Revealed: Why Chelsea fans have asked to receive a transfer ban

Cameron Smith

• 26 Sep 2025 03:00 CDT
• 5 min read

News

Chelsea fans have bizarrely asked to receive a transfer ban following Ishe Samuels-Smith’s debut for Swansea on Wednesday night.

The 19-year-old played 63 minutes during the Championship side’s 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest in the third round of the Carabao Cup, and he produced an impressive performance at left-back in his first ever senior match.

Current ETV

Ishé Samuels-Smith

D (CL)

Swansea

Ishé Samuels-Smith

D (CL)

Swansea

€1.4M

ETV Range

€1.1M - €1.7M

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Samuels-Smith faced a tricky opponent in Dilane Bakwa, but he limited the Forest winger to very few opportunities thanks to his excellent defensive nous, while he displayed immense calmness in possession.

All in all, it was an extremely promising senior debut for the on-loan Chelsea defender and a number of Blues fans have even called for their club to be banned from making transfers in order to ensure Samuels-Smith is given a chance in the first-team.

Furthermore, several supporters believe Chelsea should’ve simply promoted the Englishman rather than spend €44.2 million on Ajax defender Jorrel Hato this summer.

What have Chelsea fans said about Ishe Samuels-Smith?

Samuels-Smith signed a new long-term Chelsea contract in April, but he was subsequently sold to sister club Strasbourg in late July. However, the Englishman then completed a surprise permanent transfer back to Chelsea on Deadline Day, before being loaned to Swansea.

Ben Chilwell’s move to Strasbourg was touted as a key reason behind Samuels Smith’s return to Stamford Bridge, while homesickness was also suggested to be a factor.

In a recent interview, Strasbourg president Marc Keller clarified the real reason behind Samuels-Smith’s move back to Chelsea.

“Ishe belonged to Chelsea. We were looking for someone to play on the left or as a left centre-back. I didn’t know him at the start, but the sporting director and Liam [Rosenior] did,” he told reporters (via GFFN).

“After a few weeks, with the player, the staff, and Chelsea, we felt it would be difficult for him to play right away. Together with the player and his family, we decided that an intermediate step was better. The transfer was cancelled, no money moved between Chelsea and Strasbourg. We prioritised the player’s well-being and his playing time.”

With the 19-year-old now back in Chelsea’s extensive player roster, fans have asked to be handed a transfer ban in order to ensure Samuels-Smith is given a chance to prove himself to Enzo Maresca.

In response to a compilation of the defender posted on X, one fan simply said: “We need a transfer ban.”

Meanwhile, several supporters were quick to suggest that signing Hato instead of promoting Samuels-Smith was a major error.

“I’m crying he’s better than Hato just burn the club,” one fan commented, while another added: “40m on Hato while we had him on our books for 3 years now and Hato is not even remotely close to this quality.”

Chelsea have been charged with 74 breaches of The FA’s regulations and a transfer ban is one of the possible punishments they could receive, so fans could see their wish granted.

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