next season.
In conclusion, Chelsea’s transfer activity this summer has been impressive, with the club securing the signings of five talented players. They have managed to navigate the Premier League’s financial rules through player sales, hotel sales, and potential future earnings. These signings add depth and quality to Chelsea’s squad, and fans can look forward to an exciting season ahead.