Chelsea transfer news: The Blues are set to spend big once again but they could be repeating past mistakes if changes don't take effect.
Chelsea are once again making moves in the transfer market. Having finished 12th in the league there is no surprise but when it is put into context of a £600million spend over 12 months, it does raise questions.
For all the heavy investment in not only players but also managers, backroom staff, physios, groundsmen and directors, the end product has not improved. Turmoil off the pitch has mixed with uncertainty off it to create a toxic atmosphere. The owners are hoping that Mauricio Pochettino can be the cleanser of the mire.
Their performances cannot simply be put down to poor investment but also planning and turnover. That must all change or at least start to show some sort of semblance of adapting this summer, else it could set them back years at a time when their rivals are only strengthening.
The pair are just 22 and 21 respectively and have three seasons of full senior football behind them combined at the top level. For a tally that could rise to well in advance of £100million, it is quite the outlay.
For £30million, though, the question remains whether there is true value and logic in such a deal. He is a full international with Senegal at 22 but has only made one appearance, coming off the bench at the World Cup for 16 minutes on the opening day defeat to Holland.
According to CIES football observatory Chelsea are overpaying by nearly double his current worth. He is said to have a £17million value currently, £12million less than the Blues are set to splash on him. With Armando Broja posing as a younger forward with similar top level experience, he is extremely comparable to Jackson.
Broja is injured and is hoping to be back with a goal of pushing for a first team return next season but it is already on the cards that he faces newfound competition with a player that is, on the face of it, pretty close to being a match for him. At £29million, the question is whether Chelsea would be wiser saving this money, giving Broja an investment of time and also putting this towards other, more expensive and elite quality options.
That is what Brighton have become such masters at. Finding overlooked talent across the globe, most notably South America, and planning for their integration into the first team via loans and trust when it comes to giving them matches in the cauldron of domestic pressure.
If the quality of player is there and proven in the Premier League then the spike comes quickly and sharply for buyers in the market. Chelsea know this already after signing Marc Cucurella from Brighton for £62million last summer. That was 12 months after he had moved for less than half the price from Getafe.