Chelsea are no strangers to spending big on transfers, but their summer approach was more modest than that of reigning champions Liverpool.
It’s almost two months since deadline day, and we can now more accurately assess the signings that Chelsea have brought in.
There was plenty of traffic in and out of Stamford Bridge this summer. Some of the new signings are yet to kick into gear, but the ones who have look great value for money.
Two new faces have been especially impressive additions to the forward line.
"I think they're coming into this season fancying themselves"
Daniel Sturridge believes Chelsea can close the gap with their new signings 👊 pic.twitter.com/GNnus7wwsu
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) August 17, 2025
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Compare that to how some new arrivals at Anfield have got on and Enzo Maresca will surely be pleased.
Chelsea attacking duo have been far better than Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz
Liverpool’s transfer business dominated the window, and understandably so.
They broke the British transfer record twice in the space of a couple of months, bringing in Florian Wirtz from Leverkusen and Alexander Isak down from Tyneside.
Both are yet to score in the Premier League and Liverpool look like a shadow of their former selves. In fact, a Chelsea duo that cost half as much are easily outperforming them in the opening weeks of the season.
Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian have so far looked the better pairing, and by some distance.
Pedro started the season on fire and already has five goal involvements in Chelsea’s eight Premier League outings, while Estevao has two in limited minutes. One of those was that last-minute winner over Liverpool.
It’s early days, but Maresca will be delighted to see his new signings thriving already.
The ceilings of these Liverpool and Chelsea duos
You don’t spend over £100 million on a player if they’re not extremely talented. Isak was arguably the best striker in the league last season and Wirtz has been pegged the future of German football.
But there’s an argument to be made that Estevao’s ceiling is higher than both. What he is doing at just 18, in the Premier League, with limited minutes, is outstanding.
Joao Pedro and Estevao Willian celebrate a Chelsea goal against Fulham in the Premier League.
Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images
Pedro might have slowed down in recent weeks, but if he’s given license to play his best position when certain stars get back to full fitness, it’s likely he returns to the level we saw at the Club World Cup and the opening weeks of the campaign.
There’s no denying the fact that Liverpool’s marquee signings are talented. They will come good.
But with how Chelsea’s new Brazilian duo have started life at Stamford Bridge, they may yet reach a similar level, and for far less money.