Chelsea slammed for €145m summer transfer mistake

15 Sept 2026 12:04 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Chelsea legend John Obi Mikel has criticised his former club’s failure to sign a replacement for Enzo Fernandez before the end of the summer transfer window.

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The Argentina superstar completed a €145 million (£125m) move to Manchester on Deadline Day, following weeks of negotiations, and Chelsea were left without a successor after their proposed move for AS Monaco star Lamine Camara collapsed at the last minute.

Current ETV

Lamine Camara

M, DM (C)

Monaco

Lamine Camara

M, DM (C)

Monaco

ETV Range

€26.9M - €32.8M

A €55m deal for Camara was finalised in the final hours of the summer window, but Monaco pulled the plug on the deal before the 23:00 GMT deadline and Chelsea were unable to pursue an alternative, with AS Roma and Bournemouth reluctant to sell Manu Kone and Alex Scott respectively.

As a result, Xabi Alonso has favoured a midfield pivot of club captain Reece James and Romeo Lavia so far this season, with Moises Caicedo ruled out through injury, and it’s been an area of serious concern for Chelsea, who are now sixth in the Premier League table after a disappointing 2-2 draw against Hull City on Saturday afternoon.

Jordan Henderson is yet to make his debut for the club following the arm injury he suffered while on England duty at the World Cup, while Valentin Barco has made two substitute appearances in the Premier League, in addition to two starts in the Carabao Cup.

Caicedo’s absence is believed to have played a key role in Chelsea’s midfield struggles this term, but Mikel has also taken aim at the club’s failure to sign a replacement for Fernandez.

© IMAGO - Moises Caicedo is currently injured

John Obi Mikel issues Chelsea transfer verdict

“We are missing Moises Caicedo. When we get him back, I think we will be a much, much more solid team,” Mikel said on the latest episode of the Obi One podcast. “He is that guy that breaks up play, that makes sure that our back-four is well protected. Our back four is solid.

“That energy that he brings, break up plays, setting up plays, driving the ball forward, just what Declan Rice is doing for Arsenal. That’s what Moises Caicedo brings for us and he’s been an absolutely huge miss.

“As soon as he comes back, I think we’ll be a much better team. There’s absolutely no question about it.”

However, despite Caicedo’s absence, Mikel believes that Chelsea’s inability to sign a replacement for Fernandez was a major error.

“That is one position that the club has failed to strengthen during the transfer window. We failed,” the ex-Chelsea midfielder added.

“We knew Enzo Fernandez wanted to leave the football club. We knew for so long he wanted to go. Yes, we got £125million sitting in the bank, but we failed to bring in another player and that’s why we are suffering right now.

“We talk about leaking goals. Yes, we can blame the defence, but you need at least two holding players to be able to shield and protect the back-four in that system. You need that because you’re going to be exposed.”