A critical look at the players brought in by Chelsea during this summer’s transfer window.
With Jose Mourinho making a keenly-anticipated return to Chelsea this summer, it was widely expected that he would be ready to splash out on revamping the squad he’d inherited from Rafael Benitez. Although there is arguably no finer addition to a side than that of Mourinho taking charge of the team, the Portuguese coach has made some good purchases in his first summer back at Stamford Bridge, and here is a look at the Blues’ new arrivals.
Andre Schurrle
An immensely talented young German winger, Andre Schurrle was signed by the club for £18m from Bayer Leverkusen. Also capable of playing upfront, the 22-year-old scored 14 goals in all competitions for the Bundesliga side last season, and should offer a slightly more direct approach from the likes of Juan Mata, Eden Hazard and Oscar. Although he has shown so far that he may need time to settle in the Premier League, the Blues have certainly snapped up one of the game’s finest prospects here, and his addition provides even more excitement to this vastly talented group of attacking players at Stamford Bridge.
A luxury signing perhaps, but could prove an important player if he finds his best form and holds down a place in the team. 7.5/10.
Marco van Ginkel
For just £8m, Chelsea have found themselves a highly promising young midfielder in Marco van Ginkel. Still only 20, the Dutchman became a key part of the team at his old side Vitesse Arnhem, and with his eye for goals from the middle of the park, he could be a long-term replacement for the legendary Frank Lampard. Although he may not play much this season, his youth and potential make him a good investment by Mourinho, who looks to be increasingly going down the path of finding players at a younger age and nurturing them, in stark contrast to his first spell at Stamford Bridge.
A top prospect and, for now, also a good squad player. 7/10.
Mark Schwarzer
A surprise signing perhaps, but the vastly experienced Mark Schwarzer has been one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League for many years now, impressing at both Middlesbrough and Fulham. The 40-year-old will almost certainly be a backup to Petr Cech and a short-term option for the club before exciting youngster Thibaut Courtois eventually returns from his loan spell at Atletico Madrid, but on a free transfer he looks a sensible piece of business by Mourinho, and a great player for the club’s young ‘keepers to learn from.
For an added bonus, Fulham will be annoyed at seeing their first-choice ‘keeper leave for their local rivals. 6/10.
Willian
Snapped up from under the noses of Tottenham, who thought they’d all but completed a deal to sign Willian for £30m, Chelsea then came in to land him for an improved offer to Anzhi Makhachkala of £32m. The Brazilian has been a highly impressive performer in Russia and in Ukraine at his former club Shakhtar Donetsk, and will now be given his first test of Premier League football.
A versatile attacker capable of playing out wide, centrally or even upfront, it will be interesting to see where Willian ends up playing for Chelsea this season, as they arguably already have all the players required to fill these roles. Of course, the 25-year-old’s talent should make him a valuable addition, but some fans may be concerned that it has thrown the future of star playmaker Juan Mata into some doubt.
Still, a top talent and well worthy of being the club’s most expensive purchase of the summer. 7.5/10.
Samuel Eto’o
After missing out on Wayne Rooney, Chelsea perhaps made one of the smartest purchases of the summer in Samuel Eto’o. Even if he was a short-term backup plan, the 32-year-old arrives on a one-year deal for just £4m from Anzhi Makhachkala, and will provide much-needed competition upfront for the misfiring Fernando Torres and Demba Ba.
Although clearly past his peak, Eto’o still possesses the qualities that made him one of the world’s best strikers for so many years in his time at Barcelona, and later Inter Milan, where he found great success under Mourinho as they won the treble in 2009/10. An experienced, proven winner, Eto’o is one of the finest players of his generation, and his presence at the club, even if only for a year, could be of a huge benefit to Chelsea. Manchester United were also said to be interested in the Cameroon international, and it’s no surprise when he was available for such a bargain price.
Mourinho may be annoyed at missing out on Rooney, but this clever move more than makes up for it. 8.5/10.
Christian Atsu
Another attacking midfielder in a squad packed with them, Chelsea have perhaps done the wise thing in loaning Christian Atsu out immediately after purchasing him. The £3.5m signing from Porto has been highly impressive in the Portuguese league, attracting interest from the likes of Liverpool and Tottenham as well, though the Blues did well to snap him up late on in the transfer window. He will now spend the season on loan in the Eredivisie with Vitesse Arnhem, and looks like another good investment in youth by Mourinho, again for a bargain price.
Not a player who will make an impact this season, but another who makes the future look bright at Stamford Bridge. 6.5/10.
Overview
As already mentioned, the best thing Chelsea did this summer was bring back Jose Mourinho, with the Special One missed greatly during his six-year absence. Still, the returning boss made some good purchases in the transfer market to continue Chelsea’s trend as a younger and more attack-minded side.
Schurrle and Willian in addition to Mata, Hazard and Oscar gives the Blues an incredible number of high-quality options, and while the biggest challenge may be how to fit them all in, Chelsea are unlikely to ever find themselves short of a player who can turn a game and provide some match-winning quality. Perhaps more defensive-minded midfielders were needed, and it is rumoured that Chelsea were keen to sell John Obi Mikel to Galatasaray in order to bring someone else in, but it didn’t happen. The axis of Ramires and Frank Lampard looks strong though, and the return from loan of Michael Essien gives the side some good experienced backup as well.
Unsurprisingly, Chelsea’s defence looks strong, so there was little need to strengthen there, even if the club were linked strongly with Porto starlet Eliaquim Mangala. Schwarzer as backup for Cech is a good signing as well, giving the Blues a better backup than Ross Turnbull in goal.
Although big names like Rooney, Edinson Cavani and Radamel Falcao were being linked with the club, Chelsea will be happy with the bargan signing of Eto’o, who should be an upgrade on Torres and Ba even at this late stage in his career. It’s great for neutrals as well to see one of the greats of the game finally spend a season in the Premier League.
Total spending: £63.5m.
Overall score: 8/10.