After throwing money at Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech, Blues boss Frank Lampard has signalled his intention to take the Premier League by the scruff of the neck thanks to deals for Thiago Silva, Malang Sarr, Kai Havertz and Ben Chilwell.
Surprise
In this cash-strapped age, anyone making huge investment is going to raise eyebrows and that’s exactly what Chelsea have done. By cherry picking the best in Europe in their problem areas, Lampard will have no excuses for 2020/2021.
If his first season was a bit of a suck-it-and-see campaign, this one will be all about results. Lampard will have spent more than any other side in the Premier League, baring some unexpected panic buying from Manchester City or Manchester United, and won’t be able to fall back in his tried and tested line of a young team under a transfer embargo.
The move for Sarr is an interesting one. He’s reported to be on the verge of moving to Stamford Bridge on a free, and as a left-footed central defender he should have been on everyone’s radar.
Big Move
Sarr turned down a new deal with Nice and left for nothing. This is a man with excellent pedigree and 102 Ligue 1 games behind him. Normally we’d be talking about a 30 or 40 million pound player.
Chelsea conceded too many goals last season - 79 - and have looked at ways of improving that backline. Silva being brought in will add experience, but at 35 he can’t be expected to play every week.
Sarr adds some longer term security in the position, and could form the spine of the side moving forwards along with Fikayo Tomori. If he can continue his development, we may look back at the moment the Blues signed a relatively unknown man from France and turned him into a defensive lynchpin.
Pressure
Havertz and Chilwell are proven top flight footballers and will add some stardust to left-back and attacking midfield.
Lampard has thrown money at his problems (defence, left-back, forward areas) and will be under pressure to deliver.