Three years into the Todd Boehly era, and Chelsea still feel a long way off the juggernaut they once were under Roman Abramovich. The American’s ownership, which began in 2022 after Abramovich was sanctioned due to his links with Russia, has been defined by chaotic spending, poor recruitment, and underwhelming results.
Over £1 billion has been splashed on transfers since Boehly took the reins, yet Chelsea haven’t even won a notable piece of silverware under his tutelage. If Enzo Maresca is to take his side to the next level and mount a genuine challenge on all fronts next season, this summer’s transfer window needs to be strategic, not scattergun.
So, here’s what needs to change at the Bridge for the Blues to be more favourable in the football odds on sites like LS Bet UK.
Sign a proven goalscorer
A striker remains Chelsea’s most urgent priority. Nicolas Jackson has shown flashes of potential—scoring 10 goals in 30 Premier League appearances—but his inconsistency in front of goal and tendency to miss big chances make him unreliable as the team’s main source of goals.
Jackson could be a valuable rotation option, but he’s not the elite finisher Chelsea so desperately need.
Unfortunately, the Blues face intense competition in the striker market. Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester United are all in the hunt for forwards, with names like Victor Gyökeres, Benjamin Sesko, and Liam Delap all linked.
Gyökeres, who scored freely for Sporting Lisbon this season, has an existing relationship with United boss Ruben Amorim, giving the Red Devils the upper hand.
Sesko, meanwhile, is being tracked by both Liverpool and Arsenal, making Chelsea’s pitch harder to sell if they can offer Champions League football.
The most realistic target may be Liam Delap, who impressed with 12 goals for relegated Ipswich Town and is available for a reported £30m due to a release clause. While far from the finished product, Delap is a promising option with Premier League potential.
Bring in a right-footed winger
This is a need that was on the radar back in January, with reported interest in Jamie Bynoe-Gittens of Borussia Dortmund and Alejandro Garnacho of Manchester United. Neither deal materialised, but the intent was there—and remains necessary.
Chelsea’s current crop of wide players lacks balance. Jadon Sancho’s future is uncertain even after a loan with obligation deal was agreed with United last summer, and Mykhailo Mudryk has flattered to deceive since his big-money move from Shakhtar.
Worse still, Mudryk is now facing a possible suspension following a positive test for a banned substance, further highlighting the need for reinforcements.
A tricky, right-footed winger who can cut in from the left and provide creativity and goals would offer Maresca more variety in attack and reduce the team’s reliance on Cole Palmer, who has carried the creative burden for much of the last couple of campaigns.
Reinforce the centre of defence
Chelsea’s defensive recruitment under Boehly has been patchy at best. Kalidou Koulibaly came and went, Wesley Fofana has been ravaged by injury, Benoit Badiashile has barely featured, and Axel Disasi was sent out on loan to Aston Villa.
Injuries and inconsistency have forced the club to rely on makeshift options, including the unexpected January recall of Trevoh Chalobah.
With Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen bound for Real Madrid, the Blues may look to bring back a familiar face in Marc Guéhi, now a key figure at Crystal Palace and in Gareth Southgate’s England setup.
But another centre-back will only make sense if others are moved on first—Chelsea simply have too many players competing for too few spots.
Drastically trim the squad
The bloated nature of Chelsea’s squad has been a long-running issue. The club has amassed players like a collector hoarding action figures, many of whom are on big wages and contribute little.
Big earners such as Raheem Sterling, Ben Chilwell, and João Felix have all been out on loan and not in the manager’s plans. Other fringe players on loan—including Carney Chukwuemeka, Armando Broja, Disasi, and Kepa Arrizabalaga—should also be on the chopping block.
Outside of Moisés Caicedo and Cole Palmer, few players should be considered untouchable. Chelsea must focus on clearing out the deadwood before adding further reinforcements.
