While Chelsea FC were banned from making any signings at all this summer transfer window, they certainly had a couple of major arrivals this silly season. Winger Christian Pulisic, acquired in January from Borussia Dortmund for a $73 million fee, arrived in July after helping his national side to a Gold Cup Final appearance.
The 20-year-old American has looked every bit the part that he’s been hyped up to be, and so far his integration into the team has been more or less seamless.
The other major arrival is new manger Frank Lampard, who is eager to prove wrong those who believe him too young and too inexperienced for a gig this massive. He’s the third boss at Chelsea in three seasons and fourth in five. “Next Chelsea manager” has become a category seeing a lot of betting action in recent years just like the gaming available at best nz casino sites. No doubt if Lampard gets off to a rough start, you’ll see casinos start lining up sacking odds and taking bets on it. Just like we saw with Maurizio Sarri, Antonio Conte, Jose Mourinho et al.
Chelsea FC New arrivals of note:
Due to the transfer ban, we had to take a slightly different route in how we did our Chelsea FC transfer window grade and analysis post this year. If you look at the best online sports betting out there, you’ll see that Chelsea are still among the favorites to finish in the top four, despite the lack of ability to beef up the roster this summer. Typically, the sports book are giving them the third best odds out there, mirroring where they finished in the table last season.
Over the course of the summer, we covered a lot of friendlies and tournaments in the United States, and along the way we interviewed a host of prominent names well connected to the programs close to Pulisic.
With that said, here is what those important football figures had to say about the Hershey, Pennsylvania native. We also included some of the more noteworthy takes on Pulisic that made the international media rounds. These articles are all linked below.
Former Chelsea star Eden Hazard, Borussia Dortmund club legend Patrick Owomoyela, USMNT legend Brian McBride, Current/Former BVB Coach Lucien Favre and Jurgen Klopp, USMNT Coach Gregg Berhalter, Lampard.
Also, Chelsea were able to make Mateo Kovacic’s loan move permanent this summer, as doing so conformed to the rules and bylaws to which they are subjected.
Chelsea FC Departures of significance:
Hazard of course! One of the best players on the planet/in Chelsea history has moved on to Real Madrid, FINALLY getting the big money dream move but that has been discussed and overanalyzed for ages already!
Obviously, losing Hazard hurts tremendously. There were other, lesser, departures too- including Ethan Ampadu, Alvaro Morata and Victor Moses.
Chelsea FC Team needs addressed and not addressed: n/a
Chelsea did there best in the January transfer window to prepare for the ban ahead this summer. However, it’s not truly fair to assess or grade their summer business as Stamford Bridge was restricted.
Chelsea FC Synopsis and overall grade: n/a
With the ban in place, and remaining for another window, this summer wasn’t ever going to be too consequential. Thus, you can’t really grade it. They could be in for a rough go this season as they adjust to both a new manager and life without their all world superstar.
That said, you can’t discount them from top four contention entirely, as all the other contenders in that 3-6 range have issues to work out.
Summer Transfer Window Analysis/Season Previews
Arsenal Tottenham City United Liverpool Chelsea
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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