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These are the Chelsea signings with the lowest impact
Chelsea Football Club, known for its ambitious transfers and high-profile signings, hasn't always hit the mark with every acquisition.
Over the years, several players arrived at Stamford Bridge with great expectations but failed to deliver, leaving a mark as some of the club's most disappointing signings. Let's delve into some of these notable cases:
1. Tiemoue Bakayoko (£40m from Monaco)
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Tiemoue Bakayoko arrived at Chelsea amid high hopes following his successful stint with AS Monaco. Expected to fill the void left by Nemanja Matic, Bakayoko showed early promise but struggled to maintain consistency.
His infamous 30-minute red card against Watford marked a turning point, and subsequent loan spells to AC Milan, Monaco, and Napoli failed to resurrect his career. Bakayoko left Chelsea permanently in 2023 to Ligue 1 side Lorient, ending a disappointing tenure.
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2. Michy Batshuayi (£33m from Marseille)
Michy Batshuayi was brought in as Chelsea's promising striker after impressive performances for Marseille.
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Despite scoring the title-winning goal against West Brom in 2016/17, Batshuayi struggled to secure a regular starting spot. Multiple loan spells followed, including stints at Crystal Palace and Besiktas, before a permanent move to Fenerbahce in 2022. With only eight Premier League goals for Chelsea, Batshuayi fell short of expectations.
3. Danny Drinkwater (£35m from Leicester)
Signed in 2017 following Leicester City's title-winning season, Danny Drinkwater failed to replicate his previous success at Chelsea.
Despite playing a role in Leicester's midfield alongside N'Golo Kante, Drinkwater struggled to establish himself in Chelsea's squad. Loan spells at Burnley and Aston Villa yielded minimal playing time, followed by moves to Kasimpasa and Reading. Released by Chelsea in 2022, Drinkwater's tenure was marred by inconsistency and limited opportunities.
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4. Alvaro Morata (£58m from Real Madrid)
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Alvaro Morata arrived at Chelsea with a hefty price tag and initial promise, highlighted by 15 goals in his first season.
However, poor form and a lack of confidence saw him struggle in his second season, leading to a loan move to Atletico Madrid and eventually a permanent transfer. Despite recouping a portion of his fee, Morata's time at Chelsea was overshadowed by inconsistency and unfulfilled potential in the Premier League.
5. Adrian Mutu (£15.2m from Parma)
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Adrian Mutu initially impressed at Chelsea, scoring four goals in his first three games. However, his tenure quickly turned sour due to off-field issues, including a suspension for cocaine use and subsequent legal battles with the club.
Mutu's contract was terminated, and a prolonged legal dispute culminated in him being ordered to pay £15.2m in damages to Chelsea in 2018, marking a tumultuous and costly transfer for the club.
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6. Andriy Shevchenko (£30.8m from AC Milan)
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Andriy Shevchenko was a long-awaited signing for Chelsea, arriving in 2006 with high expectations but struggled to replicate his prolific form at AC Milan.
Despite moments of brilliance, including a debut goal in the Community Shield, Shevchenko failed to secure a consistent starting role. Loaned back to AC Milan and eventually leaving for Dynamo Kyiv, Shevchenko's tenure at Chelsea fell short of the club's hopes for a leading striker.
7. Fernando Torres (£50m from Liverpool)
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Fernando Torres arrived at Chelsea as a marquee signing, following a successful spell at Liverpool. Despite memorable moments, such as his goal against Barcelona in the Champions League, Torres struggled with injuries and inconsistent form.
His goal-scoring rate didn't match his prolific output at Liverpool, leading to mixed performances and eventual departure. With 45 goals in 175 appearances, Torres didn't meet the lofty expectations set by his record-breaking transfer fee.
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