Grading Chelsea Summer Window 2025

The transfer window has slammed shut and with it comes the calm of an international break. With all deals now done it is time to dive into the business done and give a grade to the Chelsea summer window activity this year.

Chelsea Summer Window 2025 Grade

Incomings

• Joao Pedro
• Jamie Gittens
• Alejandro Garnacho
• Jorrel Hato
• Liam Delap
• Estevao
• Dario Essugo
• Mamadou Sarr (loaned back out)
• Kendry Paez (loaned back out)
• Facundo Buonanotte (loan)

The first half of 2025 saw the Blues hit a metaphorical wall. An injury to Nicolas Jackson and a lack of goals from Cole Palmer saw them scramble for goalscorers across their front line. They ended up having to make tactical adjustments to get left-back Marc Cucurella in scoring positions to make up for everyone else’s inability to score.

This is a major issue that was addressed early in the window. Liam Delap and Joao Pedro were added as options to play as the striker, with Delap’s physicality providing a different profile to Pedro’s, who can also play as the number ten.

They then moved to improve the wide areas, moving on from the inconsistent Noni Madueke to welcome Estevao, Jamie Gittens, and Alejandro Garnacho. With the wingers last season proving to be largely ineffective, this new crop could add some threat to the attack to take the weight off of Palmer’s shoulders. Estevao especially has already looked like a great addition. Garnacho is a Premier League proven winger who will no doubt create chance in this system.

Other smart business was welcomed as some of last term’s problems were addressed. Cucurella and Moises Caicedo were tasked with far too much game time in 2024/25, the additions of Jorrel Hato and Dario Essugo will provide adequate rotational options to allow both players to get some more rest. The loan signing of Facundo Buonanote also offers an extra man to cover the number ten spaces.

On paper, the Blues have addressed some of their biggest problems but matches aren’t won on paper. The left side of their attack still has some major questions. Gittens looks incredibly raw and proved to be ineffective in his Premier League debut, Garnacho is more proven but has only maxed out at seven league goals in a single campaign. Both players will need to up their output to be the left-wing option the team needs.

There are also some questions raised over the centre-back situation. Levi Colwill tore his ACL with enough time in the window to get a replacement. Instead, they decided to stick with a smaller group of five centre-backs, two of which have major fitness doubts in Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile, while one is a teenager in Josh Acheampong. Considering the long-term injuries Fofana has suffered, an extra loan for a defender would’ve helped ease some fears in the fanbase.

Outgoings

• Noni Madueke
• Christopher Nkunku
• Joao Felix
• Djordje Petrovic
• Lesley Ugochukwu
• Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
• Renato Veiga
• Armando Broja
• Carney Chukwuemeka
• Nicolas Jackson (loan W/Obligation)
• Mathis Amougou
• Bashir Humphreys
• Kepa Arrizabalaga
• Marcus Bettinelli
• Alfie Gilchrist
• Ben Chilwell
• Lucas Bergstrom
• Mamadou Sarr (loan)
• Mike Penders (loan)
• Kendry Paez (loan)
• Aaron Anselmino (loan)

Chelsea did immaculate business selling players that were either bit-part or not effective enough. The sales of Kepa Arrizabalaga, Joao Felix, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Christopher Nkunku, and Noni Madueke allowed them to make upgrades to key positions.

Some younger players like Renato Veiga, Djordje Petrovic, and Carney Chukwuemeka were sold either for profit or with a notable sell on clause that will bring in extra money down the line.

The only real question is the exit of Nicolas Jackson instead of keeping him as competition to Delap or Pedro. It does appear that the Senegalese international wanted out by the end, making the loan fee and big obligation a major win on their end.

All in all, you can’t complain too much about this window from an outgoing perspective. Talented prospects have got solid loans to allow them to develop while unwanted deadwood was shifted for decent to outright great fees.

Grading the Chelsea Summer Window 2025

The Blues’ early window business shouldn’t be ignored despite the rather chaotic end to the window and the loan of Buonanotte not being the most attractive option ever. Despite that, this summer saw the team improve its depth in key areas while overhauling its attack to take the pressure off of Cole Palmer. Their outgoing business was nothing short of superb and should be looked at as the gold standard for how top clubs conduct themselves going forward. Unfortunate injuries do leave the side a bit light in the short-term and the lack of reliable centre-back options could come back to haunt them so that does cap this one at. A-