It is less than a month since Frank Lampard secured a top-four finish. Chelsea will soon figure more prominently in a very different top four, and for non-footballing reasons. If Ben Chilwell completes his move from Leicester, they will be responsible for three of the four biggest signings Premier League clubs can debut next season.
Hakim Ziyech’s transfer from Ajax was sealed so long ago it feels part of the distant past, and Timo Werner agreed to leave Leipzig for London two months ago.
Chilwell’s proposed arrival from Leicester will take Chelsea’s spending towards £150 million (Dh721m). Perhaps, with the additions of Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and a goalkeeper, their eventual expenditure could be more than £300 million.
It would represent an extraordinary outlay in a recession which is having horrific effects on many within football. Perhaps it supports the broader economic theory that the pandemic benefited the super-rich but precious few others. Certainly Roman Abramovich is still able to buy when even a profitable, successful club like Liverpool are reappraising their finances.
In Chelsea’s defence, their business so far has been funded in part by the sales of Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata, even if both now seem part of ancient history, and necessitated by their transfer ban, which meant this summer’s shopping list became longer.
Perhaps it is not a wanton display of excess, either. The £40 million fee for Ziyech felt relatively cheap when it was agreed in February. Werner would surely have commanded more than £47.5 million but for the release clause in his contract. Chelsea have negotiated the price for Chilwell down, just as they are trying to do for Havertz.
A potential price of around £50 million would still make Chilwell one of the most expensive full-backs ever, but it would mean Leicester’s hopes of emulating the £85 million they banked for Harry Maguire are dashed.
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Chelsea season ratings
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CHELSEA 2019/20 RATINGS: MANAGER: Frank Lampard - 8. Lampard's appointment last summer was met with realistic optimism. Chelsea's greatest goalscorer was back at the club but had to contend with a transfer embargo that meant he was unable to replace the sold Eden Hazard. Billed as Chelsea's weakest squad in years, Lampard steered the Blues to a top four finish in the Premier League, the FA Cup final, and the Champions League last 16. All while giving ample opportunities to the club's youngsters. There is still plenty of room for improvement, particularly with the team's defensive frailties, but an impressive first year in the Stamford Bridge dugout. Getty Images -
GOALKEEPERS: Kepa Arrizabalaga – 4. There are many things you want from the world’s most expensive goalkeeper. Being a liability is not one of them. The Spaniard had one of the worst save percentages in the Premier League and has been a major culprit in Chelsea’s defensive failings. His Stamford Bridge future looks bleak. Reuters -
Willy Caballero – 6. Chelsea’s No 2 has had a decent season. Limited to five league appearances, the Argentine has been the Cup keeper, helping his side reach the FA Cup final, so there can’t be too many complaints. EPA -
DEFENDERS: Antonio Rudiger – 6. It was a mixed bag for the German centre-back, whose performances have ranged from commanding to comical. Should be part of Frank Lampard’s plans next season unless a tempting offer is made. Getty Images -
Kurt Zouma – 7. The Frenchman made more appearances than any other central defender to mark an encouraging return to the first team after successive seasons on loan. As culpable as the rest for Chelsea’s back-line struggles but redeemed himself with 'that' tackle against Crystal Palace. AP -
Andreas Christensen – 6. In and out of the team this season, the Dane could be the one to make way if Chelsea recruit a new centre-back this summer. Reuters -
Cesar Azpilicueta – 8. Chelsea’s captain remains as important as ever. Not only the team’s stand-out defender but chipped in with four goals and seven assists. His versatility has proved priceless when Lampard switched between formations. AP -
Emerson Palmieri – 5. Started the season as first choice left-back but the Italian barely featured after the turn of the year. Is expected to leave this summer. AP Photo -
Reece James – 8. An impressive debut season for the English right-back. Solid in defence, full of pace and power going forward, and with an excellent final delivery. At just 20, James is only going to get better. Chelsea have their right-back for the next 10 years. AFP -
Marcos Alonso – 6. This is a unique one as the Spaniard deserves a 7 or 8 as a wing-back but would probably get a 3 or 4 as a left-back. His overall rating is a reflection of that. EPA -
Fikayo Tomori – 7. Like James, another academy graduate to impress in his breakthrough season. Tomori started brightly before injury disrupted his campaign. He looks the real deal, though, and should have a bright future at the Bridge. Scored arguably Chelsea's goal of the season against Wolves. Shutterstock -
Tariq Lamptey – 6. Looked lively in the few games he played, particularly the 31-minute cameo against Arsenal. Opted to leave the club in January and has since helped Brighton remain in the Premier League. AP -
MIDFIELDERS: N’Golo Kante – 7. After three exemplary seasons for Chelsea, this has been the toughest for the French midfielder, who has endured numerous injury setbacks. Still remains vitally important to the Blues and will look to reset next season. PA Wire -
