From Chaos to Cohesion: Chelsea's Investment Begins to Click

From billion-pound bottle jobs to Club World Cup and Conference League champions in less than 18 months - Chelsea have proved a number of doubters wrong as they have gone from strength-to-strength following a number of investments to their squad over recent years.

Their recent ridiculous spending spree is beginning to pay off with results on the field starting to look up. For a number of seasons, predicting the lottery numbers was easier than forecasting The Blues' starting 11 each week.

The spending spree at Stamford Bridge began in the summer of 2020. As such, we'll take a look at some of the signings that have arrived at Cobham in recent years.

Masses of Incomings

Following the significant funds acquired after star man Eden Hazards €120 million move to Real Madrid, coupled also with a year's transfer ban allowing them to keep money in the coffers, Chelsea's new manager of the time, Frank Lampard, began to dabble in the transfer market in the summer of 2020.

German pair Kai Havertz & Timo Werner arrived from Bayer Leverkusen & RB Leipzig, respectively, in the hope of bolstering their attack. Having spent €71 million & €53 million on each, fans were beginning to get excited that the glory days of times past may be on their way to returning.

Their tenures had notable highs but were also marked by challenges throughout with mixed performances and adaptation struggles in the Premier League.

Havertz in particular had a slow start; he found adapting to a new country and league tough with his inconsistency frustrating those following the German international's progress.

His defining moment in a blue shirt came in the 2021 UEFA Champions League final, where he scored the winning goal against Manchester City, securing Chelsea’s second Champions League title.

He eventually moved across London to rivals Arsenal in 2023, his time at Chelsea was seen as underwhelming but will always be remembered for his Champions League heroics.

After a prolific spell at RB Leipzig, where he scored 28 Bundesliga goals in the 2019–20 season, Timo Werner arrived in the Premier League with a huge amount of expectation.

To begin he struggled with finishing, missing several high-profile chances, which led to criticism and a loss of confidence.

Following the appointment of fellow German Thomas Tuchel, his form slightly improved and he was deployed as a left-sided attacker or No. 10 in a 3-4-3 system, rather than a central striker.

His pace and ability to exploit space made him a threat in counter-attacking setups, but his hesitancy in one-on-one situations and struggles adapting to Chelsea’s possession-based style hindered his impact.

Eventually, he returned to RB Leipzig in 2022 after a largely disappointing spell in England, though his work rate and contributions to the 2021 Champions League win will always be remembered.

For €56 million, they also signed Leicester City's influential left-back Ben Chilwell, known for his attacking contributions and defensive solidity with years of Premier League experience.

Injuries and inconsistent form have limited his overall impact since the move but he is undoubtedly one of the most dangerous full-backs in the league if re-discovering his form.

As of today, Chilwell remains at Chelsea but faces an uncertain future, however his 70 appearances and contributions to the 2021 Champions League win cement his place in the club’s history.

Chelsea’s reported willingness to sell in 2024 suggests a potential move could be on the horizon if he doesn’t regain a starting spot. His market value has likely depreciated, but his experience and versatility could attract interest from other Premier League or European clubs.

In August 2021, manager Thomas Tuchel was adamant that the club fork out a huge €115 million for the return of Belgian goal-machine Romelu Lukaku.

It was his second arrival at the club after a less successful spell from 2011–2014. His 2021–22 season was anticipated to bring the elite goal-scoring Chelsea lacked, but it was marked by inconsistent performances, injuries, and controversy, falling short of expectations.

After bagging 24 goals in Inter’s 2020–21 Serie A title-winning season, the expectations were high that the big-money signing would elevate Chelsea to the title following their Champions League triumph.

Lukaku’s 2021–22 season at Chelsea promised a return to Premier League dominance, but delivered mixed results with his second stint remembered as a costly mis-step despite occasional flickers of promise.

Star Men Begin to Arrive

With many incomings over the years, it wasn't until Mauricio Pochettino's reign in 2023 that signings began to fly through the entrance at Stamford Bridge.

The signing of Cole Palmer from rivals Manchester City for a reported €47 million may in hindsight, be the clubs best piece of business in recent years.

The England international has quickly become their star man after his move came as a result of limited first-team opportunities at City.

With 37 goals and 19 assists in 70 Premier League games since joining the London club, the 23-year-old is arguably one of the hottest prospects in Europe at the moment.

His Chelsea career has been a resounding success so far, his clinical finishing and creativity have made him indispensable in a side that are chasing the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City & Arsenal in the league and have also just won the Club World Cup.

Within a year of each other, Chelsea raided fellow Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion for two of their most influential players in Marc Cucurella & Moisés Caicedo.

Spanish left-back Cucurella cost a reported €65 million while they had to fork out a massive €116 million for the services of Ecuadorian midfielder Caicedo.

They have proven to be massively successful signings as the clubs fortunes have improved significantly since their arrivals.

Primarily a left-back, Cucurella has thrived as an inverted full-back under Enzo Maresca since he took over in July 2024, tucking into midfield to aid possession. He’s also played left wing-back and occasionally in central midfield, showcasing versatility.

Cucurella is a cornerstone of Chelsea’s defence, with his contract running until 2028. He appears settled in London, with no transfer rumours surrounding last year's Euro's winner.

After joining for a British-record transfer fee, expectations were sky high for Moisés Caicedo but his start in a Blues shirt was far from ideal.

He struggled to make an impact on the side early on as fans began to question his price tag. Since then, he has become integral to Chelsea's midfield, bossing the middle third and stamping his authority on numerous occasions.

Caicedo’s Chelsea career has evolved from a scrutinized €100+ million signing to a cornerstone of Maresca’s squad, with 2 goals and 5 assists in 73 Premier League games, plus Conference League and Club World Cup titles.

With fellow signings such as Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto & Levi Colwill among others beginning to find their form, fortunes are looking up for the blue half of London.

Upcoming Season

Their have been many claims that they may be title contenders for the upcoming season. We feel that may be a stretch as their UEFA Conference League & Club World Cup victories have been impressive, the long term effects and reduced break may take it's toll at the business end of next season.

We feel with the increased competition around the top end of the Premier League, another top 4 finish and possible a cup run is a realistic expectation for Chelsea fans ahead of the 2025/26 season.

Best/Preferred starting 11: Sanchez, Cucurella, Colwill, Adarabioyo, James, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Nkunku, João Pedro