As Chelsea’s season limps to a disappointing end, the finger of blame has largely been pointed at the managers. Managers, plural, that is, with the Blues having started the season with Enzo Maresca, before briefly employing youth coach Calum McFarlane as a caretaker. They then handed Liam Rosenior a six-and-a-half-year contract but sacked him after 4.47% of that (no doubt at great expense to the club), before reappointing McFarlane as interim boss.
There is still a few weeks of the campaign left, so who knows, perhaps Chelsea will have another manager before the season is done. But is the manager to blame? Or should we apportion more responsibility to the players, which is what Rosenior seemed to suggest shortly before he was given the boot? Alternatively, are the club’s owners the ones who have let the fans down?
It is the owners who have created the chaos and turbulence at the club. It is they who have hired and fired managers at will, and it is they who have dictated the unusual transfer policy. The hierarchy appeared to feel that if a player was young, could do 50 keepy-uppies, and had attracted one glowing media report, they should be signed on an eight-year deal.
That is, of course, an exaggeration, but the Stamford Bridge outfit have certainly taken an approach to the transfer market unlike that taken by any other British club. They have signed a raft of young players, and with dire financial results and no success on the pitch, it seems to be failing. But just how do the major signings of the 2025/26 campaign rank so far?
Who did Chelsea Sign?
We will look at the nine players Chelsea signed permanently for a cash fee, either in the summer window or the one at the start of 2026. Chelsea’s model is largely based on potential, future performances and resale value. Our assessment of each signing, however, is based on what they have actually done for the club and how they have performed.
Transfer fees are more complex than ever these days, with no end of clauses, payment structures, guaranteed add-ons and performance-related add-ons, plus staggered deals, where a player is signed but may not join the club until a future date. For the sake of simplicity, we have used the same reputable source for fees. Additionally, they are quoted in Euros for consistency. Stats, where quoted, are up to and including Rosenior’s last match in charge, against Brighton on the 21st of April.
Joao Pedro, €63.70m – Hit
Pedro was the club’s most expensive signing of the season, and the former Brighton man, who will not turn 25 until September 2026, has proved a hit. The forward, who has also played for Watford as well as Fluminense in his native Brazil, has been a rare bright spark in a poor season.
He has now played eight games for his country without scoring, but his time with the Blues has been more fruitful. He has played 45 games in all competitions and netted a very decent 19 goals. He has everything you would want in a modern forward, bringing pace, trickery, technical ability and intelligence. Chelsea fans will hope that he continues to improve, and he looks capable of going to the next level and potentially being a real star.
Jamie Gittens, €56m – Miss
Given that he will not turn 22 until the start of the 2026/27 campaign, it may be harsh to label Gittens a miss. He may yet come good, but we are judging players on what they have shown this term, and the former Borussia Dortmund man is yet to shine at the Bridge.
The winger spent some time as a youth with the Blues before being part of the Man City academy and then shining as a first-team player in German football. His return to Chelsea has not been smooth, and we are yet to see his direct approach play and pace yield results. He is raw, but one goal, in the EFL Cup, from 27 appearances, is not what the owners would have wanted.
Alejandro Garnacho, €46.20m – Miss
Garnacho was signed from Man United, and the young Argentine has shown wherever he has played that he is capable of moments of utter magic. However, they are not frequent enough and there are major doubts about his character and potential to disrupt a dressing room that is hardly in line to win awards for unity and cohesion. Garnacho has delivered one PL goal from 23 outings, with half of his eight strikes this term coming in the EFL Cup.
Estevao, €45m – Hit
Estevao has only just turned 19, and he could prove to be up there with the very best of the many great footballers Brazil has provided. His skill is something to behold and he excites, while also boasting a good end product. He is mature considering his age, and while he is incredibly skilful, he also possesses a high football IQ.
His intelligence and output will only increase with age, but even in this difficult season for Chelsea, he has delivered eight goals from 36 matches. He has not played 90 minutes all that often, and when we throw in his four assists, he boasts a goal involvement every 140 minutes. The sky really is the limit.
Jorrel Hato, €44.18m – Hit
Left-back Hato was signed from Ajax, and it is often harder to give young defenders playing time than it is with young attackers. Despite that, Hato has played almost 2,000 minutes this term and in general he has impressed. The Dutchman only turned 20 in March and looks to have all the attributes to make it in the PL. He is a leader and his seven national caps illustrate his quality. We could have labelled him a miss, but that would have been far too harsh!
Liam Delap, €35.5m – Miss
Hato looks the part but the same cannot be said for Delap, signed from Ipswich for a bargain fee due to their relegation. He is young and raw but just doesn’t look like a man with a long-term future at Chelsea. A total of 36 appearances, albeit only totalling 1,454 minutes, and a mere two goals, paint a fair picture of his debut season at the Bridge.
Enzo Maresca says Liam Delap’s red card was “very stupid” 🔴 pic.twitter.com/lru86QsxHf
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) October 30, 2025
Dario Essugo, €22.27m – Miss
Essugo has talent and physical attributes that may yet make him a hit with the Blues. However, a thigh injury limited his 2025/26 campaign, and the defensive midfielder has played just four times for the club.
Mamadou Sarr, €14m – Hit
Just 20, the Senegalese secured a loan move to Strasbourg (with whom Chelsea share owners) at the start of the season. He did well in France, starting 15 games in a campaign disrupted by injury and international duty. The Blues rate him and recalled him in February 2026, since when he has made five appearances for the club.
Kendry Paez, €10m – N/A
Paez also began the season at Strasbourg on loan before the Ecuadorian was loaned to River Plate in January. 24 senior caps for Ecuador at the age of just 18 is impressive, and he boasts skill and pace. However, he is yet to play for Chelsea.