Chelsea’s end to the 2026 winter transfer window is likely to be a very quiet one after missing out on Jeremy Jacquet.
Chelsea were interested in signing Jacquet, but the defender will be a Liverpool player next season.
In contrast, the Blues were quite busy in the 2018 January transfer window, making a few signings.
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Ross Barkley joined from Premier League rivals Everton, while Emerson arrived from AS Roma.
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud eyeing the ball
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Chelsea signed Olivier Giroud on deadline day in 2018 winter transfer window
On the final day of the 2018 January transfer window, Chelsea also signed Olivier Giroud from Arsenal.
The striker cost the Blues £18m and made a huge impact during his time at Stamford Bridge so will have to go down as a bargain.
When Giroud arrived at the club, Antonio Conte was in desperate need of another centre-forward. After a fine start to life in England, Alvaro Morata’s form began to dip.
The Italian did have Michy Batshuayi, but he did not quite trust the Belgium international. Batshuayi was eventually allowed to join Borussia Dortmund on loan, which paved the way for Giroud to move to Chelsea.
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Dortmund also sold Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal, making all three transfers connected.
Ultimately, Giroud took much of the load off Morata and helped Chelsea to win the FA Cup in his first season at the club. He scored twice in the competition, including a majestic goal against Southampton in the semi-finals.
Given their need for a centre-forward at the time, how much Giroud cost and what the World Cup winner eventually went on to achieve, it is fair to say that he is one of the smartest pieces of business Chelsea have ever done.
Chelsea players celebrate with FA Cup in dressing room after 2018 final
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What Olivier Giroud managed to achieve at Chelsea
Giroud was not the most prolific No.9 during his time in west London, but he still came up with some big goals for Chelsea.
Giroud, who scored 39 times in 119 appearances in blue, famously netted in the Europa League final against former club Arsenal, which Chelsea went on to win 4-1.
As well as getting his hands on the FA Cup and Europa League trophies, Giroud also won the Champions League in 2021.
En route to doing that, Giroud scored four goals against Sevilla in a group stage game, an astonishing feat. His time at Chelsea was no doubt a success.
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