Of Chelsea's key summer transfer plans, buying a left-winger is among the most important. It has been such a problem area in recent times that they were keen to address the area in January.
With Joao Felix leaving on loan after a disastrous 2024 return to the club for £45million, this time on a permanent deal, and Christopher Nkunku failing to find a role under Enzo Maresca, moves for an alternative were seriously looked at. Chelsea did manage to shift Felix but were left with Nkunku - often out of position on the left - and a group of inconsistent others.
With Champions League football to deal with next season, there has been very little waiting around to act. The June 10 mini summer deadline ahead of the Club World Cup has kicked Chelsea into action.
With two spots up for grabs at any one time, and plenty of players on the books, here, football.london has a rundown of Chelsea's wingers and what the future holds. As the Club World Cup and three guaranteed group games approach, it is set to be a big period for several players with a point to prove.
Cole Palmer
Rarely played on the wing last year, so we will keep this short. Palmer can operate on the right, as he did under Mauricio Pochettino, but has been used mainly as a No.10 or right-sided No.8 moving into advanced areas for Maresca.
It is unlikely that he plays much out wide next season but it is an option Chelsea have. He works best on the flank when he has an overlapping full-back, which Maresca does not favour. Maybe if Reece James is able to physically cope, it could become a tactic used more often.
Pedro Neto
Ended last season as the most in-form attacker at the club. He scored some important goals and covered for Nicolas Jackson when missing due to injury and suspension.
After moving for £50million last summer he looks the most secure of the current names. Able to play on either flank, Neto also stayed fit for the full season even if he did frustrate at times.
Looks secure in staying with the club backing him to improve his output. Still only hitting underlying metrics of an average wideman, though.
Noni Madueke
Chelsea's most direct winger and nominally on the right, competing with Neto. Madueke did a good job when pushed to the left late on in the season by Maresca to exploit vulnerable full-backs.
The Englishman struggles for consistency but shows flashes of great ability with his dancing feet and trickery. Decision-making is among his biggest issues with poor shot selection and passes.
Madueke is not seen as unsellable by Chelsea and has been of interest to Newcastle United in the past. He is prone to having games where he totally switches off, dribbling into opponents and offering very little, such as in the Conference League final.
He is a prototype Maresca winger, though, with relentless attempts to take on opponents. Had a strong first half of the season and improved his numbers massively before really dropping off in 2025.
Tyrique George
The breakout attacking star for Chelsea last season. George made his name mainly in the Conference League, where he scored his first goal in April and then netted the crucial equaliser away at Fulham one week later to spark a turnaround in fortunes.
The Cobham graduate, like Neto, has played off both sides and through the middle. George is extremely highly rated by Chelsea and offers something different but is still only young and now needs game time.
It is not suggested that Chelsea are looking to loan him out next season but it would be wise to consider. George, like his defensive teammate and fellow prospect Josh Acheampong, needs to minutes now to continue developing. Without the Conference League and even more attacking competition, it is hard to see where his appearances will come from.
Jadon Sancho
Chelsea are not going to be extending Sancho's stay at Stamford Bridge, football.london understands. The player has sent a thank you online after completing his loan stay but failed to agree a fresh contract.
Sancho played a useful if unspectacular role for Chelsea, scoring some important and quality goals but also going 13 matches without a shot on target during a period of immense attacking frustration for the whole team. He was a squad player for Maresca, making 42 appearances with 26 starts in total but only scoring three league goals (and none against teams that finished above 17th).
Would have been a good buy at £25million but only on much lower wages than he had at Manchester United, which proved a sticking point. Paying £5million to send him back as an effective loan fee works for Chelsea as long as they find a suitable replacement for the right price as well.
Mykhailo Mudryk
Suspended indefinitely after testing positive for having a banned substance in his system after a Conference League game in November. Banned from all footballing activity currently whilst waiting for the result of his B-sample.
Chelsea announced that Palmer would be taking his No.10 shirt for next season. Has an unclear future.
Christopher Nkunku
Set to leave after two massively disappointing seasons. Injury curtailed his first and Palmer's rise to become first choice at No.10 limited him under Maresca.
When Nkunku did play in the league he really failed to make a proper statement and never warranted selection over others. Manchester United and Bayern Munich were interested in January but nothing came of it.
All parties want and expect to move on this summer. Chelsea will look for as much of the £52million they spent on him as possible but will do well to get close after seeing Nkunku miss the mark by so much. The resolution everyone needs after a transfer that just hasn't worked out for myriad reasons.
Joao Felix
From a transfer that looked to be game-changing to one that never looked right in the first place. Felix has no role at Chelsea having been backup to the undroppable Palmer for six months and only really featuring in the Conference League.
At £45million it was a predictable and expensive mistake. Chelsea will struggle to sell Felix now but could settle for another loan. A disaster and not a surprising one either.
Felix won't play for Chelsea at the Club World Cup and will surely not have any part to play under Maresca next season. From replacing Conor Gallagher in the team to taking his place in the bomb squad.
Estevao Willian
Joining up after the Club World Cup, which he will play at with Palmeiras. Mostly a right-winger but cannot be expected to have an immediate impact as he takes his time to adapt to England and new surroundings.
Could find himself in the mould of George this season, slowly building up his minutes and exposure. Estevao is extremely talented and incredibly well-rated. He will be part of the senior squad for 2025/26 onwards but expectations must be tempered.
Estevao Willian celebrates scoring for Palmeiras
Chelsea will be impressed by what Estevao Willian is doing at Palmeiras (Image: Marco Galvão/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images)
Kendry Paez
Much more raw than Estevao and tends to play centrally as well as off the right. Paez is being lined up for a loan to RC Strasbourg, where he will be coached by Liam Rosenior and kept under the BlueCo multi-club umbrella.
The teenager has already spent some time training at Cobham and in France with Strasbourg. One for further down the line, unlike Estevao who is already earmarked for some first team action at Chelsea.
New signing
With five players able to play in the two winger spots heading into next season but mainly focusing on Madueke, Neto, Estevao, and George, Chelsea do need extra reinforcement. Losing Sancho means they do look short of genuine senior choices.
That certainly explains their interest in Jamie Gittens, who is at the centre of discussions between Chelsea and Borussia Dortmund. Gittens has been available for around £50million since January but Chelsea are keen to lower that fee.
It is understandable why. The 20-year-old is a wonderful dribbler but lacks end product in a league known for inflated goals and assists for those not called Erling Haaland.
Chelsea also have long-standing admiration of Alejandro Garnacho. He has been told to leave Old Trafford this summer and has seen the asking price drop from £60million to closer to £40million.
Garnacho is not a popular option among many due to his off-field noise and questions around his attitude, but his technical ability, speed, and work rate have all set him apart as a genuine option. West Ham's Mohammed Kudus was offered to Chelsea but there is an £85million demand.
The Hammers have floated using players in part-exchange for Kudus but it fell flat due to Chelsea's plans with Robert Sanchez and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall not fitting the deal. Nico Williams is viewed as being too expensive due to his huge wage demands.
Chelsea could sign two wingers this window after Sancho's departure. Kudus is able to play on both wings, so is Gittens. Jackson was previously a winger himself and was used there briefly by Pochettino last season. If Chelsea were to bring in another striker then he could be deployed back on the left at times.
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Chelsea flag prior the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One match between Chelsea FC and Real Madrid at Stamford Bridge. (Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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