It has been a very productive summer for Chelsea, who have bought and sold players during the transfer window.
Chelsea have strengthened their squad by bringing in the likes of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap, while they have also made a lot of money after selling Noni Madueke, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and more.
The Club World Cup winners are not finished either. It has been reported that Chelsea are now looking forward to welcoming Alejandro Garnacho from Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Despite all of the good work that Chelsea have done in the transfer market, though, they could end up having one really big regret.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace looks on following the 2025 FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool
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Chelsea opt against £40m Marc Guehi move
As well as Garnacho, Chelsea have also been linked with Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi during this transfer window.
Last month, it was claimed that Chelsea had spoken to Guehi’s agents about a possible return to Stamford Bridge.
Guehi left west London in 2021 and has since developed into one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
However, according to talkSPORT, Chelsea have decided that they will not meet the player’s £40m valuation, deeming it to be too high.
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It now looks like Guehi will join Liverpool, who have shown much stronger interest in the 25-year-old. Given the level that Guehi has climbed to, how much he is set to cost and Chelsea’s need for a new centre-half, the Blues are making a monumental error here.
Whether his contract is running down or not, £40m in this current market is peanuts. Chelsea also have the opportunity to replace the injured Levi Colwill while stopping one of their rivals from strengthening by signing Guehi.
Of course, there is no guarantee that the England international would even pick Chelsea over the Premier League champions. But for co-sporting directors Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley to not even make an offer for him in the club’s current predicament is disappointing.
Chelsea sporting director Paul Winstanley at Stamford Bridge
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How Enzo Maresca feels about signing a new central defender
On paper, Chelsea have enough centre-backs to get through the season without Colwill.
Enzo Maresca still has Wesley Fofana, Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoit Badiashile. The problem that the Italian has, though, is that Fofana and Badiashile cannot remain fit, with the latter currently out injured.
Enzo Maresca reacts during Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain: Final - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
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Being left-footed as well, Badiashile would have been the natural replacement for Colwill this Sunday when Chelsea take on Palace.
It is thought that Maresca wants Chelsea to sign a new centre-half, and the above makes that understandable. Guehi, however, is now unlikely to be the centre-back the Conference League holders bring in if they do decide to enter the transfer market.