Since Todd Boehly took over in 2022, Chelsea has been known for significant spending, investing over £1.2 billion in new players in about three years. These changes aim to equip Enzo Maresca to help Chelsea compete for a top-four spot in the Premier League.
Maresca has added players like Pedro Neto, who joined from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £54 million.
Neto has contributed 11 goals and assists in all competitions, aiding the team’s progress in the Europa Conference League.
To make room for summer signings like Neto, Chelsea loaned out several attacking players.
Chelsea Attackers on Loan in 2024/25
Armando Broja, a Chelsea academy graduate, broke into the first team in 2022/23 but faced setbacks due to an ACL injury. After joining Everton on loan, injury issues limited him to six goalless appearances.
Raheem Sterling, a £50 million signing by Boehly, has not performed as expected, scoring 19 goals in 81 games. Loaned to Arsenal for the 2024/25 season, he has struggled, scoring only once in 22 appearances.
Besides these players, another former first-teamer is currently on loan.
The High Cost of a Chelsea Dud: £680k Per Game
Chelsea has spent considerable sums on underperforming players, like Sterling. However, large investments predate Boehly’s era, such as the £72 million spent on goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga in 2018, a world-record fee for a goalkeeper.
Despite 163 appearances over five years, Kepa’s Chelsea career included errors and controversies. After a loan spell at Real Madrid, he joined Bournemouth on loan and has kept five clean sheets.
Kepa reportedly wants a permanent move to Bournemouth. Chelsea needs to sell him permanently.
Earning £150k per week, Kepa’s wages total £7.8 million annually, or £39 million over his contract. Combined with his transfer fee, he has cost Chelsea £111 million, or £680k per game. Chelsea should finalize his exit to avoid further financial losses.
| Chelsea’s highest-paid players in 2024/25 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Player | Weekly wage | Yearly wage |
| 1 | Reece James | £250,000 | £13,000,000 |
| 2 | Wesley Fofana | £200,000 | £10,400,000 |
| = | Ben Chilwell | £200,000 | £10,400,000 |
| 4 | Christopher Nkunku | £195,000 | £10,140,000 |
| 5 | Enzo Fernández | £180,000 | £9,360,000 |
| 6 | Marc Cucurella | £175,000 | £9,100,000 |
| 7 | Pedro Neto | £160,000 | £8,320,000 |
| 8 | Moises Caicedo | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
| = | Kepa Arrizabalaga | £150,000 | £7,800,000 |
| 9 | Cole Palmer | £130,000 | £6,760,000 |
| Stats via Capology | |||
Chelsea will incur losses on their investment, but selling the goalkeeper permanently is necessary. His positive performances at Bournemouth could lead to a permanent transfer, ending his time in London.
Vihaan Mehrotra