Jorginho – 7. The Italian playmaker was superb during Chelsea’s fine autumn run and formed a good partnership with Mateo Kovacic. But he can be too one-dimensional and gets exposed in a defensive role. A good offer could see him leave this summer. AFP -
Mason Mount – 8. Eight goals and six assists do not do justice to how good the English midfielder has been this season. A classy operator on the ball, fantastic in the high-press and brimming with quality. Lionel Messi believes Mount is destined for the top, so who are we to argue? Getty Images -
Mateo Kovacic – 8. Had a decent enough loan spell last season but many fans did not think it warranted a €40m (Dh170m) move. That fee has so far proved money well spent after a brilliant campaign from the Croatian midfielder. Should get even better next year. Getty Images -
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6. There is no disputing the English midfielder’s quality, but injuries have become a real issue. If he is fit and firing next season, Loftus-Cheek should have an important role in the squad. AFP -
Ross Barkley – 6. His best season in a Chelsea shirt with some real moments of quality. But the consistency that separates good and great players is still missing. EPA -
Billy Gilmour – 7. Broke through in style with back-to-back man of the match performances against Liverpool and Everton. Looked a bit off the pace after the restart before getting injured, but the 19-year-old midfielder is an exciting talent. Reuters -
FORWARDS: Christian Pulisic – 8. The American winger was held back at the start of the season and showed glimpses of his quality before injury struck. However, after the restart, Pulisic was Chelsea’s stand-out player and signed off his debut campaign with 11 goals and 10 assists. He will be even better next season. AFP -
Tammy Abraham – 8. The English striker’s form tailed off in the weeks either side of the lockdown but it should not take away from a fine debut season. Abraham’s goals in the first few months were what propelled Chelsea into top-four contention. He ended the campaign with 18 goals and six assists in all competitions. Getty Images -
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 5. Another exciting talent for the future, this was meant to be a breakthrough season for Hudson-Odoi. Unfortunately, injury held the winger back, but at 19 he has plenty of time to progress. AFP -
Willian – 8. Chelsea’s senior forward has led by example this season with 11 goals and nine assists. As the Brazilian leaves this summer, it was a fine way to complete his superb seven-year stay at Stamford Bridge. Getty Images -
Michy Batshuayi – 3. Barely featured this season and this must surely be the summer the Belgian striker leaves for good. AFP -
Pedro – 5. Injuries, illness, and a drop down the pecking order saw the Spanish winger’s impact limited during his final season. Will be remembered fondly by the Chelsea faithful. Getty Images -
Olivier Giroud – 8. Almost left in January after growing frustrated with his lack of game time. Chelsea fans will be grateful he didn’t as the French striker hit a run of goalscoring form after the restart and replaced Abraham as Chelsea’s first choice striker. EPA
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If it suggests full-backs are still cheaper than central defenders like Maguire and Virgil van Dijk it also shows Leicester’s bargaining power was reduced by the end-of-season collapse that cost them Champions League football. The loss of Chilwell to a direct rival indicates part of the challenge the Premier League’s ambitious middle class face.
There is a case for saying Chilwell is still overpriced. His form, like Leicester’s, tailed off in the second half of the campaign. Certainly Arsenal got greater value for money in signing Kieran Tierney for £25 million last year and Chilwell’s value was inflated by the reality England have a glut of right-backs, but fewer of their left-sided counterparts.
And yet Chilwell’s credentials have long been recognised. His similarity with Leighton Baines goes beyond the physical. David Wagner recommended him to his close friend Jurgen Klopp before Andy Robertson’s development meant Liverpool did not need a first-choice left-back.
He has admirers at Manchester City; he would surely get in the City or Spurs sides and is arguably the second best in his position in the league.
Chelsea are strengthening in a position that felt a weakness. It is no secret Marcos Alonso is a better wing-back than full-back. Frank Lampard had so little confidence in Emerson Palmieri that he did not start a league game after January. The captain Cesar Azpilicueta was an accomplished left-back in the past but sometimes his deployment there felt more of a makeshift measure.
Certainly, Chilwell, as a natural left-footer, could overlap more effectively when a right-footed player, such as Christian Pulisic, Mason Mount or Werner, is Chelsea’s left-sided forward.
At 23, he might be Chelsea’s left-back for a decade. While Ajax’s Nicolas Tagliafico would have been a cheaper alternative, he turns 28 next week. Lampard’s long-termism remains one of his most admirable traits and a successor could benefit if Chilwell becomes Stamford Bridge’s next Ashley Cole.
But if they needed him, there is a case for saying other departments still represent greater priorities. They conceded 54 league goals last season, their most since 1996-97. Lampard started addressing that by moving N’Golo Kante into the deepest midfield role, and Chilwell provides another upgrade, but it nevertheless highlighted the fundamental failings at goalkeeper and centre-back.
Because if spending the best part of £150 million is a statement in itself, Chelsea will have a different kind of expensive eloquence if Chilwell is part of a remodelled rearguard that chalks up the clean sheets.
