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Pedro A, Delap F: Rating every Chelsea signing this season

25 May 2026 19:02 BST | 6 min read

Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Chelsea

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Chelsea’s 2025-26 season was a disaster and they will not be playing in Europe next term after a disappointing 10th place finish in the Premier League.

The Blues spent big on new signings during the 2025 summer transfer window, but it reaped very little reward, with a number of their arrivals failing to contribute in a meaningful way at Stamford Bridge.

Below, FootballTransfers rates every Chelsea summer signing on their debut season at the club.

Joao Pedro - A (€63.7m from Brighton & Hove Albion)

Joao Pedro was Chelsea’s most expensive summer arrival and he has undoubtedly been their best signing from last year, with 23 goals in 53 games since his move from Brighton & Hove Albion for €63.7 million.

The Brazilian has led the line incredibly well this season and while Liam Rosenior endured a fairly torrid spell in charge at Stamford Bridge, he deserves credit for helping Pedro reach his potential in a Chelsea shirt.

For many years, it has been reported that Chelsea need a new number nine, but Pedro appears to have ended such conversations.

Jamie Gittens - D (€56m from Borussia Dortmund)

Jamie Gittens’ debut season at Chelsea has been hard to assess due to a lack of consistent game during his early months of the campaign and a hamstring injury that ruled him out from February until the end of 2025-26.

However, the England U21 star’s opening 12 months at Stamford Bridge have still been fairly underwhelming. He displayed flashes of brilliance, such as his wonderstrike versus Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup, but that was his only goal in 1,102 minutes of action.

Gittens certainly has potential, and injuries curtailed his progress this term, but Chelsea needed more from him during his first season.

Jamie Gittens, Chelsea

Alejandro Garnacho - E (€46.2m from Manchester United)

After weeks of negotiations with Manchester United, Chelsea finally agreed a deal for Alejandro Garnacho in August, however he hasn’t been the answer to their attacking woes.

The Argentina international was impressive against lower-league opposition in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, but his impact in the Premier League and Champions League was a huge disappointment, with only six goal contributions in 33 games across those two competitions.

Chelsea once again need to sign a new left winger and widespread reports suggest they are already keen to sell Garnacho, who has completely lost the support of the club’s fanbase.

Estevao - B (€45m from Palmeiras)

Estevao Willian’s first season at Chelsea was unfortunately hampered by a number of injuries, although he has certainly established himself as a fan favourite since his arrival from Palmeiras.

The Brazil wonderkid only started 12 Premier League matches in 2025-26, but eight goals and four assists across all competitions is a more than respectable tally for his debut campaign at Stamford Bridge and he will grow into an even more pivotal player next year.

The fact he missed a large portion of the season through injury and sometimes went missing in the Premier League is the reason why he has been given a ‘B’ rating rather than an ‘A’.

Estevao, Chelsea

Jorrel Hato - B (€44.2m from Ajax)

Jorrel Hato ended the season in fantastic form and he was one of very few bright sparks at Chelsea after the March international break.

The Netherlands star took a while to adapt to English football and he was gently eased into action by Enzo Maresca, with several high-profile mistakes during his first few months, including a torrid performance against Qarabag in the Champions League.

However, his performances throughout the final stretch of the season were hugely encouraging and he is likely to be a crucial player for Xabi Alonso next year.

Liam Delap - F (€35.5m from Ipswich Town)

Liam Delap has undoubtedly been the worst of Chelsea’s summer signings, with only two goals in 41 games across all competitions this campaign.

He looked primed to compete with Pedro for a starting berth this season, following a fantastic campaign with Ipswich Town, but he simply hasn’t been able to step up and perform for a club of Chelsea’s stature.

Delap thrived in counter-attacking situations at Ipswich and with Chelsea often facing deep-blocks, he has struggled immensely. If the Blues can agree a sale this summer, it would be wise to immediately sanction a transfer.

Liam Delap, Chelsea

Dario Essugo - D (€22.3m from Sporting CP)

Dario Essugo only made six appearances for Chelsea this season, totalling 200 minutes, after suffering a thigh injury while on duty with Portugal U21s in September.

His campaign has therefore been almost impossible to rate, but he did provide two assists in just under an hour of action against Wrexham in the FA Cup.

Mamadou Sarr - D (€14m from Strasbourg)

Mamadou Sarr spent the first half of his debut campaign at Chelsea back on loan at Strasbourg, before being recalled in January following the appointment of Rosenior.

However, he only played six times after returning to the Blues, including a tough 45 minutes against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.

Mamadou Sarr, Chelsea

Kendry Paez - N/A (€10m from Independiente del Valle)

Kendry Paez joined Chelsea from Independiente del Valle last summer, but he was immediately sent on loan to sister club Strasbourg.

After a difficult spell in France, he was loaned to River Plate in January. Paez is still yet to make his Chelsea debut.

Facundo Buonanotte - D (Loan from Brighton & Hove Albion)

After missing out on Morgan Rogers and Xavi Simons, Chelsea picked up Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton with the sole purpose of playing in early-round cup games to give Cole Palmer a rest.

He performed this role fairly well, but he was sent back to Brighton in January ahead of the run-in.