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Analysis
- 1 hour ago
Chelsea are eight transfers away from the perfect summer window
31 Aug 2026 09:38 BST |
6 min read
Analysis
Three games. Three wins. Xabi Alonso’s start to life as Chelsea manager couldn’t have gone much better, despite his side’s leaky defence during the opening week of the new campaign.
The Blues look frightening in attack and fragile at the back, but they sit third in the Premier League table after an enthralling 4-3 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday afternoon.
With the summer transfer window closing at 23:00 BST on Tuesday 1 September, Chelsea are running out of time to finalise their business and there are still a number of deals that could be completed by the Blues.
So far this summer, Chelsea have addressed virtually all of their major issues and they arguably look best placed to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title this season if Alonso is able to fix his shaky backline.
Current ETV
Emiliano Martínez
GK
Chelsea
Emiliano Martínez
GK
Chelsea
ETV Range
€15.1M - €18.4M
The Blues have finally signed a reliable goalkeeper to replace Robert Sanchez (Emiliano Martinez), a superstar forward to elevate their attack (Morgan Rogers), a high-quality central defender (Maxence Lacroix) and added experienced heads to help guide their youthful squad (Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck).
They’ve also managed to successfully offload a host of unwanted stars and they have sent a number of academy players on loan to the EFL, which already looks like an excellent decision.
In fact, if Chelsea are able to finalise eight more transfers before the end of Deadline Day, they’ll have arguably enjoyed the best summer window possible.
SELL - Enzo Fernandez
Enzo Fernandez is a fantastic player and he has played an instrumental role for Chelsea over the past two seasons. But, he wants to leave.
Alonso can’t afford to have a bad apple in his camp this term and selling Fernandez to Manchester City is the best course of action, despite the fact it will strengthen a direct rival.
City are expected to match Chelsea’s €140 million asking price before the window closes and a move to the Etihad Stadium now looks like the best option for all parties involved.
LOAN - Dario Essugo
Dario Essugo endured an injury-hit first season at Chelsea, following his arrival from Sporting CP, and he desperately needs to play regular football this term in order to ensure his development doesn’t stall.
He’s unlikely to get that at Stamford Bridge and he has been made available on loan, with the Blues eager for him to receive consistent game time in 2026-27.
Essugo hasn’t appeared in any of Chelsea’s first three matchday squads of the new campaign and the club need to finalise a loan deal quickly.
BUY - Lamine Camara
Fernandez and Essugo will only be allowed to depart if Chelsea sign a new midfielder and it appears as though Lamine Camara is now their priority target.
The Senegal international has starred for AS Monaco over the past two years and following significant Premier League interest, it has been claimed that Chelsea have agreed a €45m deal to bring him to west London.
Alex Scott would potentially be a better signing than Camara, given his experience in the Premier League and his form over the past 12 months, but Bournemouth have no interest in sanctioning a sale and Chelsea are now closing in on the Monaco star.
SELL - Robert Sanchez
Robert Sanchez is one of the most inconsistent goalkeepers in world football and after a high-profile error against Fulham last week, Chelsea moved quickly to secure the signature of Emiliano Martinez.
The Argentina shot-stopper was subsequently included in the starting XI versus Brighton on Sunday, with Mike Penders selected on the bench and Sanchez omitted from the squad entirely.
Chelsea simply need to offload the Spaniard permanently before the end of Deadline Day.
SELL - David Datro Fofana
After five loan spells away from the club, David Datro Fofana somehow remains a Chelsea player and the club have been trying to sell him for the entirety of the summer.
So far, their efforts have been in vain, but the Blues hierarchy must prioritise an exit before the window closes.
SELL - Tosin Adarabioyo
Tosin Adarabioyo started eight Premier League games for Chelsea last season, but he has never looked entirely comfortable in a Blues shirt and he is one of several stars expected to leave permanently before Tuesday’s deadline.
Tosin has been omitted from all three of Chelsea’s matchday squads so far this season and the club have placed him on their ‘for-sale’ list in a bid to offload him as soon as possible.
Benfica have been linked with a move and Chelsea are in active talks over a transfer.
LOAN - Mykhailo Mudryk
Mykhailo Mudryk’s doping ban has officially been lifted and Chelsea are now in advanced talks over a loan move for the 2026-27 season in order to help him regain his sharpness with regular football.
A temporary move to Leeds United was close, but Chelsea have ruled out a move to Elland Road and are pushing Mudryk to join Strasbourg.
However, the Ukraine winger wants to remain in the Premier League.
SELL - Marc Guiu
A full agreement has been reached for Marc Guiu to join RB Leipzig for an initial fee believed to be just under €20m. However, several add-ons clauses have also been included in the deal.
He has travelled to Germany to undergo a medical and is set to be unveiled as a Leipzig player shortly.
To finalise eight deals before the end of Deadline Day may seem an unrealistic target, but Chelsea have been quick operators in the market for several years and it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that a host of agreements will be finalised shortly.
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