Chelsea's 2023 summer transfer window – how it happened, who was signed, who left and everything else as the Blues ended up spending more than £400million on new players
It's over.
It would not be too much of an exaggeration to say that, even by Chelsea's ridiculous standards, that was the most mind-boggling and rollercoaster transfer window in recent times. Last night, the summer transfer window reached its conclusion and rather ironically, the final day was actually a bit of a quiet one for the Blues.
By Chelsea's standards, that is quiet. Although the club were quite busy in the outgoings department. The Blues announced the departures of Mason Burstow – on loan to Sunderland for the season – and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who joined Nottingham Forest in a deal worth up to £8million.
At one stage of the window, it looked as if it was going to be dominated by those leaving Chelsea rather than those coming in. The likes of Kai Havertz, Mateo Kovacic, N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Christian Pulisic, Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – all senior international players – all left Stamford Bridge over the summer, as well as some younger, less experienced players.
That was always the plan for Pochettino when arriving at Chelsea, football.london understands, to revamp what has been an underperforming squad. In doing so, the club brought in over £200million from player sales, allowing them to spend big in typical Chelsea style.
After that was a double announcement at the start of July. Diego Moreira joined the club on a long-term deal but that is very much one for the future rather than the right now, with the teenager being loaned out to Lyon on deadline day.
The standout signing from that day was Nicolas Jackson. The Blues were on the lookout for a new centre-forward going into the summer window and scouts singled out the Senegal international after his superb end to last season while playing at Villarreal.
Jackson had a £30million release clause in his contract, so it was fairly straightforward for Chelsea to get a deal done. The Blues believed they would be getting a steal by activating the 22-year-old's release clause – and thus far, four games into the season, their decision looks like it could well be vindicated.
Another young prospect followed in Angelo Gabriel. The 18-year-old is viewed as one of Brazil's finest young talents and Chelsea simply had to snap him up. Gabriel, though, has since been loaned to Strasbourg for the season.
Another Stewart-inspired signing arrived a few days later in the shape of French centre-back Axel Disasi. The 25-yea-rold defender had been on the club's radar since Stewart arrived but there was never the intention of looking to sign him this summer.
Robert Sanchez arrived 24 hours later with Chelsea looking to provide Kepa – who then left days later – with some competition following the departure of Mendy. At the time, Chelsea were locked in talks with Brighton for the signing of Moises Caicedo but then some officials were sent to focus on bringing Sanchez to the club instead.
Then, the big one. The most bizarre, yet fascinating, transfer saga some of us will ever see. Caicedo to Chelsea.
Chelsea had been in continuous talks with Brighton all summer-long for the Ecuador international and the Blues saw numerous offers rejected. Brighton were adamant throughout that they would accept no less than £100million for their star midfielder but there was a genuine confidence, football.london understands, from Chelsea's side that they could get a deal done for around £80million.
However, that quickly turned out not to be the case. Liverpool then, out of nowhere really, joined the race to sign Caicedo and sent a whopping £110million offer to Brighton which the Seagulls then accepted for the midfielder.
Romeo Lavia was next for Chelsea with the Belgium midfielder looking set to join Liverpool for the majority of the summer. The Blues, however, outbid the Reds and Lavia chose to move to west London rather than Merseyside in what was an absolutely crazy week involving Liverpool and Chelsea.
Things began to settle down for Chelsea after the Caicedo and Lavia signings, but there was still time for a few more signings. Deivid Washington, the highly-rated Brazilian striker, joined the club on a long-term basis and now looks set to play for the Development Squad for the season as well as fighting for a place in the first-team squad.
Djordje Petrovic followed a couple of days later from New England Revolution with the club wanting another goalkeeper option following the exits of Kepa and Mendy. There are massive hopes for Petrovic, who was one of the most highly-rated shot-stoppers in the MLS.
There was time for one more in Palmer. A deal that seemed to happen very quickly and smoothly in a window that was not smooth, not quick but certainly fascinating.