As the 2025 summer transfer window races toward its conclusion, Chelsea find themselves in familiar territory—spending big, selling aggressively, and still searching for the final pieces of the puzzle. With just days left before the September 1 deadline, the Blues’ summer business is far from complete. Despite investing over £200 million and shipping out a host of players, key areas of the squad remain unbalanced. Here’s a breakdown of what Chelsea need to finalize before the window slams shut.
Attacking Reinforcements Still on the Radar
Chelsea’s transfer activity has largely revolved around adding attacking firepower, but their lack of sharpness in front of goal remains a concern. A goalless draw against Crystal Palace in their Premier League opener served as a warning sign that despite depth, the creativity and finishing touch are still missing.
Two emerging stars—Xavi Simons and Alejandro Garnacho—are reportedly top of Chelsea’s shortlist. Simons has impressed with his technical flair and versatility at RB Leipzig, while Garnacho offers blistering pace and a fearless dribbling style that could ignite the flanks. Both would add a new dimension to Enzo Maresca’s forward line.
Still, questions remain over whether adding two more youthful attackers is the right move, especially given Chelsea’s prior investments. If the new signings hit the ground running, though, Maresca could field one of Europe’s most potent offensive lineups.
Defensive Depth a Growing Concern
While Chelsea boast a formidable midfield and a surplus of attacking options, their defensive setup has come under scrutiny. The long-term injury to Levi Colwill, sidelined with an ACL tear, has left a glaring hole in central defense—an area where the club already lacked elite-level presence.
Currently, Maresca must rely on the likes of Trevoh Chalobah, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoît Badiashile, Wesley Fofana, and Jorrel Hato—talented but inconsistent defenders. None of them has yet proven capable of anchoring a Premier League title-winning backline.
Despite the urgency, Chelsea appear unlikely to pursue a new centre-back before the window closes. That decision may come back to haunt them, especially if they aim to challenge both domestically and in Europe. A defensive upgrade could have made all the difference, but the club seems set to delay reinforcement until next summer.
Balancing the Books: Key Departures Still Pending
Off the pitch, Chelsea’s backroom staff remain hard at work trying to trim a bloated squad. The club has already sanctioned a double-digit number of player exits via sales and loans—but several notable names are still on the chopping block.
Strikers Nicolas Jackson and Christopher Nkunku top the list of potential high-value sales. While the Blues are likely to lower their £100 million valuation of Jackson, his departure could still generate significant revenue. Nkunku, valued at around £43 million, is also being courted by clubs across Europe.
Elsewhere, English trio Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, and Carney Chukwuemeka are expected to leave before the deadline. Chukwuemeka is nearing a permanent move to Borussia Dortmund, while Chelsea are reportedly open to Sterling’s exit to ease the wage bill.
Axel Disasi could be moved either permanently or on loan, and Aarón Anselmino is close to a temporary switch to Dortmund. Promising youngster Tyrique George is also likely to head out on loan for first-team experience.
While Chelsea are eager to offload up to eight more players, completing that many deals in under a week presents a serious logistical challenge. Their recruitment team will need to act swiftly and decisively.
Final Thoughts: Time Ticking on a Critical Week
Chelsea’s summer window has followed a now-familiar pattern: bold spending, youth-focused recruitment, and a scramble to balance the squad at the last minute. With the deadline looming, the Blues still have critical decisions to make—particularly in defense and outgoings. If they get it right, Maresca could enter the season with a refined, competitive squad. If not, Chelsea may be left with another campaign of imbalance and missed opportunity.
