The Evening Standard’s Dom Smith’s summary of Chelsea’s January transfer window was basically that it presages a much busier summer.
He ran through the deals the Blues did – mainly shuffling loans around and moving lots of academy players who are getting too old for Under-21 football on to new destinations.
Big news like cancelling Raheem Sterling’s contract mean a lot to the bottom line, but not a lot on the football side.
Chelsea’s “standard” mid-season window sets them up for big summer spend
Tyrique George signs for Everton.
Tyrique George signs for Everton.
“All in all, it was a pretty standard mid-season transfer window,” Smith concludes.
“The more serious reshaping of the squad will take place this summer.”
That’s probably the right move – there will be a lot more money available if the likes of George and Disasi go permanently, and don’t forget Nicolas Jackson could be sold for a lot too.
One can assume the Blues will target another central defender, given they missed out on Jeremy Jacquet to Liverpool. Smith notes that Bournemouth’s Marcos Senesi will be available on a free, and could tempt the Blues.
They’ve also chased attacker Kenan Yildiz of Juventus and briefly looked at midfielder Douglas Luiz this window, so clearly there are going to be additions throughout the team.
In other news…
Chelsea’s window was busier on the outgoing side – there were a number of loans and cheaper deals which were completed in the final hours of the window, concluding the usual late January rush to get things lined up nicely for the rest of the campaign. Some of those deals could yet be decent money makers further down the line.
Enzo Fernandez is Chelsea’s most expensive ever January signing, and he’s just reached the three year mark at the club. His stats from that time are really impressive – few can match him.
More Stories about Raheem Sterling
A view of Stamford Bridge.
Tyrique George signs for Everton.
Tyrique George celebrates scoring for Chelsea.