Chelsea – January window explained
Chelsea and transfer windows have been a story for the ages in recent times. The transfer window shuts close and we get to reflect on all that’s changed lately within the world of football. The Financial Fairplay Regulations and Profit Sustainability Rules have restricted clubs from all out in the January window.
This has particularly affected Premier League clubs, mostly Chelsea, with the habit of splashing cash at every other opportunity. The new management spent close to 1 billion in the past two years. Despite investing heavily in recruitment, the Blues are far way from reaping the benefits.
The January transfer window wasn’t very effective for the Stamford Bridge outfits. Let us take a look at all the arrivals and departures that happened during this window at Chelsea.
ARRIVALS:
Diego Moreira (From Lyon)
The 22-year-old winger was called back by the club from Lyon at the end of his loan spell. Moreira was signed by Chelsea last year from Benfica. The left-footed winger grew through the ranks with Benfica before joining the West London club upon contract expiry.
He was immediately loaned to Lyon, after playing just one game for the Blues in the EFL Cup. After failing to make an impact in Ligue 1, the Portuguese player was called back by the club. His future at Chelsea remains uncertain though.
DEPARTURES:
Armando Broja (To Fulham)
The Albanian has to be the most ‘talked about’ player this season at Chelsea. The Blues were keen on letting him go to improve their balance sheet. However, the PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rule) restricted the clubs from going big.
Despite that, Wolverhampton led the race to sign the 22-year-old, only to get their bid rejected by Chelsea. The Blues eventually settled for a loan offer that came from Fulham. Armando Broja is loaned out for six months with no buying clause added.
Ian Maatsen (To Borussia Dortmund)
The diminutive left-back joined Chelsea in 2018. He made scattered appearances for the Blues senior team in the following season. The Dutch defender then embarked on loan spells from 2020. Charlton Athletic, Coventry and Burnley were his destinations from 2020 to 2022. He was a crucial figure for Burnley, who earned promotion to EPL. Chelsea gave him a contract extension until 2026 before sending him out on loan to Borussia Dortmund.
Andrey Santos (To Strasbourg)
There isn’t much that ties Andrey Santos to Chelsea. The Brazilian joined Chelsea in 2023 but returned to his former side Vasco da Gama on loan. Nottingham Forest was his next destination. The 19-year-old was loaned to Strasbourg until the end of the season.
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David Datro Fofana (To Burnley)
Fofana boasts a similar story as Andrey Santos. He arrived in West London just last year around the same time. He was loaned to Union Berlin in July 2023. The club called the Ivory Coast international back and loaned him to Burney until the end of the season.