Transfer Round Up: Chelsea

18 Yard Box analyses the transfer dealings of the European Champions.

Right from the word go, Roberto Di Matteo and his Boss were keen on bringing in Belgian whiz-kid Eden Hazard. But then that was not all, The Blues added lot of players and also many departed the club. Here’s a look at what Chelsea did in this Transfer Window.

What they lacked last season

All eyes will be on this man. Can he deliver?

Chelsea's ageing squad looked well short in the Premier League last season. Although they went on to win the Champions League, the performances of the players, especially during the AVB reign, were less than convincing. With no legs to carry them, Chelsea struggled to break open teams with pace and also retrieve during a counter to stop a goal. The only flair was provided by Daniel Sturridge. The young English international was a sensation last year as he, with his pace and trickery, troubled the mightiest of defences. Apart from him, the only person saving their grace was Didier Drogba. The Ivorian striker was ignored by Andre Villas Boas for the better part of the last season but he came to back to make a statement by almost single handedly winning Chelsea the Champions League.

Moreover, the Blues looked short in the midfield with Meireles the only replacement for the long serving Lampard. With less quality on bench Chelsea certainly needed a revamp. And so it was provided by their Russian owner

Ins & Outs-

IN: Eden Hazard (Lille, £32m), Oscar (Internacional, £25m), Marko Marin (Werder Bremen, £7m), George Brady (Cannes, £250,000), Thorgan Hazard (Lens, undisclosed). 


OUT: Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua, free), Salomon Kalou (Lille, free), Jacob Mellis (Barnsley, free), Marko Mitrovic (Brescia, free), Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, loan), Rohan Ince (Yeovil, loan), Jeffrey Bruma (Hamburg, loan), Patrick van Aanholt (Vitesse Arnhem, loan), Tomas Kalas (Vitesse Arnhem, loan), Ulises Dávila (Sabadell, loan), Jhon Pírez (Sabadel, loan), Milan Lalkovic (Vitoria Guimaraes, loan), Matej Delac (Vitoria Guimaraes, loan), Kenneth Omeruo (ADO Den Haag), Kevin De Bruyne (Werder Bremen, loan), Ben Gordon (Birmingham, loan), Romelu Lukaku (WBA, loan), Sam Walker (Bristol Rovers, loan). 


Released: Jose Bosingwa.

What they improved

A Team for the Future!

Bringing quality re-enforcements in the form of Oscar, Hazard and Marin to name a few, Chelsea have sorted the problems of a squad being troubled by dead legs. A team for the future, Chelsea have already begun their Premier League campaign as one of the favourites to clinch the title.

The older players were amicably sent-off by the Russian owner. Infusing the club with young blood, has certainly made the Blues’ fans happy, who were a bit disappointed with ageing squad of last season. Also, players like Bertrand and Sturridge who are already part of the squad are talented & have proven themselves when given the chance. Oscar and Kevin De Bruyne are potential replacements for Lampard in the long run.

This season Chelsea look like a side which can be served as a rich flavour of enigmatic youth with experience as its topping. 

What they still lack

Can anyone replace 'D' Drogba?

Having missed out on signing an out and out striker like Radamel Falcao, it is the goals which will be a major cause of concern. Fernanado Torres is yet to prove his 50 million price tag as he is the biggest underperformer Chelsea have this season. Add to it the departure of Drogba and one wonders as to where those crucial match-winners will come from. Drogba alongwith him took his aerial threat and match winning blockbusters. Moreover taking a closer look at their squad, Chelsea lack in terms of depth. Although Chelsea have bought well, the end of transfer window saw the departures of Bosingwa, Meireles, Kalou, Essien (on loan), De Bruyne (on loan) and Lukaku (on loan). Terry, Cole & Lampard aren’t getting any younger by the day and they seriously lack in depth at the back as well as in the midfield. 

Buy of the Season-Eden Hazard

A priceless asset.

Eden Hazard is our pick of the season when it comes to Chelsea's buy of the season. A long drawn transfer saga ended with the Belgian agreeing a move to the European Champions for a staggering fee of  £32mn. A lot was said about the inflated price tag but if his current form is what he’ll be providing throughout the season then this man is certainly worth every pound Roman paid for him. Intelligent, hard-working and unselfish coupled with great passing & shooting skills make him a world-class player. With Hazard in the side, Chelsea fans have already set their sights on the Premier League crown.

Comment: Chelsea possess a very strong this season. However, it remains to be see if this squad delivers. Torres will have to step up if the team challenges for the silverwares this season. They have already announced their intention this season with a very strong start which sees them topping the Premier League charts. However with games against the other top 4 teams still to come Chelsea might just fall short due to their squad depth. Chelsea have bought really well but sold poorly.

Written By,

Pranav Byatnal.

Pranav is an Editor & Writer for 18 Yard Box.