Transfer window review-Chelsea

4^th September 2012

Matthew OBrien

Matthew OBrien

4 September 2012

Having tasted Champions League victory in May, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich celebrated by splashing out in excess of £80 million in an attempt to revamp the squad this summer, with the Russian oil tycoon conducting all his transfers before the panic of deadline day.

The past year have seen most of the old guard leave, Alex, Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba have all left, replaced with smaller, more skilful younger stars such as Eden Hazard and the Brazilian Oscar.

The London side have started like a train; clocking up 3 wins in 3, with key signings already making a difference. Fernando Torres, the forgotten man, looks like a new player now he is leading the line alone.

However, last Friday’s Super Cup defeat at the hands of Athletico Madrid, exposed Chelsea’s struggling midfield, so the decision to let both Michael Essien and Raul Meireles leave the club may come back to haunt them

IN

Eden Hazard (Lille, £32m) – After just 3 games, pundits are calling this the transfer of the summer. Yes, he looks like a fantastic footballer, but, at £32m, HE SHOULD BE! That said, he does look good on the ball.

Oscar (Internacional, £25m) – Clever, looks good on the ball but will take time to adapt to the intensity of the Premier League.

Marko Marin (Werder Bremen, £7m) – Nippy winger and at a lowly £7m, it makes very little difference if he is a success or a failure. Has enough pace to cause defenders a real problem, but lacks craft.

Victor Moses (Wigan, £9m) – Could be a big player for the blues this year; strong, pacey and has served his apprentice in the premier league.

Cesar Azpilicueta (Marseille, £7m) – Will be used as a utility defender / cover for Luiz, Terry and Ivanovic.

Thorgan Hazard – (RC Lens – Undisclosed) – The younger brother of Eden, young, lightweight and will almost certainly only play domestic cup games. 

OUT

Didier Drogba (Shanghai Shenhua, free)

Jacob Mellis (Barnsley, free)

Salomon Kalou (Lille, free)

Jose Bosingwa (QPR, free)

Thibaut Courtois (Atletico Madrid, loan)

Romelu Lukaku (West Bromwich Albion, loan)

Kevin De Bruyne (Werder Bremen, loan)

Sam Hutchinson (Nottingham Forest, loan)

Josh McEachran (Middlesbrough, loan)

Nathaniel Chalobah (Watford, loan)

Thorgan Hazard (Zulte-Waregem, loan)

Yossi Benayoun (West Ham, loan)

Michael Essien (Real Madrid, loan)

Raul Meireles (Fenerbache, £8m)

Matt O’Brien, football correspondent