Alejandro Garnacho sold, Estevao Willian decision – Chelsea’s £273m transfer spree scrutinised

Chelsea spent around £273million on new players last summer but it has not been easy for some of them to adapt to life at Stamford Bridge

Chelsea spent a total of £273million last summer on new additions as the club looked to improve Enzo Maresca’s squad for the 2025/26 campaign. The Blues had just lifted the Conference League and Club World Cup but were already thinking about how to improve in the future.

However, things have not quite gone to plan. Chelsea, who parted company with Maresca on New Year’s Day, could still finish in fourth in the Premier League table – the same position they managed last season – but there are no guarantees amid a fierce battle with Manchester United and Liverpool.

The Blues are into the FA Cup fifth round, where they will travel up to Wrexham for a place in the last eight of the competition. In the Champions League, Chelsea are through to the last 16 and will discover who they face in Friday’s draw. So, all in all, things are not too bad at Stamford Bridge and there is still a chance this turns into a special season for the club.

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As far as the new signings go, however, not all of them have worked out. With all of this being said, Bobby Vincent and Jake Stokes discuss whether they would keep or sell the six additions in the upcoming summer transfer window.

Bobby Vincent

Joao Pedro

We will start with an easy one. Joao Pedro has enjoyed a fantastic debut season at Stamford Bridge. In all competitions, the Brazil international has scored 14 goals – only Viktor Gyokeres of Arsenal has bagged more in terms of the big summer striker signings.

Joao Pedro is integral to this Chelsea side under Liam Rosenior and will be for years to come, whether that’s as a No.10 or just behind the striker.

Verdict: Keep

Jamie Gittens

It has been a frustrating start for Gittens at Stamford Bridge. The 21-year-old arrived in west London with big expectations after impressing at Borussia Dortmund but has not been able to live up to the billing thus far.

Gittens, who is currently out with a hamstring injury, has played just over 1000 minutes in all competitions. While he has shown glimpses of his talent and potential, he is yet to be able to do that on a consistent basis for the Blues.

Either way, though, he needs more time to prove himself.

Verdict: Keep

Alejandro Garnacho

If you look at the 21-year-old’s statistics: six goals and three assists in just over 1500 minutes in all competitions. That in isolation is not too bad.

However, Garnacho is a frustrating player to watch. The former Manchester United winger finds himself in some really dangerous positions since joining Chelsea but often lets himself down with his decision making and therefore a lack of end product.

Chelsea paid £40million for Garnacho – a relatively modest fee – and could probably at least get their money back for the Argentine. If there are wingers to arrive at Stamford Bridge in the summer, I would be tempted to sell him.

Verdict: Sell

Estevao Willian

An easy one. The 18-year-old Brazilian has been mightily impressive since being brought in from Palmeiras last summer.

Chelsea supporters will like to see more of him in the future, especially from the start – with Estevao making just 17 starts in his 32 appearances so far this season. Either way, Estevao is set to be a huge part of the club’s long-term future.

Verdict: Keep

Liam Delap

It has not worked out for Delap up until this point. Signed for £30million from Ipswich Town, Delap, who took the No.9 shirt at Chelsea, has scored just twice since moving to west London.

There has been strong criticism in Delap’s direction but Rosenior has continued to defend his striker. With Emanuel Emegha arriving in the summer and the possibility of another striker also joining, it could be time for Delap to move on unless he drastically improves between now and the end of the season.

Verdict: Sell

Jorrel Hato

It was a slow start for the Dutchman at Chelsea but since Rosenior took over last month, there has been a big improvement. Hato can expect more minutes in the coming weeks because of Marc Cucurella’s hamstring injury, though Malo Gusto was chosen ahead of the former Ajax defender for Saturday’s draw with Burnley.

There is still so much to come from Hato in a Chelsea shirt.

Verdict: Keep

Jake Stokes

Joao Pedro

Joao Pedro has been superb for Chelsea this season, establishing himself as a key player in the starting lineup. The Blues have been crying out for a top striker for a while now, and the 24-year-old has delivered.Of course, there’s still room for improvement, but he’s been brilliant. He hit the ground running, firing the Blues to glory at the Club World Cup.

Verdict: Keep

Jamie Gittens

Gittens should go out on loan next season. The 21-year-old forward has shown flashes of promise since joining Chelsea from Borussia Dortmund in the summer, but not the quality to match his £50million price tag.It feels like he needs to come out of his shell, and perhaps a loan spell would help him find his feet. That said, if the Blues signed a world-class left winger in the summer, Gittens should stay and play understudy.

Verdict: Loan

Alejandro Garnacho

Chelsea should offload Garnacho in the summer, unless he pulls his finger out. Like Gittens, the 21-year-old forward has proved he can’t be relied upon to consistently produce at the very highest level.Unlike Gittens, however, he’s had more than enough time to find his feet in the Premier League. Neither has been particularly great, and the combined £90million or so spent on them would’ve been better invested in one proven player.

Verdict: Sell

Estevao Willian

Estevao should be one of the first names on the team sheet next season. The 18-year-old winger has been a joy to watch, and it’s a shame that he’s not yet had a proper chance to build some momentum.

Just when you think he’s set for a run of starts, something happens, whether it’s a managerial decision, an injury scare or a teammate gets a red card. Despite some unfortunate hiccups, Estevao has been class.

Bearing in mind, he left his homeland to start a new life on the other side of the world, it’s easy to forget how young he is. Estevao has the quality to impact games NOW, and the potential to do so for years to come.

Verdict: Keep

Jorrel Hato

Hato has enjoyed a very good start to the year, proving that he’s more than capable of covering for Cucurella. The 19-year-old defender looked shaky at first, which is understandable when his former manager, Maresca, didn’t seem to trust him much.

Verdict: Keep

Liam Delap

Delap should probably go on loan next season. The 23-year-old hasn’t quite had the desired impact, arriving as someone expected to be a ‘box-striker’ who helps Chelsea combat low-blocks.

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Rosenior reintegrates Nicolas Jackson in the summer. Delap would be wasted as a third choice, and, as it stands, he’d be better off developing at a mid-table Premier League team.

Verdict: Loan

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